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...

It is known that meditation and mindfulness can be immensely beneficial physically, mentally, and spiritually. So how do we begin to create space for something that will improve the quality of life for us and our children? Enter Dr. Elizabeth Cronin, a clinical psychologist who blends her formal education in psychology with ongoing education in mindfulness and meditation. She joins us to dig into the why and the how of mindfulness in parenting.

A lot of worry can arise from concerns around our children’s social skills. Whether our child is showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder, social anxiety, or delayed social skills development, it is easy to feel lost and frustrated. And, not to mention the added complexity of the global pandemic and how it has impacted all our social interactions. Fortunately for us, Mary Reilly has stepped in to share her experience and guidance on these topics and more…

To Almas Muscatwalla, a service mindset goes far beyond writing a check or packing a meal. As an Ismaili Muslim, she has been instilled with the conviction that service is a way of life. She has since passed this onto her children, and to her community through her position on the board of directors for The Thanks-Giving Foundation as chair of the Interfaith Council. This conversation is enlightening, convicting, and encouraging for any who strive to value and uplift every human life…

Many are looking for hope in the face of racial tension, injustice, and racism. Longing for the day when the inherent biases in our systems and our upbringings are a thing of the past and all people are treated with dignity and respect. But with a challenge so daunting, where do we start? Thankfully, Dr. Pam Fields has begun this work and is simply asking us to join her…

This back-to-school season isn't just bringing change for students; it's a big change for parents, too. Schedules and priorities are shifting as we're asked to find a new rhythm - this year more than ever. This episode is dedicated to all the parents out there, trying to find their “new normal.” It's a reminder to make plans, but hold them loosely. To give your kids the care they need, but not to neglect caring for yourself. To acknowledge the challenges of this season, but find the joy in it as well. Our three hosts are joined once again by Jane Hensley to bring you, parents, this special word of encouragement.

Dr. Shane Miller, pediatric sports medicine physician at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, has a close eye on how young athletes are engaging in sports in a cautious but optimistic way during the pandemic. He brings to our conversation his expert perspective grounded in the facts and a passion for caring for the whole child…

Rabbi Andrew Paley, Senior Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of Temple Shalom, a Reform congregation, in Dallas, Texas, joins us to talk about acknowledging loss in these unprecedented times, assessing our current reality through the lens of hope, and learning to see the shades of gray in the choices in front of us. 

While back to school is a familiar rhythm for families, very little about this year feels familiar. No matter where your child attends school, you’re likely facing some major adjustments to their daily school life. As you prepare your child for the school year in this time of uncertainty, their teachers are doing the same thing.

Principal Wallace - mom and high school principal in the Dallas area - joins us for a conversation concerning the start of the school year. Listen in for tips on managing anxiety, supporting students and teachers, and navigating these new waters with a sense of positivity…