Smart Family Podcast

If you have been around kids and schools, you'll notice that for some kids concepts around math come easy while for others it can seem like a constant uphill battle. Is it true that some of us were just not wired to learn math? Is it how math is taught? Or is there more to it? Today we talk not just about this issue but we also zoom out to the more general life lesson of "getting stuck" and we are joined by an expert in the field - teacher, speaker and author Ben Orlin. At a math teacher Ben saw how kids sometimes get stuck on trying only to get the right answer without "sitting" in the problem and perhaps seeing things from different angles. He brings to life some great examples in history where breakthroughs have emerged from smart people getting stuck and he makes a great point for why this should be something we value and teach to our kids as well. Ben, author of the upcoming Math For English Majors is a genius at making the "hard" things (like math concepts) easy to understand and you will love our conversation.

When you hit a season of disappointment in your marriage, what do you do? Do you tough it out, work it out, or move on? Our marriage experts and Christian church leaders, Ann and Dave Wilson had to face that question more than once. After 6 months, Ann wondered out loud to Dave, "I think we've made a serious mistake." After 10 years of marriage, she confessed to Dave that she no longer had feelings for him. And yet, they've found a pathway forward in their relationship that has them both in love, satisfied and enjoying each other after 44 years together. How did they face their disappointments and forge a better future? We have an honest, probing conversation today about how to make it through a season of disappointment, how to communicate about and meet each other's needs, how to improve your sex life and more.

As parents we all want what is best for our children, but how much stress should we let them experience? Or do we protect them from life's struggles? And how does this tie in with the concept of resilience - this ability for a person to manage the daily stressors in life and maintain an overall healthy mental state. In this episode we speak with scholar, author and speaker Dr Robyne Hanley-Dafoe about the topics of resilience and stress. She has an incredible personal story which she shares with us, and which motivated her llife-long journey to learn more about stress and resilience - how it develops and how we can raise kids who are resilient through the various stressors of life. There are pearls of wisdom throughout this episode you will not want to miss!

If you'd asked me (Toni) about what or who was causing our marital strife during the rough period my husband Carey and I went through, I can assure you I would not have pointed the finger back at me. For a time, I firmly believed Carey was mainly to blame. Only later did I discover how much my own lack of self-awareness and my weaknesses were also at play. In today's episode with my friend and owner of the Covey Wellness Centre, Sarah Covey, we talk about how our journeys in personal growth intersect marriage. We talk about my book, Before You Split, where I chronicle some of the personal challenges Carey and I faced, our learnings, research and perspectives from my work as a divorce attorney. Listen in for practical insights on how to overcome the obstacles that keep you from being more deeply satisfied with your married life.

Are you the parent of a child with a disability? Or do you know a parent who needs support with their child with a disability? Kelley Coleman is an expert on all things related to parenting a child with a disability. Kelley discusses her own experience as a parent but also explains how we can be an advocate, not just for individuals but also for the larger community. She suggests what we should or should not say and what we should or should not do. This conversation is filled with pearls of wisdom from someone who has experienced it all and captured in her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting A Disabled Child. Join us as we discuss this important topic.

Today's guest started having conversations with her child about avoiding drug use when he was still very young. So you can imagine the shock and denial she went through when she discovered he was using drugs as a teenager. Her story shows that it can happen to any parent. Ann is passionate about helping parents understand their own emotional reactions, and learning to regulate, and have better conversations with their teenager who may be 'going off the rails'. Most importantly, we talk about how to preserve and build stronger bonds with your child to guide them through this season in their development.

For many of you the name Max Lucado is very familiar. As a well-known Christian pastor and author of over 40 books which have sold more than 145 million copies, it is quite possible that there's a Max Lucado book on your bookshelf. On the other hand, we have a diverse audience and since Max speaks mainly about the Christian faith, maybe you've never heard of him. Regardless, this episode will be so helpful and interesting, no matter what your background. Even if you are not a spiritual person yourself, for many a faith perspective can be a vital lifeline in times of distress, bringing hope and meaning in an increasingly disconnected world. Being aware of someone's spriritual identity will help you understand not just what makes them tick and what brings them hope, but also where their resources lie. Recently Max wrote a book on loneliness for children - Just In Case You Ever Feel Alone - and we took the opportunity to speak to him not just about this book but in general about why we are so lonely, why young families need support, and why mental health and a vibrant faith perspective are so linked. You will be inspired by Max's message. 

Do you have a teen who seems to struggle with emotions? Or maybe you had a hard time self-regulating when you were a teenager and want to set your pre-teen up for success. When we read Melanie McNally's book The Emotionally Intelligent Teen we knew we wanted to interview her for the podcast. Adolescence can be so complex, and for teenagers who have big emotions they can't make sense of, or that seem to paralyze them, even a few helpful nudges can guide them to a much brighter future. Melanie speaks both from personal and clinical experience as a Gen Z Brain Coach and she was excited to share her insights with us. Listen in!

Ever feel like your collaborating or empathizing with your child isn't helping them, or you? How do you empathize with your child's feelings without giving your child more control than is healthy for them? Think about how you would feel if a plane you're flying on seems to be in trouble, but the pilot comes out and asks you what to do. You'd be terrified, right?? You need to know the pilot is in control, and has a plan. Parenting coach Mary Willcox Smith joins us on the podcast to share insights and practical, effective approaches that will help you face parenting challenges with empathy while also retaining your parenting role.

It's not uncommon to believe "I would never do...", from a posture of pride, while judging our spouse's actions. Or, "Okay. I'll lower myself to your point of view", which also finds its source in pride. Leaning into self-awareness is not an easy journey, but uncovering your blind spots is one step toward transforming your relationship. Jada Edwards, one of the teaching pastors at One Community Church in Plano, Texas shares a wealth of wisdom on marriage. She and her husband went through a rough season in their marriage, out of which Jada gleaned deep and practical insights that we discuss in this episode. "Do you think you have a PhD in your spouse? If you've been married for 5 years, you basically have a kindergarten level of that knowing." When you realize that your level of understanding of your partner is quite a bit less mature than you think, let that be motivation for you to ask more curious questions.