The Today's Mama Podcast

Episode 1: Angela Santomero Angela Santomero (Creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Blue Clues and Author of Preschool Clues etc.) We talk parenting, what pre-schoolers and teenagers have in common, pre-mourning, how to choose the best media for your kids, and how they secretly need us to burn it down (a.k.a set boundaries). We also find out what really happened to Steve from Blues Clues, all the women who had crushes on him, and what’s next for Blue and the gang!   Features More about and from Angela on TodaysMama.com! Tips on Choosing Media For Your Preschooler Parenting Advice: The Four Beat Pause Are You a Pre-Mourner? Most Moms Are Angela's favorite family Italian Meal: We scored her Eggplant Meatballs Recipe Conversation: What's YOUR "Ratatouille"?   Show Notes ​What's Your Ratatouille? Here's the famous clip from the movie Ratatouille: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuyUKdJccgM The Daniel Tiger Song I Tried To Sing https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2g8fom TEDx Talk I mentioned a talk I gave at a SLC TEDx event. The talk was all about asking questions and this is the quote I included Angela in that talk: "I believe so strongly in the power of listening that it has been my underlying passion while creating high qulaity kids media. I include it in my shows for children through our interactive model in varying degrees. We pace our shows much slower and with pauses to let preschoolers think, from their thoughts, and answer back. Few believed that pausing on television would make such a different to preschoolers, but the positive results have been statistically proven. We have also heard from many adults that it has taught them, as well, to slow down and pause (listen) when they ask a question. Hurray!" Giveaway! Win a copy of "Preschool Clues: Raising Smart, Inspired, and Engaged Kids in a Screen-Filled World" Giveaway instructions are posted on our website here: https://familymaven.io/todaysmama/podcast/ep1-angela-santomero-creator-of-blue-s-clues-daniel-tiger-s-neighborhood-U3wJR4AkAUqjFfQeV74DMA/ Deadline is July 25, 2018   Follow Angela! You can find Angela online under the name @AngelasClues just about anywhere! Instagram Facebook Twitter ​ This Episode Was Sponsored By: ChatBooks!​   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE  

Episode 2: Laurie Berkner She’s been called "The undisputed queen of kindie rock" by USA Today, People Magazine calls her "The queen of children's music" and the New York Times said she is "The Adele of the preschool crowd" most importantly, here at Today's Mama we call her the queen of our kid's playlists. On this episode of the Today's Mama Podcast we talk parenting in NYC, music, fostering talent in our children, and anxiety and how to fight it. Features More about and from Laurie on TodaysMama.com! Your Essential Laurie Berkner Playlist: Top 10 Favorite Laurie Berkner Songs Parenting Advice: Whatever You Feed Grows Concerts Are Good For You (And Your Kids Too) Promise! Insider Travel Tips: 5 Things To Do With Your Kids In Manhattan   Show Notes ​References, links, and corrections from this episode! Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! Molly Ringwald post on The New Yorker: What About The Breakfast Club? Revisiting The Movies Of My Youth In The Age of MeToo (Correction: I said this was on The New York Times on the podcast, it's really on The New Yorker) Quote: "Worry is worshipping the problem" (Correction: I misquoted it on the show, here's the real deal and where I had seen it) Laurie's Tour Schedule Laurie's New Books: Monster Boogie and We Are The Dinosaurs   Graphic Worthy Quotes Because we say very deep, very entertaining, very quotable things on this podcast:   Giveaway! GIVEAWAY: Monster Boogie and We Are The Dinosaurs Books Giveaway instructions are posted on our website here:  https://familymaven.io/todaysmama/pop-culture/giveaway-monster-boogie-and-we-are-the-dinosaurs-books-by-laurie-berkner-P96QGqOYvEShX9WPgIpjRA/ Follow Laurie! https://twitter.com/LaurieBerkner https://www.facebook.com/LaurieBerknerBand Instagram.com/laurieberknerband Pinterest.com/LaurieBerkner   Laurie Berkner's Full Bio Laurie Berkner has been a professional musician since 1992, but her success as a children’s recording artist was a surprise to her. “It was so unexpected,” says Laurie. “I’d been performing in rock bands and struggling to write original music. Writing music for kids has not been a struggle at all. The more I started working on material for children, the more I realized that it opened up creativity in me that I never knew I had.” These days critics widely acknowledge Laurie’s major contribution toward launching what is now dubbed the progressive “kindie rock” movement – i.e. less saccharine, more rocking music that is not dumbed down for children. But it wasn’t simply an enormous amount of talent that helped create an entire genre and skyrocketed Laurie to her current position as “the queen of children’s music” (People Magazine). It was an ability to gain parents’ enthusiasm for the songs as well. According to Laurie, “When I’m writing a song, I’m thinking about whether the kids will like it and whether I’m going to connect to them through it. I’m also thinking about whether I want to sing it over and over again, so I guess that’s the part that connects with adults. Old MacDonald Had A Farm is a great song for kids, but I couldn’t sing it 100 times!” While Laurie never planned to be a children’s performer, looking back on her career it almost seems inevitable. While growing up in Princeton, New Jersey, Laurie was always involved in music, whether singing in choirs, playing in bands, or performing in musical theater. In high school and throughout college (at Rutgers University), she toured Europe with several choirs and orchestras as a soloist and guitarist. After graduation, Laurie spent several years as a children’s music specialist at New York area preschool and day care centers. Working with children became the perfect creative outlet for Laurie to express her talents and create something that, she says, “has turned out to be incredibly rewarding.” Laurie was the first recording artist ever to perform in music videos on Nick Jr. and was a beloved presence on the network’s Jack’s Big Music Show series. Her music videos now appear regularly on NBCUniversal’s Universal Kids channel. Laurie is also a frequent presence on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live channel. She maintains a busy touring schedule and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many prestigious venues. Laurie has released twelve bestselling, award-winning albums: Whaddaya Think Of That (1997); Buzz Buzz (1998); Victor Vito (1999); Under A Shady Tree (2002); Rocketship Run (2008); The Best Of The Laurie Berkner Band (2010); A Laurie Berkner Christmas (2012); Laurie Berkner Lullabies (2014); The Ultimate Laurie Berkner Band Collection (2014); Laurie Berkner’s Favorite Classic Kids’ Songs (2015); Superhero (2016); and Laurie Berkner: The Dance Remixes (2017). Her Two Tomatoes Records has co-released (with Razor & Tie Entertainment) two DVDs: We are . . . The Laurie Berkner Band (2006) and Party Day! (2011). Laurie has authored three picture books for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, each of which is based on one of her beloved songs. We Are the Dinosaurs was released in March 2017, Pillowland was released in November 2017, and Monster Boogie is scheduled for July 2018. Laurie previously authored four books based on her songs, including two Barnes & Noble NOOK Kids™ e-books. Venturing into the world of the theater Laurie has written music and lyrics for three Off-Broadway children’s musicals produced by New York City Children’s Theater: Wanda’s Monster (2013), The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess (2014), and Interstellar Cinderella (2017). Laurie has also launched Laurie Berkner’s The Music in Me, a “Me and My Grown-up” style program of preschool music classes that she designed based on her philosophy, using her original music, with teachers personally trained by Laurie. Laurie continues to be inspired by her audience. “I want to create songs that matter for children,” she says. “I was singing once and saw a four-year-old girl shut her eyes and start swaying to the music. I thought, ‘That’s the reason I got into music.’ It keeps me wanting to do more.” When she’s not making music, Laurie enjoys visiting the farmer’s market for organic produce, knitting, biking and spending time with her husband, Brian, and their daughter, Lucy. They live in New York City.​ This Episode Was Sponsored By: ChatBooks!​   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE    

Episode 3: Brittany Watson Jepsen Brittany Watson Jepsen is the founder and creative director of The House That Lars Built, a design lifestyle site focused on artful living. She released her first book, Craft the Rainbow, in April and her work has been featured on The Today Show, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Le Monde, and Vogue. Our interview with Brittany Jepsen of TheHouseThatLarsBuilt.com on miscarriage, first time motherhood, and living abroad. Show Notes References, links, and corrections from this episode! What's a recorder? You can check them out and get yourself one HERE! Laurie Berkner video that Brittany styled! ​Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! Correction: I said Toxemia was more common with boys. Urban myth? Yes and No! I asked my good friend and OBGYN, he said there's no correlation. But I also ran across this Australian study that says YES! Should you have a urine test in the third trimester of your pregnancy? Yes! Every week. That's one of the big screeners for toxemia. Here's a list of the tests you should be looking out for in the third trimester: The Third Trimester: Which Test Could Save Your Baby I mentioned the covers that Brittany has designed in the past for ChatBooks, check them out HERE: Brittany's Covers for Chatbooks! ​ ​ Graphic Worthy Quotes Because we say very deep, very entertaining, very quotable things on this podcast:   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com You Don't Have To Talk About Your Miscarriage I'm Sorry, There Is No Heartbeat   Follow Brittany! Website Instagram Pinterest Twitter Facebook Brittany Watson Jepsen Bio Brittany Watson Jepsen is the founder and creative director of The House That Lars Built, a design lifestyle site focused on artful living. She released her first book, Craft the Rainbow, in April and her work has been featured on The Today Show, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Le Monde, and Vogue.​ This Episode Was Sponsored By: ChatBooks!​   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE    

Episode 4: Dr. Meg Meeker, Pediatrician and Author Talks Kids and Anxiety and YOU! Everyone has felt anxiety. Dr. Meg Meeker shares practical insights to manage it and thrive! (For kids AND grown ups!). With over 30 years of experience in the medical field, Meg talks the overstimulation of our teens, the four types of anxiety teens experience, technology, and the tv show 13 Reasons Why. Features ​5 Things I Do If I Wake Up With Anxiety​ Show Notes References, links, and corrections from this episode! Rachael on Meg Meeker's Podcast talking discipline with toddlers and teens   Products Mentioned My Big Life Journal Growth mindset activities help children to recognize their ability to learn and motivates them to harness the power of their own mind. It helps children learn to embrace challenges, to persevere, and how to grow from feedback. Q96 Use code 20TODAYSMAMA to get a 20% discount on Amazon! The most researched multivitamin for brain health. Formula naturally increases circulation to the brain to support memory, focus and clarity. Backed by over 25 published studies in scientific journals, it is scientifically proven to be effective for improved mood and stability.   Graphic Worthy Quotes Because we say very deep, very entertaining, very quotable things on this podcast: “The best thing I can do for kids is to help their parents.” – Dr. Meg Meeker “Action is the enemy of anxiety.” – Rachael Herrscher “As you can change your thoughts your feelings start to change.” – Dr. Meg Meeker   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com Neuroscience Says Listening to This Song Reduces Anxiety Up To 65% 5 Signs Your Child Has Anxiety You're Probably Ignoring 4 Jedi Mindfulness Tricks to Help Your Anxious Child Making the Case For Kids Yoga Have Kids That Struggle With Anxiety? These 4 Strategies Will Help The 1 Thing to Never Say When Your Anxious Child Has a Meltdown   Follow Meg! Website​ Podcast Instagram Facebook Twitter​   Meg Meeker Bio Meg Meeker, M.D. is the country’s leading authority on parenting, teens and children’s health. As a pediatrician, mother, and best-selling author of six books, Dr. Meeker’s popularity as a speaker on key issues confronting American families has created a strong following across the nation and around the world. She has spoken nationally on parenting issues, including personal appearances on numerous nationally syndicated radio and television programs.  Dr. Meeker works with the NFL Fatherhood Initiative, and is a regular speaker at Dave Ramsey’s Smart Conferences. She also served as co-host of Dr. James Dobson’s nationally-syndicated daily radio program Family Talk from 2012-2016. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and serves on the Advisory Board of The Medical Institute. Dr. Meeker lives and works in northern Michigan where she shares a medical practice with her husband, Walter. They have four grown children and three grandchildren.   This Episode Was Sponsored By: Q Sciences, the most studied micronutrient supplement for the brain! Use code 20TODAYSMAMA to get a 20% discount on Amazon! AND Circle with Disney Learn more at MeetCircle.com!   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 5: Susan Silverman - Rabbi, Activist, Adoption Advocate, Mom Our interview with Susan Silverman, rabbi, adoption advocate, mom of 5 and author of Casting Lots. Features Nourishing My Adopted Son West African Peanut Soup How Many Hugs Do Your Kids Need a Day?   Show Notes Quote about Hugs: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”     - Virginia Stair, Family Therapist ​Video: Susan Meeting Adar Organization: Women of the Wall​ Susan's Book: Casting Lots​   Tupperware Yep. I talked about Tupperware. I referenced a dish I bought from my local tupperware lady. I fill it to the brim with veggies and leave it in the fridge (or on the counter). Easy access to healthy food. You can use it for food storage or bust this little dream out at parties. It's legit, and purchased from a for reals Tupperware lady. Meet Lindsey MacMurray -- she can hook you up! ​ You can get this dish HERE (just search for "Serving Center Set") She also recommends the Snack-Stor Large Container Note: NOT SPONSORED, I just do freaking love that dish.   Enjoy!   Graphic Worthy Quotes Because we say very deep, very entertaining, very quotable things on this podcast: “The family that gets arrested together stays together” “Judaism for me is the way I orient my life. It’s how I understand my relationship with God. It’s the values and the rituals and life cycle events in Jewish form that orient me in the world. I don’t feel like they’re absolute truth. I feel like they are one path to God and a meaningful life shared by lots of people in the world so we can have this joint potential to heal the world.” – Susan Silverman “I have decided that I’ll be the first to hug my kids and the last to let go.” – Rachael Herrscher “If we really cared about this as a world we could do something—we have the technology.” – Susan Silverman   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com Science Says Hug Your Babies! (It will help their IQ) Please, Touch Someone​ I'm Adopted: 5 Things My Parents Did Right 14 Things Every Adoptive Parent Should Know An Adoption Birth Story   Follow Susan! Website​ Instagram Facebook Twitter​   Susan Silverman Bio Susan Silverman is a rabbi, author, teacher, activist and founder of Second Nurture: Every Child Deserves a Family -- And a Community, a program to find permanent, loving families for all children -- with the added bonus of supportive communal contexts for their families. She is a founder of Miklat Israel, an NGO that assists the State of Israel in creating a sustainable solution for asylum seekers residing in the country and on the board of Women of the Wall. I have always wanted to be a mom -- and have always wanted that to include adoption. I think I have seen families as something beyond a crucial, loving entity, but a force for social transformation.   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 6: Kathy Hirsh-Pasek on Raising Brilliant Kids {With Research to Back it Up!} Our interview with Kathy-Hirsh Pasek, Professor, Author of Becoming Brilliant, & Core Team at the LEGO Research Network   CONTEST!!! The Ultimate Backyard Movie Night Giveaway Click the link above for more information on how to enter!   Features Becoming Brilliant: Reimagining Education For Our Time​ Pokemon Go: A Window Into We Might Reimagine Learning How to Learn in the Age of Information Overload   Show Notes Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! Book: Becoming Brilliant by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek​ App Mentioned: Vroom.org​ Book: Mindset, The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Book: What Do You Do With An Idea {Required reading with your kids to start the school year}   Graphic Worthy Quotes Because we say very deep, very entertaining, very quotable things on this podcast: “Social skills help build language skills and math skills and reading. Turns out that’s the foundation for everything.” – Kathy Hirsh-Pasek “Failure is where we learn to be persistent and where we can learn growth mindset.” - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek “What did your parents do right? They loved me and they let me know.” - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek “Those who are great had many many failures before they were great. And failure is a great thing.” - Kathy Hirsh-Pasek   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com Do You Know the Secret to Raising a Safe, Smart Kid? ​ Science Says Eating THIS Could Change Your Child's Life Very Berry Brain Booster Smoothie   Kathy Hirsh-Pasek Bio Kathy is the Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Faculty Fellow in the Department of Psychology at Temple University and is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Director of Temple University’s Infant Language Laboratory, Kathy is the recipient of the AERA Outstanding Public Communication for Education Research Award, American Psychological Association’s Bronfenbrenner Award for Lifetime Contribution to Developmental Psychology in the Service of Science and Society, the American Psychological Association’s Award for Distinguished Service to Psychological Science, the American Psychological Society’s James McKeen Cattell Award for “a lifetime of outstanding contributions to applied psychological research,” The Society for Research in Child Development Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Child Development Award and the Temple University Great Teacher Award and the University Eberman Research Award. She was a finalist for 2013 Best Professor of the year for the American Academy of Education Arts and Sciences Bammy Awards. Kathy received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research in the areas of early language development and infant cognition has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and Human Development, and the Institute of Education Sciences resulting in 14 books and over 200 publications. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society and served as the Associate Editor of Child Development. She is the President and also served as treasurer of the International Association for Infant Studies. Her book, Einstein Never used Flashcards: How children really learn and why they need to play more and memorize less, (Rodale Books) won the prestigious Books for Better Life Award as the best psychology book in 2003. Her newest book, Becoming Brilliant: What Science tells us about raising successful children (Becoming-Brilliant.com) released in 2016, was on the NYTimes Best Seller List in both Education and Parenting.   Kathy has a strong interest in bridging the gap between research and application. To that end, she was an investigator on the NICHD Study of Early Child Care, is on the Advisory Board of the Boston Children’s Museum, Jumpstart and Disney Junior and is an invited blogger for the Huffington Post. She worked on the language and literacy team for the development of the California Preschool Curriculum, is on the Core Team for the LEGO Research Network, is a member of the Steering Committee of the Latin American School for Educational and Cognitive Neuroscience, was one of the organizers of the Ultimate Block Party (http://www.ultimateblockparty.com/) and was one of the founders of the Learning Resource Network (www.learnnow.org). Kathy is a member of the Research Council for America’s Promise, an organization started by Colin Powell, and has been a spokesperson on early development for national media like the NYTimes and npr. She tweets at KathyandRo1.​   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 7: Tech Reset - Screentime Series Part 1 Part 1 of a 3 Part Series on the 3 Screen Time Rules My Kids Thanked Me For   CONTEST!!! The Ultimate Backyard Movie Night Giveaway It’s still going! Click the link above for more information on how to enter!   Show Notes TELL US! How are YOU feeling about Back to School? We're chatting about it over on TodaysMama.com HERE!​​ How to Check Battery Usage on an iPhone How to Check Battery Usage on Android {Android is a little murkier, I'd definitely install an app to get better data} What the Michelle Carter Conviction Means For YOUR Kids   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com Parents: Stop Teenage Privacy NOW! To Spy or Not to Spy: When to Give Kids Privacy When Your Teen is a Snapchat Wizard: Parenting and Social Media​ Facebook Says They “May” Collect Data From Your Calls and Texts. Turn It Off The Sneaky Science Behind Our Kids Tech Addictions   Rachael Herrscher Bio You can find out a little bit more about me and the rest of our team at TodaysMama.com HERE!   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 8: Tech Reset - Screentime Series Part 2 Part 2 of a 3 Part Series on the 3 Screen Time Rules My Kids Thanked Me For. Tech Reset is about resetting your thinking in relationship with technology. In Part 1 discussed what shared vision is, setting goals and being totally transparent with privacy. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this Tech Reset series, go back and listen to it here. In Part 2 of Tech Reset, we dive deeper into defining the purpose of our devices and creating an environment to reinforce our goals. We’re going to be making some lists in this episode, so grab some paper.   CONTEST!!! The Ultimate Backyard Movie Night Giveaway It’s still going! Click the link above for more information on how to enter!   Show Notes Important notes and links from Part 1 in this series… How to Check Battery Usage on an iPhone How to Check Battery Usage on Android {Android is a little murkier, I'd definitely install an app to get better data} What the Michelle Carter Conviction Means For YOUR Kids   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com Parents: Stop Teenage Privacy NOW! To Spy or Not to Spy: When to Give Kids Privacy When Your Teen is a Snapchat Wizard: Parenting and Social Media​ Facebook Says They “May” Collect Data From Your Calls and Texts. Turn It Off The Sneaky Science Behind Our Kids Tech Addictions   Rachael Herrscher Bio You can find out a little bit more about me and the rest of our team at TodaysMama.com HERE!   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 9: Tech Reset - Screentime Series Part 2 - We Dive Into The Healthy Habit of Asking Why Part 3 of a 3 Part Series on the 3 Screen Time Rules My Kids Thanked Me For. Tech Reset is about resetting your thinking in relationship with technology. In Part 1 discussed what shared vision is, setting goals and being totally transparent with privacy. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this Tech Reset series, go back and listen to it here. In Part 2 of Tech Reset, we dive deeper into defining the purpose of our devices and creating an environment to reinforce our goals. You can listen to Part 2 here. CONTEST!!! The Ultimate Backyard Movie Night Giveaway It’s still going! Click the link above for more information on how to enter!   Show Notes Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace Video Important notes and links from Part 1 in this series… How to Check Battery Usage on an iPhone How to Check Battery Usage on Android {Android is a little murkier, I'd definitely install an app to get better data} What the Michelle Carter Conviction Means For YOUR Kids   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com Parents: Stop Teenage Privacy NOW! To Spy or Not to Spy: When to Give Kids Privacy When Your Teen is a Snapchat Wizard: Parenting and Social Media​ Facebook Says They “May” Collect Data From Your Calls and Texts. Turn It Off The Sneaky Science Behind Our Kids Tech Addictions   Rachael Herrscher Bio You can find out a little bit more about me and the rest of our team at TodaysMama.com HERE!   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 10: Ali Edwards on Your Story and Learning to Love a "Normal" Day When our stories don’t go like we think they should…   Features ​On Being Lost & Found A Story About Two People Ali and Rachael's Essential Dave Matthews Band Playlist A 2nd Marriage in Photos   Show Notes References, links, and corrections from this episode! Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! Dave Matthews on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieoiAeL-uow Bowl Cuts and Looking Like Boys: Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter Recipe {It's really SO good and you NEVER have to feel guilty about this treat!} Projects We Discussed: One Little Word + December Daily {You can find more information at AliEdwards.com} Related Posts on TodaysMama.com We weren't joking when we said we loved DMB. Dave Matthews Band and Grover Sing About Their Feelings Dave Matthews Talks Fatherhood Printable Dave Matthews Quote For Your Valentine​   Ali Edwards Bio Ali Edwards's passion resides in that very special place where the stories and images of life intersect. Her work includes blogging, teaching, writing, photography, and memory keeping product design. Learn more at http://www.aliedwards.com/. In her words: “I'm a 42 year old who runs a business that encourages people to value and tell their stories, mom to 5 kids (2 biological + 3 bonus), remarried to a partner who makes me laugh regularly. I love to read and work in my yard and travel and scrapbook.”   Follow Ali Website: AliEdwards.com Instagram: @AliEdwards or @AE_Wellness Facebook   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

#11 Melissa Hartwig on Whole 30, Motherhood, Authenticity and Church CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes! (link: https://familymaven.io/todaysmama/podcast/ep11-melissa-hartwig-on-whole-30-motherhood-authenticity-and-church-umD86npqSkSH5ZiOToaFPA/ )   About Melissa Hartwig Melissa Hartwig is a Certified Sports Nutritionist who specializes in helping people change their relationship with food and create life-long, healthy habits. She is the co-creator of the original Whole30 program, and a five-time New York Times bestselling author. She is a prominent keynote speaker on social media and branding, health trends, and entrepreneurship; and ranked #19 on Greatists Top 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness in 2018.

Episode 12: Rachael + Erin - Our PSA For the Upcoming Holidays Don't even think about the holidays until you listen to this episode. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

Episode 13: Gabrielle Blair - The Mom Who Broke the Internet About Birth Control This one will forever change the way you talk to your kids, your spouse, your friends, about birth control and sex. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!   Features ​ ​Design Mom's Twitter Thread on Abortion, Birth Control, and Accountability   Show Notes References, links, and corrections from this episode! Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! The Twitter thread that started it all. Article Referenced: Book: Design Mom - How to Live with Kids: A Room-by-Room Guide The blog post on DesignMom.com that featured Joanna Gaines (this is where they were discovered by HGTV!) Event: Alt Summit ​   Related Posts on TodaysMama.com 5 Things I Learned From a Sex Therapist Elvie, Your Most Personal Trainer 10 Things You Need to Teach Your Girls About Puberty 7 Things Your Son Needs From You When Puberty Strikes   Gabrielle Blair Bio Gabrielle Stanley Blair is a founder and CEO of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for lifestyle bloggers and creative entrepreneurs, which is currently celebrating is 10th year and 15th sold out event. She is also the creator and publisher of DesignMom.com which was named a Website of the Year by Time Magazine, and praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes & Gardens. Her book, Design Mom: How to Live with Kids, is a NY Times Bestseller. On her website, Gabrielle covers the intersection of design and parenting, while hosting compelling conversations on difficult topics — from gun control to family size to mental health. Most recently, her honest Twitter thread about abortion went viral, and changed the way millions of people are talking about this divisive issue.   Gabrielle and her husband Ben Blair, live with their six children — Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty & June — in Oakland, California.   Follow Gabby Website: com Instagram: @DesignMom Facebook: Design Mom Blog Pinterest: @DesignMom com: @DesignMom   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Episode 14: Hannah Slyfox - YouTube Superstar on Marriage and Learning ALL the Things From their whirlwind romance (5 days) to marriage, to kids, to YouTube, we talk ALL the things! CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!   Features ​ The Best Enchiladas from the Kitchen of Hannah Slyfox Here's What You Can Do On Board Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas​   Show Notes References, links, and corrections from this episode! Ratatouille: Watch the scene from the movie and tell us what YOUR "ratatouille" is HERE! Quote about love from C.S. Lewis that Rachael mentioned: ​ “Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling. Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all. Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last but feelings come and go. And in fact, whatever people say, the state called ‘being in love’ usually does not last. If the old fairy-tale ending ‘They lived happily ever after’ is taken to mean ‘They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married,’ then it says what probably never was nor ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships? But, of course, ceasing to be ‘in love’ need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense — love as distinct from ‘being in love’ — is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed themselves, be ‘in love’ with someone else. ‘Being in love’ first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.” -- C.S. Lewis   Hannah "Slyfox" Brown Bio Hannah Brown (FormerlyParker) - I've always thought it was funny that Parker backwards was rekrap :) I have an 11-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. My husband and I have been married for 13 years and met on MySpace. We eloped after meeting in person for about a week. I grew up in the church playing music and so did my husband. I've lived in California, Utah and Tennessee. What makes me tick: God, family, friends, adventure, change, creativity, interior design, house and clothes shopping, and travel.   Follow Hannah and the Slyfox Family YouTube: Slyfox Family Instagram: @HannahSlyfox, @AndrewSlyfox, @JaedynSlyfox, @CaspianSlyfox Company: com   Listen to the Today’s Mama Podcast: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Libsyn YouTube Direct Download   Follow Today's Mama: E-mail (this is the best way) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter   FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

About Debbie Reber   Deborah Reber is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and speaker who moved her career in a more personal direction in 2016 when she founded TiLT Parenting, a website, weekly podcast, and social media community for parents like her who are raising differently wired children. The TiLT Parenting Podcast has grown to be a top podcast in iTunes’ Kids and Family category, with more than 500,000 downloads and a slate of guests that includes high-profile thought leaders across the parenting and education space. Debbie’s newest book is "Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World" (Workman Publishing, 2018). Prior to launching TiLT, Debbie spent more than twenty years writing more than eight inspiring books for women and teens, and working in TV and video production for CARE, UNICEF, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. In 2013, Debbie moved from Seattle to Amsterdam, where she currently lives with her husband Derin and homeschools her 14-year-old son Asher.   CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes! About Naomi Schaefer Riley   Naomi Schaefer Riley is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing on issues regarding child welfare as well as a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She also writes about parenting, child welfare, higher education, religion, philanthropy and culture. She is a former columnist for the New York Post and a former Wall Street Journal editor and writer, as well as the author of six books, including, Be the Parent: Stop Banning Seesaws and Start Banning Snapchat. Her book, Til Faith Do Us Part: How Interfaith Marriage is Transforming America (Oxford, 2013), was named an editor’s pick by the New York Times Book Review. Ms. Riley’s writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the LA Times, and the Washington Post, among other publications. She appears regularly on FoxNews and FoxBusiness and CNBC. She has also appeared on Q&A with Brian Lamb as well as the Today Show. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in English and Government. She lives in the suburbs of New York with her husband, Jason, and their three children.  

CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!   About Jill Smokler:   The founder of Scary Mommy, Jill has spent the last ten years creating and curating online content for parents, having grown her one-time “mommy blog” into one of the most influential digital parenting properties in the world. During her tenure at Scary Mommy — most recently as Chief Content Officer — Jill used candor, humor, and humility to redefine the role and influence of parents online. Her commitment to publishing honest, compelling, and sometimes controversial content, combined with her uncanny sense of how parents are willing to interact with brands online, created a new kind of digital parenting ecosystem that has given moms a voice and brands a roadmap for engaging the sought after mom audience.  Today Jill uses her unique perspective, rooted in having both been at the forefront of the parent-as-social-influencer movement, as well as being a pioneer in finding ways to monetize that influence, to consult directly with brands, agencies and individuals on strategies to reach and engage parents online. Jill is also a recognized thought leader who frequently speaks at women-centric events and conferences. In 2017, by Forbes magazine named Jill a top ten parenting influencer. My husband and I spilt up a year and a half ago. Together, we have three kids – Lily (14) Ben (12) and Evan (10.) After leaving Scary Mommy in June, I'm finally exploring what comes next.

CLICK HERE for the Full Show Notes!   Today’s theme is MAXIMUM IMPACT, MINIMUM EFFORT! We talked about all the things we’ve been eating, reading, trying, and loving hard. And all of this stuff are things we’ve bought with our own money. None of this is sponsored. ;)

This episode is packed! Riley Jensen and I talk mindset, tools to help us (and our kids) shift focus, and how to stop over apologizing. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!                 Alli Worthington is the author of The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World, Fierce Faith; A Woman’s Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry and Overcoming Anxiety, and Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy, speaker, and podcaster. Her goal is to help women be more successful in life and business. Alli’s no-nonsense, guilt-free take on life, family, and balance lead to appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America. Alli, her husband, Mark, and their five sons live outside of Nashville, TN with the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve. You can find her on her weekly podcast, The Alli Worthington Show.

An 9-minute episode about what made Friday the 13th the day we are the most grateful for. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

A conversation about "Radical Hospitality", the meaning of "Hygge", and making our family circles bigger. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

A conversation about finding purpose, showing up, and human connection. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

The story of a little Korean girl with a mysterious tattoo that reunited her family. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

A quick episode with Rachael + Erin in the midst of all the holiday madness! CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!              

Real talk about sports, parenting, and raising kids who can move through obstacles on their own. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

There is what happens to us, and then there are the stories we tell ourselves and the meaning we give to what happens to us. Here's how to shift the narrative and overcome what's really holding you back. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

We navigate the landscape of the very cool things our bodies can do from climbing mountains to giving birth and our inherent ability to resent, judge, even hate those very cool bodies. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!              

We’re going to get to Stasia's amazing daughter, her amazing TEDx talk, the standing ovation that had me crying all the ugly tears, and how having a child that looks differently demanded that Stasia move past her feelings about her own body and on to accepting every bit of it. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

We break down the latest YouTube headlines and the tips and tools to keep your kids safe with Lisa Thee, a tech industry leader (and mom) with an expertise in child safety. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

I mean it sounds cool. But you really don't want your kids to need it. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

All screen time is not considered equal. Let's talk about the stuff you can SAY YES to! CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

Rachael and Erin share their favorite health hacks from the vitamins they take, squeezing in a workout, and the voodoo they've tried! CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!              

Rachael and Erin share their favorite health hacks from the vitamins they take, squeezing in a workout, and the voodoo they've tried!   CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

YouTube celeb Mindy McKnight talks about transition, what scares us most about our kids and parenting in general, raising 6 kids online (and how to keep them safe), and what it’s like to run their media empire in the middle of it all. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!              

"The world is full of kids who used to have an anxiety disorder." Find out why Dr. Lebowitz believes that anxiety is the most prevalent and TREATABLE issue that kids and struggling with. P.S. His advice works for grown ups too! CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

How to "unschool" your kids. CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!

"God had a better plan than I did." CLICK HERE for Full Show Notes!