Raising OKC Kids – Conversations with MetroFamily

In honor of MetroFamily’s 25th anniversary and three years of our Raising OKC Kids podcast, we are welcoming back one of our most popular guests to speak on one of our most downloaded topics: mental health professional and dad Michael Dickerson joins us to give an update on mental health in the workplace. Michael shares how awareness around mental health practices has changed in Oklahoma since the...

Did you know shared family meals have a positive impact on our kids mental health, in addition to their physical health? Therapist, author and psychology professor Dr. Anne Fishel shares why family mealtimes are so important as well as how busy families can set reasonable expectations for shared meals. Listen in for easy how-tos to schedule time together, make meal planning and prep easier, encour...

In honor of Pediatric Optometry Month, Dr. Kim Hefner, 2023 Family Favorites winner in the category of “Eye Care Provider” joins us to talk about frequently asked questions about our kids' eyesight, eye health and how to care for our eyes in an emergency. Learn about the warning signs for everything from poor depth perception to more serious eye disease, and how degenerative progression, with prop...

Parenting older kids can be challenging, so Meg Cannon with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services joins us to share how parents can balance giving kids more independence while also maintaining a strong relationship. Meg addresses how to asses tween and teen mental health, promote body positivity, teach kids to "fail" and talk about difficult subjects like pornography...

Tiffany Hammond, the voice behind the Fidgets and Fries platform, shares tips for supporting, celebrating and advocating for people with Autism. Tiffany is an Autistic mother, advocate and storyteller — and she uses her personal experiences with Autism, and those of her two Autistic sons, to guide others on their journeys. Tiffany has a master's degree in Developmental Psychology and spends her ti...

In honor of MetroFamily's 25th anniversary and three years of our Raising OKC Kids podcast, we are welcoming back another popular guest to speak on one of our most downloaded topics: Dr. Tamecca Rogers joins us to discuss talking with kids about racism. Dr. Rogers shares what's changed for the better in our state regarding racial equity over the past three years, as well as her biggest concerns re...

In honor of MetroFamily’s 25th anniversary, we have a very special podcast planned for you. Listen in as we hear from publisher Sarah Taylor, editor Erin Page, digital editor Lindsay Cuomo and special projects manager Kirsten Holder about how MetroFamily has shaped our community — and each of us — and our vision for the future.

Kiva Schuler, founder of the Jai Institute for Parenting, joins us to share the organization's mission to change the world by changing how parents parent. Her focus on peaceful parenting encourages parents to stop thinking so much about how we want our kids to behave — and instead really examine our own behaviors, expectations and values as parents. She also shares tips to rethink discipline, focu...

Local mom and public health professional Cara Gluck joins us to recognize June as  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month . This virus affects 1 in 200 babies born in the United States and can have long-term, significant developmental impacts on a baby if a mom contracts the virus while pregnant. Cara joins us to share her family’s journey with CMV, simple steps pregnant moms can take to reduce the...

Father-son duo Brian and Avery Baker share the keys to developing long-lasting parent-child relationships through strengthening trust in our households and creating an environment of open, honest communication. They also provide tips for conflict resolution and developing social emotional intelligence, for both ourselves as parents and our children.

In honor of MetroFamily’s 25th anniversary and 3 years of our Raising OKC Kids podcast, we are welcoming back some of our most popular guests for an update on one of our most-downloaded podcast topics: affirming resources for LGBTQIA+ youth and those who love them. Kylee Holland with Sisu Youth Services and Sara Cunningham and Katrina Kalb with Free Mom Hugs discuss what has changed since our last...

There's nothing sweeter than a dog that blends into your family and enhances your life, but it’s so tough having a “problem” dog when you’re also raising children. So how do we get there? Dog behaviorist Angel Soriano MS joins us today to talk about when families first bring their puppy or rescue dog home, and what the immediate next steps should be. Angel founded and operates the largest dog-trai...

Many new moms (or even veteran moms!) need support as they embark on their  breastfeeding journey. Joining us on the podcast today is Becky Mannel, board chair for the Coalition of Oklahoma  Breastfeeding  Advocates and the executive director of the nonprofit Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk Bank, as well as Heidi Russell, the first executive director of the Coalition of Oklahoma  Breastfeeding  Advocates (...

Summer camp is a fun part of growing up, and it can be foundational in teaching life skills as well. Joining us today is Matthew Weinrich, director of Rose State's Kids College, to talk about what kind of summer activities might be the best fit for your child, as well as how to get them ready for summer camps. Whether it be sessions such as fun with alpacas, archery, esports, 3-D printing, and eve...

M.J. Clausen with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services joins us to talk about ways families can improve our mental health, warning signs that adults or kids in our lives are struggling with mental health, authentic ways to ask a loved one about their mental health and the programs and resources the department offers (including 988, Oklahoma's Mental Health Lifeline...

The arts, specifically movement and music, can be so therapeutic and helpful to kids experiencing physical challenges and disabilities. Listen in as Aspiring Attitudes dance studio founder and director, Shannon Writes, as well as board member and long-time volunteer, Sherry Bradshaw, tell us about their unique program to provide dance lessons to all kids, regardless of what challenges or limitatio...

Pediatric urologist Dr. Steven Hodges joins us to talk about bedwetting. Dr. Hodges explains why bedwetting is, and should be treated as, a reflex, not a behavior within a child's control, and can pop up at any age from preschool to the teenage years. He gives us tips on non-shaming scripts for our kids, methods to steer clear of, new techniques to try and when to contact a professional.

Did you know 9 is the average age kids begin to think about alcohol?! Terrence Spain with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shares tips on talking with kids about substance use throughout childhood, what parents need to know about the prevalence of vaping and marijuana in our state and how to support children whose parents are dealing with substance abuse. Plus,...

Jenna Worthen, founder and CEO of the James Martin Company and founder of @ MomWhoWorks  online community, joins us to provide an empowering, refreshing take on how women can redefine what it means to be a working mom in a world without working dads. She shares tips for moms to advocate for themselves in the workplace, creative ways business owners can support working moms, why this is the perfect...

Titania Jordan with Bark Technologies joins us to share strategies to keep kids safe online. Renowned thought leader, author of Parenting in a Tech World and mom, Titania addresses how to effectively monitor kids online, conversations to have across ages and stages about online safety and the realities of cyberbullying.

Lisa Kelley with nonprofit organization Arc of Oklahoma and Rep. Ellyn Hefner with Oklahoma’s District 87 share an update on the challenges facing parents who have children with disabilities here in Oklahoma and how the community can help. They discuss their own journeys as mothers seeking support for their children with disabilities, how the state is making progress and their vision for additiona...

If you’re feeling especially stressed or overwhelmed as a parent, you’re not alone. Katrina Leggins, LCSW, attributes the ongoing uncertainties in our world today to higher parent stress, and she joins us to advise parents on how to identify stress and anxiety, improve our self-talk, give ourselves time to rest and prioritize self-care.

Anne Bogie with Oklahoma Project Woman joins us to share how the nonprofit organization provides access to breast healthcare through partnerships with institutions around Oklahoma. Since the organization's founding in 1998, they have helped more than 69,000 individuals receive free mammograms and more than 900 walk through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment with all costs covered. Learn more ab...

Local mom and longtime healthcare professional Farah Antoine-Maybery founded nonprofit For the Village in 2020 to enhance birth outcomes for mothers and babies in the Black community by training and supporting Black birthworkers. Farah addresses how and why systemic racism continues to impact the healthcare industry and how the nonprofit is working to combat statistics that in the U.S. Black babie...