Parenting Ed-Ventures

Do you ever feel like modern parenting has become a balancing act between giving your kids everything they need and stepping back to let them grow? Today, Lara sits down with Dr. Alex Russell, a clinical psychologist and expert in children’s emotional development and parenting. Dr. Russell is the author of Drop the Worry Ball: How to Parent in the Age of Entitlement , a must-read for parents navig...

Have you ever wondered how to raise kids who are not just financially responsible, but truly money-smart for life? In this episode of Parenting Ed-Ventures , Lara sits down with Robin Taub, a Chartered Professional Accountant, keynote speaker, and best-selling author of The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent, and Money-Smart for Life . Robin’s expertise spans deca...

Welcome to the second season of the Parenting Ed-Ventures Podcast! Today, Lara sits down with two extraordinary guests who have helped millions of children and families navigate emotions like grief, separation, and anxiety through the power of storytelling and creativity. Patrice Karst is the bestselling author of The Invisible String, a beloved children’s book that has comforted families worldwid...

We’re wrapping up Season 1 of Parenting Ed-Ventures with an insightful conversation about a topic that many families face but few feel comfortable discussing openly: divorce and separation. In today’s episode, Lara sits down with Denis Sushkin, a Counselling Psychologist at the Calgary Counselling Centre with nearly two decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through li...

Does bedtime feel like a nightly battle in your home? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Lara sits down with Sammy Merritt, a Registered Psychologist certified in pediatric sleep and the founder of The Merritts of Sleep . Sammy’s expertise lies in providing evidence-based, attachment-focused, and mental health-conscious support for families working to overcome sleep challenges. As a mom of two,...

Anti-bullying week is just around the corner and this week we're joined--for the second time--by Lisa Dixon-Wells, the founder of Dare to Care, Canada’s leading anti-bullying organization. With over 30 years of experience in education and amateur sports, Lisa has dedicated her life to creating safe spaces for children, advocating for mental health, and developing prevention programs that make a di...

Today, Lara sits down with Maura Armstrong, a passionate science educator and communicator with over fifteen years of experience in informal education. Maura, who currently serves as the Director of Education at the TELUS World of Science Edmonton, is deeply committed to making science accessible and engaging for everyone. Whether you're a parent, educator, or curious mind, Maura’s dedication to s...

As parents, it’s natural to want to protect our children from harm—but could we be shielding them too much? Today, Lara sits down with Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a renowned researcher and advocate for outdoor, risky play in childhood. Dr. Brussoni is the Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership, a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, and an Investigator at...

Today, Lara sits down with Kayla Huszar, a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Art Therapist who understands the chaos, pressure, and emotional toll of modern motherhood. With years of experience supporting mothers through the challenges of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, unequal divisions of labour, and the non-stop demands of parenting, Kayla’s mission is to help women rediscover their...

In today's episode of Parenting Ed-Ventures, Lara sits down with Dr. Sukhpreet Tamana, a registered psychologist, epidemiologist, and researcher who has made it her mission to empower families with science-based knowledge. Drawing on her extensive research with the CHILD Cohort Study at the University of Alberta, Dr. Tamana sheds light on the significant impact of screen time on young children...

Today, Lara sits down with Dr. Simon Darnell, a dedicated social scientist whose work is at the intersection of sport, development, and social change. As an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Centre for Sport Policy Studies, Dr. Darnell has spent years exploring how sports can be more than just a game—it can...

Today, Lara sits down with Claire Kjeld, a dedicated Registered Dietitian whose career is devoted to guiding families through the complexities of feeding and nutrition challenges. With nearly two decades of experience spanning the United States and Canada, Claire brings a comprehensive understanding to her work in primary care, health and wellness, sports, and pediatric nutrition. Claire knows the...

Today, Lara sits down with Jessica Edwards, an experienced Occupational Therapist who has been making a significant impact in the field of sensory development. Jessica completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia and moved to Edmonton for her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alberta. Jessica’s extensive career includes work in non-prof...

Today, Lara sits down with Paul Davis, an expert in social media and cyber safety who has been making a significant impact for over a decade. Paul is an author, TEDx speaker, and educator with over 33 years of IT experience. Known for his slogan, "the internet never forgets," Paul's mission is to educate children and empower parents about internet and social networking safety. He has...

Today, Lara sits down with Kathy Simon, a registered Speech Language Pathologist and founder of Simon Says Speech and Alberta Therapy Co., based in Edmonton, Alberta. From understanding key speech and language milestones, to the importance of reading to your child, Kathy and Lara cover it all. Plus, Kathy shares practical strategies parents can use at home to support their child's speech devel...

Today, Lara chats with Krista Haggerty, an occupational therapist and small gym owner based in Sherwood Park, AB. From fostering a healthy body image in your children to the physiological effects of stress on kids, Krista breaks it all down for us. Plus, Krista shares her past experience with disordered eating, and how it fuels her passion to help those experiencing it, today. Krista graduated fro...

Today, Lara sits down with Nadine Kereliuk, the Community and Education Lead at the Zebra Centre, in Edmonton, AB. From tips to finding trustworthy summer camps and babysitters, to how to spot warning signs of abuse, Lara and Nadine cover it all! Nadine is a Professional Human Ecologist who is passionate about creating connections and spreading awareness about the social issue of child maltreatmen...

Today, Lara sits down with Lisa Dixon-Wells, the Founder and Executive Director of Dare to Care. From bullying warning signs to the benefits of taking your child on long car rides, Lara and Lisa cover it all! Lisa Dixon–Wells has been working in school systems across Canada since 1990. After completing her M.Ed in Educational Psychology (1997), Lisa’s focus has been on Bully Prevention and Mental...

Are you ready?! The Parenting Ed-Ventures podcast is BACK with our second season! Season two is filled with inspirational stories, laughter, invaluable advice, and maybe even a tear or two. If you’re a parent, guardian, educator, or mentor and are looking for a guiding light or that extra bit of trusted support, make sure to tune in and subscribe! The first episode of season two premieres Tuesday...