No Silly Questions- An Education Podcast for Parents

Last season's concluding  NSQ was “should we be worried about our boys?” So to launch Season Five, we've decided to shift the spotlight to our girls and spend some time understanding the pressures and challenges for girls in particular when it comes to everyone's favorite topic: social media. Our expert today, says girls are uniquely impacted by the visual content they're consuming- and it's effecting both their offline and online worlds. We hope you enjoy this episode.Kara Alaimo, PhD is a communications professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she created the university's academic programs in social media. Her book Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls – And How We Can Take It Back, which explains how social media is affecting every aspect of the lives of women and girls and what we can do about it, was published in March. She has been writing for CNN Opinion about the social impact of social media and issues affecting women and girls since 2016. She is a former spokesperson in the Obama administration and communicator at the United Nations and speaks frequently to parents and students in schools about how to handle kids' social media use. 

Did you know that if you look at high-school GPA's, the top 10% is 2/3rds female and the bottom 10% is 2/3rds male? That there are twice as many women flying fighter planes as there are men teaching kindergarten? For years there has been a focus on opening access and opportunities for girls, but now experts are saying our boys are in trouble. Our guest today, Richard Reeves, paints a picture for us on the state of boys and what we can do.More on Richard Reeves:Richard Reeves is president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, which he founded in 2023 to raise awareness of the problems of boys and men and advocate for effective solutions. His 2022 book, Of Boys and Men was described as a “landmark” in The New York Times and named a book of the year by both The Economist and The New Yorker. Richard is also non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, where he previously directed the Future of the Middle-Class Initiative and the Center on Children and Families. His research focuses on boys and men, inequality, and social mobility.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Artificial Intelligence - just the sound of it transports us to a sci-fi movie. But of course, this is no longer a fiction or a future possibility. We see AI already revolutionizing countless sectors and industries, and it's coming for education- its impact is imminent, if not already in motion.  We're dying to know if this is a story with a happy ending or if we're in the horror genre. So stick around for our episode with expert Claire Goldsmith to form a conclusion yourselves.More on Claire Goldsmith;Claire is a consultant and advisor in educational innovation and strategic planning across schools, non-profits, and technology companies. As executive director of the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON) from 2016-2022, she strategically expanded and strengthened the national independent school online learning consortium, led professional development for teachers nationwide, and created innovative new programming.Claire helped develop MSON while serving in the leadership of Stanford Online High School, ultimately as its director of admission and external relations. Previously, Claire taught French and English and coached debate at the Harvard-Westlake School in LA.Claire is the Board Chair of the Enrollment Management Association. She is also Vice President of the Board of trustees of LA's Wilshire Boulevard Temple, which runs Brawerman Elementary School, a member of the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Equity Committee of the Winsor School in Boston, her alma mater, a member of the Advisory Council of Geffen Academy of UCLA and Stanford Online High School, and a member of the Institute for Educational Advancement's Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Committee. Claire graduated from Harvard College with a degree in history and literature and from the Stanford Graduate School of Education with a master's degree in policy, organization, and leadership studies. She completed graduate work on a Harvard fellowship at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris and was a fellow with Education Pioneers. Her writing has appeared in national publications such as Chalkbeat and The Wall Street Journal, and she has shared expertise on artificial intelligence at national conferences and through webinars, such as with Common Sense Media.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

When a parent walks into a toy store, they are looking for toys that will endure and keep their children engaged. And, yet how many times have we walked out with a light-up, siren-blaring hunk of plastic. If you're a  new parent, we bet you've heard of Lovevery, the child development company conceived by our guest today Jessica Rolph. With playkits and subscriptions that arrive at your door, it's the modern way to shop for toys - and as educators, we love most that it holds research as its north star. More on Jessica Rolph:Jessica Rolph is an American entrepreneur and businesswoman, passionate about the importance of early life . She is the CEO and co-founder of Lovevery, co-founder and former chief operating officer of Happy Family, and co-founder of the Climate Collaborative. In 2020, Jessica was listed as one of Entrepreneur magazine's 100 Powerful Women and she was also featured in 2021 as one of Inc.'s100 Female Founders.Resources:www.lovevery.comnosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

In these highly tense and polarized times of geopolitical and domestic turmoil, and with the presidential election a few months away, you better believe we've wanted to do an episode for you on civics education.  And while it's our first on the topic, it won't be our last. Safe spaces, trigger warnings, viewpoint diversity or lack thereof, performance activism, and teacher bias, these are just some of the areas we get into with our guest today, Jon Zajdel, a civics teacher who lives this everyday firsthand.More on Jonathan Zajdel: Jon Zajdel is a secondary social studies teacher and swim coach in Fairfield County. Jon primarily teaches Advanced Placement American Government and Politics and civics. Zajdel has also taught the middle and elementary levels. Jon earned his MAT in secondary education from Sacred Heart University and his  BA in political science from Ithaca College. Jon is an AFT union member and his views are his alone and not representative of his district affiliation. 

“Bright Kids who Couldn't Care Less” is the title of our guest Ellen Braaten's most recent book. And it's a trend she's found in her renowned private practice as a clinician. So why do some kids care and others don't? In our conversation with Ellen we get into childhood motivation, how it all works, and what's a parent to do when their kid is being - what can even feel like a taboo word-  “lazy.”Ellen Braaten, PhD, is an experienced and prominent psychologist, researcher, speaker, and author. She is the Executive Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and the Kessler Family Chair in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment. She also holds an appointment of Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Braaten is widely recognized as an expert in the field of pediatric neuropsychological and psychological assessment, particularly in the areas of assessing learning disabilities and attentional disorders. Dr. Braaten has traveled internationally and is a frequent media contributor to NBC News, WCVB Boston, CBS Boston, and The New York Times. She has authored several books and articles, her most recent one being Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less (2023). Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

The 'awayness' of sleepaway camp is, as our guest today shares, precisely what makes it so valuable - today more than ever. But how specifically is it a ripe opportunity for growth? Is sleepaway camp for everyone? Our guest Dr. Tracy Benner - who we're calling the Camp Dr. Becky- tells us everything we need to know as we consider this decision for our children. We loved this conversation, reminiscing on our own camp experiences and preparing thoughtfully for the future- and hope you will too.More on Dr. Tracy Brenner:Dr. Tracy Brenner received her doctorate in Clinical School Psychology from Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at St. Luke's-Roosevelt hospital in NYC. Dr. Tracy launched her professional career as the high school psychologist at The Churchill School and Center, an independent school in New York City, and is currently in private practice in New York and Connecticut, providing individual therapy to adolescents and adults as well as parenting support. In her role as “The Camp Counselor,” Dr. Tracy works with camps, camp parents and campers to promote mental health in the camp context. She also serves as a consultant to The Maine Camp Experience, an organization representing 39 sleep away camps in Maine.

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. In honor of Mother's Day,  we're thrilled to be joined by three esteemed guests-  Lily Walla, Loren Klein, and Lizza Assa- three amazing mamas who all work in the parenting space - for a special discussion about work and life, the balance of both, and the spaces where they intersect.More on our guests:Lili Walla toddler mom and founder of Auggie-  platform where empowered parents create personalized registries, shop, and share real recommendations from expecting and beyond.Loren Klein is a mom of three, teacher, social worker and certified educator of infant massage with over 15 years of experience working with families and children. After graduating from Washington University, she began her career with Teach for America in a middle school classroom. While teaching, Loren earned a master's in both education and social work at Columbia University. Since then, Loren has facilitated therapeutic programs for children, developed resources and workshops for families, and served as the main communication point for parents of students with disabilities at the New York City Department of Education. Loren is the founder of ZenHippo. Lizzie Asa , MS. Ed. and the founder of The Workspace for Children. I'm a parenting strategist and independent play expert who believes that play is how children make sense of their world.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

I truly believe that my 10th grade teacher, Dr.Joshua Gaylord, changed the trajectory of my academic future. He taught writing class and it's a skill I use and rely on every single day, from writing a work email, to a birthday card, to even this introduction. We all rely on our ability to write - so, it's understandable that we would want our kids to develop enormous confidence in this discipline. But unfortunately, nation-wide data suggets that writing is in fact our children's weakest skill. What is the most effective way to teach it, backed by science? And what's a parent's role at home? If you've ever wondered what comes next after those handwriting workbooks,  this episode with writing expert- Dr. Leslie Laud is for you.More on Dr. Leslie Laud:Dr. Leslie Laud holds a doctorate from Columbia University with a focus on writing instruction. She leads professional development for teachers and supports school leaders with taking on evidence-based practice for writing. She presents at national conferences, publishes in peer reviewed journals and still teaches children how to write. Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

As our 15 year college reunions approach, we can still vividly remember how much we dreaded studying for the SATs and the stress we felt waiting for our college acceptances. But will this be the same for our kids? Today, we bring on Michael B. Horn to help us understand what's changed since our day- what's stayed the same- and how we can get better at “Choosing College” - which is in fact the name of his book!More on MICHAEL B. HORN:Michael B. Horn is the author of several books, including Choosing College: How to Make Better Learning Decisions Throughout Your Life and the recently released From Reopen to Reinvent: (Re)creating School for Every Child. Michael is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a non-profit think tank and an adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He cohosts the top education podcasts Future U and Class Disrupted, is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and the New York Sun, and writes the Substack newsletter The Future of Education. Michael also serves as an executive editor at Education Next, and his work has been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, and NBC. 

Preschool - and early childhood learning - plays an essential role in the lives of many parents and children. Working parents rely on preschool, and research shows that a HIGH QUALITY preschool program can have a lasting positive impact on the life of a child. According to the NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, providing a high quality education for children before they turn 5 yields significant medium and long term benefits for children, including being:Less likely to repeat a gradeLess likely to be identified as having special needsMore prepared academically for later gradesMore likely to graduate from high schoolHigher earners in the workforceFurthermore, access to effective, diverse programs breaks down barriers that have prevented many children– particularly children of color and children from disadvantaged families– from achieving their full potential.But how do we ensure that - on a LARGE SCALE - our children are having experiences in early childhood programs that best support their short and long term development. Today, we'll learn from Dr. Kara Ahmed about how New York City, our country's largest school system, is supporting its youngest learners.   More on Kara:As Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood Education, Dr. Kara Ahmed is responsible for ensuring the system is prepared to support all of New York City's young people from birth to five years of age. For the past 14 years, Kara was the Principal for the Department of Education's Living for the Young Family Through Education (LYFE) program, which she transformed into a nationally recognized, city-wide, early childhood education program.Kara began her career as an early childhood educator and then became the Early Childhood Supervisor for New Brunswick Public Schools. There she led all operational and programmatic aspects related to the public school and private provider preschool programs. Kara also led the implementation of preschool inclusion to guarantee children with identified disabilities were naturally integrated into general education preschool classrooms. Kara went on to work with William Patterson University to support the New Jersey DOE's implementation of preschool across the state, and she taught graduate courses at Teachers College, Columbia University. Kara has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University. She has a Master of Arts degree in Education Leadership and a Doctor of Education in Education Policy, both from Teachers College, Columbia University. Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/ 

If you're a parent whose child's birthday falls within a few weeks - or in some cases a few months - of the cutoff date, perhaps you've thought about whether you should delay your child's entry to Kindergarten so they can be one of the oldest in the class -  a practice known as redshirting. Depending on where you live and what school choices you have, redshirting may or may not be an option for you. In today's episode, our guest Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach will make you think twice about the merits of this practice.More on Diane:Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach is Director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. She is an economist who studies policies aimed at improving the lives of children in poverty, including education, health, and income support policies. Her work traces the impact of major public policies such as the Food Stamp Program, school finance reform, and early childhood education on children's long-term outcomes. She is also the Margaret Walker Alexander Professor in the School of Education and Social Policy. She holds a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University. Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

In the ever more competitive race to secure the best possible future, today's students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. Our guest today- award-winning reporter Jennifer. B Wallace-  investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture in her book “Never Enough”- and finds out what we must do to fight back. If you find your schedule jam-packed with activities and extracurriculars, your wallet stretched thin with tutoring fees- this episode is for you.More on Jennifer:Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist and author of the New York Times bestselling book Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It.   She is a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post and appears on national television to discuss her articles and relevant topics in the news.   After graduating from Harvard College, Wallace began her journalism career at  CBS “60 Minutes,” where she was part of a team that won The Robert F. Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism. She is a Journalism Fellow at The Center for Parent and Teen Communication at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Our guest today was one of Time Magazine's most influential people in 2022- so maybe you've heard of her? Or perhaps, the name sounds familiar because you were recommended her first book “Expecting Better” over and over again when you were pregnant?We're excited to bring Emily Oster to No Silly Questions today. Applying her training in economics to issues of parenting- her signature style- Emily joins us to share what the data has to say about the early school years.More on Emily:Emily Oster is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Today's question is truly “not so silly.” In fact, it's one of the most serious questions we've ever asked and answered on this podcast- “what is happening with antisemitism on college campuses?”Schools are meant to provide an education and a safe space for students to exchange ideas, and expand and challenge their thinking. You're supposed to learn how to think, not what to think. At least that's how we would answer our own rapid fire question. For the most part, we see ourselves as objective facilitators and we keep things professional. But this episode is more personal and reflects both our pride in our identity as Jews and also our concern for rising levels of antisemitism on college campuses. A focal point of our mission is to provide information that allows parents to make informed decisions for their children, and we think that having a perspective on the culture on college campuses right now, is relevant to share. More on Rabbi David Wolpe:David Wolpe is an American rabbi. He is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Divinity School and the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. He previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Hunter College, and UCLA. Wolpe was named the most influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek in 2012, and among the 500 most influential Angelinos in 2016 and 2018. Wolpe now serves as the Inaugural rabbinic fellow for the ADL, and a Senior Advisor for the Maimonides Fund.

Welcome to a special episode of No Silly Questions: Educators Unplugged. Today we're thrilled to be joined by two well-known guests who are both experienced literacy educators and who use their social media platforms to help parents and teachers support children in building their literacy skills. 

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. Today, we're thrilled to be joined by three esteemed guests who all work in the news media space for a discussion about how we expose our kids to current events and how we teach information literacy skills. More on each guest: Jamie Stelter has been waking up New Yorkers for over 13 years on NY1 as the Traffic Anchor and Co-Host of "Mornings On 1." She and her husband Brian love to chronicle their lives on social media and in 2014 The New York Times named the Stelters a "Power Couple of Twitter and Instagram." Sara Eisen is co-anchor of the 10AM and 11AM ET hours of CNBC's “Squawk on the Street” (M-F, 9AM-12PM ET), which broadcasts from Post 9 at the New York Stock Exchange. She is known for her deep expertise in financial markets and the global economy as well as regular news making interviews with some of the most prominent names in the financial world.Jacob Sherman is an American journalist and writer. He is the co-founder of Punchbowl News, a daily newsletter service focusing on Congress, and co-author of The Hill to Die On: The Battle for Congress and the Future of Trump's America. Jake is an NBC News and MSNBC political analyst. He previously worked for Politico, among other media outlets.

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families.Today we are joined by a panel of “Parents in The Arts” - parents who work in both the visual and performing arts.In this discussion, we hear how our panelists think about fostering creativity in their homes and the power of arts education in their lives. 

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. Today, we're going to  be putting on our own oxygen masks, so to speak- and shifting focus from the kids back to the grownups. Because we know that our ability to care for our kids and care for ourselves are inextricably linked… “you can't fill from an empty cup.”  as they say…And so today we are going to be exploring how we keep our cups full- and we are thrilled to be joined by three absolutely lovely women in the postpartum parental wellness space.More on our guests: Elizabeth Baron is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist, specializing in maternal mental health. She received her master's degree in counseling psychology from Columbia University's Teachers College and has extensive clinical experience in supporting women in all stages of their motherhood journeys— from preconception and pregnancy, through postpartum and parenting.In Spring 2023, she relaunched With Elizabeth, a digital platform dedicated to building community online and in-person: Her goal is to help moms and parents feel less alone, understand the complexity of their experience, and have the space to process the emotional and mental load associated with becoming parents and raising children.Elizabeth lives in NYC with her husband and two young daughters, a preschooler and an infant.Marcella Kelson (LMSW, MSc) is a life coach and maternal wellness specialist with a background in developmental psychology, social work and psychotherapy. Marcella has a private practice where she sees clients 1:1, facilitates small groups which focus on the various identity shifts in motherhood, and also runs corporate retreats which focus on maternal wellness.  Marcella was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in August '22, when her daughter was 3 months old, and is nearly finished with treatment. Marcella has two children, Otto (4.5) and Francesca (1) and she and her husband live in Greenwich, CT. Neha Ruch is on a mission to update the perception of stay-at-home motherhood in America, infusing it with ambition, dignity, growth, and potential. She established her groundbreaking independent media brand, Mother Untitled, in 2017, in the early days of her motherhood journey. Today, Mother Untitled is the digital destination for progressive, ambitious women who have opted to focus on motherhood for a life chapter, and Neha is a thought leader and sought-after speaker in the world of women, work, parenting, and identity.  Neha is the author of forthcoming book, The Power Pause, with Putnam, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Neha received her B.A. from Skidmore College and her M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. She resides in Manhattan with her husband, their two children, and their dog Coconut.

For any parent, the decision of who will care for their child is an intimate one, and a conversation we began last episode with author Erica Komisar. There are different childcare paths to explore, and today, we'll be diving into the world of daycare, and how Vivi founder Ben Newton is on a mission to reimagine its potential. More on Ben Newton:Ben Newton is a leader in the education industry, with deep expertise in corporate strategy and developmental operations. As the co-founder and COO of Vivvi, Ben is passionate about making early learning more accessible for working families, and committed to creating new solutions for the future of school access. Ben has dedicated his career to establishing and growing schools and their Communities and has held leadership positions at various institutions. Ben holds a Master of Science in Comparative and International Education from Oxford University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in NYC with his wife and young son.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Our guest today, Erica Komisar certainly thinks so. She believes that mothers in particular should spend significant time being present with their children in the first three years of life - quitting their jobs if necessary. To say that this topic is complex is an understatement, and it may lead to strong feelings on both sides of the conversation. As we value the opportunity to engage with experts who share differing perspectives, next week we'll be bringing you an episode with Vivvi daycare founder Ben Newton who will present an alternate view, so be sure to listen to both episodes back-to-back for the full story.More on Erica Komisar: ERICA KOMISAR,  is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and parent guidance expert who has been in private practice in New York City for over 30 years.  A graduate of Georgetown and Columbia Universities and The New York Freudian Society, Ms. Komisar is a psychological consultant bringing parenting workshops to clinics, schools, corporations, and childcare settings.  Erica is the author of Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters and Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

In season one we spoke with the toddler whisperer Tovah Klein  all about how to navigate tantrums, and today, we're bringing you the teen whisperer - Dr. Lisa Damour - who has catapulted into the parenting scene to help us understand the emotional lives of teenagers and what those of us with littles - like you and I danielle - have in store! More about Dr. Lisa Damour:Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and CBS News.Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale's Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan's Power Foundation. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.

Finding great toys that are engaging and fun for your children is a win win for all. One such game in our family is Rush Hour, and you may have seen me on the floors of restaurants, airports and certainly our apartment scavenging for the mini toy cars and trucks so my kids can move on to the next challenge. So you can imagine our delight to speak with our guest who heads the company that makes this game and so many others. More on Rachele:Rachele Harmuth is passionate about play, creating products that make an impact on kids' lives and spreading the word that we can build kids resilience and MESH skills through play. She is Head of the Thinkfun division of Ravensburger where they design activities and games that support kids skills with progressive challenges.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

As our guest Lauren Melissa explains- the world is full of neurodiversity- just as it is full of biodiversity. And yet, the extent of many parents' education on autism are from social media reels like “four early signs that my child has autism.” We have a better source for you today, and that's because Lauren Melissa speaks from her personal experience as an autistic person. Whether you are a parent to an autistic child, or a parent who just wants to help your own child build empathy for others, this episode is a must. More on Lauren Melissa:Lauren Melissa Ellzey (she/her), @Autienelle, is an autistic self-advocate, educator, author, and social justice activist. As an Instructional Support Specialist, she provides consultation and workshops on autistic K-12 inclusion. In all, Lauren Melissa hopes to co-create a society where autistics nurture autistics as we strive toward true inclusion.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Our guest today is clear in his view: popular trends in modern parenting are wreaking havoc on our children. In fact, when we asked Dr. Leonard Sax “what gives him hope for the future?”- which you regular No Silly Question listeners will know we ask every guest at the close of the episode- he surprised us as the first guest to answer “he doesn't have hope” because he is not in fact optimistic about where we're headed as parents.Regardless what your ultimate take is, Dr. Sax is an original voice and we know this conversation will provoke some and inspire others. More on Dr. Sax:Dr. Leonard Sax is a physician, psychologist, and author. He enrolled in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge Massachusetts in the fall of 1977; he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from MIT in January 1980, at the age of 19. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both a PhD in psychology, and an MD. In March 1990, Dr. Sax launched a primary care medical practice in Montgomery County Maryland. From 1990 through 2008, Dr. Sax provided primary care to children and adults. In 2001, Dr. Sax began visiting schools and speaking to parents. In 2005, Doubleday published his first book Why Gender Matters; an updated second edition was published in 2017. In 2007, Basic Books published his second book Boys Adrift; an updated second edition was published in 2016. In 2010, Basic Books published his third book Girls on the Edge; an updated second edition was published in 2020. In December 2015, Basic Books published his fourth book The Collapse of Parenting, which became a New York Times bestseller.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

What is the role you play in your child's learning at school? Have you ever thought to ask your child's teacher what their approach to reading is? What program do they use? If it's backed by science and research? These are the questions that we've been thinking about since we were captivated by our guest Emily Hanford's now viral podcast, “Sold A Story.”More on Emily Hanford:Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for American Public Media.  Her work has won numerous honors including a duPont-Columbia University Award and a Casey Medal. In 2017, she won the Excellence in Media Reporting on Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association. Emily is based in the Washington, D.C. area and is a graduate of Amherst College.Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

What is the role you play in your child's learning at school? Have you ever thought to ask your child's teacher what their approach to reading is? What program do they use? If it's backed by science and research? These are the questions that we've been thinking about since we were captivated by our guest Emily Hanford's now viral podcast, “Sold A Story.”More on Emily Hanford:Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for American Public Media.  Her work has won numerous honors including a duPont-Columbia University Award and a Casey Medal. In 2017, she won the Excellence in Media Reporting on Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association. Emily is based in the Washington, D.C. area and is a graduate of Amherst College. Resources:nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Come "Unplug" with us all month long! Over the next few weeks, instead of our expert episodes, you'll notice a new series- "Parents Unplugged with NSQ." We've had the opportunity to chat with some really interesting and dynamic moms and dads to bring a new perspective to the topics we cover on our podcast.On this week's panel, we speak with  a panel of “Moms with Littles”-  inspired by our episode on the history of childhood in America with Dr. Paula Fass.We cover:How was your experience of school?What was important to you when you choosing a school for your children?Is now a good time to be raising a child in America?What are some things about your own childhood that you want to provide for your children? What are some things that you want to try and avoid?Do you see or experience parental anxiety in your own social groups?How do you think about the Goldilocks amount of “scheduling” for your child?What is one thing you still want to learn?What should be taught in schools that isn't?Who is a teacher that made an impact on you?

Come "Unplug" with us all month long! Over the next few weeks, instead of our expert episodes, you'll notice a new series- "Parents Unplugged with NSQ." We've had the opportunity to chat with some really interesting and dynamic moms and dads to bring a new perspective to the topics we cover on our podcast. On this week's panel, we speak with  founders of popular play space and community Union Square Play- inspired by our episode on multiple intelligences with Dr. Thomas Hoerr. We cover:How was your experience of school?What was important to you when you choosing a school for your children?Which of the multiple intelligences do you feel you are the strongest in?Are your strongest intelligences similar or different from your kids? How so?Is it better to be well-rounded or well-lopsided? Do you encourage your children to try multiple activities or support them in pursuing one deeply?Is EQ something that should be taught in schools?What is one thing you still want to learn?What should be taught in schools that isn't?Who is a teacher that made an impact on you? 

Come "Unplug" with us all month long! Over the next few weeks, instead of our expert episodes, you'll notice a new series- "Parents Unplugged with NSQ." We've had the opportunity to chat with some really interesting and dynamic moms and dads to bring a new perspective to the topics we cover on our podcast. On this week's panel, we speak with a group of moms in the food industry- inspired by our episode on pediatric nutrition with Ali Bandier. We cover:How was your experience of school?What was important to you when you choosing a school for your children?What food systems do you have at home for feeding your kids?What are your policies for food when your kids are not with you, like at a bday party?What should be taught in schools that currently isn't?What would you still like to learn?

The future of higher education has arrived - and transformation in this space is coming sooner than you think. For many of you listening, like us, there was a very straightforward path from high school that led to a four year liberal arts degree. That will not be true for our kids. This episode with futurist Abby Brody will require you to hold on to your hats as you learn, alongside us, just how quickly and dramatically things are changing. More on Abby Brody:Abby Brody is a lifetime educator and futurist determined to bring education to meet the needs of modern students and the economy and society they will inherit. Abby was part of the founding team at Avenues: The World School where she created the curriculum, held multiple leadership roles, and created and led Avenues Online to name a few.  In 2018, she founded Mind the Gap (MTG), a think tank that studied the ROI of higher education. Through that work, Abby and the MTG team walked away with a core hypothesis: The future of higher education needs to be outcomes-driven, personalized, holistic (wellness), and in keeping with best practices in learning (experiential). MYX, which Abby founded in 2020 is the product of MTG's research. MYX is a hybrid, personalized program that leverages top-quality digital content to focus on experiential learning and community.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

In a culture that focuses so much on the product and the outcome, our guest today highlights the value of process - not just in art - but in life. Meri Cherry is an art educator who catapulted into the homes of parents during the pandemic, and brought a refreshing approach to arts and crafts at home - just as she had done in prior school settings and in her popular LA art studio. You don't have to be Da Vinci to appreciate the insight that she shares on today's episode.More on Meri Cherry:Meri Cherry began her career as an elementary school teacher but switched to teaching art through private lessons and home-group instruction. She has created an engaging art & crafts community for preschoolers and runs a successful art teaching business in the Los Angeles area.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Over the course of a 13 year journey through the school system, it is natural that parents will experience a conflict or two that they have to confront with their child's teacher or administrator. But what if the nature of the conflict is larger than and requires a parent to seek legal counsel?On today's episode, we speak with Regina Skyer, founder and manager of Skyer Law, New York's premier special education firm. She explains, in detail, what to do when a parent feels their child is not receiving a free and appropriate education - a right they are entitled to by law.  More on Regina Skyer:Regina Skyer is a leading special education lawyer who is known throughout New York State.  After enjoying a fifteen-year career as a social worker and special education administrator, she entered the City University of New York Public Interest Law School in 1988 for the sole purpose of working with special needs children and their families. Regina balanced parenting and working as director of Summit Camp while in law school. When she graduated in 1991 she was recognized as a leading student in her class. Regina was admitted to the New York Bar in 1992.As the founder and manager of Skyer Law, Regina's involvement in every aspect of the firm's day-to-day operation is obvious; she meets with new clients and helps parents find the right educational programs and opportunities for their children. She works closely with educational consultants, neuropsychologists, evaluators, school administrators, and other professionals.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

504's, IEPs, neuropsychological evaluations - what the heck do these numbers, letters, and big words mean? Our guest today knows that parents aren't given a handbook, and so today's episode is all about breaking it down and helping you navigate support for your child's learning needs. More on Dr. Nicole Katz:Dr. Nicole Katz is a pediatric neuropsychologist, New York State licensed psychologist, and New York State certified school psychologist.  She specializes in providing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations which focus on the assessment, interventions, and accommodations for individuals (4-26 years old) with various learning/academic, attentional, developmental, or social-emotional challenges. Dr. Katz completed her pre-doctoralinternship at the Mount Sinai Hospital's Epilepsy Center within the Neurology Department at the Icahn School of Medicine, her two-year clinical pediatric neuropsychology post-doctoral fellowship at the NYU Langone Child Study Center, undergraduate training at Emory University and, masters and doctoral degree at St. John's University. Dr. Katz has presented her research at multiple national conferences across the country and led numerous workshops and seminars to both professionals, trainees, and families within the New York and tri state regions.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Or are they “Technology's Child?”These are the titles of our guest this week, Professor Katie Davis' two books. In this episode, we talk all about “ digital media's role in the ages and stages of growing up.” How do children engage with technology at each stage of development? Are there good apps and bad apps? Youtube vs. Netflix? Does technology have an impact on creativity? Katie Davis gives us an inside look, from the front lines of academia and research, into the interplay of technology and child development.More on Katie:Katie Davis is Associate Professor at the University of Washington Information School, Adjunct Associate Professor in the College of Education, and a founding member and Co-Director of the Digital Youth Lab. Currently, she is a visiting research scientist in the Human Computer Interaction Lab at Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany. In her research, Katie investigates the impact of digital technologies on young people's learning, development, and wellbeing, and co-designs positive technology experiences with and for youth. Her work bridges the fields of human development, human-computer interaction, and the learning sciences.Katie holds two master's degrees and a doctorate in Human Development and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining the faculty at the UW iSchool, she worked with Howard Gardner and colleagues as a Project Manager at Harvard Project Zero, where she was a member of the GoodPlay Project and Developing Minds and Digital Media Project research teams. Katie is the author of several journal and conference publications, three books, with the forthcoming title “Technology's Child”, and regularly shares her work with parents, teachers, business leaders, and policymakers in an effort to build connections between research and practice.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

The call that no parent ever wants to receive: “There's been a school shooting and we need you to come to the building.” Our guest today, Nicole Hockley received that call from her sons' elementary school, Sandy Hook, in 2012. This infamous school shooting resulted in a heartbreaking tragedy, one that changed Nicole's life and also set her on a path to making incredible gains in school and gun violence prevention. In today's conversation, we talk about how to reverse this public health epidemic, what schools can do better, what role parents can play, and how to talk to our kids about this challenging subject matter without instilling fear. The bottom line here is: school violence is preventable. More on Nicole Hockley:Nicole Hockley chose to transform unspeakable grief and anguish into action after her youngest son, Dylan, was murdered in his first-grade classroom during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.As the co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, Nicole works every day to protect children from gun and school violence.Sandy Hook Promise Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Under Nicole's leadership, the research-driven Know The Signs violence prevention programs were created and are now available to schools at no cost. More than 18 million have participated in these life-saving programs in 23,000+ schools and youth organizations nationwide. As a result, countless acts of violence have been averted – including at least 13 planned school attacks – saving precious lives and helping youth get much-needed mental health support.Nicole is a leading voice on school safety and gun violence prevention, rising above the political divide over gun control, focusing instead on helping young people get the help they need. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and commenter, sharing expertise on recognizing the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis or at risk of harming themselves or others, and how to safely intervene. She has presented several TEDx Talks, her opinion editorials have been published by Newsweek, CNN, USA Today, and InStyle, and her commentary has been featured in CNN, MSNBC, Newsy, ABC, CBS, and NBC news coverage, among countless other media outlets.Driven by Nicole's extensive background in strategic marketing and communications for companies in the U.S. and U.K., Sandy Hook Promise has become a thought leader on school safety and at the forefront of the gun violence prevention movement. The award-winning and provocative PSA campaignsshe helped co-create with BBDO New York have amassed hundreds of millions of views worldwide, including “Evan” which generated two billion impressions and 10 coveted Cannes Lions Awards, “Back-to-School Essentials,” which earned a prestigious Emmy Award for Best Commercial of 2019.Nicole received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Fairfield University in 2022 and was recognized in 2016 by People magazine as one of 25 Women Changing the World. But her favorite recognition is for being the best Mom she can to her surviving son, Jake.Ni

We experience our schools at a local, community level- but nonetheless they are supported and organized in our nation's capital by the Department of Education. Today, we have a real treat to get a glimpse inside this office from a senior advisor to the Secretary of Education and learn about their top priorities.More on Nick Simmons:Nick Simmons serves as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Education at the United States Department of Education. He led the Department and Biden Administration's work to safely reopen schools across the country and now helps lead the work to support student recovery from the learning loss and mental health stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Previously, Mr. Simmons served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the State of Connecticut and Policy Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont. He led a portfolio of policy priorities for the Governor including education, workforce development, economic development, closing the digital divide, and safely reopening K-12 schools during COVID-19. Nick was a teacher and assistant principal in the Success Academy network of schools, and holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, a master of business administration from Harvard Business School, and a bachelor's degree from Yale University.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Parents instinctively push their kids to succeed. Yet well-meaning parents can put soul-crushing pressure on kids, leading to under-performance and serious mental health problems instead of social, emotional, and academic success. So where are they going astray?  According to Drs. Chris Thurber and Hank Weisinger, our guests for today, it all comes down to asking the right questions.  Instead of “How much pressure?”, you should be thinking “How do I apply pressure?”  and this is precisely the No Silly Question for today's episode. More on Chris and Hank:Hank Weisinger, Ph.D. is trained in clinical, counseling, and organizational psychology and is a two- time New York Times Bestselling author. He is a leading authority in the application of Emotional Intelligence, an expert in Anger management, the originator of the highly regarded techniques of Criticism Training, and a pioneer in the emerging new field, pressure management. He has authored books on all of these subjects, and is the author of the NY Times Bestseller, Performing Under Pressure: The Science Of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most. His latest book with our other wonderful guest today is “The Unlikely Art of Parent Pressure.”  Dr. Weisinger has consulted and conducted presentations for dozens of Fortune 500 Companies, collaborated with government agencies, and has been featured in newspapers and national magazines, as well as over 500 appearances on TV programs. Dr. Christopher Thurber is an award-winning writer and thought leader who has dedicated his professional life to improving how adults care for kids and to enhancing the experience of adventurous young people who are spending time away from home. A graduate of Harvard and UCLA, Dr. Thurber has served as a psychologist and instructor at Phillips Exeter Academy since 1999. His most recent book, The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure: A Positive Approach to Pushing Your Child to be Their Best Self, was described by The Atlantic as “a tour de force” and “the rare parenting book that respects both parents and children.” Schools, camps, and forward-thinking organizations on five continents have invited Dr. Thurber to deliver keynotes, contribute articles, and lead workshops for all audiences. Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

How often does your child ask you a question that you don't know the answer to? And maybe you google it, ask Alexa or find a book at home that can help. For many teachers and parents, BrainPOP is where they turn for a reliable resource so we don't have to be walking encyclopedias. On today's episode we speak with the chief product officer at this wildly popular education company to understand what are the attributes of quality educational content that parents can feel good about- that both entertains AND educates. More on Karina Linch:Karina Linch is chief product officer at BrainPOP, the pioneering online education company whose learning solutions have been beloved by millions of kids, and trusted by educators and parents worldwide, for more than two decades.A former NYC public school teacher and lead Teaching Fellow in Brooklyn and the Bronx, Karina joined BrainPOP in 2005. Since she has overseen the development of a robust suite of products that empower kids to strengthen their critical, computational, and creative thinking across the curriculum. Karina earned her MA in education from Lehman College and her BA in film and television from New York University. She received a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship to study the Japanese school system, and also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to work with educators in Mexico.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

All parents want their kids to receive a quote unquote “good education.” But what about a great education? An excellent education? What does the ceiling look like?Our expert today, Professor Jal Mehata, has made a deep study - of what he calls “deeper learning.” We speak with him about how this can be achieved within a classroom, across a school campus, and even in our own homes.More on Jal:Jal Mehta is a Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A sociologist by training, his work focuses on how to remake the industrial-era school system into a modern learning organization that creates purpose and passion for both students and adults.  He is the author, most recently, with Sarah Fine, of In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School, as well as the author of The Allure of Order: High Hopes, Dashed Expectations and the Troubled Quest to Remake American Schooling. Jal is the co-director of the Deeper Learning Dozen, a community of practice of 12 districts across the United States and Canada that are seeking to remake themselves for the future. Jal works with teachers, schools, districts, and states in the U.S and around the world, seeking to cull wisdom from leading practitioners and share it with the field. Jal is also the proud recipient of the Morningstar Teaching Award at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

We're back with a new episode in the series: Parent Panels with NSQ!After hearing from so many moms and dads about their real experiences with topics covered in our podcast, we've decided to bring these candid conversations to you. We've heard from the experts… now let's hear from the parents!In this panel, we are joined by three dynamic women: Stefani Berkin- real estate broker and President of R New York, Amanda Roth- founder of popular community resource Scarsdalemoms, and Allyson Bronner- Head of Family Advocacy.We hope you enjoy this honest, funny, and truly FUN conversation.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Maybe you too have had that experience where you travel to a foreign country and realize you can't remember any of the highschool french or spanish you used to know. Why is that? What does excellent foreign language instruction look like? And is computer science the second language of the future? On today's episode we learn from our guest, Raina Gilchrist, all about language immersion education at Avenues: The World School in New York City. More on Raina Gilchrist:Raina is a 5th grade Spanish Immersion teacher, Blackboard Award winner, and is at the forefront of immersion education. She has presented at the Conference for the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) and at the Conference for Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA). Reina has been working to fill a gap in the field, leading an initiative to provide teachers with quality professional development in language instruction. Resources: Resource:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

As parents, we want to trust that our school and state are using evidence-based practices for the teaching of reading. But despite growing research on the topic, educators across our country simply don't agree on which approach is best.Today's guest can comment on this from both angles - as a mom and as the state literacy director of Mississippi- a state that continues to see amazing gains in reading achievement. We are so honored to be in conversation with Kristen Wynn.More on Kristen:Kristen Wynn's service in the field of education spans 15+ years. She is committed to ensuring equitable access for all students to effective literacy instruction, highly-qualified teachers, and high-quality instructional materials. Her experience in the classroom includes teaching 1st and 2nd grade, as well as serving as a Kindergarten through 5th grade Intervention Specialist. She currently serves as the State Literacy Director, where she has worked diligently to improve literacy outcomes of schools and districts across the state of Mississippi. She is the co-creator of the “Passport to Literacy” and “Passport to Literacy Boost” PreK-2nd grade literacy professional development training for teachers. Currently, she serves as a member of the Mississippi Reading Licensure Task Force, the Mississippi Reading Panel, the Higher Ed Literacy Council (HELC) and the Governor's Task Force for Teacher Preparation in Early Literacy Instruction. Kristen is the wife of Detective David Wynn II and a mother to three kids. Resource:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/https://strongreadersms.comwww.mdek12.org/literacy 

When we were kids, we would often play a game where we tried not to step on the cracks in the sidewalk. Necks crooked down, eyes laser focused on the ground, we hopped around as we sang- and some of us believed-: “Step on the crack, break your mama's back!” And then there were the 10-step bedtime routines: “I won't go to bed unless you read me a bedtime story, tuck in every one of my stuffed animals, give me three kisses on the cheek. Check the closet for the boogy man. So on and so forth.”But where is the line between play and compulsion? Between routine and obsession?On today's episode, we are privileged to welcome esteemed clinician Dr. Rebecca Berry to talk all about obsessive compulsive disorder in childhood, its diagnosis, its treatments, and how it compares to typical childhood behaviors.More on Dr. Rebecca Berry:Rebecca Rialon Berry, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and related conditions. She has intensive training and certification in cognitive-behavior therapy, exposure and response prevention, habit reversal training, and behavioral parent training.Dr. Berry currently has a specialty private practice in midtown Manhattan and Westchester, NY, where she works extensively with children, adolescents, and adults. She is an affiliate Clinical Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. During her time at NYU Langone Health, Dr. Berry coordinated the Intensive Anxiety and OCD treatment program, and co-founded and directed the Tics, Tourette's Disorder, and Trichotillomania Program. Before joining the faculty at NYU, Dr. Berry served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she helped establish the Early Life Stress and Pediatric Anxiety and OCD Program.  Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Is it just us, or are you also seeing on your social media feed, a trend where everyday materials are being used for play. There's actually a formal name for these materials- they're called Loose Parts and our guest today, Miriam Beloglovksy, is here to help us understand their value.More on Miriam:Miriam Beloglovsky is a professor of early childhood education, sought-after public speaker, CEO of Playful Transformation, and author. Her goal is to engage, inspire, and motivate audiences worldwide to explore the power of play and embrace play as a vehicle that transforms their life.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comWww.Instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Food is one of the great joys of life, but many modern day parents are left feeling like short order cooks. In this episode, we ask registered dietitian Ali Bandier of Senta Health- everything on nutrition and the kitchen sink- from the optimal meals to serve at home, what to send in the lunchbox to school, how to handle picky eating, what she believes around vitamins, and much more food for thought. More on Alexandra Bandier:Ali Bandier is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Nutrition, a mom, and the Founder of Senta Health, specializing in prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric nutrition. Ali was previously at Children's Hospital Los Angeles where she helped hundreds of families navigate their medical nutrition needs. Ali graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Science in Nutrition and from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She is also certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.   Ali is an advocate for evidence-based recommendations and has a long history of performing and analyzing scientific research. Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://sentahealth.com/https://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/sentahealth/

Questions and theories about how to approach behavior in children abound. With our guest Michelle today, also known by her popular instagram account “Thriving Toddler,” we are breaking down the questions about behavior that we get the most from our listeners, and that stand out to us as educators. You will also learn how to create better alignment between the behavior management protocols in the school and at home, so everyone is on the same page.More on Michelle:Michelle Tangeman  is a licensed therapist, board-certified behavior analyst and the creator of Thriving Toddler. She is also a mom of two. Michelle's mission is to give parents evidence-based parenting tools that work, supporting a strong, healthy relationship between kids and parents. Michelle has extensive experience in individualized behavior intervention, Functional Behavior Assessments, school-based services, family-focused intervention, early start services, and social skills training. Michelle is also a podcast host and the co-founder of the Parenting Understood podcast.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/thriving.toddler/

The depth of Peter Gray's beliefs about a better way to learn are matched only by his profound content knowledge and contributions to the field of psychology and child development. This is a provocative, boundary pushing conversation - about reimagining learning without the curriculum, the tests.. and even the teachers. You will without a doubt be talking about this with your friends at your next coffee date.More on Peter Gray:Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston Collegewho has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmentalpsychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationallyacclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, now inits 8 th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. Hisrecent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how childreneducate themselves through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. Hehas expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct toPlay Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life(Basic Books). He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for PsychologyToday magazine. He is one of the founders of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-DirectedEducation and of the nonprofit Let Grow , the mission of which is to renew children'sfreedom to play and explore independently of adult control. Resources:www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/

Do you know what a 401K is? How about a 529? Or a 403B?  If you know what these investment accounts are, we bet you didn't learn about them in school. Because financial literacy- at even a basic level- is conspicuously left out of the curriculum in most K-12 programs. Our guests today from Benjamin Talks- two former Goldman Sachs employees and moms- are here to make sure all families are financial fit and literate. More on Benjamin Talks:Nikki Boulukos is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Benjamin Talks and a mom to three small financially savvy kids. She has her BA in Psychology & Economics from Harvard and completed coursework in Accounting & Finance at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and London School of Economics• She became a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs on the Equity Research Sales desk and a member of the Women's Steering Committee. Nikki later served as COO & Vice President of a San Francisco-based beverage start-up and later founded Siren, an on-demand app company in the beauty space. Carissa Jordan is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Benjamin Talks and also a mom to three young children whose innate curiosity about money sparked her passion for financial literacy. She has her BBA in Finance from Hofstra University. She served as an associate at Goldman Sachs in FICC on the credit trading desk, and afterwards, joined J.P. Morgan Private Bank where she worked as an investor associate. Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.benjamintalks.com/https://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/benjamintalks/

Many will tell you that the social experience of school made as big an impact on their lives as the academic one. Jordana, was that the case for you? Yes, and some of my closest friends to this day are still the friends I made in Kindergarten.You know what? That's true for me too. And a tremendous blessing in my life. But we know this is not always the case.On today's episode, we speak with renowned psychologist Aliza Pressman of the podcast Raising Good Humans all about fitting-in or feeling left-out, the good influences and the not-so good, and the role of the parent to support their kids in this deeply personal journey.More on Dr. Aliza Pressman:Dr. Aliza Pressman is a developmental psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with families. After co-founding SeedlingsGroup and the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, she began the Raising Good Humans Podcast to bring the latest research on child development directly to parents. She brings her expertise and background to listeners every week and is establishing a new community around evidence based parenting practices. Dr. Aliza holds a BA from Dartmouth College, an MA in Risk, Resilience and Prevention from Teacher's College and her PhD in developmental psychology from Columbia University. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Behavioral Health Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital where she is co-founding director of The Mount Sinai Parenting Center.Resources:www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/raisinggoodhumanspodcast/

Say hello to our new series: Parent Panels with NSQ! After hearing from so many moms and dads about their real experiences with topics covered in our podcast, we've decided to bring these candid conversations to you. We've heard from the experts… now let's hear from the parents! In this panel, we are joined by three dynamic women: Molly Knauer- dietician and founder of The Motherhood Method, Aliza Stone Howard- painter, and Liza Lieberman- stylist and software sales. We hope you enjoy this honest, funny, and truly FUN conversation.Resources:Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/nosillyquestionspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mollysbest/https://www.instagram.com/alizastonehoward/https://www.instagram.com/liza.lieberman/