The Weekly Parent

Perfectionism is a trap — and most of us don’t even realize we’re in it.
In this episode, therapist Emily Cox explains why we keep chasing the impossible golden ring, how the mental health system makes getting help harder than it should be, and why choosing “mediocre” on purpose might be the most freeing thing you do all year. We also dig into parenting teens, modeling emotional regulation, and how to know when it’s time to seek support. A sharp, honest, surprisingly hopeful conversation for anyone tired of performing “fine.”

**** LET'S CONNECT! ****

🌐 Larkspur Therapy: www.larkspurtherapy.com

📩 Read our Newsletter: https://www.theweeklyparent.com

📷 Follow Emily on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/larkspur_therapy/

📷 Follow Kiyah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkiyahduffey/

**** KEY TAKEAWAYS ****

 Perfectionism is a trap that leads to self-punishment.

Access to mental health care is hindered by complex systems and stigma.

Younger generations are more open to discussing mental health.

Therapy can be beneficial even when things aren't 'bad enough.'

Modeling emotional resilience is crucial for children and teens.

Incremental changes can build internal resilience.

Mindfulness practices can help manage anxiety and perfectionism.

Everyone deserves care and support, regardless of their situation.

Therapy should reflect strengths and provide a safe space.

It's important to challenge the stigma around seeking help.

**** CHAPTERS ****

00:00 Introduction to Therapy and Perfectionism

02:49 The Meaning Behind Larkspur Therapy

06:35 Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Care

11:58 Shifting Stigmas Around Mental Health

15:13 Understanding Perfectionism

19:18 Strategies for Managing Perfectionism

22:44 The Importance of Perspective in Young Adulthood

28:07 Modeling Emotional Resilience for Teens

30:40 Therapy: Not Just for Crisis

34:03 Practical Steps While Waiting for Therapy

39:57 Messages of Hope in Mental Health

**** ABOUT ****

Emily Cox is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor andLicensed Clinical Addictions Specialist based in North Carolina. She is trained in EMDR and has extensive experience supporting children, teens, and young adults through anxiety, depression, identity development, trauma, and major life transitions. She specializes in helping clients navigate perfectionism, emotional regulation, and the challenges of growing into adulthood. Emily is the founder of Larkspur Therapy, where she provides individual counseling to clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Vermont.

 Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

**** KEYWORDS ****

therapy, perfectionism, mental health, access to care,emotional resilience, stigma, self-care, mindfulness, women empowerment, counseling

One-third of women leave their jobs within 18 months of returning from parental leave — not all of them do so because they want to stay home, but because their workplace let them down when they needed support the most.

This week, I sit down with Beth Wanner, founder + CEO of Mother Cover, whose own jaw-dropping story of IVF,pregnancy discrimination, and being fired at eight months pregnant launched a movement to completely rethink parental leave.

Beth exposes the real costs of getting leave wrong (hello burnout, turnover, and lost clients), and shares the solution she built to help companies support parents without sacrificing performance.

This conversation will change the way you think about caregiving, work, and what’s actually possible when we design workplaces with humanity and strategy.

If you’ve ever taken leave, managed someone on leave, or wondered why it still feels so hard to be both a parent and a professional — this one is a must-listen.

**** LET'S CONNECT! ****

🌐 Mother Cover: https://www.mothercoveragency.com/

🔗Connect with Beth on Linkedin:

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethwanner/

📩 Read our Newsletter: https://www.theweeklyparent.com

📷 Follow Beth on Instagram:

 https://www.instagram.com/mothercoveragency/

📷 Follow Kiyah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkiyahduffey/

**** KEY TAKEAWAYS ****

• One third of women leave their roles within 18 months of returning from leave.
• Many women do not choose to stay at home; they leave due to negative experiences.
• Negative feelings about maternity leave can lead to job changes.
• Women often feel let down by their companies during critical life moments.
• Starting fresh at a new company can feel easier than addressing workplace issues.
• Support during maternity leave is crucial for employee retention.
• Companies need to create a positive experience for returning mothers.
• The assumption that women choose to leave is often incorrect.
• Retention strategies should focus on the experiences of returning employees.
• Understanding the challenges faced by women can improve workplace culture.

**** KEYWORDS ****

#maternity #maternityleave #womenscareers #workplace #workplaceexperience #employeeretention #retention #career #careers #worklifebalance #transition #family #startingafamily

What if teaching your kids about money didn’t have to beawkward, overwhelming, or a little… stressful? In this conversation, Kiyah and financial expert Todd Christensen dive into exactly how families can make money talk normal.

Todd shares age-specific tips for kids and teens, the biggest mistakes parents make, tools for saving and allowances that actually work, and how blended families can align around shared money values. This episode will help you rethink financial education as an everyday skill—and a gift you can pass on to your kids.

**** LET'S CONNECT! ****

🌐 Todd’s Website: https://moneyfit.org

✅ Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddrchristensen

📩 Read our Newsletter: https://www.theweeklyparent.com

📷 Follow Kiyah onInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkiyahduffey/

*** RESOURCES MENTIONED ****

Money Fit by DRS Blog: https://www.moneyfit.org/blog

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday (Judith Viorst)

The Berenstain Bears The Trouble with Money

List of FinTech allowance apps (non-endorsed): Greenlight,GoHenry, FamZoo

Compound interest calculator: https://www.investor.gov/financial-tools-calculators/calculators/compound-interest-calculator

**** KEY TAKEAWAYS ****

Money discussions are often avoided due to generationalnorms.

Starting financial conversations early can prevent futureissues.

Children learn about money through observation and experience.

It's important to model healthy financial behaviors for kids.

Open communication about finances can strengthen familybonds.

Blended families may face unique financial challenges.

Regular financial discussions can help families stay on track.

Key milestones should prompt financial conversations.

Using tools and apps can simplify money management for kids.

Teaching kids about money is an ongoing process.

****CHAPTERS ****

00:00 Introduction to Financial Literacy and Family Dynamics

02:02 The Challenges of Discussing Money in Families

05:55 Strategies for Initiating Financial Conversations

13:43 Teaching Financial Concepts to Young Children

17:31 Navigating Teenagers' Work and Financial Independence

26:14 Navigating Financial Conversations in Relationships

34:32 Key Milestones for Financial Discussions

37:27 The Evolution of Financial Literacy

39:33 Talking to Parents About Finances

44:45 Allowance and Financial Tools for Kids

**** ABOUT ****

Todd R. Christensen is a financial educator, HUD-certified housing counselor, and Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) who has spent more than two decades helping families build healthier financial lives. As the Financial Education & Housing Counseling Manager at Money Fit by DRS, Todd has guided thousands of parents, teens, and young adults through budgeting, debt reduction, saving, credit building, and the financial decisions that shape family wellbeing. He is the author of several books—including Everyday Money for Everyday People and 50+ on FIRE—and is a nationally recognized voice on practical money management.  

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhDfrom UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

****KEYWORDS ****

 #financial #financialliteracy #family #familyfinance #money #moneymanagement #financialeducation #parenting #financialconversations #budgeting #saving #teaching#financialcounseling

What happens when food becomes both your biggest challenge and your greatest calling? In this episode, Dr. Kiyah Duffey sits down with The Allergy Chef, Kathlena, whose 200+ food allergies inspired a mission to help families everywhere navigate restricted diets with confidence and joy.

Kathlena shares how she transformed struggle into purpose,offering practical advice for managing allergies day-to-day, building safer kitchens, and advocating for your child’s needs. Together, they explore the emotional side of living with dietary restrictions—the overwhelm, the mental health impact, and the unexpected joy that can come from reclaiming control in the kitchen.

It’s a conversation about resilience, radical responsibility, and the power of finding freedom within limits.

**** Let's Connect! ****

🌐 Visit The Allergy Chef Website: https://theallergychef.com/

📺 Subscribe to the Allergy Chef on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/theallergychef

📷 Follow Kathlena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theallergychef

📩 Read our Newsletter: https://www.theweeklyparent.com

📷 Follow Kiyah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkiyahduffey/

**** Chapters ****

00:00 Introduction to Kathlena, The Allergy Chef

00:54 Kathlena’s Journey: From Misdiagnosis to Advocacy

07:03 The Importance of Parental Advocacy in Health

11:49 Navigating Food Allergies: Personal Experiences and Insights

19:51 Understanding Food Intolerances and Allergies

27:43 Practical Steps for Identifying Food Issues

33:45 The Broader Context: Food Allergies and Environmental Factors

38:05 Empowering Parents in Managing Allergies

42:03 Engaging Kids in Healthy Eating

43:08 Mental Health and Family Dynamics

52:31 Navigating the Journey of Food Allergies

55:10 Taking Radical Responsibility for Health

**** About ****

Kathlena, widely known as The Allergy Chef, is an educator, recipe developer, and advocate dedicated to empowering individuals and families living with food allergies and special dietary needs. After being diagnosed with more than 200 food allergies and intolerances, Kathlena transformed her personal challenges into a global mission to make safe,inclusive eating accessible to everyone.

Through her platform, The Allergy Chef, and her online community, RAISE (Recipes and Resources for Allergy Intolerant and Special diet Eaters), she provides meal plans, educational tools, and practical strategies for managing restricted diets without sacrificing joy or nutrition. Her work bridges the gap between safety and simplicity—helping parents confidently navigate everything from kitchen organization and cross-contact prevention to school planning and family mealtimes.

Kathlena has become a trusted voice in the allergy and special diets community, offering hope and hands-on support to those newly navigating diagnoses as well as seasoned families seeking fresh ideas. Her message is simple but powerful: with the right tools and understanding, every family can thrive—no matter their dietary needs.

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

**** KEYWORDS ****

food allergies, dietary restrictions, parenting, health,nutrition, advocacy, cooking, mental health, food journaling, allergy management

In this episode, Dr. Erica Buchholz — parent coach andfounder of Becoming Playful — reminds us that joy isn’t a luxury in parenting, it’s a lifeline. She shares her path from academic psychology to helping parents rediscover creativity, laughter, and lightness as antidotes to burnout. You’ll learn her three pillars of recovery — Recharge, Inner Power, and Time to Thrive — and even get a taste of laughter yoga. This one’s a powerful reminder that play isn’t just for kids — it’s how grown-ups heal, too.

** Let's Connect! **

🌐 Visit Erica’s Website: https://becomingplayful.com/

😂 Get Erica’s Playful tips on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EveryoneHappier

📷 Follow Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingplayfulcoaching/

📩 Read our Newsletter: https://www.theweeklyparent.com

 📷 Follow Kiyah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkiyahduffey/

** Key Takeaways **

Play for adults is about creativity and creation.

Burnout is a chemical change in the brain, not just exhaustion.

Laughter yoga can improve mental health and well-being.

Self-care is essential for effective parenting.

Curiosity about oneself is crucial for personal growth.

Intentional laughter can shift your mood and mindset.

Modeling self-care for children teaches them its importance.

Habit stacking can help integrate play into daily routines.

Taking breaks is not neglecting responsibilities.

You don't have to parent alone; support is available.

** Chapters **

00:00 Introduction to Playfulness and Parenting

02:56 The Journey from Psychology to Parent Coaching

06:08 The Importance of Play for Adults

09:09 Burnout Recovery: Three Pillars Explained

16:54 Curiosity and Self-Care in Parenting

23:00 Laughter Yoga: A Tool for Joy

29:55 Practical Strategies for Overcoming Burnout

36:28 Final Thoughts on Parenting and Support

** About **

Dr. Erica Buckholz is a parent coach with a doctorate inApplied Developmental Psychology and the founder of Becoming Playful. She helps parents recover from burnout and rediscover joy through play, flow, and even intentional laughter — also known as laughter yoga. Drawing from her own experiences as a mom and from the science of play, Erica teaches practical ways for parents to recharge, reconnect with themselves, and thrive.

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhDfrom UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

** Keywords **

parenting, playfulness, burnout recovery, laughter yoga,self-care, creativity, mental health, joy, adult play, parent coaching

Confused about “how much to gain,” what to eat, or why your toddler suddenly hates veggies? Nutrition scientist Dr. Beth Widen shares clear, evidence-backed advice for pregnancy, postpartum, and picky eating.

** Key Takeaways **

Dr. Widen's research focuses on maternal diet and its impact on child development.

Personal experiences can drive professional interests in nutrition science.

Pregnancy nutrition is complex and requires understanding individual needs.

Weight gain during pregnancy varies and is influenced bymany factors.

Guidelines for weight gain in pregnancy may not be applicable to all populations.

Long-term effects of pregnancy weight gain can impact postpartum health.

Research is needed to develop better guidelines for diverse populations.

Intuitive eating can empower caregivers and promote healthy eating habits.

Listening to hunger cues is crucial for both mothers and infants.

Support for caregivers is essential in fostering healthy

feeding practices.

** Chapters **

00:00 Introduction to Maternal Nutrition Research

02:53 Personal Journey into Nutrition Science

04:39 Understanding Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy

06:59 The Complexity of Weight Management in Pregnancy

08:45 Long-term Impacts of Pregnancy Weight

10:06 Breastfeeding and Postpartum Weight Changes

15:58 Postpartum Nutrition and Physical Activity

17:22 Intuitive Eating and Individual Choices

19:49 Self-Regulation in Feeding Babies

24:07 The Role of Caregivers in Feeding

26:24 Understanding Hunger and Fullness Cues

26:53 Personal Reflections on Nutrition and Parenting

** Free Resources **
🥦 Guide to Picky Eating: https://drkiyahduffey.com/picky-eating/
✅ Meal Planning Cheat sheet: https://drkiyahduffey.com/meal-planning-tips-2/
😋 50 Snack Ideas (for You AND Your Kids): https://drkiyahduffey.com/50-snack-ideas/

** Let's Connect! **
🌐 Beth's Research Page, University of Austin: https://nutrition.utexas.edu/directory/elizabeth-widen
📩 Read our Newsletter: https://www.theweeklyparent.com
📷 Follow Kiyah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkiyahduffey/

** About **

Dr. Beth Widen is a nutrition scientist and registered dietitian whose work focuses on the critical window of pregnancy and early childhood. She is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin with joint appointments in nutritional sciences, pediatrics, and women's health. Beth's research looks at how maternal diet, weight gain, and other factors during pregnancy influence not just birth outcomes, but also a mother's long-term health and a child's growth and development well into adolescence. She has published widely on topics like gestational weight gain, maternal diet quality, and childhood nutrition, and her work is helping to shape the guidance that we as parents and providers rely on every day.

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

Getting kids to actually try new foods can feel like an Olympic sport. In this solo episode, TWP host Kiyah Duffey shares playful, practical ways to turn “No thanks!” into “Okay, I’ll try it.” From the magic of repeated exposure to the power of sauces and dips, she shows parents how to make tasting fun, pressure-free, and—believe it or not—something kids might look forward to. Maybe.

** Free Resources **

📥 Descriptive Terms for Mealtime: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/mealtime-terms⁠⁠

🥦 Guide to Picky Eating: ⁠⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/picky-eating/⁠⁠

✅ Meal Planning Cheat Sheet: ⁠⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/meal-planning-tips-2/⁠⁠

😋 50 Snack Ideas (for You AND Your Kids): ⁠⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/50-snack-ideas/⁠

** Key Takeaways**

Encouraging kids to taste new foods is essential for health.

Exposure to new foods should be non-pressuring.

Kids need about 15 exposures to a food before acceptance.

Contextualizing new foods helps kids feel more comfortable.

Using dips and sauces can make foods more appealing.

Taste tests can build trust and willingness to try new foods.

Modeling tasting behavior is important for kids.

Engaging kids in food preparation increases their interest.

Variety in diet is linked to better health outcomes.

Parents should share their own strategies for encouraging tasting.

** Chapters**

00:00 Strategies for Encouraging Kids to Taste

02:54 Creating Context for New Foods

05:12 Making Foods More Appealing

06:22 Building Trust Through Taste Tests

** About **

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhDfrom UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years ofexperience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves andtheir children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker andentrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to helpyou transform your family’s relationship with food.

** Keywords**

tasting new foods, kids nutrition, food variety, parenting tips, healthy eating, food exposure, kids food preferences, encouraging kids to eat, food strategies, health outcomes

In this solo episode of The Weekly Parent, Dr. Kiyah Duffey unpacks why food variety matters for kids’ long-term health and how parents can actually make it happen without stress. From the daily struggle of picky eating to the subtle ways our own habits shape what kids are willing to try, Kiyah shares simple, practical strategies to expand your child’s palate. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas for turning mealtimes into a fun, low-pressure place where curiosity and healthy habits can grow.

** Free Resources **

📥 Descriptive Terms for Mealtime: ⁠https://bit.ly/mealtime-terms⁠

🥦 Guide to Picky Eating: ⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/picky-eating/⁠

✅ Meal Planning Cheat Sheet: ⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/meal-planning-tips-2/⁠

😋 50 Snack Ideas (for You AND Your Kids): ⁠https://drkiyahduffey.com/50-snack-ideas/

** Key Takeaways **

Eating a wide variety of foods leads to better health outcomes.

Kids are naturally skeptical of new foods due to evolutionary habits.

Establishing a habit of diverse eating takes patience and practice.

Color-themed meals can encourage creativity in food choices.

Serving familiar foods at different times can break eating habits.

Different textures can make familiar foods more appealing.

Involving kids in meal planning can increase their interest in food variety.

Modeling diverse eating habits is crucial for influencing children.

Buying different brands of the same food can introduce variety.

Encouraging kids to taste new foods is essential for expanding their diet.

** Let's Connect **

📩 Read the Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://theweeklyparent.com⁠⁠

📷 Follow Dr. Kiyah on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kiyahduffey/⁠

** About **

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

Co-parenting isn’t easy — and no two parents bring the same history, habits, or instincts to the table. In this episode, Kiyah talks with Dr. Emily Racic about why parenting styles often clash, how family of origin shapes our responses, and what it really takes to parent as a team. From building emotional awareness to modeling healthy conflict resolution for kids, we unpack practical strategies and the mindset shifts that can make co-parenting less about battles and more about balance.

** Let's Connect **

Learn about Capital Crescent Collective

Read The Weekly Parent Newsletter

Follow Kiyah on Instagram

** Resources Mentioned **

Good Inside

No Drama Discipline

Dr. Dan Siegel's other books

** Key Takeaways **

• Co-parenting is challenging due to differing backgrounds and perspectives.
• Communication is key in navigating parenting differences.
• Differences in parenting styles can be strengths rather than weaknesses.
• It's important to approach parenting as a team, not asadversaries.
• Understanding family of origin can help explain parenting styles.
• Emotional awareness is crucial for effective co-parenting.
• Modeling healthy conflict resolution is important forchildren.
• Taking time to reflect on parenting decisions can reduce anxiety.
• Resources and support can aid in co-parenting efforts.
• Parenting is an ongoing journey that requires adaptability and teamwork.

** Chapters **

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting Challenges

01:21 Understanding the Difficulty of Co-Parenting

03:15 Common Conflict Areas in Co-Parenting

05:28 Navigating Parenting Differences

08:49 The Importance of Communication in Co-Parenting

12:13 Shifting Perspectives on Parenting Differences

16:19 Effective Communication Strategies

20:02 Utilizing External Resources for Parenting

22:42 The Role of Time in Resolving Conflicts

25:13 Reframing Stories in Co-Parenting

26:53 Navigating Co-Parenting Dynamics

29:08 Parenting Styles and Family Origins

31:12 Understanding Childhood Needs

33:30 Self-Reflection in Parenting

37:06 The Importance of Communication

39:35 The Ongoing Journey of Parenting

42:08 Managing Anxiety in Parenting

44:01 Resources for Parenting Growth

44:30 Active Parenting: Taking Ownership

** Keywords **

#coparenting, #parentingchallenges, #parenting #communication, #teamwork, #familydynamics, #emotionalawareness, #conflict #conflictresolution, #parentingresources, #familyoforigin, #selfreflection

** About **

Dr. Emily Racic is the owner of Capital Crescent Collective (formerly Emily Cook Therapy). From 2010 through 2022, Emily practiced as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Now practicing as a life and relationship coach, she continues to help clients within an evidence-informed, trauma-sensitive, and client-centered coaching framework. She is able to work with clients worldwide, especially if you and your partner or family member live long-distance. In 2018, Emily’s first relationship workbook was published by Althea Press. The Marriage Counseling Workbook: 8 Steps to a Strong and Lasting Partnership contains some of her best ideas, strategies, and metaphors to help couples pinpoint the cause of their troubles and recreate deep, lasting connections without therapy.Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.

What if creativity wasn’t about perfection, but about making the thing, a thing —today? Dr. Kiyah Duffey and middle school art teacher (and damn good artist!) Simon Adams dig into Big-C vs little-c creativity, showing how practice, constraints, and the “magical yet” turn “I can’t” into “I can’t… yet.” They tackle fear of failure (especially in middle schoolers), share how to praise specifics instead of fluff, and explain why screens can act like junk food—filling boredom without feeding the mind. Because Creativity isn’t a talent, bestowed upon precious few of us. It’s a trainable muscle that we all have, and that we can all apply. Let’s learn how!

** Let's Connect **

🌐 Visit Simon's website

📷 Follow Simon on Instagram

📩 Read The ⁠⁠Weekly Parent Newsletter⁠⁠

📥 ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to The Weekly Parent

📷 Follow Kiyah on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠

** Key Takeaways **

• Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised.
• Big C creativity refers to traditional artistic expressions, while little c creativity is everyday problem-solving.
• Encouraging a growth mindset helps children embrace challenges.
• Practice makes progress, not perfection.
• Fear of failure can paralyze creativity, especially in adolescents.
• Positive reinforcement is crucial in nurturing creativity in students.
• The zone of proximal development is where growth happens.
• Modeling creativity for children is essential for their development.
• Creativity can manifest in various forms, not just the arts.
• Daily creative practices can help maintain a growth mindset.
• Limiting screen time can enhance children's creativity, because it often results in boredom (which is essential for creative thinking.)
• Creative acts can help reduce stress in children.
• Engaging in creative activities can slow cortisol production.
• It's important to recognize what excites and interests children.
• Creativity can manifest in various forms, not just traditional art.

** Chapters **

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

01:06 Pop Culture References and Personal Connections

01:13 Exploring Creativity: Big C vs. Little C

03:31 The Importance of Practice in Creativity

08:31 Fostering Creativity in Middle Schoolers

12:39 Navigating the Fear of Failure

16:52 The Rise of Anxiety in Young People

17:49 Navigating Emotional Resilience

18:49 The Role of Creativity in Education

20:23 Practicing Creativity and Overcoming Self-Doubt

23:20 The Importance of Daily Creative Habits

25:18 Modeling Creativity for Children

28:56 The Impact of Screens on Creativity

33:03 Managing Stress and Anxiety in Kids

38:44 Exploring Creative Outlets for Children

39:48 Embracing Curiosity in Parenting

42:19 The Power of Online Learning

44:19 Understanding the Reality of Creativity

47:09 The Importance of Just Starting

** About **

Simon Adams has been drawing forever and makes every kind of art. For the past several years he has been living the dream inspiring middle schoolers to embrace their inner artist. In his free time, he can also be found creating illustrations for fantasy and science fiction role-playing games, working for companies like Gygax magazine, Rogue Blade Games, and Art of the Genre. He also does portraits of people and their pets. Simon lives in 200 year old Maine farmhouse with his wife, kids, and two cats.

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.