Upbringing

Today we explore our kids’ FREEDOM TO PLAY! This is the Q&A wrap-up to our weekly episode where we deep dive into our kids struggles with independent play. This week, we explore why PLAY is being proven to be a gift -- an opportunity for development of self-esteem, socialization, autonomy, creativity and confidence for our kids.  How can we balance our responsibility to keep our kids happy and...

Today we’re back as we explore our kids’ FREEDOM TO PLAY! Does your child struggle with independent play? Do YOU struggle with the sometimes crazy, messy and worrisome aspects of their playtime? This week, we explore why PLAY is being proven to be a gift -- an opportunity for development of self-esteem, socialization, autonomy, creativity and confidence for our kids.  How can we balance our respon...

Today we’re back as we explore our kids’ FREEDOM TO NOURISH. This is the Q&A wrap-up to our weekly episode where we deep dive into struggles with bedtime, mealtime, hygiene, diapers and beyond -- challenges that can lead us to over-control and undermine our kids’ sacred somatic intuition (a connection to their own bodies). How can we balance our responsibility to keep them clean, fed, rested a...

Today we’re back as we explore our kids’ FREEDOM TO NOURISH. Struggles with bedtime, mealtime, hygiene, diapers and beyond can lead us to over-control and undermine our kids’ sacred somatic intuition -- a connection to their own bodies. How can we balance our responsibility to keep them clean, fed, rested and happy while ALSO finding ways that they can become better aware of and connected to the p...

Today we’re back with a new season of the Upbringing podcast! Join us this week on the  as we explore our kids’ FREEDOM TO STRUGGLE. They do it a lot. It can feel like shit. But it doesn’t have to! Join us as we learn from the best and the brightest organizational psychologists, authors, researchers and brainiacs about things like grit, perseverance, confidence, and curiosity -- and why the WAY we...

Today we wrap up the season until the new year! Join us for some reflections on the last few months of episodes and to hear some exciting changes that begin when we start back up! We also dive a bit into the origin story of Upbringing… how we began to lean into learning, the crazy toddlers who helped us to redefine their resistance, our angle on feminist parenting, the cultural conditioning of the...

Today we have the honor to connect with the unwillingly enlightened, temporarily brilliant, alchemical cancer mom Alexa Wilding. She is a musician, writer and mother of 7 year old sons West and Lou, who was recently diagnosed with cancer for the second time. This is a special episode in so many ways -- and represents more than just Alexa’s family story. Her words weave a golden thread, a magical l...

Today on the podcast we explore why and how we’re working to grow up alongside our kids. We examine the pressure-filled impostor syndrome of new parenthood, the power of the growth mindset, the weight of our egos, and ways to play in the gray with our our learning as well as our kids’. When we can respect our kids as equals, then we can move forward, hand in hand, growing together. When we can sho...

Today we connect with Darcy Lockman, clinical psychologist and author of All The Rage, a book that explores how egalitarian relationships become traditional ones when children are introduced to the household. We loved connecting with Darcy about the mother load, the myth of maternal instinct, why we struggle with relationship expectations, the complications of socialization vs biology, and how we...

Today on the podcast we explore how to play the long game with our kids. We examine the four main factors that hinder our perspective and trust in the process: fear, pressure, impatience and ignorance. This episode helped us set our sights on embracing our children for who they are and how they’re learning, growing and showing up RIGHT NOW. We talk about the Resist Approach and how it’s helping us...

Today we connect with Theresa Thorn, the co-host of the parenting humor podcast One Bad Mother and the author of It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity for children.  We loved exploring the ways in which gender can be a unique and personal expression of self for all of us… Additionally, how this perspective can build momentum in dismantling our binary thinking and unconscious f...

Today on the podcast we explore how to meet our kids where they are. To respect them as unique individuals, to open our communication, to embrace our vulnerability and to examine our expectations. This episode helped us set our sights on becoming more aware, more able to seek acceptance, and ultimately, more able to trust in the process. Which feels fucking impossible most of the time. Right? Join...

Today we connect with LaTonya Yvette, a Brooklyn-based stylist, blogger and author of Woman of Color, a memoir and lifestyle guide full of moving essays, gorgeous photos, and practical style and beauty advice. We loved connecting with LaTonya about what coming of age means to her, the ways she’s helping her children look at their differences and scars as both beautiful and empowering, and the ways...

Today on the podcast we explore how to separate our kids’ challenging behaviors from their value as human beings. It’s called loving unconditionally -- and it feels fucking impossible most of the time. This episode is all about challenging our beliefs to change our thoughts, behaviors and subsequent interactions with the infuriating, inspiring children in our lives. We talk about power, love, habi...

Today we connect with Elizabeth Antonia, creative director, designer and author of Early Riser Companion , a family resource filled with songs, rhymes, recipes and ideas for rituals and rhythms to layer into our homes. We loved connecting with Elizabeth about balancing routines with spontaneity, how we can create anchor points of peace throughout our day, the ways mindful transitions can reduce st...

Happy summer! Our last twintalk of the season is for both new and dedicated listeners alike. Join us as we recap the big ah-ha moments from Season 2 of the podcast and spitball the many changes in store as Upbringing evolves... You’ll learn about our new R.E.S.I.S.T approach -- a six step model to navigate challenging moments with our kids -- as well as the 10 Freedoms we aim to honor and respect...

Today on the podcast, we connect with KaeLyn Rich, executive director of Bitch Media, speaker, activist and author of Girls Resist!: A Guide to Activism, Leadership, and Starting a Revolution. We loved talking with KaeLyn about teaching our children consent, how to unlearn our implicit biases, and the ways we can respectfully interact with our children (and the world) around gender identity. Relev...

Today on the podcast we explore how to separate what we do from who we are. When approaching a challenge with our children, are we in work-mode or worth-mode? We ponder the values AND limits of titles (even Mom) - how they can both empower and undermine our parenting. Taking our role (and not ourselves) seriously requires we become aware of the way our ego can unwittingly limit our ability to care...

Today on the podcast we connect with Taylor Sterling, founder and creative director of lifestyle website Glitter Guide and Tired Dreamers Club- a collaborative gathering series that supports women on their creativity and self-care journey. We loved chatting with Taylor about challenging temperaments in our children and the ways in which we can all work toward feeding (instead of depleting) the bod...

Today on the podcast we explore the mindset tool we call playing in the gray. We discuss the practice of accepting the as-is, embracing the middle way, and sitting in discomfort long enough to learn from it. Playing in the gray is all about flexible thinking, courage, curiosity and trust…. ultimately a giant improv comedy sketch and an opportunity to create some magic from the mayhem. We laugh, we...

Today on the podcast we speak with Alison Mazurek, small-living expert, designer and blogger of 600 Square Foot and a Baby. We loved connecting with Alison about the gift of experience over objects, how to ask ourselves what we can live without, the upsides to tight-knit living, and the ways in which she is trying to let her children express who they are, not who they think they’re expected to be....

Today on the podcast we explore one of our favorite parenting super powers: modeling. We talk ways to support our children’s learning through our OWN awareness / growth and list our favorite ways to sensitively wield our power without disempowering our kids. What began as a tool to influence our kids’ behavior has become a huge life lesson for US in humility, transparency, and values - an opportun...

Today on the podcast we speak with Jessica Murnane, author and creator of the One Part Plant movement, host of the One Part Podcast , and mother to four year old son, Sid. We loved connecting with Jessica about how to take the judgements out of food conversations with our kids, trauma, grief, adoption, and how slowing down can help us integrate both as parents and people. Join us! Today's episode...

Today on the podcast we explore emotions, empathy and self-regulation in both our kids and ourselves. Though its easier said than done to welcome and support the ENTIRE spectrum of emotions, we discuss how and why it’s well worth the effort to lean into the rainbow. We laugh, we cry, we lean in. Join us! Relevant links: GOOP Podcast - How to minimize stress and avoid burnou t Our 12 Empowerments E...

Today on the podcast we speak with Lindsay Meyer-Harley- owner of children’s shop Darling Clementine and founder of Still We Rise , an instagram- based community auction that offers goods and experiences to raise money for amazing causes. Six auctions in, the Still We Rise community of artists, shopkeepers and creatives has raised over 300 thousand dollars for organizations like the ACLU, Planned...