Conversation Balloons

National gymnastics champ Jen Sey reveals the abuse and anguish she underwent to become a top-tier gymnast, and what parents of athletes--and other driven kids--can do to make sure their kids stay healthy. Additional resources : Chalked Up: My Life in Elite Gymnastics by Jennifer Sey https://www.xx-xyathletics.com

Researcher Kevin Waldman has discovered that college students are much more conservative than we thought. Is progressive peer pressure to blame? Does silence impair identity formation? Listen for some surprises! Additional resources: Forest Romm and Kevin Waldman, https://thehill.com/opinion/education/5446702-performative-virtue-signaling-has-become-a-threat-to-higher-ed/ https://psychform.com/

National TV anchor Leland Vittert's new memoir, Born Lucky , reveals how his father responded to Leland's diagnosis of autism, cheering him on despite rejection and bullying at school and the sacrifices that parents have to make for a child "on the spectrum." The book, currently #4 on the NYT bestseller list, will inspire any parent. Additional resources: Born Lucky: A Dedicated...

The recent NBA sports betting bust highlights only one of the online gambling problems corrupting young men, who are becoming addicted to gambling via sports betting in record numbers. Expert Jonathan Cohen lays out why online betting is not your father's gaming experience and how it is ruining lives with breathtaking speed. Even children are at risk with this new frictionless technology for losin...

Nolan Jones brings us up to date in his eventful life overcoming the demons of his past. We've never had such a story of transformation on this show!

Nolan Jones describes a rough childhood where virtually every adult in the family dealt drugs, and abuse was a way of life. Homeless as a teen, Nolan managed to graduate from high school, but not from drugs and criminality. Some glimmers of hope you'll hear in this episode burst into full light in the next, so tune in twice!

**THIS IS A REPRISE OF EPISODE #6 ON 5.18.22** Professor of Jewish Studies Ilana Horwitz's recent book God, Grades, and Graduation looks at whether students do better in school when they believe in God and belong to a community of faith.  Leah explores with this sociologist such factors as parental influence, compliance with school rules, and socioeconomic inequality.  "Leah's Quadrant" is reveale...

Veteran homeschooler of five kids and media entrepreneur Felice Gerwitz discusses how homeschooling has changed over the decades, and how to avoid burnout. Podcast swap!: Felice interviewed Leah in this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmIiG7BAwhc Additional resources: Mediaangels.com (founded by Felice Gerwitz)--a publishing company featuring curriculum,...

Herb Bernstein, acomposer, producer, and arranger for hits in many genres, reflects on his memories of stars such as Laura Nyro, Johnny Carson, Julie Budd, and John Denver, all on his 94th birthday.  His humility, optimism, and humor give us a wonderful perspective on growing older.  We thank him and artist Julie Budd for sharing their song, "Looking Back," found on her CD at  https://ww...

**THIS IS A REPRISE OF EPISODE #56 ON 5.22.24** Former Army Ranger and West Point psychology professor Dave Grossman describes the mayhem violent video games are inflicting upon teens.  We discuss mass murder, sleeplessness, and sheepdogs. Granted, it's not an episode for the faint of heart (most kids should not listen), but we end on a surprisingly sweet note. Additional resources: Books by D...

What to do when Communists take over your country? If you're Kim Parker's dad, you build a boat, learn to navigate, and get the family out of there. After that harrowing escape, Kim grew up in the U.S., only to confront social changes that called her to be a leader in her profession, and her faith. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzIenh7QbNU Additional resources: Association...

Sunday, September 7, is National Grandparents' Day! Grandparents by the hundreds of thousands are raising their grandchildren, with the parents out of the picture due to addiction, incarceration, or other traumatizing events. How are we supporting older folks and kin who step up to this challenge? An expert on "grandfamilies" and kinship families, Jamarl Clark, with Generations Unite...

Treatment for transgender kids is a topic as fluid as the gender identity of Gen Z. Adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Miriam Grossman describes the rarely-publicized risks of sex identity changes--medical and psychological--and ways that parents should respond to their trans kids. Warning: some graphic, but professional, discussion of this sensitive topic. News update: Since our interview, the U.S. v. S...

Jean Burk, founder of College Prep Genius, dishes on the tactics about scoring high on standardized tests like the SAT, gap years, teacher recommendations, and whether to guess on multiple choice. Did you know there are no full-ride scholarships for soccer? And that some kids are starting to prepare for college admissions in 6th grade? Before you break out in a cold sweat, listen to this whole epi...

Economist Dr. Clara Piano talks about declining birth rates, failed pronatalist policies, "luxury beliefs," and how families benefit cities in ways that singletons don't. Leah tells "a lovely story," since she doesn't know much about economics. Additional resources: --"The fertility gap and economic freedom," CE Piano and LR Stone, Contemporary Economic Policy --" Autocratic family policy," CE Pia...

Timothy Eaton, PhD Education, University of Alberta, inspires and instructs homeschooling parents on how to start their own homeschooling journey. He talks about the 6 roles of a homeschool father, and about how grandparents and other relatives can enrich the students' lives. Additional resources: hello@thisgoldenhour.org Thisgoldenhour.org Classicalconversations.com HSLDA.org https://www.theh...

Military expert Col. Dave Grossman discusses not only African and Middle Eastern child soldiers but also the experience of youthful draftees in Viet Nam. Along the way, we cover Ukraine's fighters, PTSD, video games, female child soldiers, sleep deprivation, chaplains, and how Grossman supports his own deployed grandson. Alert: some troubling content. 2d alert: we're not saying that the U.S. draft...

A caregiver and media wizard shares why and how her brand of entertainment for dementia patients benefits them and their loved ones. We discuss "simulated presence," "Sesame Street for adults," and how TV can encourage those with mental health issues to take their medication or drink more water. Allyson Schrier, Co-Founder and President of ZinniaTV, is our mindful and inspirational guest. Don't mi...

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

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

It's Global Intergenerational Week!  So we connect with national expert on shared-site programs bringing seniors and kids together, Dr. Shannon Jarrott, as she describes how the generations can thrive together when retirement centers and daycare, or elder activity sites and schools, can mingle.  Physical and emotional benefits accrue to both age cohorts.  You'll learn what cyber seniors and memory...

Black scholar and educator and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Ian V. Rowe on why and how his Vertex schools are shaping low-income young people with moral foundations and optimism.  Children in the Bronx are learning the four cardinal virtues and the personal agency which lead them into "the success sequence" that lifts kids out of poverty. Additional Resources: Book: Agency...

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

Ukrainian-born Dimitry Toukhcher has created fashion for men in over 25 countries, designing for Hollywood movies and celebrities like Jordan Peterson, Piers Morgan, and Ozzy Osbourne.  He spoke to us from his throne beneath the portrait of another client, Alice Cooper, about how he rose from Soviet austerity to the flamboyant success of his clothing brand, LGFG.  We also talk about his new book c...

Noted psychologist Dr. Josh Coleman outlines the alarming trend of adults breaking off contact with their parents for their own mental health.  He has counseled thousands of the parties to this intimate kind of conflict, leading a large percentage to reconciliation.  Leah offers practical suggestions for preventing this anguish and drama with specific parenting techniques.  They talk about the imp...