Become an Askable Parent with AMAZE

Latest Episodes:

How to Talk to Young Kids About Bodies and Health Apr 12, 2021

In this episode, you’ll hear from the amazing Robie Harris. Robie’s groundbreaking sex ed books, including titles such as “It’s Perfectly Normal,” “It’s So Amazing,” and “It’s Not the Stork” have served as key educational resources for countless families and two of her titles are among the American Library Association's most-challenged books of the 21st century. Robie and host Christine Koh talk about key conversational topics to address with kids, why parents struggle so much talking to kids about how babies are made -- and how to get to the other side of that struggle -- and more.

Links:

Robie Harris Books: It’s Perfectly Normal:Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health, It’s So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families, Who Has What?: All About Girls’ Bodies and Boys’ Bodies
amaze jr.
AMAZE Video: Where Do Babies Come From
AMAZE Video: How Are Babies Made?

Become An Askable Parent is a podcast from AMAZE.org. AMAZE creates free educational videos + resources to help families talk openly, honestly, and less awkwardly about sex, health, relationships + growing up. The goal of the podcast is to help parents learn how to communicate better (even when they don’t have all the answers!) so their kids know that they can ask them anything.

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

How To Talk About Porn Apr 05, 2021

In this episode, you’ll hear from the amazing Melissa Pintor Carnagey of Sex Positive Families on how to talk to kids about porn. Melissa and host Christine Koh talk about mainstream versus ethical porn, what to do if your child is seeking out porn, how to create a sex positive culture in your family, and more.

Links:

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Disability and Sexuality Education Mar 29, 2021

In this episode, you’ll hear from the amazing Katherine McLaughlin, a sexuality educator focused on the disabilities community. Katherine and host Christine Koh talk about how it’s crucial for parents to be open and honest in teaching young people about their bodies, sexuality, and self-advocacy, what it was like for Katherine to advise on the AMAZE Disability + Sexuality video, and more.

Links:

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Body Positivity Mar 22, 2021

In this episode, you’ll hear from the amazing Carly Anderson, a former elementary school educator turned digital content creator. Carly and host Christine Koh talk about Carly’s path to igniting a body positivity movement, how her daughter has served as an inspiration in her journey, why talking to kids early about their bodies is so crucial, and more. Links:

Lipgloss and Crayons
Carly Anderson on Instagram @lipglossandcrayons

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

How To Talk About Gender Mar 15, 2021

In this episode, you’ll hear from the wonderful Ran Courant-Morgan, Manager of Parent Education at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Ran brings a very special dose of magic to their education work with parents, caregivers, and direct care professionals. In this episode Ran and host Christine Koh talk about how our culture is learning a new language and a new way to think about gender, how to practice using they/them pronouns, why it’s important to meet kids where they are at when it comes to conversations about sex and gender, and more.

Links:

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Friendships & Feelings Mar 08, 2021

The pandemic has created so many challenges, among them, how to handle friendships and feelings. In this episode, you’ll hear from licensed clinical professional counselor, certified professional school counselor, journalist, and author Phyllis Fagell. Phyllis and host Christine Koh talk about building character and confidence during hard times, how friendships -- and the social landscape -- are playing out during the pandemic, productive ways to lean into feelings, and how parents and caregivers can best support kids who are experiencing big feelings.

Links:

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Parenting and Technology Mar 01, 2021

Technology can be both a blessing and a challenge. In this episode, you’ll hear from educator and award-winning content creator Leticia Barr. Leticia and host Christine Koh talk about keeping up with social media, balancing screen time, and the ever popular question, "how do I know when my child is ready for a phone?"

Links:

Leticia Barr at Tech Savvy Mama
Common Sense Media
The Smart Talk
Why Getting My 11-Year-Old a Phone Was One of the Best Parenting Decisions I've Ever Made
amaze jr. resources for parents and kids in the 4-9 year old range
Bark app

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Talking To Kids About Sex, Love & Equality Feb 22, 2021

How conversations about sex, love, and equality play out clearly differ depending on where you live. In this episode, you’ll hear from Bonnie Rough, author of “Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message To Our Kids about Sex, Love, and Equality.” Bonnie and host Christine Koh talk about Bonnie’s observations about the differences between American and Dutch cultural approaches to sex, bodies, love, and more. They talk about Bonnie’s experience abroad, as well as her impression that, “American culture has confused the body with sexuality, sexuality with eroticism, eroticism with shame, and shame with safe keeping.”

Links:

Bonnie Rough

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Teen Mental Health Feb 15, 2021

To say that the pandemic has been hard on teens is clearly a massive understatement. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jaynay Johnson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist also known as “The Teen Whisperer.” Jaynay and host Christine Koh talk about the nuanced struggles that teens currently face as they wade through the pandemic, why it’s important to help teens become emotionally responsible and well, even when their parents aren’t around, simple verbal and nonverbal ways parents can support teens right now, the importance of infusing positivity and humor into everyday life, and more.

Links:

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

How To Normalize Sex Ed Conversations At Home Feb 08, 2021

Normalizing sex ed conversations can feel daunting; we’re here to help! In this episode, you’ll hear from an incredible parent-teen duo. Sexuality educator Dr. Logan Levkoff and her son Maverick join host Christine Koh for an amazing conversation on how to normalize sex ed conversations at home. They talk about how Logan’s work in sexuality education has evolved since becoming a parent, the earliest sex ed conversations Logan and Maverick had together, key concerns that tweens and teens have about sex ed, and more!

Links:

Logan Levkoff, Ph.D.
Related AMAZE video: When will I be ready? When should I have sex?
Related AMAZE video: Porn: Fact or Fiction?

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), Instagram (@amazeparents) and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Is Playing Doctor OK? Mar 10, 2020

Wondering how to become an askable parent? AMAZE is here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn how to handle kids playing doctor, including how to use teachable moments to talk to kids about body differences, privacy, and respecting other people’s bodies, and why it’s important to model healthy conversations and set the stage for conversations to come.

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), and Twitter (@amazeorg).

What Should I Know About Gender? Mar 03, 2020

Wondering how to become an askable parent? AMAZE is here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn how to talk to kids about gender roles and rules, including how to challenge bullying and why gender is just a part of who we are, not a measure of our worth.

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), and Twitter (@amazeorg).

Where Do Babies Come From? Feb 25, 2020

Wondering how to become an askable parent? AMAZE is here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the popular -- and dreaded by many parents! -- question, “Where do babies come from?” We cover why this question actually has nothing to do with sex and the importance of using actual body part names.

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), and Twitter (@amazeorg).

How Can I Teach My Values? Feb 18, 2020

Wondering how to become an askable parent? AMAZE is here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn how to teach your kids your values, including how to name the values behind your rules + help kids develop a values vocabulary, and how these skills will help them in the long run.

Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), and Twitter (@amazeorg).

What If My Kids Don’t Ask About Sex Ed Topics? Feb 11, 2020

Wondering how to become an askable parent? AMAZE is here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn what to do if your kids don’t ask about sex ed topics, including how to use everyday moments to spark conversations, how to use the “remember when?” approach, and what to do if you freeze or give your kid incorrect information.

How Do You Talk To Kids About Sex? Jan 31, 2020

Wondering how to become an askable parent? AMAZE is here to help! In this episode, you’ll learn how to talk to your kids about sex, including why it’s important to let go of preconceived gender roles and why words are just words.
Become An Askable Parent is a podcast from AMAZE.org. AMAZE creates free educational videos + resources to help families talk openly, honestly, and less awkwardly about sex, health, relationships + growing up. The goal of the podcast is to help parents learn how to communicate better (even when they don’t have all the answers!) so their kids know that they can ask them anything.
Connect with AMAZE.org on YouTube (@amazeparents), Facebook (@amazeparents), and Twitter (@amazeorg).