Spawned Parenting Podcast with Liz of Cool Mom Picks

Whatever age your kids may be, we know that managing screen time and finding the benefits (and boundaries) is a huge issue with parents. So we're THRILLED to chat with Angela Santomero, the successful creator of educational programs like Blue's Clues, SuperWhy!, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. She's out with the new book, PRESCHOOL CLUES : Raising Smart, Inspired, and Engaged Kids in a Screen-Fil...

They're not mythical unicorns! Couples who work together actually exist. Lucky us, we got to chat with one of them on this episode of Spawned. We had a blast talking about balancing life in a love and work partnership with Tor Hyams, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and Lisa Rothauser, a singer, actor, and composer, who are currently working on a musical adaptation of the classic TV show, Green Acres...

School's out, which means most of our kids are heading out for sleepaway camp, a few for the whole summer, and a few for just a week or two. There's even one going to Japan! (That's Kristen's oldest daughter). So, how do you decide if your kids are ready? How do you survive when they're gone? We're sharing our experiences on today's episode of Spawned, plus a super important Cool Pick of the Week...

We're always fascinated by stories of women who have changed career paths after motherhood, and not just because that's our own story as well. We know lots of women who have found success in other areas, with the change often set in motion by having kids. We were so thrilled to chat with our friend Mallory Kasdan, host of the popular MILK podcast who shares her own struggles and challenges, along...

You know it's coming. The dreaded "Mom, I'm booooored!" But hey! We're here to help, which is what we hope you'll get from listening to this episode. We've got tons of suggestions for how to keep kids busy this summer, and if you are so inclined, off of screens (we've got suggestions for awesome screen time too). From family book clubs to scavenger hunts, to how to make family movie night educatio...

This week, join us for a light, fun, super chatty episode about....shopping! Specifically, online consignment shopping. Which are the best online resale sites for sellers? Which are the best for buyers? Which pay the highest commissions to you? Which will suck all of your time away from your children? We've got so many great tips and tricks from our own experiences -- especially Kristen. Plus...we...

Where do you start if you have a career dream, a passion, or a business idea? Why is it important for all of us to have more women running businesses? How are women changing startup culture? And what's up with only 2% of VC money going to businesses with women at the top?! (GAH!) Join Liz and Heather Cabot, the former ABC News anchor, current investor, Forbes columnist, and author of Geek Girl Ris...

Dog moms, single dads, the list of people trying to claim Mother's Day from moms goes on. So, we address it head on! Should moms get their own holiday? Do we all need to be able to celebrate everything? What about the folks who have a hard time with Mother's Day every year? We tackle these questions and more, plus share our cool picks of the week! Where can you find the links from our show, you as...

Do you think preparing 21 nutritious meals a week is the joy of your existence? In that case, might want to skip this episode. Today we're keeping it real with the delightful, funny, and down-to-earth Siri Daly, who you might know from her TODAY Show cooking segments (often with her husband Carson Daly) and her bestselling cookbook, Siriously Delicious. We're chatting about how to make food "happy...

With 13-year olds getting recruited by colleges, and a lawmaker in New Jersey warning parents not to get physical at kids' sports games for fear of jail time, we decided to tackle the complicated topic of kids sports on this week's episode of Spawned. Have youth athletics gotten out of control? Kristen and special guest Lisa Barnes (who filled in while Liz was away) share their own personal experi...

With the recent Cambridge Analytica data breach and myriad privacy issues, we're taking a closer look at whether it's worth staying on Facebook. And if we do, how do we keep our information safe? We're sharing various perspectives on the pros and cons of Facebook, as well as what you should do going forward if you decide to stay. Plus, we share our Cool Picks of the Week. Got thoughts? Comments? Q...

With World Autism Day approaching (April 2, 2018), we chatted with Dr. Laura Klinger, Executive Director of the TEACCH Autism at UNC, and part of the team who helped develop the character Julia for Sesame Street who debuted last year. We asked her everything from how to correctly refer to kids with autism, to what research she and her colleagues are currently conducting about causation and treatme...

This week, we're browsing the hot fashion trends of spring for a candid discussion about what we can wear, what we can't, and what the heck women ever did to designers to deserve some of this. Will we say yes to designer fanny packs? Fringed go-go dancer tops? Giant floral prints? Misspelled designer logos? Take a listen for a fun, light, totally opinionated episode that's well worth your 34 minut...

Today, in the wake of the tragic Parkland school shooting, we're talking about the positive: The courageous, amazing kids-turned-activists of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High -- and how their actions are influencing so many kids around the nation. (Including ours. And maybe yours?) It's a really great discussion about how we as parents can encourage our own kids to get involved in issues they care ab...

We all get into cycles of negative thinking (raising our hands here), and fortunately there are some simple tips to help you get out sooner. Because more positivity means happier you, happier kids, more success, more love. Really! Take a listen to these tips about the power of positive thinking from the energetic Sandy Joy Weston, fitness instructor, trainer (she was the first female trainer for t...

Did you hear the one about the pregnant woman who wasn't allowed to drink a glass of water on the job? If only this were an isolated story. That's why, for all of us working moms, working dads, and working moms-to-be, Liz is so happy to sit down with working families advocate and A Better Balance founder Dina Bakst. This episode, they're talking about our legal rights as working parents, which pro...

Happy 2018! We're back with our extra special, super awesome 100th episode where we look back and share our most favorite Spawned with Kristen and Liz episodes. We share the funniest, the most helpful, and yes, the most controversial, plus some never before heard back stories. We'd love to hear from you about what you'd like to hear in 2018! Drop us an email at spawned@coolmompicks.com, tweet us w...

Whether you're planning a spring break trip, a summer vacation, or a quick weekend getaway, you're going to want to hear these fantastic money-saving family travel tips from expert Shellie Bailey-Shah from KidTripster.com. Did you know there's a best day to book your travel? Wondering how to cut costs on your plane fare or rental car? You'll get a ton of helpful info to help you save money on your...

Raise your hand if you struggle to put down the phone sometimes. Yep, us too. So...we're joined by "The Art of Screentime" author and expert Anya Kamenetz for an honest conversation about how to realistically balance all that online time with real life. For both you and your kids. She's got some seriously amazing tips that were new to us, and we're excited to put them to use . Hope they help you t...

We have SO many questions for video game expert Dr. Rachel Kowert: Are video games hurting our kids? Are violent games making kids more violent? Are they playing too much overall? How do we manage all that gaming time? And geez... are there ANY positive effects for kids who game? We think you'll be surprised at the answers and her common sense advice. This is a great episode whether your kids are...

It's here! Our annual holiday gift guide, and we're sharing some of our favorites from the hundreds of gifts we scoured the web to find. It's like an entire episode of Cool Picks of the Week. Whether you're finishing off your holiday shopping, or just getting started, we've got lots of suggestions. And opinions, of course. We love hearing from you! Drop us an email spawned@coolmompicks.com, follow...

Who likes paying retail over the holiday? Not us! Presumably, not you. So...join us for a fun, fast-paced episode with our very best money-saving holiday shopping tips culled from YEARS of giving this same advice in national magazines, newspapers, and shows like TODAY. You can use these tips, apps, and other helpful services on Black Friday or any day of the year, and don't worry about writing it...

Wondering how to tell the men to do the dishes for a change? Struggling to feed 12 people with 14 different food allergies? Freaking over a 10-hour road trip with perpetually bored tweens? And how do we handle those political conversations everyone is dreading? You gave us questions...we've got answers! Join us for a fun, honest, carb-free Thanksgiving romp. And thanks so much for listening and su...

Kristen just got back from an Imagine Dragons show with all four of her kids, because she's not like a regular mom...she's a COOL MOM. (Also, whoa.) Join us for a lively discussion about kids and concerts, tips and concerns. And earplugs. Definitely earplugs. Plus, we confess our own first concerts in which Liz gains a little indie cred and Kristen makes a confession you may never have guessed.  |...

With the "eating holidays" around the corner, we're looking at ways to keep our jeans from killing us with tightness. On this episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we're having a conversation about 5 of the most popular current diet trends, and we decide which ones might work for us (and maybe you too). Intermittent fasting? Ketogenics? If you've ever wondered about the buzz words you might hav...