We know the pandemic affected our children, but what has been the aftermath for our kids in middle school today? In this episode, psychotherapist, school counselor, and author Phyllis Fagell discusses the creation of "extreme tweens" and what qualities they need develop to succeed in middle school and beyond. Phyllis demonstrates that guiding our girls through the experiences of middle school can help build the strong, resilient adults we want our girls to grow into.

About the Guest:
Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC is a nationally board certified counselor at a school in Maryland, a psychotherapist who works with children and teens in private practice, and an author and journalist. She is the author of "MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS, The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help," and "MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPERPOWERS, Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times." Phyllis is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and freelances for publications such as Psychology Today, CNN, Working Mother, U.S. News & World Report and Your Teen. Her ideas have been shared in outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Edutopia, Mindshift, The Chicago Tribune, and NPR. She has three children and lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

Follow Phyllis on Instagram or Facebook.
Connect with Phyllis on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Phyllis at https://phyllisfagell.com/.
Buy Middle School Matters or Middle School SuperPowers.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!   

Kids come in all shapes and sizes, but unfortunately, kids' athletic wear does not. While clothing options for adults have grown in recent years, there are still fewer plus size options for kids. Pam Luk, founder of Ember & Ace, talks about bringing more awareness to body diversity, how to talk to our kids about size differences, and her new athletic wear brand for plus size kids.

About the Guest
Pam Luk is the founder of Ember & Ace, an athletic wear brand for plus size kids. Growing up playing sports, she learned firsthand the importance of finding active wear that fits. After a career in project management, Pam wanted to ensure her daughter and other children are able to be comfortable in the clothes they wear for sporting activities. She went after that desire and launched a fashion line exclusively for active plus size kids. In June, Pam launched a Kickstarter campaign that was fully funded in just 17 days to help launch Ember & Ace!

Connect with Pam on Instagram.
Follow Ember & Ace on LinkedIn.
Check out Ember & Ace products.


Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!   

Kids are getting smartphones earlier while research is showing us the dangers of our kids on social media and accessing inappropriate content online. So how do we keep them safe? This week, Jessica Speer, sociologist and highly acclaimed author discusses her new book for pre-teens, The Phone Book: Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand.

Discussed in this episode:
Behind Their Screens by Emily Weinstein & Carrie James

About the Guest:
Jessica is the highly acclaimed author of books for kids and teens, including The Phone Book - Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand. Her interactive books engage and entertain readers by combining the stories of preteens and teens with fun activities, like quizzes and fill-in-the-blanks.
She has a master's degree in social sciences and explores social-emotional topics in ways that connect with kids. Jessica is regularly featured in and contributes to media outlets on topics related to kids, parenting, and friendship.
Check out Jessica's website.
Connect with Jessica Speer on Instagram.
Buy Jessica's books.

Recommendations from Raising Middle School Girls:
Brighter Minds, Better Futures
The Raising Middle School Girls podcast is listener supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!   

The jump from elementary to middle school can be huge, so it's often a time when parents consider the options for their kids' schooling. Between public, private, charter, magnet and more, there's no shortage of choices. But what questions should parents ask to determine if a middle school is right for their child? In this episode school counselor and author Louise Hajjar Diamond talks parents through what to consider when looking at potential schools.

About the Guest:
Louise Hajjar Diamond has been a school counselor for 31 years in South Florida in public and private schools. Her experience in school counseling, child development, and education have led her to write dozens of articles for parenting and professional publications for over twenty years. She's also the author of Creating the Balance:  Parenting Through the Middle School Years.
Connect with Louise on Instagram @middleschoolparenting or @school_counseling_balance.
Buy Creating the Balance: Parenting Through the Middle School Years.

Recommendations from Raising Middle School Girls:
Brighter Minds, Better Futures
The Raising Middle School Girls podcast is listener supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!   

Many teens and young adults are struggling with life challenges and the transition to adulthood. Many parents can see what their teen needs to do, but can't find a way to get through. In this episode, life and wellness coach for teens and young adults, Amanda Chatzikonstantinou, discusses some of the reasons she can get through to teens when the parents can't, what confidence can look like in teens, and how parents can support their teens on the journey to adulthood.

About the Guest:
Amanda is a Master Certified Life & Wellness Coach and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), specializing in coaching teens & young adults who are struggling with life challenges and through the stresses of transitioning to adulthood. She's passionate about empowering every young person to understand the power of the mind, their innate wisdom, and how to build a thriving future. She equips her clients with essential life skills, effective goal setting tools and stress management strategies to become confident, self-motivated, independent and resilient adults.
Visit Amanda's website.
Follow Amanda on Facebook and Instagram.

Recommendations from Raising Middle School Girls:
Brighter Minds, Better Futures
The Raising Middle School Girls podcast is listener supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!   

Self-confidence takes a hard hit for many girls in middle school. Parents see it everyday, but how can we combat the external pressures making our girls feel like they're not enough? Sometimes, we know what to say, what to do, if only we had enough time and our girls would listen...In today's interview, tween and teen confidence coach Erin Tarr teaches parents how we can help our girls incorporate self-confidence boosting habits into their daily lives.

Recommendations from Raising Middle School Girls:
Brighter Minds, Better Futures
The Raising Middle School Girls podcast is listener supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

About the Guest:
Erin Tarr is a Confidence Coach for teen and tween girls with over 20 years of experience. She educates and coaches young girls while simultaneously helping their families navigate this important life stage. A Central Illinois Business Magazine 40 Under 40 recipient, keynote speaker, and frequent podcast guest, Erin’s effusive energy and passion for empowering young girls is contagious. Her programs and messages have impacted thousands of girls in Illinois and around the world giving them the ability to overcome overwhelm, and anxious thoughts so they can move through the world with confidence and make their unique impact on the world.
Learn more about Erin's work at erintarr.com.
Connect with Erin on Instagram.
Buy Your FIERCE Life: 6 Simple Steps to Daily Confidence for Teens.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!       

Technology, including everything from cell phones to smart TVs, social media to AI have become an inevitable part of parenting middle schoolers. In this episode, Sarah Siegand, founder of Parents Who Fight, discusses the realities of technology-fueled middle school and what we can and can't control as parents. If you're a parent who's overwhelmed by everything kids have access to these days, this episode is the perfect primer.

Recommendations mentioned in this episode:
HR Mom
Childhood 2.0 Documentary
Better Screen Time
Parenting in a Tech World FB Group
WiFi/Router Solutions

Recommendations from Raising Middle School Girls:
Brighter Minds, Better Futures
The Raising Middle School Girls podcast is listener supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

About the Guest:
In 2015, Sarah Siegand and her husband Jesse started a community movement called Parents Who Fight, dedicated to raising awareness about digital dangers. Sarah helps hundreds of parents each year with strategies for protecting kids online through workshops, webinars, and personal consultations. Sarah is also the mom of two teenage boys and a youth mentor to middle school girls at her church.
Connect with Parents Who Fight on Instagram.
Learn more about upcoming workshops or schedule a consultation with Parents Who Fight.


Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!      

You know how great your middle school girl is, and you tell her all the time. Why doesn’t she believe you? In today’s episode I talk with award winning author, nurse practitioner and teen confidence expert Jacqui Letran about the limiting beliefs our girls hold, how they develop, and what we can do to help them grow beyond the them. Spoiler alert, this work isn’t just for our teens!

About the Guest:
Jacqui Letran is an Author, Speaker, Nurse Practitioner, and Teen Confidence Expert. She blends over twenty years of experience working with teens in the medical and holistic settings to provide time-tested, practical guidance to help teen girls embody Peaceful Confidence™. Her multi-award-winning Words of Wisdom for Teens book series is considered a go-to resource for teens, parents of teens, and anyone working with teens.
Learn more about Jacqui's work here.
Check out Jacqui's books here.
Connect with Jacqui on Facebook.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!        

Middle school girls want to find a space where they feel like they belong, where their identity is valued. What happens when a girl feels like “the only one”? Middle school is hard enough, but adding on the complexity of being the only or one of only a few girls who come from a different cultural background, or who look different than the majority of students, can be a challenge. In today’s episode, I talk with Indian American, newly published author and former teacher at an all-girls school, Shetal Shah, about her experiences growing up and why diversity and inclusion matter so much within the middle school classroom.

About the Guest:
As a second-generation Indian-American, Shetal Shah hoped to one day see more stories of girls like her in the books that she read. A former educator, school administrator, and diversity practitioner, Shetal is now turning that dream into a reality with the launch of her debut children's book, Shakti Girls, which celebrates the lives and achievements of remarkable women from India. Shetal currently lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia, while pursuing her mission to diversify bookshelves with inspiring stories.

Learn more about Shetal's work at www.shetal-shah.com.
Connect with Shetal on Instagram.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!       

5Let's be honest - there's a lot of students AND parents who don't like math. What if it doesn't have to be this way for your kid? In this episode, Allison Dillard, host of the Allison Loves Math podcast, offers parents practical advice on how to help your student love (or at least not loathe) math. Allison also talks about math anxiety, and why middle school can be a trigger for it starting.

About the Guest
Allison Dillard is a former math professor and 5-time author who writes books to help your child, class, school, or district to gain confidence in and succeed in math. She also hosts the Allison Loves Math podcast, where she interviews trailblazers in math and education about how to set our kids and students up for success in math, STEM, school, and life. Her love for math is legendary.

Check out Allison and her work at www.allisonlovesmath.com.
Check out upcoming workshops for students, parents, and educators.
Connect with Allison on Facebook.
Connect with Allison on Instagram.

Connect with Raising Middle School Girls:
Thank you for listening to the Raising Middle School Girls podcast. Want to hear more from experts who can help you support your middle school girl? Please subscribe to the podcast or sign up for the Raising Middle School Girls newsletter.  Do you have a burning question about raising your middle school girl? Send a DM to @RaisingMiddleSchoolGirls on Instagram to have your question considered for a future episode. We're in this together, parents!