Parenting For The Present
84 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago -Do you have this whole parenting thing figured out? Are you the perfect parent? Neither are they. Drs. Early Denison, Matthew Housson and Andy Stoker are three dads but, together, have nearly sixty years of experience cultivating the minds, bodies, and spirits of children, parents, and families through their work as a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist, and a minister. Their goal is to help you raise kids who can thrive in this complex, messy, beautiful world.
Rates of anxiety and depression, especially in our kids, are up. Early, Matthew, and Andy believe that challenging this trend starts at home with parents, caregivers, and families. They will share their conversations and connect with other experts in their fields to help you engage your kids, enhance your parenting strategies, and have fun with your family. They don’t have all the answers, but they know that we are stronger if we all work together to become more proactive and engaged parents and families.
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Episodes
The Right Mix with DJ Lucy Wrubel
March 15, 2021 09:00 - 39 minutes - 44.8 MBFor some, music is nothing more than whatever happens to be on the radio when they start the car. For others, it's a way of life - inextricable from their highest highs and lowest lows. It's safe to say Lucy Wrubel falls squarely in the latter category. She has been a professional DJ for the last 20 years, a career spanning both musical genres and countries around the world. But her love of music is far from mere appreciation; it was a crucial part of her upbringing, and plays a major role i...
The Bottom Line for Parents with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
March 01, 2021 10:00 - 45 minutes - 52.2 MBIf you’re a listener to this podcast, it’s safe to say you are invested in becoming the best parent to your child or children that you possibly can. But “best” is often subjective and almost always situational. So what are the parenting cornerstones on which we can rely? What’s been proven to work best, both anecdotally and scientifically? Dr. Tina Payne Bryson has made a career of seeking the answers to these questions. She is the author of the Bottom Line for Baby and co-author (with Dan...
A Year of Positive Thinking for Teens with Katie Hurley
February 15, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 40.3 MBAfter the year we've all had, it's no surprise that sometimes it's hard to keep a positive outlook. Feelings of fear, loneliness, and hopelessness can easily spring up and start to grow - in our children, and in ourselves. So how do we help our kids stay positive? What tools can we offer them? And what role does our own mental health play in our ability to help our kids through this? Katie Hurley - a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting educator, public speaker, and writer - has s...
Investing In 2021
February 01, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 37.2 MBAs we begin a new year, we bring you this episode about moving from the fragility we experienced in 2020 to optimism and hope for 2021. Where do we find strength for our family? How do we recognize the continued separateness while longing to be with one another? What are some strategies we can employ to connect and be present with our families? Our hosts, along with special guest Jane Hensley, discuss what has been helpful in their families and practices, and where they see signs of hope for...
Discipline: Moving from Reaction to Response
January 18, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 46.3 MBDiscipline can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. We long for our children to grow into healthy adults, forming good habits and understanding the consequences of their actions. But how do we know if we're helping them learn those lessons well? While there's no one-size-fits-all strategy, there are some philosophies we can internalize and follow. Our three hosts are here to discuss these ideas, informed by experience from both their personal and professional lives. If you've...
Meet Your Child Right Where They Are with Donavan Davis
January 04, 2021 10:00 - 46 minutes - 53.5 MBAs parents, we desire the absolute best for our children. We strive to help them realize their full potential. But where's the line? What happens when we push them too fast, or too hard? Often, we don’t let our kids lead us to their passion. As parents, we are so busy making sure they will “become somebody” that we forget the someone our child really is on the inside. Donavan Davis internalized this truth in his approach to athletic concepts for kids. Mr. Donavan, as he's known in the Dall...
Cultivating a Mindful Family with Amy Lewis Hofland
December 21, 2020 10:00 - 29 minutes - 33.2 MBRaising healthy, well-adjusted, thoughtful children takes an unmatched level of consistency and intention. While there will be watershed moments in parenting, much of our children's character can be traced back to the small, every day practices we emphasize as a family. Our kids leading mindful, compassionate lives starts with us. Amy Lewis Hofland has long recognized the importance of these principles, both in her role as a mother and as Senior Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art in...
Creating Your Child's Voice with Creating Voices
December 07, 2020 10:00 - 35 minutes - 40.5 MBParents often point out that their child did not come with a handbook. Well, there's a reason for that; every child is different. Different in the way they grow, the way the learn, and the way they develop. It's our job as parents to learn our children - to know them and to offer the best we can to help them reach their full potential. This mandate has been taken up, in a different way, by Clare Coates and Megan Davidson. Out of a desire to see every child reach their full potential, the...
Our Ability To Love with Hollis Owens
November 23, 2020 10:00 - 35 minutes - 40.3 MBEmpathy - some would say we need it now more than ever. To step into someone else's shoes and fully appreciate their lived experience is the quickest way to open our hearts and minds to those around us. Our guest today, Hollis Owens, founded a nonprofit on this very principle, called To Be Like Me. This innovative organization organizes disability awareness programs intended to break down barriers and foster compassion through interactive experiences with a focus on awareness of different ab...
Daducation with Andy Love
November 09, 2020 10:00 - 40 minutes - 46.8 MBThe best parents are the ones that never stop learning. So this week, we present to you... Daducation! This episode digs deep into all things "Dad". To help guide us, we've invited our friend Andy Love to the conversation. Andy is the founder and managing partner of Aspect Investors, which works with aspiring entrepreneurs to acquire smaller companies and help them to grow. He also is an advisor and board member to community- and faith-based organizations. But, most importantly (and most qua...
Finding Mindful Moments as Proactive Parents with Dr. Elizabeth Cronin
October 26, 2020 09:00 - 35 minutes - 40.5 MBThough children are a wonderful gift, they inarguably put high demands on our time and attention. This can make it challenging to find needed moments of peace or reflection, much less continually inhabit a state of mindfulness in the way we parent. But at the same time, it is known meditation and mindfulness can be immensely helpful physically, mentally, and spiritually. So how do we begin to create space for something that will improve the quality of life for us and our children? Dr. Eliz...
Raising Socially Competent Children with Mary Reilly
October 12, 2020 09:00 - 36 minutes - 41.6 MBAs parents, a lot of anxiety can come from concerns around the social skills of our children. Whether it's the child showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder, social anxiety, or simply delayed social skill development - not to mention the added complexity of the global pandemic and how it has changed our social interactions - it's easy to feel lost and frustrated. Fortunately for us, Mary Reilly has stepped in to share her experience and guidance on these topics and more. At the Housson Cen...
Developing a Service Mindset with Almas Muscatwalla
September 28, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 47.4 MBTo Almas Muscatwalla, a service mindset goes far beyond writing a check or packing a meal. As an Ismaili Muslim, she has been instilled with the conviction that service is a way of life. She has since passed this onto her children, and to her community through her position on the board of directors for The Thanks-Giving Foundation as chair of the Interfaith Council. This conversation is enlightening, convicting, and encouraging for any who strive to value and uplift every human life.
Visible Unity with Dr. Pam Fields
September 14, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutes - 43.8 MBAs racial tensions in our country continue, many are looking for hope. Searching for a way forward. Longing for the day when the inherent biases in our systems and our upbringings are a thing of the past and all people are treated with dignity and respect. But with a challenge so daunting, where do we start? Thankfully, Dr. Pam Fields has begun this work and is simply asking us to join her. She is the founder of Visible Unity - an organization formed with the desire to see people united in t...
Back to School for Parents: Setting Your Family's Thermostat with Jane Hensley
September 07, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 45.4 MBThe back to school season isn't just bring change for students; it's a big change for parents as well. Schedules and priorities shift as we're asked to live into a new rhythm - this year more than most. So this episode is dedicated to all the parents out there, trying to find their new normal. It's a reminder to make plans, but hold them loosely. To give your kids the care they need, but not at the exclusion of caring for yourself. To acknowledge the challenges of this season, but find the j...
Sports in the Age of COVID with Dr. Shane Miller
August 31, 2020 09:00 - 42 minutes - 48.8 MBNot much looks the same as it did at this time last year, and sports are no exception. Leagues, teams, and athletes at every level are making sweeping changes to be able to safely compete in the midst of this global pandemic. While many professional sports have restarted their seasons, college, high school, and little league sports are just now trying to navigate this new reality. Our guest today, Dr. Shane Miller, has a close eye on how these levels of athletics are engaging in a cautious b...
Navigating Uncertainty with Rabbi Andrew Paley
August 24, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 44.9 MB“These unprecedented times.” How many times have you heard this phrase uttered in the past few months? Although it’s become something of a cliché, there is still truth to it. We are all experiencing new levels of uncertainty - in our jobs, schooling, parenting, and every day interactions. So how do we approach these situations in a positive way? Rabbi Andrew Paley has been pondering this question for himself, his family, and his congregation as the Senior Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of ...
Back To School with Holly Wallace
August 17, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35 MBSummer is coming to a close, and school is right around the corner. While this is a normally a familiar rhythm for families, nothing about starting this school year feels familiar. No matter what school district you are in, you’re likely facing major adjustments to how school attendance will function. As parents try to figure out how to best care for their children in this time of uncertainty, school staff are doing the same thing. Holly Wallace happens to be both - a mom, and a high schoo...
Healthy Conflict Resolution with Jennifer Hargrave
August 10, 2020 09:00 - 36 minutes - 42.2 MBFor better or worse, conflict is an inescapable part of the human experience. There are tensions and disagreements in even the healthiest of relationships. So if it's impossible to avoid conflict altogether, how do we best navigate it? Answering this question is central to the work of Jennifer Hargrave, our guest for this episode. Ms. Hargrave is an experienced attorney who focuses her practice exclusively on family law, and provides representation to clients throughout the greater Dallas ...
Executive Function - Leda Owens
August 03, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 47.3 MBWhen we start to list skills we hope our children master, executive functions might not be the first thing that rolls off our collective tongues. But, understanding what they are and what they help us achieve can be crucial to our kids' development. Leda Owens knows the importance of this work. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating ADHD and developed the Executive Functioning Counseling and Training (EFCT) program, as well as the “...
Executive Function with Leda Owens
August 03, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 47.3 MBWhen we start to list skills we hope our children master, executive functions might not be the first thing that rolls off our collective tongues. But, understanding what they are and what they help us achieve can be crucial to our kids' development. Leda Owens knows the importance of this work. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating ADHD and developed the Executive Functioning Counseling and Training (EFCT) program, as well as the “...
Feeding Your Family for a Better Body, Mind and Spirit with Nina Salhab
July 27, 2020 09:00 - 40 minutes - 46.6 MBOur bodies need energy to function properly, no matter our age. What we choose to eat and drink has a direct effect on how well we can focus, learn, and perform. And as parents, we aren't only making those choices for ourselves... we're helping facilitate those choices for our children too. So how do we do that well? Enter Nina Salhab. Nina is a a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX with more than 20 years of nutrition and wellness counseling e...
Your Questions with Jane Hensley
July 20, 2020 09:00 - 50 minutes - 57.3 MBYou have questions, we have… more questions? And maybe a few answers along the way! Jane Hensley, a therapist in the Dallas area, joins us to work through some listener questions about relationships, communication, and parenting.
Marriages and Relationships with Dr. Terry Parsons
July 13, 2020 09:00 - 49 minutes - 57 MBWhen it comes to interpersonal relationships, communication is key. We are all unique people that must learn to hear, anticipate, and care for others in our lives. No matter where you find yourself on the spectrum of healthy relationships, there is always room to grow. And unsurprisingly, healthy relationships between parents help foster healthy children. Dr. Terry Parsons, an author and psychotherapist in the Dallas area, has been helping guide people in good communication and parenting for...
How to Improve Your Child’s Sleep with Dr. Hilary Pearson
July 06, 2020 09:00 - 42 minutes - 48.4 MBSleep - if we’re lucky, we spend a third of our life doing it. If we’re not, we may experience interference with our health, ability to learn, and daily life. This is especially true for our children, as they are growing and developing in the early and adolescent stages of their lives. Dr. Hilary Pearson recognizes the importance of good sleep for children, and has made it her focus on the team she leads at Cook Children’s Sleep Center. She joins us today to share her wisdom and best practic...
The Summer That Never Was with Dr. Karen McClard and Karen Kassanoff
June 29, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutes - 43.9 MB2020 brought a reality that none of us saw coming. Whether great or small, all of us have felt the effects. As parents, it has made this summer look vastly different than we expected. So how are families coping with the change? How are kids staying active, but staying safe? How are parents that can't send their kids to camps not losing their minds?? Our three hosts are joined by two of their colleagues, Dr. Karen McClard and Karen Kassanoff, to discuss the world in which we currently live, a...
Turning Pain Into Power with Shonn Brown
June 25, 2020 08:00 - 32 minutes - 37 MBWith tensions around systemic racism continuing to run high in cities all over the world, we felt compelled to bring you this bonus episode of Parenting For The Present. For some, awareness of this issue may be a new thing. For others, they’ve lived with this reality their entire lives. For Shonn Brown, raising three Black children meant doing her best to prepare them for the moment her kids might be on the receiving end of injustice. That moment came for one of her children just a few weeks...
Social Media, Families, and Spirituality with Angela Patterson
June 22, 2020 09:00 - 44 minutes - 51.5 MBThe world is rapidly changing, and media is often at the center of it. Angela Patterson sees this more fully than most; she is a PhD candidate in psychology with an emphasis on media. Her work addresses the ways that media and psychology inform each other, and what affect that has on our spiritual being. We discuss the current research on the effects of social media, screen time, and how to chart a healthy course for your family’s interaction with technology.
Parenting in a Pandemic
June 15, 2020 09:00 - 40 minutes - 46.7 MBCOVID-19 has changed the world in quick and radical ways. Each facet of our lives have been affected, and parenting is not exempt. Our hosts, along with Dallas-area therapist Jane Hensley, take time to lament what feels lost, and offer hope and practical tips for how to navigate this unparalleled time.
Parenting for Good Physical Health
June 08, 2020 09:00 - 23 minutes - 26.8 MBPhysical well-being is a crucial part of a healthy life, no matter your age. Good nutrition, proper sleep, exercise, and moderate electronics use are the building blocks for healthy growth and development. This is especially true for children as they are growing and learning to be in the world. We understand that parents are looking for guidance and good practices when it comes to fostering a physically healthy family. Dr. Early Denison, a board-certified pediatric physician and one of our h...
Parenting for Good Mental Health
June 08, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 21.5 MBNeuroscience - it doesn’t sound like the most approachable topic, but it is when explained by clinical psychologist and one of our hosts, Dr. Matthew Houston. His approach makes clear, in common language, how our brain functions and what we can do to regulate our thoughts and emotions. These practices are important both to our children and us as parents as we raise them. Learn to recognize patterns, change behaviors, and live a healthier mental life.
Parenting for Good Spiritual Health
June 08, 2020 09:00 - 24 minutes - 28.4 MBThe ideas of belonging to something greater than we are and having a group of people that nurture and care for us are cornerstones to living a healthy, full life - not just for adults, but for our kids as well. But what does it look like as a parent to engage your kids in spiritual conversations? Dr. Andy Stoker, Senior Minister at First United Methodist Church Dallas and one of our hosts, walks us through what a life connected with our spirit might look like; a life of adoration, awe, and a...
Our Origin Story
June 08, 2020 09:00 - 11 minutes - 13.1 MBAllow us to introduce you to Drs. Early Denison, Matthew Housson and Andy Stoker. These three dads have nearly sixty years of experience cultivating the minds, bodies, and spirits of children, parents, and families through their work as a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist, and a minister. This is the story of how these three came together to bring you this conversation (and many to follow) to help you engage your kids, enhance your parenting strategies, and have fun with your family!
Introducing Parenting For The Present
May 21, 2020 16:24 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBDo you have this whole parenting thing figured out? Are you the perfect parent? Neither are they. Drs. Early Denison, Matthew Housson and Andy Stoker are three dads but, together, have nearly sixty years of experience cultivating the minds, bodies, and spirits of children, parents, and families through their work as a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist, and a minister. Their goal is to help you raise kids who can thrive in this complex, messy, beautiful world. Rates of anxiety and d...