Raising OKC Kids – Conversations with MetroFamily

On the 26th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, we talk with Lynne Porter, education director for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Lynne shares how the Memorial & Museum have continued to evolve to stay relevant to today's generation, ensure those whose lives were lost are remembered and honored and  teach important lessons on strength, courage and resolve.

"Pretend play is just as important as vitamins in early childhood." Rozz Grigsby, education director for Lyric Theatre, shares how skills learned through the performing arts benefit kids of all ages, from boosting mental wellness and academic performance to increasing empathy and setting them apart for post-high school pursuits. Rozz offers tips on how parents can implement this skill-building at...

We all have a part to play in protecting the kids of our community from child abuse. Kate Bacon, Executive Director of Family Builders, joins me once again to talk about what qualifies child abuse in the eyes of the court and social workers, how the pandemic affected rates of child abuse cases and how we can approach a situation of suspected abuse as a friend, family member or community member to...

A bright and beautiful smile is more than a health benefit, it's a confidence booster for the rest of your life. Join us as we chat with Dental Depot's orthodontist Dr. Mychi Nguyen on what brings her joy every day (and makes her office sing, literally!), as well as the answers to questions you need to know before signing up your child for orthodontic treatment. 

Let's be honest, parenting is hard right now. That's why MetroFamily is bringing you the Modern Art of Parenting Summit. Listen in as MetroFamily's editor, Erin Page, and Senior Project Manager, Kirsten Holder, discuss the upcoming summit and what they've most appreciated after interviewing 20 nationally-known experts to talk about everything from technology usage to sexual health education to rai...

Through her work as the CEO and president of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the founder of LeadHERBoard, Shannon Rich joins us to celebrate and empower women. Shannon shares how her experiences being the first or only woman in the room have inspired her to create and advocate for more equitable opportunities for women in powerful positions in the workplace and community, plus how other women, inclu...

Season 3, episode 10 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...

Season 3, episode 8 Madison Whitekiller, who holds the title of 2022 Miss Indian Oklahoma, joins us to talk about her platform: guiding Native American youth to discover success through STEM. She discusses her own journey to a STEM field, advice for parents on helping children discover the fun of STEM and the power of representation when kids see people who look like them succeeding in a field the...

Mental health has been a trending topic lately, especially as it relates to our new “work/life balance.” Join us as Michael Dickerson, founder of the  Dickerson Consulting Group  and the podcast  The Spillover Effect , talks to us about stigmas around mental health in the workplace, stigmas around mental health in POC communities, stressors and support available for working moms and above all how...

Season 3, ep. 4 (rerun of ep. 47) Even though this year already looks a little different than “normal,” January is always a great time to refresh and focus on health. Today we’re talking with Umo Callins, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and owner of  Well Rooted Health and Nutrition , about a healthy mindset and healthy living. Hear from Umo about how she makes quick and easy dinn...

What do family dinners, cowbells and climbing a tree have in common? Nicole Kanelakos, Center of Excellence director of education services, and Amy Chlouber LPC-S, Center of Excellence director for mental health services, both from Sunbeam Family Services, join us to talk about the importance of family togetherness, free play and engaging with our kids at every level. Parenting is challenging, so...

Educators Danielle and Andre Daughty are back to talk about the state of education in 2022, from the challenges of teacher burnout and mental health to the hope of students excited to be back in the classroom to learn. The duo shares advice on how parents and the community can make a much-needed positive impact on teachers this year, the importance of continued social-emotional learning in the cla...

Marcy McConnell, local Enneagram expert and founder of The Reclaimed Soul, joins us to talk about healthy goal-setting for 2022. Contrary to many New Year to-do lists that focus solely on resolutions, Marcy breaks down how continuously working on the "why" behind our reactions and responses can heal and set us up for long-term success in so many areas of life, from parenting and to relationships w...