Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis

Latest Episodes:

Podcasting, Parenting and “Play Aunties” with Amena Brown Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Carol joins forces with poet and author Amena Brown, host of the podcast HER with Amena Brown, to talk about their journeys as Black women in the world of podcasting. In this poignant, revealing, hilarious joint interview, they talk about the power of being raised by Black moms, how to parent artistic kids, the perils of performing, the importance of “play aunties” and the need for self-destructing journals. And that is just a taste of this delightful convo. Tune in for new and surprising insights on Carol and to meet the amazing Amena! Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investing in Black Literacy with Maya Smart Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Black children in America are in a reading crisis, and it’s getting worse. In a 2022 national reading assessment, only 33% of all U.S. 4th and 8th graders scored at a competent reading level, and for Black students, that competency score dropped to 17%. These scores are lower than the last national reading assessment in 2019. In the face of this crisis, how do we ensure our children can beat the odds and become good readers? Carol dives into this important topic with early literacy expert Maya Smart. Maya’s new book, Reading for Our Lives: A Literary Action Plan from Birth to Six, is a practical guide to raising skilled, confident readers. In this episode Maya talks with Carol about how and why parents need to focus on reading from day one. She explains the impact of engaging even the youngest children in conversation, and offers a detailed action plan to help young children get reading ready. She and Carol also talk about the importance of proper parent-teacher communication about your child’s reading progress, and steps to take if your child is falling behind. Listen to this conversation to gain the skills you need to raise strong readers. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having the College Talk with Eric Furda and Jacques Steinberg Jan 25, 2023

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Carol’s focus on college admissions continues with a favorite from the archives: her convo with Eric Furda and Jacques Steinberg, authors of The College Conversation. Eric, the former Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Jacques Steinberg, an award-winning education journalist, share their expert advice on how your teen should be applying to college from start to finish, and how you can engage and offer support. They break down “The C’s” that students should look for as they research colleges: Culture, Curriculum, Community, Conclusions, and Cost. Carol’s expansive conversation with Jacques and Eric also covers best practices for freshman success, and even what to do if your child wants to transfer. Listen to lessen the stress as your family moves through a new chapter of your teen’s life. Follow @GroundControlParenting and visit www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions with Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

College admissions experts Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown join Carol to discuss what Black families need to know about helping their teens succeed during the college application process. Timothy, a senior admissions officer at Emory University, and Shereem, a former high school college counselor who now runs a college counseling consulting firm, are authors of The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions, A Conversation About Education, Parenting and Race. Carol, Shereem, and Tim tell parents how early they should start focusing their kid’s attention toward college, why they must stay involved throughout the process, and what admissions officers are really looking for. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High School: Less Stress, More Joy with David Coleman Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

College Board CEO and Ground Control Parenting fav David Coleman returns to the podcast to talk about learning from failure, the illusion of what it takes to be successful, and the toxic side of striving for perfection. David is a thoughtful, intriguing guest who seamlessly wraps life lessons around his expert insider knowledge of how high school kids can turn their struggles into triumphs. He shares how children should be taught that greatness comes from trying but not succeeding, and then trying again. David fills us in on the College Board’s latest work to help high school students’ learning journeys become more joyous and less fraught. Parents of high schoolers who worry that their children are never going to make it through the college application process, high schoolers themselves, and all who want to hear a deeply interesting conversation, tune into this engaging episode designed to reduce stress and reinvigorate your belief in the power of education. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2022 Year End Wrap Up Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

As 2022 comes to a close, Carol recaps this year’s Ground Control Parenting podcast journey. She looks back on standout topics covered this past season and highlights some of this year’s most interesting and resource-filled conversations. Happy New Year from Ground Control Parenting!
Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owning Your Identity with Suzanne Kay Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

Carol digs back into the archives for this poignant conversation with author and filmmaker Suzanne Kay, daughter of actress Diahann Carroll. Suzanne, who is biracial, pulls back the curtain on her life with her superstar mom to reveal the challenges of being raised by parents who did not talk with her about race or her racial identity when she was young. Suzanne shares her journey to racial awareness and discusses how she helps her children connect to their unique identities. She brings a meaningful and relevant perspective to a needed conversation around acceptance, identity, well-being, and belonging. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are We There Yet? with Cheryl Finley Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Carol sits down with world traveler and art historian Cheryl Finley to talk about a topic they both know well—traveling with children. Cheryl began taking her daughter on the road when she was just a few weeks old and is a reliable resource for how best to enjoy traveling with kids on work trips, family visits, and vacations. Cheryl and Carol debunk the myth that parents should wait until kids are “old enough” to travel and share tried-and-true tips for getting around with babies, toddlers, and young children. From traveling with babies on planes, entertaining kids on road trips, to finding the best child-friendly hotels, this episode offers lots of ways to feel more comfortable moving around with young ones. Cheryl will inspire you to hit the road with your kids feeling prepared and ready for a fun trip! Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Releasing Holiday Stress with Dr. Victor Carrión Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

Carol welcomes back pediatric stress expert Dr. Victor Carrión to help families handle the stress that can arise during the Holiday season. The holidays are a time for traditions, reunions, love, and gratitude. But for many, anxiety can build due to the financial and emotional burdens that can accompany celebrations—gifting, organizing extended family gatherings, childcare for the extended holiday, and more. Dr. Carrión explains how to recognize and analyze the good, bad, and ugly sides of stress. He believes that while stress can be helpful in building resilience, when you don’t introduce de-stressors, stress can become overwhelming. He speaks directly to what therapy is, what it does, and quiets concerns about how it can help parents and their children feel better. As families return to pre-Covid traditions, Carol talks with Dr. Carrión about how to approach the holiday season with a plan that will leave everyone less stressed and more prepared to enjoy a wonderful end of year.
Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Standing On The Truth with Burrell and Philippa Ellis Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

In 2013, while Burrell Ellis was serving his second term as the CEO of DeKalb County, Georgia, he was accused by the DeKalb County District Attorney of illegally soliciting campaign contributions from a county contractor. Insisting that these charges were false and politically motivated, Burrell refused to resign as CEO and was suspended from his position. After an initial mistrial, in 2015 Burrell was found guilty of perjury and attempted theft by extortion. He was sentenced to eighteen months in prison, and was taken off to prison immediately after the sentencing. In late 2016, The Georgia Supreme Court reversed his conviction, ruling that he did not receive a fair trial. He was reinstated to his CEO position with back pay, and was reimbursed for his defense costs. Burrell and his wife Philippa join Carol to talk about how this crisis impacted their family and how they parented their two children through the storm. They describe how they focused on maintaining their strong family unit, prioritizing honesty and openness with their children, relying on their faith and on therapy to help them make it through. They used this family crisis to teach their kids integrity, resilience, and how to advocate for themselves. In this moving and poignant episode, Burrell and Philippa reflect on how their family banded together to fight injustice and stand on the truth. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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