In this conversation, Paige Connell shares her personal journey with the mental load of parenting, discussing the challenges faced by working mothers and the dynamics of sharing responsibilities with partners. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the mental load, effective communication, and the impact of income disparities on parenting roles. Paige also addresses the default parent dynamic and the nagging paradox, providing insights and practical tips for achieving balance in relationships. In this conversation, Paige Connell discusses the challenges women face in balancing work and family responsibilities, particularly the unequal division of labor at home and the impact of societal expectations on women's careers. She highlights the motherhood penalty in the workplace, the importance of equitable partnerships in caregiving, and the need for better workplace policies regarding parental leave and PTO. Paige also offers practical tips for women to manage the mental load and navigate conversations with their partners about shared responsibilities.

In this conversation, Ekaterina and Caitlin Johnson discuss the journey of adoption through the foster care system, focusing on the challenges and rewards of parenting children with trauma backgrounds. Caitlin shares her personal experiences, the importance of education and self-awareness in fostering, and the strategies she employs to support her children. They also touch on the significance of community support and the optimism for the future of her children as they navigate adolescence.00:21 Introduction to adoption and Caitlin's journey03:16 Understanding the foster care system05:50 Self-awareness in parenting, understand your limitations before adopting10:03 Do kids call you "mom?"10:52 Navigating parenting challenges with teens13:20 Managing emotional reactions in children17:52 Finding support and resources19:45 Balancing family and self-care22:32 The rewards of adoption and future

optimism#adoptionfamilylife #fostermother #fostercareparent #fostercareadoption #fostercaresupport #adoption #adoptionsupport #ParentingKidsWithTrauma #traumainformedcare

In this conversation, Cristina Ramirez discusses the urgent mental health crisis facing children today and how her program and platform, DashStrom, aims to empower kids through physical fitness and mindset training. She shares her personal journey from being a troubled teenager to a dedicated mother and entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of resilience and self-esteem in children. The program focuses on creating a fun and engaging environment where kids can learn valuable life skills while staying active. Cristina also highlights the inclusivity of the program, inviting parents and community members to get involved as coaches or supporters. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the need for proactive measures to address youth mental health and the transformative power of empowerment through fitness.00:00 The Crisis of Youth Mental Health02:54 Cristina's Journey to Empowerment06:06 The DashStrom Program Explained08:55 Inclusivity and Community Impact11:46 Mindset Over Sports: A New Approach15:05 Empowered by Discomfort: A Personal Story17:48 Vision for the Future of DashStrom21:03 Getting Involved with DashStrom#kidsmentalhealth #kidfitness #fitnessforkids #childrenempowerment #mentalhealthresources

In this conversation, David Creswell, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who leads the Health and Human Performance Lab, discusses the science of wellness, focusing on the importance of relationships, sleep, physical activity, consumption patterns, and mindset. He emphasizes that meditation and mindfulness can enhance resilience and well-being, particularly for caregivers facing stress. The discussion highlights practical strategies for improving wellness in daily life, including the significance of social support, healthy sleep habits, and mindful consumption.Surprising Discoveries from This Interview:• Meditation is often misunderstood; distractions can indicate you're doing it right.• Social support is crucial for wellness, especially for caregivers.• Sleep is a significant factor in overall wellness and cognitive function.• Small, manageable physical activities can contribute to health.• Consumption patterns, including diet and substance use, impact wellness.• Mindset plays a vital role in resilience and stress management.• Mindfulness meditation can help change your relationship with stress.• Building relationships can enhance feelings of support and wellness.• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia offers effective sleep strategies.• Digital consumption can negatively affect mental health; mindful usage is essential.00:00 The Science of Meditation and Mindfulness01:12 Understanding Wellness and Caregiving Stress03:10 Hallmarks of Wellness: Relationships and Support04:06 The Importance of Sleep for Wellness16:09 Physical Activity: Small Steps to Wellness19:23 Consumption Patterns and Their Impact on Wellness23:08 Mindset: The Key to Resilience and Wellness#equanimity #meditation #mindfulness #wellness #caregiving #sleep #neuroscience #physicalactivity #stressmanagement #caregiverstress #stressmanagementforparents #parentalstress

In this conversation, Hunter Clarke-Fields  @mindfulmama  shares her journey into mindful parenting, emphasizing the importance of self-regulation and emotional intelligence in parenting. She discusses strategies for managing reactivity, supporting neurodivergent children, and teaching resilience through failure. The conversation also touches on the challenges of parenting teenagers and the necessity of self-care for parents to foster healthy relationships with their children.

00:00 Intro00:33 Introduction to Mindful Parenting03:36 The Journey to Mindfulness in Parenting06:30 Building Skills for Non-Reactivity09:20 Strategies for Calming Reactivity12:37 Healthy Emotional Expression15:23 Be honest about your feelings with kids19:24 Supporting Neurodivergent Children 23:42 Understanding and Addressing Extreme Reactions27:12 Teaching Resilience Through Small Failures, navigating Parental Boundaries and Consequences32:36 Overcoming Helicopter Parenting35:37 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Parenting36:25 Insights from Podcasting and Notable Guests, including Lenore Skenazy on giving kids more independence, Gabor Maté on childhood trauma and emotional healing and Bethany Saltman on true attachment, which is rooted in emotional attunement, not co-sleeping or other surface behaviors.40:20 Building Lasting Relationships with Teens #TrustMeMom #MindfulParenting #ParentingJourney #EmotionalIntelligence #ParentingTools #ResilientKids #MindfulMama #mindfulmamamentor #HealingGenerations #ConsciousParenting #SelfRegulation #ParentingSupport #RaisingGoodHumans #MentalHealthAwareness #parentingteens

In this conversation, Wendy McSparren, a clinical socialworker and the Owner & CEO of Westmoreland Psychotherapy Associates, shares her extensive experience in mental health, focusing on the challenges of depression and self-harm in children and adolescents. She discusses theimportance of understanding the nuances of depression, the role of self-injury as a coping mechanism, and the critical need for parental support and professional guidance. The conversation also highlights the impact of peerinfluence on children's emotional well-being and the importance of physical activity and community support in fostering resilience.

To learn more about Wendy and her practice, check www.wpatherapy.com

00:00 Wendy's Journey into Social Work

01:57 Understanding Depression and Suicide in Children

04:50 Self-Harm: Causes and Coping Mechanisms

08:05 The Role of Parents in Supporting Children

11:00 Effective Communication Strategies for Parents

13:59 Community Support and Resources for Families

16:59 The Importance of Physical Activity and SocialConnections

Kristen Geez is a successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, teacher, and youth advocate. In this conversation, Ekaterina and Kristen delve into the complex issues surrounding bullying, personal trauma, and the transformative journey from being a bully to becoming a passionate advocate for youth. Kristen shares her powerful story of overcoming adversity, the importance of understanding the root causes of behavior, and her mission to create supportive environments for children through education and advocacy. The discussion highlights the need for proactive measures in schools and communities to address the challenges faced by today's youth, emphasizing the role of digital platforms in facilitating change and fostering understanding. To learn more about Kristen, check out her website www.kristengeez.com00:00 Introduction to Bullying and Personal Stories02:51 The Journey from Bully to Advocate06:04 Bullying Incident and Transformative Experiences in School09:05 Finding Purpose in Advocacy12:08 The Birth of Advising Generation Z14:51 Creating a Digital Platform for Change17:47 Expanding Impact Beyond Texas21:01 Cultural Transformation in Education and Justice23:48 The Future of Youth Advocacy35:50 The Evolution of Youth Programs41:04 Preparing for Generational Shifts49:08 Understanding and Addressing Bullying - Practical Tips01:01:02 Empowering Parents in a Changing World #standuptobullies #standuptobullying #bullying #bully #bullyingprevention #bullyingawareness #bullyinghurts #kidsconflict #conflictresolution #conflict #conflictresolutionskills #fightback #parentingtips #parentingadvice #adviceforteens #bullyingstopsnow #youthadvocacy #personalgrowth #education #mentalhealth #digitalplatforms #communityservice #culturaltransformation #juvenilejustice #empowerment #youthprograms #generationalshifts #parenting #socialimpact #resilience #education #communitysupport

Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Dr. Rachel Krenek, an expert in alternative education, to learn about virtual schools in the United States and why parents choose to send their kids to cyber charter schools. If you'd like to learn more about virtual schools in Pennsylvania, check this article: https://blog.pavcsk12.org/what-are-th...Time codes: 1:11 Rachel’s story, what inspired her to dive into the field of education, including her time at The Cyert Center for Early Education at Carnegie Mellon University04:05 Differences between traditional education, homeschooling and virtual education 5:39 The Benefits of Virtual Learning 06:25 Synchronous learning 06:57 Do you have to pay for virtual school? 07:52 How to kids socialize in virtual school? Do they have in person interaction? 09:49 When the virtual school starts (time of the day) and flexible asynchronous options 11:12 Twilight Hours for High School students who are night owls or can’t attend school early in the morning due to work or other commitments 12:34 When you can switch to virtual school from a traditional school 13:46 Reasons why parents send kids to virtual schools, including safety concerns and gun violence, bullying, work in agriculture, kids with disabilities 16:20 Parental involvement in student’s education in virtual school, learning coach, how much support is needed from parents 18:12 Grades 19:11 Why standardized testing is in person at virtual school, travel reimbursement 20:10 Virtual School class sizes and age gaps in each grade, different ability groups 22:42 Honors programs for middle and high school 23:25 How virtual schools accommodate kids with disabilities, including IEPs and 504 Plans 25:48 Myths and misconceptions about virtual schools, including screen fatigue. Do kids pay more attention in a traditional school or virtual school? 28:34 Synchronous and asynchronous learning and its combo (hybrid model) 30:18 What subjects cannot be taught virtually? How is PE (Physical Education) addressed in a virtual school? 31:52 How cheating is addressed 32:59 Students in a wheelchair and PE 33:45 Can deaf and blind students participate in virtual schools? 35:18 Virtual schools in Pennsylvania and other states 37:03 Can non-Pennsylvania residents participate in a Pennsylvania-based virtual school? RV travel, checking IP address38:16 Excused absences 38:57 Summary, pros and cons of virtual schools 40:17 Alternative education conclusion #virtualschool #alternativeeducation #cyberschool #education #k12 #k12virtual #childdevelopment

In this conversation, Todd Sheldon shares his journey as a parent of a daughter with Asperger's. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of raising Kelly, who was diagnosed at 11. Todd emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating Kelly's unique needs, the transition to homeschooling, and the growth and achievements Kelly has made. He also reflects on the emotional and relational dynamics within the family as they navigate the complexities of parenting a special needs child. In this conversation, Todd Sheldon shares his experiences of parenting, focusing on the importance of family connections, the challenges of raising a child with Asperger's, and the benefits of living in a rural environment. He emphasizes the need for dedicated time with family members, the role of siblings in supporting each other, and the journey of self-discovery for children. Todd also discusses the significance of communication and understanding in navigating the complexities of mental health and family dynamics.00:00Introduction to Todd's Journey

02:05Understanding Asperger's and Kelly's Diagnosis

05:51Parenting Strategies and Building Relationships

12:01Accommodations for Kelly's Needs

18:11Transitioning to Homeschooling

23:56Kelly's Growth and Achievements

29:49Navigating Challenges as a Family

33:16Building Strong Family Connections

37:38Embracing Country Living and Family Dynamics

40:37Navigating Asperger's: Understanding and Support

52:18Empowering Growth: The Journey of Self-Discovery

58:31The Role of Siblings in Family Support

Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Dr. Crystal Morrison, an entrepreneur, scientist, book author, and advocate for people on the autism spectrum.Time codes:0:45 Introducing Dr. Crystal Morrison and her work3:48 Working with adults is easier than with kids4:08 Crystal’s tech startup, entrepreneurship, and consulting to build a village around a child6:08 Book: Superheroes on the Spectrum7:06 Book’s co-author story7:58 Celebrate the stories of neurodivergent people, challenges, and gifts9:25 Crystal’s favorite story from the book11:28 Autistic kids are good with animals12:43 “How to Build a Hug” children’s book – a story of Temple Grandin14:13 How Crystal found the heroes of her book15:20 Sacrifices/choices in Crystal’s career to accommodate family needs17:40 Why mothers step out of leadership roles and why they may not feel comfortable talking about it21:06 What Crystal would have done differently now and what advice she would give to women in their 20s and 30s23:30 Clarifying the stereotype of having it all together24:49 Other types of care that may impact work and a woman’s availability – caring for a disabled sibling, aging parent, or enforcing boundaries and self-care26:04 The new generation has more self-care and balance26:56 Crystal’s advocacy: how parents can leverage their support system and be transparent and authentic about their lives29:05 Where a parent can seek help, and what the first steps to take are31:26 Inappropriate advice that parents of special needs kids often get33:28 Corporal punishment in schools34:05 Feeling empowered as a woman, mother, and professional – you are the subject matter expert on your child35:33 Self-care tips for single moms#autisticchild #autism #autismawareness #onthespectrum #learningdisability #peopleonthespectrum #specialneedschild #specialneeds