Conversation Balloons

Pediatric sleep specialist Katie Bishop reveals her techniques to ensure that a baby snoozes all night long. From swaddling to sound machines, from co-sleeping to car naps--she's got well-founded and time-tested practical advice for infant care that parents, grandparents, and nannies can use right now!Additional resources:www.theearlyweeks.comInstagram: @the_early_weeks

Erica Komisar tells her pressured New York City patients that their children have a universal, brain-based, irreducible need: their parents, mainly, mom. How to balance this need with career and personal fulfillment? We have to talk! Turns out that being there for babies benefits the parents tooAdditional resources: Komisar, Erica. Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters. 2017www.komisar.comattachmentcircles.orgInstagram and X: @ ericakomisar

It's Global Intergenerational Week!  So we connect with national expert on shared-site programs bringing seniors and kids together, Dr. Shannon Jarrott, as she describes how the generations can thrive together when retirement centers and daycare, or elder activity sites and schools, can mingle.  Physical and emotional benefits accrue to both age cohorts.  You'll learn what cyber seniors and memory cafe's are, so tune in!  And listen to our future episode about Zinnia TV with Allyson Schrier!Additional resources:Generations United -- gu.orgShared site programs -- sharingspace.orgONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center-- onegeneration.orgSt. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care  --stanncenter.orgGrace Skilled Nursing and Therapy -- gracejenks.comJenks Public Schools --jenksps.orgInverness -- covlivinginverness.orgHolland Hall School -- hollandhall.org

Black scholar and educator and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Ian V. Rowe on why and how his Vertex schools are shaping low-income young people with moral foundations and optimism.  Children in the Bronx are learning the four cardinal virtues and the personal agency which lead them into "the success sequence" that lifts kids out of poverty.Additional Resources: Book: Agency: The four point plan (F.R.E.E.) for all children to overcome the victimhood narrative and discover their pathway to power 

A certified personal trainer, nurse, and fitness guru brightens the picture of menopause with practical tips and her inspirational outlook. This stage of women's health, often overlooked, prompts a lively chat about perimenopause and "the change."Additional Resources: Website:  Reneecarls.comInstagram: @reneecarlsYouTube: Renee Carls

Ukrainian-born Dimitry Toukhcher has created fashion for men in over 25 countries, designing for Hollywood movies and celebrities like Jordan Peterson, Piers Morgan, and Ozzy Osbourne.  He spoke to us from his throne beneath the portrait of another client, Alice Cooper, about how he rose from Soviet austerity to the flamboyant success of his clothing brand, LGFG.  We also talk about his new book collab. What were his parents like, and how is he raising his four kids?  You'll enjoy finding out!Additional resources:Dress Like a Boss by Michael Franzese and LGFG Fashion HouseLGFGfashionhouse.comInstagram: @lgfg_fashion_house

Noted psychologist Dr. Josh Coleman outlines the alarming trend of adults breaking off contact with their parents for their own mental health.  He has counseled thousands of the parties to this intimate kind of conflict, leading a large percentage to reconciliation.  Leah offers practical suggestions for preventing this anguish and drama with specific parenting techniques.  They talk about the impact on grandparents and the loss for grandchildren caught in the family feud.Additional resources:Dr. Coleman's book--Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflicthttps://www.drjoshuacoleman.com/

Caylee Carullo, experienced teacher and author of The Calm Classroom course (success is 100% guaranteed!), loads us with doable strategies for getting kids to nap, share, and stop the aggravating behaviors.  Her insights on giving kids a sense of purpose are spot on!We loved this guest so much that even though there were some sound glitches, we've gotta put this out there!Additional Resources:Instagram: @prekteachertips Calmclassroom.com -- if you take this fabulous course, enter the promo code Leah for 15% off!Triedandtrueteacher.com

A useful graphic to visualize personalities: 4 colors represent 4 temperaments.  Karen Stubbs uses Kathleen Edelman's theory of the basic wiring of our personalities to demonstrate how parents can understand their children--and improve their behavior.  Leah explores common childrearing scenarios with Karen, and she kicks off this episode with a tiny tutorial on the color of your kid.  Karen Stubbs is founder of Birds on a Wire Moms, a nonprofit that encourages moms with advice and humor, offering resources such as: Colors quiz:  https://birdsonawiremoms.com/colors-quiz Curriculum and study guides: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/studies  Podcast: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/wiretalk Additional resources:  Kathleen Edelman's website:  https://www.kindwordsarecool.com/ Kathleen Edelman's book on temperaments:  A Grown-Up's Guide toKids' Wiring Florence Littauer:  Personality Plus Birds on a Wire Moms app

A child and family therapist coaches us on connecting with our teens.  Amie Anger's practical tips on kids' emotional, physical, and spiritual development in the home are to take notes on! Find Amie on Instagram @therealparent

 Personal trainer and fitness coach Renee Carls talks exercise and other healthy habits for older adults.  Encouragement abounds!  Additional resources: ReneeCarls.com Instagram @Renee Carls  Conversation Balloons Episode w/ Dr. Gozal about Sleep

Conversation Balloons podcast has hit new levels! Hear some good news in this tiny episode with big feelings in it.

Child play expert Lizzie Assa, founder of Workspace for Children, suggests how parents, grandparents, and teachers can guide kids into independent, creative play with the right toys, play areas, and words.  This episode is packed with concrete tips, just in time for Christmas! Additional resources:  Workspaceforchildren.com (Lizzie's website is chock full of resources and thoughtful articles:) 

Bestselling author Rod Dreher starts our holiday season by describing the wonders and miracles that led him and others out of depression, chronic illness, and unbelief.  How to recapture the enchantment ofchildhood?  It could involve aliens, the Jesus Prayer, or going on a bus tour of Paris.... Additional resources: Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Rod Dreher Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger

The band Hanson went from child stars in the 90's to dads of teens themselves today as they still record and perform around the world.  Isaac Hanson candidly talks about growing up famous and instilling virtue in his kids.  Isaac's warmth and humility made him one of our favorite guests! Additional Resources: Hanson.net The hit that started it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHozn0YXAeE 

This interview with Dr. Steven Stosny was so packed with insights that Leah was taking notes as he spoke.  Abusive anger, violence, compassion, resentment, narcissism, and fear are examined in fresh and practical ways. You may want to listen twice; you'll definitely want to share this episode with those wanting help with marriage, parenting, or intimate relationships.Additional resources: Compassionpower.orgLove without HurtSoar AboveEmpowered LoveHow to Improve Your Marriage without Talking about ItConversation Balloons Episode 60:  "Say Less" with Dr. Stosny  https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HTwjwzSbCWIqg1fKZDvLt?si=WfjErb6RSGeZBJEoaQykvQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJxOpzD_I-U

Parents, especially moms, may hurt longer and deeper than they expected when they waved goodby to their college student kids.  Jodi Silverman guides empty nesters out of sadness or worries over their young adult children launching into college or moving out of the home.   Additional Resources: Jodisilverman.com Moms Who Dare Facebook community Beyond Empty Nest podcast

Marilyn Raichle compares notes with Leah on the benefits to kids of acting lessons and theater projects.  Marilyn has been one of America's most successful children's theater producers, while never being an actor and not having children of her own.  Find out how she created "an explosion of good will, an explosion of happiness" for kids onstage.

Youth advocate Emma Lembke returns to the show, digging into how and why big tech creates addicts of kids who use social media.  Technology, she says, dumbs down Gen Z while it consumes their mental health and privacy.  Co-founder of the Log Off Movement, Emma discusses how legislation and lawsuits could protect children from the predatory tactics of Big Tech. Additional resources: Episode 59, "Media Mirage" on Conversation Balloons  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jw8ky4z4YGSk6EZcS8NEO Log Off Movement, logoffmovement.org Design It for Us, designitforus.org Tech(nically) Politics, technicallypolitics.org Socialmediasafety.org Scrolling2death.com

DeMarco Taylor, Dean of Students at an all-boy school in a predominantly Black neighborhood, outlines their manhood program. How does it avoid teaching toxic masculinity, and how does it give boys what gang life offers?   Additional resources: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conversationballoons/episodes/61--Rites-of-Passage-Into-Manhood--Part-1-e2mia8r Crossoverprep.org Crossing Over into Manhood--https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=8fa3744389&attid=0.0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1802051357277744999&th=19022c29698cef67&view=att&disp=inline Let's Save our Sons--Conversation Balloons Episode 29-- https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cMzsrVq0dZWTW5VrLUCXQ Innovative Schools in a Struggling Neighborhood--Conversation Balloons Episode 52-- https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OWRkTmpeEeIbmPw7lGlc6Niobe Way, "The Crisis of Connection for Adolescent Boys" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ScAvJ0KiyU

Aussie Darren Lewis describes his fatherhood adventure program in Australia--its importance for maturing boys and why creature comforts, ceremony, and grandfathers are important in rites of passage.    Additional resources: Fatheringadventures.com Fatheringadventures.com.au/blog Milestone to Manhood by Steven Arms and David Arms

Connection is more important than communication, and relationship expert Steve Stosny outlines how and why. Long-married Leah personally endorses the insights in this bracing conversation. #Stevestosny #marriage #relationshipadvice Additional Resources: compassionpower.com https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/steven-stosny-phd

Youth activist Emma Lembke confides how teen social media addiction led her to disordered eating, sleeplessness, and anxiety, resulting in an unusual kind of rebellion. Now she has founded the Logoff Movement and Design It for Us to reform tech for young people--and we're all better for it. Additional resources: Logoffmovement.org Designitforus.org Conversation Balloons Episode 51: Kids on Social Media: Positivity or Poison? with Laura Tierney Jonathanhaidt.com

How to choose a college, how to "design your life," and why dorms with long hallways are a good thing: consultant Elliot Felix equips parents and students with ways to ensure a great return on your college tuition investment. Additional resources-- Elliot Felix's book: How to Get the Most Out of College:  127 Ways to Make Connections, Make It Work for You, and Make a Difference Interview with Tami Peterson--Conversation Balloons podcast, Episode 10-- https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hx1Lak0hVaEVznG2AmTUXcollegescorecard.ed.gov The Give and Take by Adam Grant Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam The Cost of Inclusion by Blake Silver

Fathers.com has served around 8 million dads over the last 30 years.  Board member Grant Goodvin and Leah discuss new research on hormonal and brain changes men undergo when they become fathers, and questions to ask oneself upon entering, or re-evaluating, fatherhood.  Additional resources: Fathers.com Fathers.com has been called "a premier American online resource for everyday dads." National Center for Fathering created fathers.com to provide research-based training, practical tips, and resources to help men be the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures children need. https://www.nct.org.uk/life-parent/bonding-and-caring-for-your-baby/science-behind-dads https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-magazine/new-fathers-may-undergo-hormonal-neural-and-behavioural-changes#:~:text=%27Fathers%20do%20not%20go%20through,%27 https://www.thebump.com/news/dad-brain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6919930/

Former Army Ranger and West Point psychology professor Dave Grossman describes the mayhem violent video games are inflicting upon teens.  We discuss mass murder, sleeplessness, and sheepdogs. Granted, it's not an episode for the faint of heart (most kids should not listen), but we end on a surprisingly sweet note. Additional resources: Books by Dave Grossman-- Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society" On Combat (For youngsters)--Sheepdogs: Meet our Nation's Warriors

Social demographics expert Eric Kaufmann, UK professor and Manhattan Institute Fellow, talks about his new book, Taboo, and the rising generation's values.  He and Leah trade predictions on racism, bisexuality, school choice, and religion.  So just another lightweight chat on Conversation Balloons... Contact for Eric Kaufmann:  On Twitter / X:  epkaufm            His website: sneps.net   Additional resources:  Taboo: How Making Race Sacred Produced a Cultural Revolution  (Forum, May, 2024) Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth (Profile Books 2010) The Rise and Fall of Anglo-America (Harvard 2004)The Orange Order (Oxford, 2007) Edited by Dr. Kaufmann: Political Demography (Oxford 2012)  Rethinking Ethnicity: Majority Groups and Dominant Minorities (Routledge 2004)

Best-selling biographer and cultural gadfly Eric Metaxas says this generation is in a moment like that in Hitler's Germany.  How does he manage to deliver his dire warning with such grace and hope?  Listen and learn. Additional resources:EricMetaxas.com SocratesintheCity.com LettertotheAmericanChurch.com Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy Letter to the American Church Religionless Christianity 

A professional counselor faced his own tragedy as the father of young children.  Josh Burdette courageously tells the kind of personal narrative no one wants, and Leah hurts in harmony. Additional resources: Goodshepherdsoulcare.com 

Single-sex prep schools in a predominantly-Black part of town? These two principals are educating and leading in groundbreaking ways. Leah relished how candid, creative, and confident they were in this refreshing conversation. Free enrollment is opening soon for next fall--just sayin'...  Additional resources: Crossoverprep.org

The Social Institute teaches kids in 46 states how to use their social media power for good through its program, #WinAtSocial.  Founder Laura Tierney used her social media expertise pioneering ESPN-W and representing companies like Nike, Disney, and Coca-Cola to create a gamified, student-led curriculum that empowers students to use social media wisely, in concert with their families' core values.  And Leah holds forth on related topics because Laura is such a good listener.... Additional resources: thesocialinstitute.com and its many resources #WinAtSocial Conversation Balloons Episode 30: Juvie Conversation Balloons Episode 36: Educating for the Ages

Demographer Eric Kaufmann lays out the causes and implications of religious people having more babies than non-religious people. A frisky and informative conversation. Contact for Eric Kaufmann: On Twitter / X @epkaufm His website Additional resources: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth (Profile Books 2010) The Rise and Fall of Anglo-America (Harvard 2004) The Orange Order (Oxford, 2007) Edited by Dr. Kaufmann: Political Demography (Oxford 2012) Rethinking Ethnicity: Majority Groups and Dominant Minorities (Routledge 2004)

Counselor and former p*rn addict Crystal Day is here in a very honest and practical chat about dating and finding the right spouse. Additional resources: Websites: ⁠livingonpurposekc.com⁠ ⁠sherecovery.com⁠ thefreedomfight.org Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sherecovery-podcast-with-crystal-renaud-day/id1562758962⁠ Books: 90 Days to Wholeness Dirty Girls Come Clean Dating Done Right: Pursuing Relationships on Purpose

Crystal Renaud Day was exposed to porn as a little girl, leading to a dark path of addiction.  She reveals ways of escape from the isolation and dependence created by pornography, and how she helps other women who struggle in similar ways.  Parents--be aware there is frank (though not explicit) discussion of troubling issues in this interview. Additional resources: Websites: livingonpurposekc.com sherecovery.com Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sherecovery-podcast-with-crystal-renaud-day/id1562758962 Books: 90 Days to Wholeness Dirty Girls Come Clean Dating Done Right

Allyson Schrier's husband was descending into dementia.  Here's how she grew into caregiving, eventually founding Zinnia TV, programming for those living with dementia and other challenges.  Allyson is an award-winning leader in the field of technological and human support for those with cognitive deficits and speaks to us with expertise, yet candidly from the heart as she tells her story.  Be aware that some parts of this interview may disturb youngsters. Additional resources: thrivingwithdementia.com zinniatv.com info@zinniatv.com

C.S. Lewis expert Jerry Root explains the mysterious place that Christmas holds in the beloved children's classic The Chronicles of Narnia.  Why is Lewis called a grinch by some?  What does Santa Claus have to do with Jesus, and the White Witch with Herod?  And where might you meet Mr. Tumnus the Faun on Thursdays at 4:00?  It's all here.  Merry Christmas! Additional resources: By C.S. Lewis (seven fiction books):  The Chronicles of Narnia (particularly The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) Essays (available online):  "What Christmas Means to Me" "Xmas and Christmas" "Delinquents in the Snow" "A Christmas Sermon for Pagans" By Jerry Root (website):www.drjerryroot.com (books):The Surprising Imagination of C.S. Lewis The Soul of C.S. Lewis The Neglected C.S. Lewis The Quotable Lewis

An advocate for true gender equity, Bettina Arndt is an Aussie sex therapist who became a popular media personality and sex expert.  Then her years of hearing men confiding their experience in bed, police custody, courtroom, and campus changed her viewpoint.  This one's touching, amusing, and truth-filled, but probably not for little ones to hear.  Additional resources: Books by Bettina Arndt --The Sex Diaries What Men Want #MenToo https://bettinaarndt.substack.com/ https://www.bettinaarndt.com.au

Aging-care mavens Kim and Mike Barnes partake in an informative and heartwarming discussion about how to help our parents in the last stages of their lives.   Additional resources: --ParentingAgingParents.com --The Caregiver's Key

Linda Shrewsbury--Harvard graduate, entrepreneur, educator, and dear friend of Leah--explains why handwriting is important, and recounts her breakthrough in how to teach cursive to a special-needs adult who wanted to be able to sign his name.  Linda's discovery, Cursive Logic, has become a popular series endorsed by educators and parents alike.   Additional resources: --Cursivelogic.com --Campaignforcursive.com --"Biological and Psychological Benefits of Learning Cursive" by William R. Klemm, PhD, Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/memory-medic/201308/biological-and-psychology-benefits-learning-cursive --"Digitizing literacy" by Anne Mangen and Jean-Luc Velay, Psychology, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6e17/5bbc271bb87cd7bfb8d4610b6a9955fe40a9.pdf --"Why Cursive Handwriting is Good for Your Brain" by Christopher Bergland, Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/202010/why-cursive-handwriting-is-good-your-brain --"Grammar Students Celebrate Handwriting" https://www.genevaschooltx.org/grammar-students-celebrate-handwriting/ --"Gen Z never learned cursive" --https://www.deseret.com/2022/9/21/23363871/cursive-writing-practice-genz-never-learned-cursive--"How cursive can help students" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/connecting-dots-role-cursive-dyslexia-therapy --"The importance of handwriting" https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/09/14/the-importance-of-handwriting-is-becoming-better-understood

A father describes the hardship of raising kids in a region where his religion is harshly persecuted.  His teenage daughter speaks up about how she handles bullying.  Leah says she has thought about this conversation more than any other episode afterwards, and she is attempting to help the family.  Names and location are being concealed because of the danger these brave people are facing, even as they offer hope to others.

Parenting coach and communication expert Julie King gets specific and practical on effective talking with squirming, distracted, disgruntled young children.  Leah has questions on apologizing, getting kids out the door in the morning, moral vocabulary, and socks that can talk.  Additional resources: JulieKing.orgBook: How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Julie King and Joanna Faber App: How to Talk: Parenting Tips in Your Pocket  App: Parenting Hero Book: How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen by Julie King and Joanna Faber

What's it like to raise kids in a persecuting culture?  We interview a charming and courageous couple in North Africa and then reap keen insights from Shelli Alaniz of Ananias House about her organization's new release, Through the Eyes of a Child. If you have trouble understanding the couple, a transcript will be available on YouTube.  We bleeped out names and locations that might endanger this dear family.   Additional resources:  Through the Eyes of a Child: Encounters with God in the Middle East, available through Ananiashouse.org Upcoming: interview with another family on a different continent!

Physician Julia Mason describes the medical steps of gender transition for children, explaining to your astonished host why she opposes each one.  Puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex change surgery all have unintended consequences yet are steamrolling through American society without empirical basis, even while being second-guessed in most European nations.   Additional resources:  SEGM.org Genspect.org "Reconsidering Informed Consent for Trans-Identified Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults" Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 2022, Levin, Abbruzzese, and Mason, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35300570/ 

A day (and evening) in the life of a school principaland insights into how to relate to your child's principal. Teacherstoo will benefit from this freewheeling chat about "rubrics,""emotional snacks," and getting sued.  William D. Parker is anaward-winning school administrator and just finished 6 years asexecutive director of our state Association of Secondary Principalsand Middle Level Association.  He consults and speaks around thecountry now as an author and podcaster, and director of PrincipalMatters, LLC. Additional resources:https://williamdparker.com/2023/07/05/pmp351-understanding-how-to-serve-generations-with-will-parker-and-jen-schwanke/Williamdparker.comPrincipal Matters PodcastBooks by Will Parker:--Principal Matters: The Motivation, Courage, Action and TeamworkNeeded for School Leaders--Messaging Matters: How to Motivate Students, Inspire Teachers andReach Communities--Pause. Breathe. Flourish: Living Your Best Life as an Educator

Jeremy Tate of the Classic Learning Test expounds upon the virtues of classical education and the new college entrance exam that is shouldering out the SAT and ACT.  He parries questions about bullying, Cinderella, and why Latin grammar is good character education. Additional resources:www.cltexam.com

When you get a young philosopher on your show to talk about education, you just might discuss Rousseau, TV advertising, the panopticon effect, Nazis, Aristotle, and tech lash.   Additional resources:  Heartsoverhexagons.com

Equine therapy for kids is having a moment, and Katie Rogers of Boston Mountain Youth Ranch is especially clear on how and why she facilitates these amazing connections.Additional resources:Bostonmountainyouthranch.org

Our kids and grandkids will be shaped by urban plans. What will their cities and neighborhoods look like?  Who will decide?  Are 15-minute cities and smart cities brilliant and humane, or the latest form of corporate cronyism? Where do churches fit in? Julianne Romanello, philosopher, and consultant on city planning, discusses people who think locally and act globally.   Additional resources:  heartsoverhexagons.com Hearts over Hexagons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLuCF3OL3EQiQBrdRQQiIwJacques Ellul, The Meaning of the City Conversation Balloons Episode 21--Interview with urban planning expert Jeff Speck, "Are walkable cities rIght for all ages?"Jeff Speck, Walkable City RulesArticle with diagram: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/15-minute-city-stickiness/https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/paved-paradise/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/15minute-city-falls-short/

Leah talks heart-to-heart with speech and language pathologist Brian Farish in this chat about nurturing the elderly and those recovering from brain injury.  Brian's a highly skilled therapist with disarming honesty, humility, and spiritual vitality.  We don't say that just because he's the host's kid.

Anxiety in children and teens: Here's a compassionate and practical dialogue about it with Beth Mishkind Roth, a mother and expert in child and adolescent mental health.  Mindfulness and imagination, SPACE and monster spray are among the techniques Leah talks about with this sprightly and smart guest.Additional resources:Beth Roth can be found at clevelandint.com

Lauren Williams, a certified professional organizer, sorts it all out for Leah: how hoarding relates to OCD, depression, and dementia, how it begins, and how declutterers help hoarders and their families.  She even leaves space for hope and humor! Additional resources: Casualuncluttering.com NAPO.netChildrenofhoarders.com Digging Out by Michael Tompkins and Tamra Hart Buried in Treasures by David Tolin, Randy Frost, Gail Steketee The Hoarding Handbook by Christiana Bratiotis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac"George Carlin Talks about 'Stuff'" CappyNJhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYzlSNHapA"Jerry Seinfeld Standup" The Tonight Show