Michele Borba, author of Unselfie,

Topic: Why empathetic kids succeed in our all-about-me world.

Issues: The hidden advantage of empathy and why it matters for children; how to develop empathy; what empathetic kids do that non-empathetic kids don’t; developing moral courage; becoming an empathetic leader

Ira Chasnoff, author of The Mystery of Risk.

Topic: Drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, and the vulnerable child.

Issues: An overview of biological and environmental risks to newborns; risks to children exposed to marijuana, alcohol, and harder drugs in utero; behavior, memory, and other problems in drug-/alcohol-exposed children; diagnosing and treating drug-/alcohol-exposed children.

Catherine Pearlman, author of Ignore It!

Topic: How selectively looking the other way can decrease behavior problems and increase parenting satisfaction.

Issues: What behaviors are appropriate to ignore and what to do when ignoring isn’t an option; use ignoring to eliminate problem behavior in just a few days; creating a reward system that actually works; use time-outs effectively so they don’t become a battle of wills; what to do when mom and dad aren’t on the same page.

Michael Bennett and Sarah Bennett, authors of F*ck Love.

Topic: Sensible advice for finding a lasting relationship.

Issues: Reasons good people can’t find good partners; questions to which the answer is always “no”; how to prevent yourself from getting worn out by internet dating; the myth of the sense of humor; should my partner and I break up? what to consider before deciding to get divorced.

Richard Watts, author of Entitlemania.

Topic: How not to spoil your kids, and what to do if you already have.

Issues: Why it’s a mistake to be friends with your child; Do delay gratification, Do let your kids struggle; Do give memories instead of things DON’T sacrifice yourself to make life easier for them; DON’T share your estate plan with them; DON’T hand down too much.

Beau Lotto, author of Deviate.

Topic: The science of seeing differently.

Issues: Why we don’t see reality (and why our brains didn’t evolve to perform that function); how realizing that we aren’t seeing reality can make us more creative and innovative at work, home, play, and love; why we need to embrace uncertainty; how changing our environment changes the brain.

Mary Lamia, author of What Motivates Getting Things Done.

Topic: Procrastination, emotions, and success.

Issues: The differences between task-driven procrastinators and deadline-driven procrastinators; tools to turn agitation and annoyance into affirmation and acceptance; helping procrastinators jump-start their system and make the most out of their time; much more.

Lea Waters, author of The Strength Switch.

Topic: How the new science of strength-based parenting can help your child to flourish.

Issues: Understanding strengths; the ages and stages of strength growth; building strength through attention, savoring, gratitude, and goofing off; strength-based living in the real world; much more.

Jack Gilbert, author of Dirt is Good.

Topic: The advantage of germs for your child’s developing immune system.

Issues: The microbiome; the importance of the bacteria that live inside us across the lifespan (but especially in childhood); where does our microbiome come from? The effects of diet, antibiotics, probiotics, and more; physical, emotional, and psychological effects of the microbiome; the dangers of antibacterial soaps and attempts to keep our children’s environment super clean; more.

Jed Diamond, author of The Enlightened Marriage.

Topic: Transformative states of relationships and why the best is still to come.

Issues: The five stages of marriage—and why too many couples stop at stage 3; making a commitment to love; how healing childhood trauma can save your marriage; why incompatibility can be a good thing; differences in male and female communication; differences between male and female depression; understanding age-related change; more.