Raising Healthy Kid Brains

Your baby hasn't started walking yet, but your friend's child is already running around. That familiar worry creeps in - is something wrong?    I'm joined today by licensed speech-language pathologist Jordyn Gorman and founder of Eat Play Say, a network of experts on childhood development milestones.   In this episode, Jordyn and I dig into the truth behind milestone charts: what they actually mea...

In a world where every kindergartner has access to an iPad, does handwriting still matter?    The answer, according to handwriting expert Holly Britton, is yes – and it's not just a penmanship issue; it's a thinking issue. In this episode, Holly explains why the way we teach handwriting is critical for young learners.    We dive into why handwriting is such a powerful tool for cognitive developmen...

Sleep struggles in families create a cascading effect. When children can't sleep, parents don't sleep, and everyone's mood, health, and ability to function suffers.    In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, author of Beyond Tired and a triple board-certified sleep physician who transformed her own family's sleep crisis into a mission to help others. Drawing from both her medical e...

Does your child struggle to sit still or focus during learning time? What if the problem isn't that they're not paying attention, but that their brain actually learns best through movement, touch, and sensory input?   In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Christina Bretz, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience and senior professional learning manager at Learning Without T...

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a parenting storm, desperately trying to keep your cool while your child is melting down?    I'm talking with Dr. Alissa Jerud, a clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety and emotion regulation, and author of Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection. She brings a unique perspective that...

Today I'm talking with Dr. Hokehe Eko, a board-certified integrative pediatrician, whose work focuses on the powerful connection between gut health and brain function – especially in children with autism and ADHD.    Through stories of children who went from aggressive to calm, from constipated to regular, and from non-verbal to speaking their first words, you'll discover practical dietary changes...

When your child answers "good" to your question about their day, it might feel like the conversation ends there. But they're actually telling you a story. You just need the tools to uncover it.   In this episode, listening expert Christine Miles and I explore how to teach kids the language of listening, helping them – and you – tune in to the full story behind every conversation.   Through her Lis...

The traditional education model we've been using since the 1940s was designed for assembly line workers. But this system is failing to prepare kids for real life.   This week, I'm talking to Dr. Linda Hopper, a former business coach turned classroom teacher, who turned the system upside down by bringing coaching principles into the classroom. After spending 14 years in the classroom, Dr. Hopper fo...

This week, I'm talking with Stefanie Adler, a functional diagnostic nutritionist who transformed her own childhood of chronic digestive issues into a mission to help families heal through food.   After being told at age 12 that she'd have to live with IBS forever, Stefanie changed her diet against medical advice and watched symptoms she'd had for 13 years disappear within months. Now she helps par...

This week, I'm joined by Alisha from Rainbow Sky Creations, a passionate educator who's spent years transforming how children experience mathematics in the classroom. She shares how, when children can touch, manipulate, and physically interact with mathematical concepts, something remarkable happens in their brains that traditional paper-and-pencil methods simply can't replicate.   Join us to hear...

A simple tweak in how we talk to kids about emotions can transform those frustrating moments into genuine connection.    When children lack the vocabulary for their emotions, they face the same barrier as trying to communicate in a foreign language. Kristina Lucia, an award-winning author and illustrator who creates books about feelings, discovered firsthand how learning to name and express emotio...

Finding the balance between gentle parenting and building resilience in our kids is a huge challenge, often resulting in unintentional perfectionism on our part as parents. But could this perfectionism be having a deeper impact on your child's development?   I'm speaking to Lisa Chan, a former pediatric occupational therapist turned parent coach, to explore how we can support our children's emotio...

How do we help our young children with their handwriting? And in this digital age where everyone's learning on an iPad, is it even necessary for children to be practicing their handwriting skills?   School-based occupational therapist Dr. Christina Bretz believes handwriting remains a crucial skill for children's cognitive development, even in our digital age.    Listen in this week to learn the r...

My guest today is Dr. Aditya Nagrath, who holds a PhD in Mathematics and Computer Science. With over 30 years of industry experience as a software engineer, author, and entrepreneur, he's worked on everything from atomic clocks to Amazon's Kindle Fire. As founder of Elephant Head Math software and the Elephant Learning Math Academy, he's developed an online system that helps children learn about a...

Have you ever felt caught in the crossfire between gentle parenting and raising resilient kids?   As a parent in today's world, I constantly wrestle with how to validate my children's emotions while still helping them develop the strength to face life's inevitable challenges. This tension between empathy and resilience represents one of the most significant parenting dilemmas of our time.   In thi...

Have you ever struggled with setting boundaries while still being a kind, gentle person? Today's conversation might just transform your approach to parenting and relationships.   In this episode, I'm diving into the world of boundaries with Amy Armstrong, a pioneer in conflict resolution who brings her expertise from high-conflict divorce situations into practical advice for everyday parenting. Sh...

Have you ever had one of those moments where you discover something so important, you can't believe no one told you sooner? That's exactly how I felt recording this episode. If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, grinds their teeth, has ADHD symptoms, gets frequent cavities, or even wets the bed - these could all be signs of pediatric sleep apnea. The most shocking part? Unlike adult...

What if your child told you their school wasn't teaching them to read properly?   Would you believe them?   In this week's episode, we dive deep into a story that's unfortunately all too common in our education system. Dr. Irene Daria shares her journey from being a concerned mother to becoming a developmental psychologist specializing in teaching children how to read.   Get full show notes, trans...

I'm joined by education blogger, children's book expert, and former teacher, Melissa Taylor. Melissa is the creator behind Imagination Soup: a blog where parents, grandparents, librarians, and teachers can find great children's books as well as educational learning ideas, resources, and community.   We dive into the world of nonfiction and explore why it's such an essential part of a balanced read...

Anna Rita is the Regional Managing Director of Green Ivy International School and Interim Head of School at Pine Street School. As an expert in multilingual education, we explore the incredible power of learning languages in childhood. Anna Rita shares why the ages of 0-6 are a critical window for language acquisition, how bilingualism enhances executive function and cultural understanding, and th...

I sit down with Dr. Sara Delano Moore, a fourth-generation educator and expert in mathematics education, to discuss strategies for fostering a love of math in our children. Dr. Sara shares her insights on how kids' attitudes towards math are heavily influenced by the adults in their lives.   Throughout our conversation, Dr. Sara offers practical tips and real-life examples of how we can incorporat...

I sit down with Leslie Cole, Director of School Solutions at eLuma, to explore practical strategies for fostering educator well-being. Leslie brings a wealth of experience as a school psychologist, district administrator, and MTSS coordinator, and she's on a mission to promote student success by supporting the adults who serve them.   Get ready to discover actionable tips for open communication, h...

In this episode, I talk with Anna Housley Juster, an expert in early childhood education, psychology, and clinical social work. Anna has done incredible things in her career, including serving as a content director for Sesame Street. She recently published a children's book called How to Train Your Amygdala that explains how this part of the brain works in a fun, engaging way.   Our conversation c...

I'm joined by Katy Wells, a nationally renowned decluttering expert, mom of two, and host of The Maximized Minimalist podcast. Katy shares her personal journey of how a life-changing car accident led her to take control of her physical environment and the powerful impact it had on her mental well-being.   Throughout our conversation, Katy provides practical tips and strategies for decluttering you...

I talk with Nellie Harden, a wife, mother of four daughters, former worth chaser, trauma survivor, author, and speaker in the space of family life and leadership. Nellie is here to share her insights on how we can strategically build a foundation for worth, esteem, and confidence in our children from a young age.   Nellie breaks down the five pillars of self-worth that every human needs, and how p...