OKC journalist, Thunder hype guy and new dad Malcolm Tubbs joins us to share his passion for nonprofit Heroes In Waiting, which provides free anti-bullying curriculum to schools, youth programs and families. With a focus on developing peace-building, empathy and emotional regulation skills, the trauma-informed, research-based program seeks to teach students to care for their mental health and that of their fellow students. Tubbs shares how a powerful mentor relationship that began while he was in high school has made a forever difference in his life -- and inspires him to be a positive influence in students' lives today through Heroes In Waiting.

Freedom City OKC’s founder, Brittany Carter-Thomas, Esq., joins us today to talk about their mission: to support and improve education in Oklahoma City. Freedom City's vision is for 100% of students to be at or exceeding grade-level standards, confident, and exposed to numerous extracurriculars. Meeting each student "where they are" through programs such as Freedom Girls, Afterschool Programming, In-School Math, Awkward Conversations Support Group, Lunch Mentoring, summer camps, and In-School Reading, students enrolled are seeing anywhere from 30-45% increases in test scores and grade levels. Learn more about Freedom City at www.freedomcityokc.com.

This National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Commissioner Carrie Slatton-Hodges of the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse joins us to provide parents with tips on talking with kids about suicide and depression, signs and symptoms to be aware of, and steps to take if we suspect a child we love is contemplating suicide. She shares details on the new 988 statewide mental health hotline that operates 24/7 and offers services for mental health crisis calls from licensed and certified health crisis specialists, for both crisis situations and when parents or kids themselves need resources or someone to talk to.

Dad, author-illustrator and award-winning creator Jarrett Lerner joins us to give advice in parenting around the issues of body image, disordered eating and self-acceptance, especially for boys. His new illustrated novel A Work in Progress is based on some of his own struggles with body image and disordered eating. As reported by NBC Nightly News, one in three people diagnosed with an eating disorder is male, yet almost all eating disorder research focuses on women. Jarrett hopes conversations like this one will help normalize and improve mental health care as it relates to body image and disordered eating for boys in particular.Dad, author-illustrator and award-winning creator Jarrett Lerner joins us to give advice in parenting around the issues of body image, disordered eating and self-acceptance, especially for boys. His new illustrated novel A Work in Progress is based on some of his own struggles with body image and disordered eating. As reported by NBC Nightly News, one in three people diagnosed with an eating disorder is male, yet almost all eating disorder research focuses on women. Jarrett hopes conversations like this one will help normalize and improve mental health care as it relates to body image and disordered eating for boys in particular.

Educator and author Henry Rice joins us to discuss how teaching our children the principles of love and kindness can counteract violence. Currently the music teacher at Putnam Heights Academy, Henry has worked in education for 30 years and recently put his 12 strategies of teaching nonviolence in book form for use by families, schools and youth organizations: Hey TEENS Workbook: Teaching Everyone Everywhere Nonviolent Strategies. He has positively impacted thousands of students throughout the years and shares today how parents can put his principles into effect in our homes, which in turn will make a positive impact on our community and world.

In honor of MetroFamily’s 25th anniversary and three years of our Raising OKC Kids podcast, we are welcoming back one of our most popular guests to speak on one of our most downloaded topics: mental health professional and dad Michael Dickerson joins us to give an update on mental health in the workplace. Michael shares how awareness around mental health practices has changed in Oklahoma since the pandemic as well as how employees can continue to advocate for better boundaries around their work lives and personal lives.

Did you know shared family meals have a positive impact on our kids mental health, in addition to their physical health? Therapist, author and psychology professor Dr. Anne Fishel shares why family mealtimes are so important as well as how busy families can set reasonable expectations for shared meals. Listen in for easy how-tos to schedule time together, make meal planning and prep easier, encourage meaningful conversation and promote both nutrition and positive body image for our kids.

In honor of Pediatric Optometry Month, Dr. Kim Hefner, 2023 Family Favorites winner in the category of “Eye Care Provider” joins us to talk about frequently asked questions about our kids' eyesight, eye health and how to care for our eyes in an emergency. Learn about the warning signs for everything from poor depth perception to more serious eye disease, and how degenerative progression, with proper care, can be slowed over time.

Parenting older kids can be challenging, so Meg Cannon with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services joins us to share how parents can balance giving kids more independence while also maintaining a strong relationship. Meg addresses how to asses tween and teen mental health, promote body positivity, teach kids to "fail" and talk about difficult subjects like pornography and suicide.

Tiffany Hammond, the voice behind the Fidgets and Fries platform, shares tips for supporting, celebrating and advocating for people with Autism. Tiffany is an Autistic mother, advocate and storyteller — and she uses her personal experiences with Autism, and those of her two Autistic sons, to guide others on their journeys. Tiffany has a master's degree in Developmental Psychology and spends her time teaching, coaching and mentoring others in disability justice issues. She is author of the new children’s book, A Day With No Words, inspired by her oldest son, which seeks to normalize non-verbal communication.