The Parenting 411 Podcast

Today's conversation was recorded LIVE at Podcast Summit 2026.  The environment was a buzz with creative energy you can likely hear in the background.  My apologies.  I just had to seize the opportunity to discuss growing parent and educator concerns about excessive screen time during in-person school, highlighted by Los Angeles Unified School District’s strict new limits (no screen...

Today, I invite you to consider that parent stress is an often-overlooked factor in childhood obesity alongside food, exercise, screen time, and sleep.  Rather than blaming parents, I propose that supporting parents with compassion and practical tools can make a difference. I discuss a randomized study conducted by Yale University researchers who worked with114 parent-child pairs (ages 2–5) w...

This conversation addresses new fathers’ mental health, emphasizing that struggling after a baby’s arrival is common and not a sign of weakness. It cites research, including a large Swedish study of over one million fathers, showing increased risk of depression and stress-related problems by the end of the first year, and notes estimates that 8–13% of fathers experience postpartum depr...

Today, I talk with Dana Kay about viewing ADHD symptoms as signals of underlying biological stress rather than only behavior problems. A Board- Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner and two-time international best selling author Dana shares her journey, starting with her son’s early ADHD diagnosis, escalating medications, and her pivot into holistic science and functional lab testing.  ...

In this episode, I sit down with leadership mentor and values-based coach, Adalena Oliver, about core values, those beliefs that guide decisions when no one is watching and how they shape parenting through what children observe in everyday moments. 

Adelena shares how recognizing misalignment with her values, especially freedom, influenced her leadership and personal choices.  She recounts a childhood lesson that set her ...

Today, I’m joined by Samira Jones, founder of Smarter Resilience and the nonprofit Survivors Advocates Voices Emerging (SAVE), for a heartfelt conversation about helping families navigate fear, anxiety, trauma, and life’s hardest seasons.

Samira unpacks her SMART framework for resilience: Self-Awareness, Mindset Mastery, Action with Intention, Reinforcing Actions, and Transformation. She explains how resilience is not a...

Julie Cole calls herself a “recovered lawyer”.  She’s the mom of six, and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, the now award-winning, multimillion-dollar label company that started in a basement. Julie tells the real story behind growing a business while raising a big family, navigating an autism diagnosis, and learning that self-care sometimes looks less like spa days…...

Feeling overwhelmed by the invisible mental load of parenting?   Appointments. Email.   School updates.  Birthday parties. And the pressure to “do it all”? In this episode of The Parenting 411 Podcast, I talk with Amy Briggs, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, mom, and creator of Aviva, an AI-powered scheduling assistant built to help families re...

For this conversation, I just had to bring Donna Cates back. You'll recall she's a financial expert and certified divorce financial analyst who knows her stuff. Our conversation is short but loaded with nuggets divorcing moms need to know. We talk about the emotional and practical impacts of divorce on children, focusing on how parents can manage financial disparities and communicate effectively to maintain stability for their kids...

Divorce can feel like the ground shifts under your feet—emotionally and financially. In this episode of The Parenting 411 Podcast, I talk with Donna Cates, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), about the money decisions that can shape your next chapter—and your child’s future. Donna breaks down the most common financial blind spots women face during divorce, what to gather before negotiating anything, and ...

In this episode, I discuss navigating the complexities of modern motherhood and maintaining wellness in a technology-driven world. I share my personal experiences and offer valuable tips for parents on how to embrace technology without letting it overwhelm your lives. My key points include the importance of setting boundaries, leveraging technology as a tool for convenience, protecting family privacy, a...

For this conversation, I sit down with licensed professional counselor and intuitive healer Marsha Evans to discuss the complexities of parenting and the importance of breaking unhealthy generational cycles. We dive into the pressures parents face, particularly in highly competitive environments, and offers practical advice on how to let children evolve into their true selves. We also talk about the power of family systems, handlin...

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Kailey Buller, a double board-certified physician in Emergency and Family Medicine and a mom of two, to discuss common childhood illnesses and injuries. Dr. Buller provides invaluable insights on when to seek emergency care versus managing at home, shares the ABCs of emergency situations, and explains common scenarios parents face, such as handling fevers, injuries, and respiratory issues. She also hi...

In this episode, I welcome award-winning actress, career coach, and motivational speaker, Lydia Nicole, to delve into the journey of parenting young adults. Lydia shares her personal experiences of balancing a demanding career in the entertainment industry while raising her daughter. She discusses the critical lessons she learned about maintaining identity beyond achievements, the importance of mentoring over controlling, and the v...

Ever worried your child isn't a reader or is quietly falling behind? This conversation will speak right to your heart. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Andrew Vassall (Dr. V), an educator, children's author, literacy consultant, and 2023 Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. With over 20 years in the classroom and his own experience navigating a learning disability, Dr. V shares what really helps underachieving and discouraged readers f...

What happens to your relationship with your teen when screens start replacing real connection?

In this episode, I sit down with youth development expert Kirsten McCormick for a timely and deeply practical conversation about helping teens reconnect beyond their devices.

We dig into what’s really going on beneath the surface of cons...

Parenting under pressure is a reality for many families today. In this episode, I explore the profound connection between mental health and financial stress, two challenges shaping modern family life. Rising costs, emotional strain, and the invisible mental load of caregiving can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone.

Tune in as I share valuable insights on purposeful parenting, practical strategies, and resilience to help you na...

Be a BOLD advocate on your child’s healthcare journey. You’ll need practical strategies and confidence. In this engaging conversation, I sit down down with pharmacist and patient safety expert Lydia Molinara to uncover the ACE Method—Advocate, Communicate, Educate. This proven approach helps parents navigate healthcare scenarios, ensuring their children’s safety and well-being.

Join me for a conversation about one of today’s biggest challenges: raising children beyond the pressures of consumerism. In this episode, I explore practical strategies to help kids value what truly matters—character, kindness, and resilience—over the fleeting appeal of material possessions. 

We’ll look at how to teach gratitude and resourcefulness as well as how to model intentional spending.  L...