Where Parents Talk

Dr. Aliza Pressman

The Humour in Parenting

Steve Patterson is an award-winning stand-up comedian who has spent more than two decades headlining at venues across North America and around the world. He is also host of The Debaters on CBC radio, an author and a father of two young girls ages 9 and 4. His second book and latest comedy album focuses on parenting. Timestamps:  1:08 - Why he decided to make parenting the focus of his newest comedy album 2:33 - The elements of fatherhood that have provided the most content for ...

Mental Health Fitness Strategies

Dr. Caroline Leaf  is a communication pathologist and clinical neuroscientist. She is also a bestselling author, whose latest book is entitled: How To Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess:A Guide to Building Resilience and Managing Mental Health Her area of research for over 30 years focuses on the mind-brain-body connection.   She is also a mother of 4. Timestamps:  2:20 - Statistically, the most concerning current trend re. Youth mental health 7:07 - Contributing facto...

Understanding Generational Divides

Dr. Jean Twenge is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University. She is also the author of more than 180 scientific articles and seven books during her 30-year career. Her latest book is called: Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America's Future. Dr. Twenge is also a mother of three. Timestamps:  1:16 - Impact of having 6 generations co-existing for the first time in human history 4:51 - ...

Trauma-Informed Parenting

Dr. Nadia Huq is a licensed clinical psychologist whose specialty is working with children, youth and families.  She provides evidence-based strategies for behavioural and mental health concerns spanning anxiety and hyperactivity to trauma. Dr. Huq is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and  Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotion. She is a mother of 2 and a therapist at TMB Psychological Services, which provides virtual and in-per...

Getting Kids Back to School Post-Pandemic

Elizabeth Galvin is the Managing Director of Project Youth Energy. The initiative helps students who have been severely disrupted by school closures during the global pandemic to the point that these students have abandoned school altogether. She is also a mother of two. Timestamps:  1:21 - The mission and mandate of Project Youth Energy 2:43 - How the initiative supports students who have not returned to school  5:04 - Factors that affected some students to the point of not r...

Teaching Modern Manners

Brooke Romney is a writer, educator and speaker. She is also a best-selling author and a mother of 4 boys. Her latest book is called, 52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens.  Timestamps:  0:47 -  Impetus for a book on this topic 2:40 -  Process of deciding and distilling down to 52 manners 4:39 -  Rationale behind unique format of the book Socials: @brookeoromney (Twitter) @brookeromneywrites (IG) @brookeromneywrites (FB)

Unpacking Modern Puberty

Dr. Cara Natterson is a paediatrician, New York Times best selling author, podcaster, an entrepreneur and mother of 2. Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a puberty educator, writer, entrepreneur and mom of 4. Together, they are the authors of ‘This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained’. Timestamps:  0:57 Definition of ‘modern’ puberty 3:56 Process of distilling 35 years of combined expertise into a book 6:10 Key scientific findings parents need to know about as it relates to puberty ...

Transracial Adoption and Parenting

Jack Armstrong is an award-winning sports broadcaster, who has been a member of the Toronto Raptors broadcast team for more than 25 seasons. In addition to his role as colour analyst for the Raptors, he is also an NBA analyst on TSN, a musician, a former college basketball coach and a father of three adopted boys.

The Foundational Building Blocks of a Family

Donna Tetreault is a parenting journalist, best-selling author and resident parenting expert on Dr. Phil. She is also a former tv reporter, a former elementary school teacher and a mother of two teens. One of her books is called The C.A.S.T.L.E. Method. Timestamps:   2:03 - What led her to pursue a book on this theme  4:44 - What comprises the C.A.S.T.L.E method  7:16 - Why the book is positioned for the entire family (parents and children)  Socials: @donnatetreault (Twitter...

Raising a Bilingual or Multilingual Child

Dr. Viorica Marian is a leading global researcher in the field of bilingualism and multilingualism, an Endowed Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and professor of psychology at Northwestern University. Her research focuses on how language operates in the brain, and her lab has been funded by the National Institutes of Health. She is a psycholinguist, and author and a mom of three. Her latest book is called: The Power of Language: How the Codes We Use to Think, Sp...

How to Build and Implement a Parenting Strategy

Jeff Nelligan has worked in politics on Capitol Hill in various departments including healthcare as well as for Members of Congress, the US Senate and the US House of Representatives —- over a span of 25 years. He is currently an Associate Commissioner for Global Policy and Strategy at the Food and Drug Administration. He is also an author and a father of 3 boys, all of whom are in the military. One of his books is entitled, Four Lessons from My Three Sons: How You Can Raise Resi...

Parenting Playbook to Support a Child’s Learning

Dr. Cristine Legare is a professor of psychology at The University of Texas at Austin and a researcher, whose work has appeared in more than 100 scientific journals. She is director of the Centres for Applied Cognitive Science. One area of her research focuses on the role of the mind in facilitating learning, creating and imparting culture. Dr. Legare’ areas of expertise include international education, cognitive science and global public health. She is also a mom. Timestamps: ...

Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s Jobs

Matthew McKean is the chief Research and Development Officer at the Business and Higher Education Roundtable, a not for profit organization that brings some of Canada’s largest companies and post-secondary institutions together. He is also a writer, speaker and a father of two.   Timestamps:  1:22 - What parents can do generally, to support a young person with career planning? 3:35 - The current situation in Canada relating to the skills taught in high school and post-secondary...

Parenting through High-Pressure Careers

Dr. Catherine Hansen is an obstetrician gynecologist, a menopause practitioner, coach and speaker. Her husband Jeremy Hansen is a physicist, a CF-18 pilot and an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Colonel Hansen is slated to become the first Canadian to travel to the moon in November 2024, as part of the 10-day Artemis II mission.  It will be the first of its kind trip to the moon since the Apollo missions in 1972. Timestamps:  1:22 - Did you always want to have children...

A Parent’s Role in Indigenous Education

Kory Wilson is the Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She is also an educator with more than 20 years of experience in post-secondary.  She is a former family law and criminal defense attorney and a mother. Timestamps:  1:18 - Her definition of econciliation? 2:40 - Her assessment of where Canada is generally with respect to reconciliation, stemming from the 94 recommendations outlined in the Truth & Re...

Untangling Teenage Emotions

Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist, author of three New York Times bestselling books, podcast co-host of the Ask Lisa podcast and mom of two teenage daughters. Her latest book is called The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents. She is also a contributor to UNICEF, the New York Times and CBS Mornings.    Timestamps:  1:05 - Why adolescent emotions can be considered “exciting” 2:38 - Basic fundamentals parents need to be...

Overcoming Toxic Achievement Culture & Mattering

Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist who began her career at 60 Minutes on CBS.  She is a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. She is also an author and a mother of 3. Her first book released in August 2023, is called: Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It. Timestamps:  1:11 - The tipping point for her to write this book 2:53 - Root causes of toxic achievement culture and how to overco...

How To Talk About Suicide

Dr. Stacey Freedenthal is a licensed clinical social worker and an Associate Professor at the University of Denver. She is also a suicidologist, an author and a mother of one. As a suicidologist, she helps people to stay alive and those who want to stay alive, guides family and friends through grief and healing, and teaches students and professionals how to do all of the above. Timestamps:  1:00 - The lived experience that prompted her to pursue the field of suicidology. 2:10 -...

The Honourable Karina Gould

The Honourable Karina Gould is Canadian politician and a federal MP. She has previously served as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development,  Minister of International Development, and Minister of Democratic Institutions. She currently serves as Government House Leader and is also a mother of one. Minister Gould is expecting a second child due in 2024.  She represents the riding of Burlington, ON, where she was also born and raised. Timestamps:  1:45 - Preparation ...

Jennifer L.W. Fink

Our guest is a nurse by training and a writer. Jennifer Fink is also a mother of four boys and an author. Her second book is called Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World that Misunderstands Males. It was published in April 2023. Timestamps:  1:00 - Impetus for writing the book 2:22 - What we misunderstand or do not understand about boys 6:44 - How do we raise confident, self-assured boys Socials: @BuildingBoys (Twitter) @BuildingBoys.net (FB)

Amber Trueblood

Amber Trueblood is a licensed marriage and family therapist, an MBA and a best-selling author. She also has more than 25 years of experience in the mental health space. She is the co-founder of the MECA project, aimed at helping teens and young adults thrive. MECA stands for Mentally and Emotionally through Conscious Awareness. Amber is a mother of four sons. Her second book is called The Unflustered Mom: How Understanding the Five Anxiety Styles Transforms the Way We Parent, Pa...

Unplugging Childhood with Digital Minimalism

Katherine Martinko is a journalist, mother of three boys and a first-time author. Her book called: Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance was published in July 2023. Timestamps:   2:09 - Why she became a digital minimalist  4:53 - Latest statistics on average daily screen time  6:35 - Why she thinks it takes a village to keep kids off screen Socials:  @feistyredhair (Twitter) @kartherinemartinko (LI) 

Empowering Middle Schoolers to Thrive

Phyllis Fagell is a licensed clinical professional counsellor, a certified professional school counsellor, and an author. She is also a therapist in private practice working with children and families, a frequent contributor to national publications including the Washington Post, and a mother of 3. Her latest book is called Middle School Superpowers: Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times. Timestamps:  2:15 -  Misconceptions about tweens/middle schoolers 10:41 - What paren...

Independence and Youth Mental Health: Study

Dr. David Bjorklund is a Professor of Psychology at Florida Atlantic University. He is also an author, a researcher and one of three co-authors of a recent study on the relationship between independence and youth mental health. His research focus includes cognitive development in children and evolutionary developmental psychology. He is a father of 4 and a grandfather of 14. Timestamps:  1:36 - Impetus for the study  6:26 - Key findings 13:40 - What parents need to understand...

Strategies to Shift from Chaos to Calm

Jenna Hermans is a certified high-performance coach, entrepreneur and author. She has professional experience in organizational management and human resources.  Hermans previously ran a pre-school and is a mother of 4 (ages 6 to 16), within a blended family. Her first book is called From Chaos to Calm: Five Ways Busy Parents Can Break Free from Overwhelm. Timestamps: 1:15 - Her definition of ‘calm’ as a parent 3:02 - The adversity she experienced that led her to seek more calm...

Social-Emotional Learning in Parenting

Dr. Erika Bocknek is Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, and a practicing couples and family therapist. She is the Associate Editor of the Infant Mental Health Journal and serves on the editorial boards of Adversity and Resilience Science and Infancy.  She has published over 50 peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters for professional audiences Dr. Bocknek is also a mother of three. Timestamps:  1:17 - Definition of social-emotional learning ...

Youth Sports Participation and Parental Impact

Kirsten Jones performance coach, a motivational speaker and a writer. She is also a former executive in the sporting goods industry and was a D1 level athlete in college. Based in Los Angeles, Jones has written her first book, slated to be published in August 2023, called: Raising Empowered Athletes: A Youth Sports Parenting Guide for Raising Happy, Brave, and Resilient Kids. Jones is also a mother of three. Timestamps:  1:13 - Current youth sports participation landscape 4:20...

Sports Betting, iGaming, Youth Gambling and Addiction

Dr. Jeff Derevensky is a child psychologist, and an international thought leader in gambling, adolescence and behavioural addictions. His research and expertise have informed and influenced government policy change. He is Chair and James McGill Professor in the Faculty of Education at McGill University and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. He is also the Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, and a father. Timestamps...

How Oral Health Impacts Overall Wellness

Dr. Mandeep Johal is a dentist who specializes in functional dentistry. She uses a holistic approach to oral health. She discusses how the mouth is in many ways the epicentre and predictor of one’s overall health. Johal is also a mother of two children under the age of 10, and runs a dentistry clinic in Guelph, Ontario. Timestamps: • 0:50 - Why whole body wellness begins in the mouth •  2:35 - Current trends in teen, tween and youth oral health • 9:05 - How anxiety and stress impac...

Parenting Through Youth Mental Health Challenges

Stephanie Malia Krauss is an experienced educator, a social worker, a youth development professional, and an author. She is also a strategist who has worked with organizations from not for profits and schools to government. She is a mother of two. Her latest book is called Whole Child. Whole Life: 10 Ways to Help Kids Live, Learn and Thrive. Timestamps:  1:36 - Her assessment of the current global epidemic of youth mental health 7:24 - What makes her lens on youth mental healt...

Parenting as a Politician

Marci Ien is a former journalist and author, a Member of Parliament and Federal Cabinet Minister representing the riding of Toronto Centre. She currently serves as the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. She is the mother of two. Timestamps:  1:22 - Transitioning from journalism to politics as a parent 3:14 - Changes her family has had to make to accommodate her new career  5:50 - Her overall approach to managing career and family Socials: @marci.ien (IG) @Ma...

How to Become a Conscious Parent

Dr. Shefali is a clinical psychologist, best-selling author and mother. She is also a global thought leader in the conscious parenting space. She has been endorsed for her work — described as revolutionary — by Oprah. Dr. Shefali runs a private practice working with families and couples and also coaches others in how to practice her philosophy. Her fourth book is called The Parenting Map: Step-by-Step Solutions to Consciously Create the Ultimate Parent-Child Relationship. It wa...

Parenting Athletes and Early Learning Options

Roger Nurse is an educator, coach, referee and hockey dad. He is the father of Sarah Nurse, member of Canada’s National Women’s Hockey team and two sons who were drafted into the OHL. He teaches Grade 7 and 8 in Hamilton, ON, and is a former high-level lacrosse athlete having previously represented Canada. **** Brionna Khamoo is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, Enrolment Coordinator at ChildVentures Early Learning Academy and a mother of a four-year-old. ChildVentures pro...

Strategies and Approaches for Parenting an Adult Child

Dr. Laurence Steinberg is leading global authority on the subject of adolescence. His career spans more than 40 years of researching relationships between parents and children. He is a Distinguised Professor, a developmental psychologist, a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University, a father and grandfather. His latest book is called: You And Your Adult Child: How to Grow Together in Challenging Times. It was published April 18, 2023. Timestamps:  1:10 - Wh...

Pursuing Happiness versus Having Fun as a Parent

Dr. Mike Rucker is a behavioural scientist, an organizational psychologist, and a thought leader in positive psychology.  He is also a speaker, a father of two and an educator with expertise in the science of fun.  His first book is called The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life. Time Stamps:  1:20 - The difference between happiness and fun 5:09 - How to pinpoint joy in one’s life? 8:33-  What made him actively pursue fun versus happinessCompetiti...

Proven Parenting Strategies to Navigate Adolescence

Cynthia Muchnick is a former high school, an Assistant Director of College Admission, an educational consultant and an author of multiple books. She is also a mother of 4, including two teens. In 2020, she co-authored The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen's Wellness and Academic Journey in Today's Competitive World. Time Stamps:  1:30 - Why she enjoys the adolescent years as both a mother and educator 4:50 - Trends in parenting behaviour that are impacting adolescent behavio...

The Autonomy-Supportive Parenting Approach

Dr. Emily Edlynn is a clinical psychologist, therapist, specializing in adolescents, a researcher, mother of three kids under 13 and an author. Her first book is called: Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout, and Raise Competent, Confident Children. The book is set to be published September 2023. Time Stamps:  1:10 - How she discovered autonomy-supportive parenting 2:30 - What autonomy-supportive parenting entails 8:08 - Controlling parenting vs. autonomy-supp...

The Many Faces of Cyberabuse and Sextortion

Carol Todd is a teacher, internet safety advocate, mother and founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society. In 2012, her daughter Amanda committed suicide after being the victim of cyberbulling, exploitation and abuse by an online predator. The number of incidents of sextortion continue to increase since 2019, exacerbated by the global pandemic. Carol Todd is on a mission to help educate parents and young people about the real dangers lurking in the online world. Timestamps:  2:00...

Reproductive Science and the Future of Family

Rachel Lehmann-Haupt is is an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur and author. She is also a thought leader on reproductive science and its impact on the future of family. In 2012, she become a single mother by choice. Her latest book is called Reconceptions: Modern Relationships, Reproductive Science, and the Unfolding Future of Family. It is slated to be published in April 2023. Timestamps:  2:00 - Why she chose to become a single mother 8:15 - What is collaborative repro...

Addressing Growing Violence in Schools

Dr. Paul Bennett  is an educator, researcher, policy analyst and author. He is director and lead researcher at Schoolhouse Institute, and adjunct professor of education at St. Mary's University.  He has previously been a teacher, administrator and trustee, having worked in both public and private schools. He's authored 10 books, and is also a father. Dr. Bennett is an educational consultant who has written about school–based violence. Timestamps: 1:45 - The current landscape 3...

The Value and Impact of Mentorship

Tracy Luca-Huger is the Executive Director of Mentor Canada, a coalition of organizations across the country that provide youth mentoring. It was established in 2019. The organization conducted a first-of-its-kind national study in 2019 to better understand the mentorship landscape in Canada. Luca-Huger’s professional portfolio includes years of working to develop mentorship programs. She is also a mother of one and is based in Calgary. Time stamps:  3:00 - When a parent should...

When Your Child is Diagnosed with Cancer

Gina and Carlo Colaicovo are parents of two children. Their youngest, a son, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was two years old. It has been 7 months since Leo Colaiacovo finished his chemotherapy treatments in June of 2022. It marked the end of more than three years of cancer treatments. The couple share what they learned on their journey from diagnosis to today, with their son in remission. Gina is a high school teacher. Carlo is a former NHL player and current radio host ...

Digital Detox: Therapeutic Youth Summer Camp

Michael Jacobus is a child development professional, whose particular focus is on youth formation and leadership training.  An author, trainer and outdoor education specialist, hehas spent more than 30 years working with camps from administrator to facilitator.  He is the Executive Director of Reset Summer Camp, an in-person, clinical program he founded, supporting teens and young adults with technology or gaming addictions. He created the camp after his eldest son experienced ga...

Impact of Drinking Alcohol: New Scientific Findings

Dr. Tim Naimi is the Director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, professor at UVic’s School of Public Health and Social Policy, and an alcohol epidemiologist. He is one of three scientists at UVic’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research who were part of an expert committee that crafted the proposed new guidelines warning of the risks associated with more than two alcoholic drinks per week. He is currently supported by the Na...

Raising Multiple Children Conscious Parenting

Timestamps:  1:15 - Meghan’s lived experience as a parent of twin boys with autism 3:30 - What is missing from the autism narrative 8:26 - Raising kids with autism when as an autistic parent Socials: @notanautismmom (Facebook) @notanautismmom (IG) @notanautismmom (Twitter) @Autistictyping (Twitter)

Conscious Parenting

Timestamps: 2:00 - Definition of conscious parenting 5:00 - How to use the conscious parenting approach when at your boiling point 8:00 -  Common pitfalls parents experience in managing a child’s behaviour Socials: @K_WinterSellery (Twitter) @katherinewintersellery (IG) @consciousparentingrevolution (FB)

Proven Strategies to Simplify Learning

Timestamps: 1:10 -   What is most striking about how humans learn 13:54 –  Strategies to simplify learning for students 19:05 – How to outsmart the brain Socials: @dtwillingham (Twitter) @dtwillingham (Facebook)

How to Improve the Youth Sports Experience

Timestamps: 1:35 - Why participation in youth sport continues to decline in North America 5:02 – The role of parents in organized sport 26:10 – How to create quality youth sport experiences Socials:  @matt-young (LinkedIN) @fsq-consulting (LinkedIN) @mattyoung101(Twitter)

Strategies to Help Working Parents Thrive

Time-Stamps: 1:10 – Her personal struggles as a new mother and working professional 5:25 – What science says about roles and responsibilities 15:00 – Understanding and better managing guilt Socials: @DrYaelSchonbrun (Twitter) @YaelSchonbrun (LinkedIN)