In today's episode, I'm speaking with Jessica Slice. Jessica is a disabled author, speaker, and essayist. In her 20s, Jessica fell ill on a hike in Greece and has since been slowing learning to navigate life as a disabled person. In her work, she shines a light on the amazing ways that disabled parents navigate and innovate in the world. I appreciate the way that she opened my eyes to this journey that so many parents are on across the globe. Jessica's new book, Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother C...
Apr 25, 2025•43 min
In this episode, I'm chatting with you about moral development. The study of moral development helps us to understand how humans learn right from wrong, make decisions, and internalize a value set. I'll share about the typical developmental stages and how this topic can help us to better understand parenting strategies and child behavior. Sponsors: Team Supercrew - visit teamsupercrew.com and use the code SIMPLEFAMILIES for 10% off Prepdish - visit prepdish.com/families for 2 weeks free
Mar 28, 2025•22 min
Love is love. But in today's world our growing children are experiencing rapidly shifting messages about identity and commitment. Sometimes our own life experiences around first love can help us to guide our children. Yet often, as parents, we can feel confusion around processing this new milestone in our ever-changing world. In this episode I'm chatting with Lisa Phillips, the author of First Love: Guiding Teens through Relationships and Heartbreak. Lisa's New Book: First Love Lisa's Website: L...
Feb 28, 2025•43 min
I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to delegate tasks in both my work and family life. Often, I find myself deciding that it's easier to do things myself rather than enlist the help of supportive people. In this episode, I'm excited to chat with Emily King, CEO and co-founder of Faye. Emily experienced the overwhelm that comes with balancing parenthood and a demanding job, and she created a whole business dedicated to help parents delegate. SPONSORS: Cozy Earth - Visit cozyearth.com ...
Jan 24, 2025•58 min
Leadership is built into parenthood. In today's episode I welcome Adam Galinsky, a renowned social psychologist and Columbia Business School professor. Adam is the author of the brand new book, Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others. He has more than 300 scientific publications and a TED Talk viewed 7.5 million times. Although he may never have set out to speak to an audience of parents, Adam naturally made the connection between his research on leadership and his experience...
Dec 13, 2024•52 min
In today's episode, author Eli Harwood joins us to explain what it means to be securely attached and why it matters. Eli is a mother and therapist known widely on the internet as the Attachment Nerd. She shares her own experiences as well as tools to build the connection we need to help our children thrive. LINKS: Eli's Website Eli's New Book: Raising Securely Attached Kids Eli on Instagram SPONSORS: LMNT - Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Families Jenni Kayne - ...
Nov 22, 2024•58 min
Many of us (myself included) strive to develop more effective and efficient routines. Sometimes, we fail to realize that we have more functional systems in place than we realize. Personally, I've set lofty goals for improving routines in cleaning, homework, exercise, the morning hustle, etc. Those systems generally fail. What I have found does work is to do what I call, "obstacle-identification-and-removal". I'm sharing a little about that and some examples of how it has been useful for my home....
Oct 25, 2024•26 min
I'm excited to welcome my minimalist friend Zoe Kim back to the podcast to chat about what minimalism looks like with older kids. Zoe, an author and mother of four, is sharing some of her favorite tips, along with some of the wisdom that she used to build her simple home a few years ago. LINKS: Zoe's Custom Ikea Closet Zoe's Book, The Minimalist Family Zoe's Website, Raising Simple Zoe on Instagram Zoe and Matt's Weekend Workshop: Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff SPONSOR: Head to airdoctorpro.c...
Oct 04, 2024•48 min
"Resilience is being able to handle the bad stuff over time and to know you are not doing it alone." - Tovah Klein Ph.D., author of Raising Resilience In today's world of uncertainty, resilience is an indispensable trait that our children will need as they grow. In this episode, I'm chatting with Dr. Tovah Klein, the bestselling author of the brand new book Raising Resilience. Tovah talks me through my own recent resilience-building experiences and together we reflect on what it looks like to he...
Aug 30, 2024•57 min
In this episode, I'm discussing two valuable principles in parenting: co-regulation and declarative language. I recently read two short books by the same author (Linda K. Murphy) with tools that have proven useful in both my own parenting and in my therapy practice. I'm giving you a quick overview of these tools and tips for integrating them into your own life (with both kids and adults!). Links Linda K. Murphy's Website + Books SPONSOR: Airdoctor - Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code FAMI...
Jul 30, 2024•12 min
We are currently packing the whole house into boxes to move out for renovations. Therefore, I've been reflecting a lot on our journey towards minimalism. In today's episode, I'm talking about minimizing the "stuff" in all parts of the home--kitchen, bath, closets, wardrobe, drop zone, etc. SPONSOR Try two weeks of PrepDish for free: prepdish.com/families
Jun 30, 2024•25 min
Safe and healthy screen use is a topic on my mind...all.the.time. In today's episode, I'm sharing some rambling thoughts about how I'm making decisions for my kids (ages 8 and 10) around things like smart watches, YouTube, phones, content restrictions, and much more. In this episode I'm sharing many of my own thoughts and opinions, so please take what works for you and leave what doesn't. How are you managing screens at home? What's working and what isn't working? Link from today's episode: Gryp...
May 31, 2024•37 min
There are widely held assumptions about the adolescent years--many of which are negative. My guest today, Ellen Galinsky, challenges many of the stereotypes that we've come to believe about teens. In this chat she shares the basic needs of adolescents to help us better understand what they need (and want) from us. Her research supports collaborating with children during these years of growth, rather than trying to hold tight in controlling them. Book: The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Fra...
Apr 25, 2024•38 min
Most of us have a conflicted relationship with social media and online life. For today's episode I'm chatting with author Kara Alaimo. Kara's new book, Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls - And How We Can Take it Back, debuts this month. In our conversation we are sifting through a variety of topics related to how we are influenced as parents and how we can be thoughtful when leading our children into a more mindful online space. Due to some sensitive content, this ...
Mar 28, 2024•42 min
The chances are good that you are familiar with perfectionism. Either you have experienced it yourself, you have a partner or parent with these tendencies, or perhaps you have a child touched by perfectionism. In today's episode, I'm chatting with Clarissa Ong Ph.D. She's a professor and the co-author of the book The Anxious Perfectionist: How to Manage Perfectionism-Driven Anxiety. SPONSORS: Masterclass: Get 15% off an annual subscription at masterclass.com/families PrepDish: Try 2 weeks free a...
Feb 23, 2024•46 min
There are many misconceptions about what it means to be 'gifted'. Today's guest, Julie Skolnick, explains to us that giftedness usually comes with considerable challenges. She also shares ideas and insight on how to support and educate children who are gifted, but also have challenges (sometimes called twice-exceptional). LINKS Julie's Book, Gifted and Distractible Julie's Website, With Understanding Comes Calm Episode with Ross Greene, founder of CPS and author of The Explosive Child GHF Empowe...
Jan 19, 2024•41 min
Many of the guests on this show are authors—especially of non-fiction books. Although we often rely on non-fiction to teach us, sometimes the greatest lessons actually come through diving deeper into the life experiences of characters in a novel. Today, I’m speaking with authors Christine Platt and Catherine Wigginton Greene. Christine and Catherine have co-authored a brand new book that tells the story of an entertaining and thought-provoking interracial friendship between two mothers, De'Andre...
Dec 15, 2023•42 min
Once upon a time, building a village to raise a family probably felt simpler. The village was likely the (literal) neighbors and family members who lived right around the corner. But in today's world, our communities are more complex and diverse. The people we lean on may live nearby, but they also may live on the other side of the globe. I'm joined by Michelle Kennedy, the founder of the app Peanut, to talk about building community in motherhood. Peanut's Invisible Mother Campaign SPONSERS: Pre...
Nov 17, 2023•38 min
In today's episode, author Michael Easter, shares his work and theories on the topic of comfort. He posits that the growing rates of mental and physical health challenges may be rooted in the fact that we are living more comfortable lives than ever before. As parents, we strive to keep our kids as comfortable as possible when they are infants. But, perhaps we should ask ourselves if continuing on that path will negatively impact their future resilience. Connect with Michael + his books: The Comf...
Oct 20, 2023•42 min
As adults, we often avoid uncomfortable situations and even frequently rescue our children from uncomfortable experiences. We know, however, that experiencing discomfort can result in growth and resilience. Have you gotten uncomfortable recently? Maybe you should. Links from the episode Simple Families Podcast Episode 298: Accommodating your kid's anxiety Simple Families Podcast Episode 318: Child Anxiety Simple Families Podcast Episode 302 & 303: Analog Curious I & II Sponsors Kiwico: V...
Sep 22, 2023•20 min•Ep. 359
It's Back-to-School season and today we are talking about about contentment--as it relates to our children's educational experience. I'm joined by Niro Feliciano (Author, Psychotherapist, National Media Commentator and Mom of 4). In this episode Niro and I discuss monitoring our own expectations and reactivity, in addition to that of our children. Links from this Episode Niro’s Website This Book Won’t Make You Happy: Eight Keys to Finding True Contentment All Things Life with Niro Podcast SPONSO...
Aug 17, 2023•42 min•Ep. 358
Let go of the pressure to be the perfect parent and start to embrace the teachable moments that you are (accidentally) creating. In this episode we are flipping around some common summer #momfails. As parents, we are far from perfect. On the bright side, our mistakes often create opportunities for our kids to grow.
Jul 20, 2023•18 min•Ep. 355
At the heart of being an intentional parent is striving to calm our own reactivity. Reactivity...we all experience it. Hunter Clarke-Fields, author and podcaster, joins me today to discuss this topic. Links from this Episode: Hunter's Podcast - Mindful Mama Mentor Hunter's Books - Raising Good Humans // Raising Good Humans Everyday First episode with Hunter on Simple Families Podcast SPONSOR: Go to EARTHBREEZE.com/simple to get started with 40% off
Jun 29, 2023•46 min•Ep. 354
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Matthew Lederman, a physician and wellness expert that you might know from Forks Over Knives. His most recent book, Wellness to Wonderful (together with partner, Alona Pulde) goes into greater depth to explain how connection is has a profound impact on mental and physical wellness. That's our topic today: the intersection of connection + wellness.
Jun 22, 2023•41 min
Time management can feel challenging for both children and adults alike. Today, I'm discussing some tools and strategies to start intentionally handing over this responsibility to our children. My favorite kid-friendly analog clock Photo of our working clock depicting the morning routine Sarah Ward talks about her 'Working Clock' Concept
Jun 16, 2023•19 min•Ep. 352
Today we're talking all about exposure: exposing our kids, and ourselves, to current events, different cultures and different parenting styles. With unlimited access in today's world, children and adults have more exposure than ever, which has its benefits and of course...risks. Links from the episode Leslie Cohen-Rubury's website: Home Is My Child a Monster? Podcast Sponsors Fast Growing Trees: Receive 15% off your entire order on fastgrowingtrees.com/simple. Storyworth: Perfect Father's Day or...
Jun 08, 2023•40 min•Ep. 352
Today I’m sharing my best relationship tool. It’s called expansion and contraction. Expansion and contraction is a simple way to find the rhythm in your family. In fact, it’s probably something you do all the time without even noticing. However, once you bring it to your awareness you will be able to use it with more intention. You’ll find your days flow more smoothly and you view your relationships more positively. In this episode, I’m going to tell you how to use it as a mindset switch and as ...
Jun 01, 2023•15 min
Creating a more engaging home environment for our children can be difficult given the mounting sources competing for their attention. It take intentionality and hard work. Our guest Erin Loechner discusses how we can make some changes in our own lives, and our own screen-time use to foster a positive change in the lives of our kids. Links from the episode Erin Loechner's Website: Designed for Mankind Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious I Simple Families Podcast Episode 303: Analo...
May 25, 2023•54 min
"It's not fair!" is a statement uttered by most children pretty early and often. Let's delve into defining the difference between 'fair' and 'equal' and try to understand why children's brain can not yet distinguish between the two. Links from the episode Simple Families Podcast Episode 219: Absolute Thinking Sponsors Just Thrive Health: Visit justthrivehealth.com and use the promo code SIMPLE to receive 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotics and Just Calm.
May 18, 2023•17 min•Ep. 349
In continuing my quest to find a balance in my own use of digital technology, I found the book Rewired: Protecting your brain in the digital age. The author, Dr. Carl Marci, reviews mounting evidence that overuse of smart phones and social media is rewiring our brains. Links from the episode Dr. Marci's book: Rewired: Protecting your brain in the digital age Simple Families Podcast Episode 344: Addictive Technology ft. Gaia Bernstein Simple Families Podcast Episode 302: Analog Curious I Simple F...
May 11, 2023•52 min•Ep. 349
