11/30/08
Guest 1: Vikki Stark, Author of My Sister, My Self.
Topic: Understanding the sibling relationship that shapes our lives, our loves, and ourselves.
Issues: Having grown up as an older, younger, middle, or twin sister influences a woman’s choice of occupation, your circle of friends, your love life—even how she feels about her own body.

Guest 2: Gregg Stebben, Editor of Best Life Magazine
Topic: Is it okay to spy on our kids?
Issues: Cell phones let you pinpoint your child’s exact location, car gadgets let you record everywhere your teens go and how fast they drive, software lets you log every keystroke your child makes on his computer, “Geo-Fencing” systems let you program his cell phone so that when your child enters or leaves a specified zone, you will be alerted … just because these products are available (and affordable) does that mean you should use them?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (23.8MB)

11/23/08
Guest 1: Matthew Miller, author of Maybe Baby.
Topic: The story of assisted reproduction and attempted parenthood—from the dad’s perspective
Issues: The anguish of infertility; the anger, frustration, humor, and heartbreak that dads (and moms) experience;

Guest 2: Karen Ronney, author of Proud Parents Guide to Raising Athletic, Balanced, and Coordinated Kids.
Topic: A lifetime of benefit in just 10 minutes a day
Issues: How to jump-start your child's developmental skills; creating a lifestyle of family fitness; maximizing your child's learning style while enjoying positive, consistent playtime.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (23.9MB)

11/16/08
Guest 1: Lisa Boesky, author of When to Worry.
Topic: How to tell if your teen needs help and what to do about it.
Issues: How to spot the warning signs of serious problems like depression, cutting, bipolar disorder, and drug abuse; specific dos and don’ts for decreasing teen struggles and suffering in the family; how and where to get professional help.

Guest 2: Marcia Herrin, author of The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders.
Topic: Supporting self-esteem, healthy eating, and positive body image.
Issues: How to broach the subject with your child; why blame doesn’t work; how to tell bad eating habits from dangerous behavior; the Maudsley Method: what it is and how parents can use it to treat their children.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (23.9MB)

Guest 1: Dalton Conley, author of The Pecking Order.
Topic: Which siblings succeed and why
Issues: Inequality in families is not the exception but the norm; children who grow up in the same house frequently wind up on opposite sides of the class divide; in each family there is a pecking order among siblings

Guest 2: Dr. Chuck Borsellino, author of Pinocchio Parenting.
Topic: 21 outrageous lies we tell our kids
Issues: Seemingly innocent statements like “looks don’t matter” can cause children a lifetime of failure; encouraging parents to help their kids be the people they want to become; regularly setting aside quality time keep the lines of communicate open; teaching children that talent and potential are nothing without hard work and perseverance; helping children define their goals by discussing them often and being realistic.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (23.8MB)

Guest 1: Joe McIlhaney, Jr., coauthor of Hooked.
Topic: New science on how casual sex is affecting our children.
Issues: Chemicals released in the brain during sex can become addictive; the human brain isn’t fully developed until mid-twenties—until then, it’s harder to make wise relationship decisions; how to steer young people away from making life-changing mistakes.

Guest 2: Emma Walton Hamilton, author of Raising Bookworms.
Topic: Getting kids reading for pleasure and empowerment.
Issues: Why it’s important for kids to grow up with the skills and appetite for reading; studies show that elective reading has declined dramatically over the past 50 years, but in over to participate in today’s and tomorrow’s workplace, young people will need powerful literacy skills to succeed; how to instill a love of reading in children from infants through teens.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (23.8MB)