Parenting Forward

Latest Episodes:

129: Mental Health Series - Neurodiversity w/ Joel Schwartz PsyD Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Dr. Joel Schwartz, a licensed clinical psychologist. Joel co-runs Total Spectrum Counseling with his wife, Brittany Boveé Schwartz, in the San Luis Obispo area of California. He specializes in therapy and testing for the misunderstood and demonstrates this through his unique practice: Total Spectrum Counseling is fully staffed by neurodivergent people with lived experiences of the diagnostic process.

I met Joel in the way that I meet most people these days: online. We connected in a larger Facebook group of therapists. Through our various online interactions, we discovered that we were very like-minded. From there, Joel went on to start his own Facebook group, Neurodiversity Affirmative Therapists, where we've had some very deep and rich conversations as well.

After continuing to connect, I knew I had to have Joel on the show to talk about neurodiversity. I've learned so much from him and I know you will too. Tune in to learn all about this very misunderstood topic of neurodiversity from Dr. Joel Schwartz.

Show Highlights:

What neurodiversity means.
How we define “normal” brain function.
How to recognize neurodiversity in your kids.
How Joel learned to accept his own neurodiversity.
Why the lived human experience should come before doctrines.
Gender stereotypes about neurodiversity.
What the double empathy problem is.
Why it’s so important for neurodivergent people to have neurodivergent therapists.
How to parent a neurodivergent child well.
How neurotypical people can make the world a better place for neurodivergent people.
How to parent well as a neurodivergent person.
How to embrace your natural coping methods if you’re neurodivergent and burnt out.

Links (affiliates included):

Joel Schwartz, PsyD - https://totalspectrumcounseling.com/joel.html

Dr. Joseph Lee - https://mentalhealthiness.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Xu4Qf6ip5c6r8lPODJbsKZw_xBcbBPyJEyNdBaBClkP-Zi02w7oaw1Wc

Parenting Forward Conference - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

128: Mental Health Series - Anxiety w/ Dr. Erin Underbrink Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health struggles. At least it is for my family. I grew up in an anxious family, my husband struggles with some anxiety, and, as a result, we have two pretty anxious kids. So, in this episode, we are diving into all things anxiety in childhood and parenting.

Here to discuss this topic with me is my co-host for this series, Dr. Joseph Lee, along with today’s special guest, Dr. Erin Underbrink. Erin is a clinical psychologist who was part of a pediatric treatment group. In our conversation, we talk about how anxiety may present itself in children and the best ways for parents to help them through it. Erin also provides some amazing encouragement for all of us parents who struggle with anxiety right alongside our children.

This is a difficult topic to talk about but that just means it’s extremely important that we discuss it. Tune in to hear our conversation and learn all about anxiety and parenting.

Show Highlights:

What exchanging anxiety means.
Current anxiety trends.
What exposure and response prevention are and why they are so important.
How to help our kids increase their tolerance for anxiety.
The difference between competency and control.
The biggest challenges for anxious parents trying to raise anxious kids.
When to bring your child to therapy.
How to support your child with death anxiety.
The difference between dealing with anxiety as a kid and as an adult.
The problem with trying to fix ourselves.
When anxiety is healthy and when it becomes overreactive.
Encouragement for those struggling with anxiety about the pandemic.

Links (affiliates included):

Dr. Erin Underbink - https://www.instagram.com/drerinunderbrink/

Dr. Joseph Lee - https://mentalhealthiness.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Xu4Qf6ip5c6r8lPODJbsKZw_xBcbBPyJEyNdBaBClkP-Zi02w7oaw1Wc

Parenting Forward Conference - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1Little

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

127: Mental Health Series Introduction w/ Dr. Joseph Lee Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Today I am launching a podcast series on how to care for our children's mental health and flourishing. Although I struggle plenty with mental health myself, I am not a licensed expert in the subject. Therefore, I’m bringing my friend, Joseph Lee, onto the show.

Joseph Lee is a psychiatrist and previous guest from episode 43. In his episode, we talked about how conservative Christian parenting does not align very well with child development and modern parenting best practices. Now, he is going to be joining us for this series as the co-host.

This episode will be an introductory episode on mental health. We're going to talk about parenting and mental health in general. In the following episodes, we will have various experts come in to discuss how parents can help their children with anxiety and neurodiversity. We’ll even have an episode on the intersection of social injustice and mental health.

Even if these are not topics your family is specifically wrestling with, I believe it will be a rich and beneficial series to tune into. Learning about these issues helps us create a kinder world for all the kids who do struggle with mental health. For now, join us for episode one!

Show Highlights:

Joseph’s history with mental health and how his parents addressed it.
How growing up in the conservative Christian church can exacerbate mental health issues.
The stigma around mental health.
The resources that are emerging online for mental health management.
How emotions point to unmet needs.
How to nurture our kids so that they will eventually develop autonomy.
The power of naming our feelings.
Why emotions should be seen as neutral.
Mental health vs. mental illness.
Why therapy is so critical in the stressful world we live in.
When parents should turn to mental health professionals.
Why Joseph doesn’t do biblical counseling.
How the pandemic exposed social inequalities.

Links (affiliates included):

Dr. Joseph Lee - https://mentalhealthiness.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Xu4Qf6ip5c6r8lPODJbsKZw_xBcbBPyJEyNdBaBClkP-Zi02w7oaw1Wc

Parenting Forward Conference - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

126: Little Justice Leaders w/ Shelby Kretz Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

By now you should know that the goal of this podcast is to help you raise conscious citizens. What you may not know is how to actually do that. Raising conscious citizens sounds like a lot of work. Not only do we have to re-parent ourselves with consciousness but we then have to find the exact right words to say to our kids regarding citizenship and justice.

If this is something you struggle with, I have a fantastic gift for you today. Shelby Kretz, the founder of Little Justice Leaders, is joining us in this episode.

Little Justice Leaders is a subscription box company that acts as a tool and resource for parents and teachers who are doing their best to raise conscious citizens. Every month you can get a box on a different social justice theme with everything you need to introduce that topic to children. Tune in to hear more from Shelby about her company and how to have conversations about current events and other social issues with your kids.

Show Highlights:

How Shelby came to found Little Justice Leaders.
The biggest challenges parents and teachers have when talking to kids about justice issues.
Why parents and teachers need to take the pressure off themselves.
How talking with our kids about social justice makes them more resilient.
How to make justice issues relevant to kids.
The importance of reminding your kids that they’re safe.
How to figure out which topics to bring up with your kids.
How Shelby explains complex social justice issues in an age-appropriate way but without watering them down.
What scaffolding is and how to utilize it.

Links (affiliates included):

Little Justice Leaders - https://littlejusticeleaders.com

Parenting Forward Conference - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1Little

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

125: Giving Kids an Inner Compass w/ Jon Ogden Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

A few weeks ago I sent out a newsletter called “Disorganized Religion.” It was a product of my reflection on the idea that many who have decided to leave the church still crave a dedicated time and space to explore the bigger questions of life and existence and to validate their children's innate spiritual questions. They’re happy with their decision to leave the church but miss the neatly packaged aspect of it: church on Sunday, a mid-week Bible study, and Sunday School and youth group for the kids.

In response, one reader suggested a resource called Uplift. I was so intrigued by it that I decided to invite the founder onto the show. Jon Ogden is not only the founder of Uplift but the author of When Mormons Doubt.

After he wrote his book, he still had many other questions around what the ideas within the book would look like week to week and how to raise kids with a spiritual foundation that wasn't tied to any dogma or specific religion.

This led Jon to create Uplift. Today he is joining us to tell us more about this resource and his journey toward shifting his faith.

Show Highlights:

Jon’s experience leaving the Mormon church.
Why everyone is spiritual.
What wisdom literature from all religions can teach us.
The danger of dictating our kids’ spiritual journeys.
What healthy spirituality looks like to Jon.
Why spirituality should be democratic, not dogmatic.
The services and curriculum Uplift offers.
Why it’s important to pay attention to our development stages even in adulthood.
How to honor both our kids’ and our developmental stages.
The power of sharing our family stories.
The healthy balance of order and chaos.

Links (affiliates included):

Disorganized Religion Email - https://mailchi.mp/8429ea9a0ac2/disorganized-religion

Uplift - https://upliftkids.org

Parenting After Deconstruction - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com/parenting-after-deconstruction

Parenting Forward Conference - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

124: Parenting on Tik Tok with Destini Ann Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot about one certain Tik Toker. Because I hang out in parenting spaces a lot, I hear about cool new voices and parenting influencers pretty quickly.

In this case, my community has been raving about how much they love this Tik Toker. I’ve started seeing her videos all over the place and they’re truly amazing. Her name is Destini Ann.

Destini and I met a couple of weeks ago and when we did I soon realized that she hadn’t been around as long as I’d thought. She blew up on Tik Tok semi-recently after just a couple of her videos went viral. Destini makes videos where she coaches parents and offers them her experience from a nonjudgemental place. Today we are discussing some of those videos together and what her journey of parenting on Tik Tok has been like so far.

Show Highlights:

Why our toddlers hitting us can be triggering.
How to train yourself out of that trigger reaction.
Why acceptance is so important as a parent.
Why Destini uses scripts in her Tik Toks.
The balance between displaying our highlight reel and our real-life moments on social media.
What our kids can teach us about freedom.
How to express our needs to our kids without blaming them.
Destini’s process of moving away from permissive parenting.
How she navigates positive parenting as a black woman.
The importance of providing a safe space for black parents.

Links (affiliates included):

Destini Ann’s Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@destini.ann?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

Parenting Forward Conference - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

123: Freeing Jesus w/ Diana Butler Bass Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

We’ve all read those Christian books that are full of flowery statements. The writing is beautiful but it has no substance to it. On top of that, it’s pretty stuffy too. It can seem very academic, old, and quite frankly boring.

Diana Butler Bass, however, is a Christian author whose writing falls right into the sweet spot of not fluffy and not stuffy. I aim for that same sweet spot so she has always been a writing inspiration for me.

Diana is here today to talk about her newest book Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence. I love that subtitle because it describes exactly what the book is all about. Even more than Diana’s other books, I found Freeing Jesus to be deeply personal and relevant to Parenting Forward.

In the book and in today’s episode we discuss how the theological insights of Diana’s childhood reshaped her life and how important that is. Join us to hear more.

Show Highlights:

How to respond when your kids ask hard theological questions.
Diana’s experience with church growing up.
Why Jesus was so open and accepting of children.
What the Pelagianism view of original sin is.
How the story of creation and Adam and Eve may display that view.
How to help our kids make better choices through love.
The various definitions of salvation Diana mentions in her book.
Why she views being saved as coming home.
How writing her book led her to self-forgiveness.

Links (affiliates included):

Freeing Jesus by Diana Butler Bass - https://dianabutlerbass.com/books/freeing-jesus/

Parenting Forward Conference Sessions - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com/2020-sessions

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

122: LGBTQ Inclusive Youth Ministry w/ Ross Murray May 31, 2021

Show notes

If you grew up evangelical, the thought of youth ministry is probably very triggering. It may bring back memories of shame and religiosity. Adolescence is a very tender time of our lives and that is exactly when a lot of the toxicity of fundamentalism was solidified. More likely than not, we heard rhetoric like, “Gay is sinful” and, “Love the sinner, hate the sin” all of the time.

Now, imagine what it would be like to have a youth ministry that is LGBTQ inclusive. This is the very thing that today’s guest is invested in and passionate about. Ross Murray is the founder of The Naming Project and the author of Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ Inclusive Youth Ministry. He is a strong advocate for LGBTQ inclusiveness in churches around the world.

In this episode, Ross and I discuss his background, where his passion for this kind of advocacy arose, what he is doing now to support LGBTQ kids, and how you can be a part of it.

Show Highlights:

Ross’s experience with the church and ministry throughout childhood and young adulthood.
How The Naming Project came to be.
How coming out later in life makes people relive their adolescence.
What Ross’s camps are like.
The connection between kids’ spirituality and sexuality.
How Ross balanaces his religion and his promotion of LGBTQ inclusiveness.
What his book is about.
How they figure out sleeping arrangements at his camps.
Why privacy doesn’t have to mean shameful.
Why youth ministries should stop using cutesy phrases and just say the hard things.

Links (affiliates included):

Made, Known, Loved - https://www.madeknownloved.org

The Naming Project - https://www.thenamingproject.org

Parenting Forward Conference Sessions - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com/2020-sessions

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

121: Visible Child w/ Robin Einzig May 10, 2021

Show notes

If we want to address and overcome all of the “isms” in our world, we have to start with the “ism” we have against our children. We can never help our kids understand the danger of racism, ableism, and sexism if we overlook ageism and the effects it has on them.

This can feel extremely overwhelming. Oftentimes we don’t even know the prejudices we have in our own hearts against children. So where do we start in dismantling it in society?

One of my favorite resources for revealing the blind spots we have when it comes to anti-child sentiments in our country is today’s guest, Robin Einzig. Robin works with Visible Child, a child development consulting firm that supports parents, schools, and organizations in achieving their goals and promoting optimal development and an atmosphere of collaboration and respect.

You all know that here at Parenting Forward one of our highest values is giving our children autonomy. Robin aligns perfectly with this value. Tune in to hear our incredible conversation.

Show Highlights:

A new perspective on venting about the hardships of parenthood.
Why it’s important to remember that young kids have nowhere to vent.
Why parents need to be careful about complaining about their kids online.
How we make parenting harder than it needs to be.
Parenting is hard work but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
What cultural fetishism is and how to avoid it as a parent.
Why we should trust our kids to choose their friends.
How to move closer to a semblance of power equality with our children.
How to break the toxic cycle of religious control.
Why reclaiming your own agency will help your kids.

Links (affiliates included):

Robin Einzig Visible Child - https://www.facebook.com/visiblechildinc

Visible Child: Respectful/Mindful Parenting - https://www.facebook.com/groups/294015847465652

Visible Child: Tweens & Teens - https://www.facebook.com/groups/826189307440925

Robin’s Website: https://visiblechild.com

Parenting Forward Conference Sessions - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com/2020-sessions

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn1

PREORDER You Are Revolutionary - https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506478302/You-Are-Revolutionary

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

120: Cultures of Dignity w/ Carey Goldstein Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

More than anything, parenting is about creating and changing culture. We just happen to do so one child at a time. As we extend love, compassion, and justice towards our children, they are formed into members of society who extend the same to others. They challenge the harmful status quo of the world and, together, we build a better future.

I recently discovered an organization that is fully on board with this concept and working to make it a reality every day. They are called Cultures of Dignity. Today, we have the director of their Owning Up Program, Carey Goldstein, joining us. Carrie is sharing more about what they do over at Cultures of Dignity and how we can be a part of it.

If you want to create cultures of dignity with and for your children, don’t miss this episode!

Show Highlights:

How Cultures of Dignity works with parents, educators, and young people to help them navigate all of the social challenges of young adulthood.
The challenges Carey has encountered in working with youth.
Why they have kids in their editorial council.
When kids are objects, when they’re recipients, and when they’re resources.
How to help your children build socio-emotional skills.
The difference between consuming information and listening.
How to set boundaries without making your child feel misunderstood.
What emotional granularity is and what its ultimate goal is.

Links (affiliates included):

Cultures of Dignity — https://culturesofdignity.com

Tiny Guides (this is my affiliate link, thanks for supporting this podcast!)—

https://store.culturesofdignity.com/all-of-the-tiny-guides/vxy1k

Parenting Forward Conference Sessions - https://www.parentingforwardconference.com/2020-sessions

Join us at the Parenting Forward Patreon Team - https://www.patreon.com/cindywangbrandt

Parenting Forward, the Book - https://amzn.to/3g0LJPn

***

EPISODE CREDITS:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.

Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com