Connection is the lifeblood of the human experience. True connection is built on trust and offers an authentic sense of belonging. If we all deeply seek these things, why are they so elusive? Listen in as our three hosts have an honest and challenging conversation about these basic needs and how we satisfy them for ourselves and foster them for our children in a world that increasingly pushes back.

Anxiety and OCD can be dehabilitating for anyone to live with—so how do we care for children facing these struggles so early in life? Natasha Daniels, founder of AT Parenting Survival, has been both guiding parents on this journey as an Anxiety and OCD Child Therapist, and walking the road herself as a mother of three children with anxiety and OCD. Her unique blend of training and experience has showed her what is helpful, how to be an advocate, and how to see your child as more than just their struggles.

Welcome to Season 4 of Parenting For the Present! We are thrilled to be back with you, engaging in conversations aimed at helping you understand your children-and yourself-more fully. To start this new chapter, we welcome Dr. Denise Walker to the podcast. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and current Adjunct Instructor at Southern Methodist University, where she mentors students through teaching and training. By way of her wisdom and experience, Dr. Walker brings us fresh ideas on what it means to be humble, uncomfortable, and accepting as a parent, and as a person.

After a fantastic first year of our podcast, we thought it was time to take a look back with appreciation, and a look ahead with anticipation. Up to this point, all of our conversations about the direction of the show have been away from the microphone - but no more. Today, come sit at our table as we hash out what Season 2 of Parenting for the Present might hold.

When it comes to standardized tests for our kids, preparations matters - just maybe not in the way you think. Ned Johnson, an expert on such preparation, doesn't just focus on the material; he addresses stress reduction, anxiety management, and intrinsic motivation. He reveals how grade hunting doesn't prepare our kids for adulthood near as well as developing their own passionate pursuits, and has the science to back it up. Ned's clear, thoughtful approach to parenting is sure to be a gift to you and your family.

We’ve likely all heard the idiom “happy campers” thrown around - maybe even from our own mouths as we wish a better attitude on our kids! But for Audrey Monke, those two words have taken on a whole new meaning. She has taken her 36 years of experience as a summer camp owner/director and turned it into a parenting website, a podcast, and now a book - titled “Happy Campers”. In the book, and on this episode, she shares with us camp secrets for raising kids who become thriving adults. She has seen what works at camp, and is inviting each of us to bring a little of that camp spirit into our homes and families.

We all want to keep our children safe. But we also want them to become self-sufficient, fully formed adults; so how do we balance both? This question is always challenging to answer, but particularly so when it comes to exposure to drugs and alcohol. New York Times bestselling author Jessica Lahey joins us today to discuss her new book, The Addiction Inoculation, in which she details, through story and research, how to ‘raise healthy kids in a culture of dependence.’

When it comes to parenting teenagers, the methods that may have worked when we were growing up seem less and less relevant, and less and less effective.

Dr. Christine Carter has picked up on these trends. Through both research and her personal experience as a mom of four, she has dug deep into what she is calling this 'new adolescence' to figure out how best to guide our teens into adulthood. She is here today to share her findings and wisdom with us in a deeply knowledgeable but approachable way, which is sure to leave you inspired to connect even more deeply with your children.

Eddie's journey has led him from the theater stage to a much different stage - one on which he stands to educate and inspire young people, reminding them of the joy and wonder that is life on this planet. He recounts his journey on our podcast today, sharing the many steps that brought him to this work and the passion that keeps it moving forward.

No matter the specifics, we want to see our kids be happy, healthy, and successful. So how do we help them become their fullest selves? Dr. Michele Borba has taken the better part of 40 years to answer that question. Through vigorous research, she has uncovered the seven essential traits that kids (and adults) need to thrive. She joins our hosts today to discuss her findings and offer parents of every stage encouragement and guidance on how to best guide our children's social and emotional development.

For some, music is nothing more than whatever happens to be on the radio when they start the car. For others, it's a way of life - inextricable from their highest highs and lowest lows. It's safe to say Lucy Wrubel falls squarely in the latter category. She has been a professional DJ for the last 20 years, a career spanning both musical genres and countries around the world. But her love of music is far from mere appreciation; it was a crucial part of her upbringing and plays a major role in the kind of mom she is to her teenage daughter. She brings a fresh perspective, full of life, fun, and emotional gravity that you won't want to miss.

If you’re a listener to this podcast, it’s safe to say you are invested in becoming the best parent to your children or children that you possibly can. But “best” is often subjective and almost always situational. So what are the parenting cornerstones on which we can rely? What’s been proven to work best, both anecdotally and scientifically? Dr. Tina Payne Bryson has made a career of seeking the answers to these questions. Dr. Bryson shares profound concepts, backed by research, in a uniquely accessible and actionable way.

Feelings of fear, loneliness, and hopelessness can easily spring up and start to grow- in our children, and in ourselves. So how do we help our kids stay positive? What tools can we offer them? And what role does our own mental health play in our ability to help our kids through this? Katie Hurley-a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting educator, public speaker, and writer-has some thoughts on the matter. She’s here to share approachable, practical ways to face negative thoughts and feelings head on, and move forward with positivity and hope.

As we begin a new year, we bring you this episode about moving from the fragility we experienced in 2020 to optimism and hope for 2021. Our hosts, along with special guest Jane Hensley, discuss what has been helpful in their families and practices, and where they see signs of hope for the future.

Discipline can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. We long for our children to grow into healthy adults, forming good habits and understanding the consequences of their actions. But how do we know if we’re helping them learn those lessons well? While there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, there are some philosophies we can internalize and follow. Our three hosts are here to discuss these ideas, informed by experience from both their personal and professional lives.

Donavan Davis internalized this truth in his approach to athletic concepts for kids. Mr. Donavan, as he’s known in the Dallas area, offers a come-to-you model for helping children and teens advance in their athletic abilities. But, far from the barking drill sergeant coach we often see in our minds, Mr. Donavan approaches training with perspective and care for the whole child. Listen as he shares the wisdom and experience he gained from the winding road that led him to the fulfilling work he is doing now.

Amy Lewis Hofland has long recognized the importance of these principles, both in her role as a mother and as Senior Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas, Texas. She speaks today about what each role has taught her about the other, and how her family has found ways to encourage mindfulness and compassion in each other throughout this turbulent year.

Clare Coates M.S. CCC-SLP and Megan Davidson M.S. CCC-SLP are passionate about helping every child reach their full potential. With that mandate in mind, they formed Creating Voices - a pediatric speech-language pathology clinic specializing in providing quality care for each child and their family. They provide specialized evaluations and individualized treatment for each child and their family, all within a supportive community of families with children who have communication and feeding needs. They join us to share tips, stories, and encouragement for every parent who has ever wondered if their child's needs are being met.

Empathy. Some would say we need it now more than ever. To step into someone else's shoes and fully appreciate their lived experience is the quickest way to open our hearts and minds to those around us. Hollis Owens founded To Be Like Me - a nonprofit based on this very principle. This innovative organization organizes disability awareness programs for school-aged kids, graduate students, and special groups. Listen as Hollis describes how To Be Like Me’s programs are breaking down barriers and fostering awareness of those with unique abilities, igniting compassion, and shedding light on the positive impact of inclusion.

The best parents are the ones that never stop learning. So this week, we present to you... Daducation! This episode digs deep into all things "Dad." To help guide us, we invited our friend Andy Love to the conversation...