ON BOYS Podcast

One of our favorite musicals is Les Miserables, which is a story about the French revolution. It's also the story of love and transformation. What does that have to do with raising boys? Today's guest is Dr. Charles Corprew, a psychologist and host of the podcast "What's Your Revolution?" Charles is passionate about revolution --  not the bloody riots that mar cities and countries, but the opportunities we all have for personal and global transformation. "I think I've always known that revolution was necessary for our boys," Charles says, noting his stable upbringing and experiences with racism. "I wanted to make sure the boys had abundant opportunities for a successful life. I wanted to make sure I was creating successful pathways for our young men, regardless of what they look like. That they have the ability to be young boys -- to have fun, to play and find who they want to be." The work has to begin with adults, he says. We adults need to examine our beliefs and systems, and tackle questions such as, "What does it mean to be equitable?" Boys needs space, freedom and role models to figure out who they are and who they want to be. "We need to give our boys more models, more expansive opportunities to try out," Charles says. "This is the hard work that we need to do as adults so that our children can actually grow up and be whoever they want to be." Viva la revolucion!  In this episode, Jen, Janet & Charles discuss: How racism inhibits boys' opportunities to play, to experiment and grow The importance of role modeling Helping boys discover their true selves Empower boys to advocate for change Talking to (and listening to!) boys regarding their educational needs Encouraging outdoor play Male friendships Teaching boys the value of service to others Promoting healthy masculinity Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: What's Your Revolution? - Charles' podcast What Makes Him Tick? -- ON BOYS Interactive event Playing with Anger: Teaching Coping Skills to African American Boys Through Athletics and Culture -- book edited by Dr. Howard Stevenson, psychologist mentioned at 17:05 Camelback Ventures -- Charles' employer; "an accelerator that identifies, develops, and promotes early-stage underrepresented entrepreneurs with the aim to increase individual and community education, and generational wealth" Maggie Dent: What Teenage Boys Really Need -- ON BOYS episode mentioned at 34:24 Sponsor Spotlight: Hiya Health HEALTHY children’s vitamins — no sugar or “gummy junk” included! Made from a blend of 12 farm-fresh fruits & veggies, Hiya Health vitamins are the easy way to get your boys the nutrition they need.  Use discount code ONBOYS at checkout to save 50%. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do you worry about keeping your boys safe online?  Thanks to the pandemic, we're all spending more time online. And unlike in years past, porn is now ubiquitous and easily accessible. Boys today don't even have to go looking for porn; it finds them. A simple, developmentally appropriate search for "sex" or "boobs" can lead to some pretty disturbing content in just a click or two, which means we have to talk to our boys about sex, likely at lot earlier than you may think. "All the research shows that parents are the most important influence when it comes to sexual decision-making," Amy says. "If we don't get in the door early, our impact is less. It's really important to establish yourself as their go-to person." Teaching your boys about sex early on will help you contextualize porn. And parental controls and internet filters can help you manage your son's internet access, decreasing the chances that he and his friends will access porn while at your home. Consider redirecting some of the energy you're currently expending worrying about your son's academic achievement. After all, "being in relationships and being sexual is fundamental to being human," Amy says. "I think it's way more important to be sexually savvy and to understand healthy relationships than to score a 9000 on the PSAT." In this episode, Jen, Janet & Amy discuss: Why you need to talk to your boys about sex a lot sooner than you think How boys accidently encounter porn Setting the stage to talk about sex Does talking to boys about porn encourage them to seek it out? Establishing family guidelines re internet usage The difference between parental controls and monitoring (and how to use each) How porn affects boys Preparing boys for porn exposure Helping boys resist peer pressure to look at porn Keeping boys safe online Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: Talk to Boys about Sex (w Amy Lang) - ON BOYS episode http://birdsandbeesandkids.com/  — Amy’s website The Birds & Bees Solution Center for Parents -- use coupon code ONBOYS to save 15% Just Say This! - Amy's podcast Birds + Bees + YOUR Kids: A Guide to Sharing Your Beliefs about Sexuality, Love and Relationships, by Amy LangAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We don't always like our boys.  It's a bit taboo to admit that. We parents -- moms especially! -- are somehow expected to always have lovey feelings for our children. And we do love them. But sometimes, we don't want to be around them. Sometimes, we want them to go away. Parents who admit they don't like their kids, though, are often judged. That's not helpful, in our opinions. Here are ON BOYS, we're all about keeping it real, so we're going to talk about the unspeakable: What to do and how to cope when you don't like your boys. (As if to prove our point, THESE are the pics an online picture repository brought up when we searched for "boys fighting frustrated mom": Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels REALLY??? Real life is much messier than these photos suggest, and it is perfectly OK if most of your moments with your boys don't look like this. In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss: Unreasonable parenting expectations How to learn and grow from uncomfortable parenting moments Coping when your kids' behavior reminds you of your ex Handling political differences Jen's yard in Oct. '20 Knowing when to step away Using physical touch to connect When to seek outside help Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: Family Meetings & the 9-Year Change -- ON BOYS episode mentioned at 11:55 The Art of Roughhousing -- ON BOYS episode Sponsor Spotlight: Dr. Mary Wilde Dr. Mary’s “Overcoming Childhood Anxiety” course — SPECIAL OFFER available to ON BOYS listenersAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The phrase "best of 2020" is a bit laughable.  Using the term "best" to describe a year that's included a global pandemic, remote schooling and massive disruptions to work and socialization seems almost...inappropriate. And yet, even 2020 had some bright spots. Photo by cottonbro from Pexels ON BOYS audience continued to grow. Our downloads increased by 207%. (We had nearly 281,000 downloads in 2020 vs. 88,000 in 2019). We interviewed 36 different experts, including New York Times best-selling authors (hello, Peggy Orenstein!) and the Washington Post's On Parenting columnist (Meaghan Leahy!). We had our first three-time guest (Mr. Ryan Wexelblatt, aka ADHD Dude) and we conducted conversations across time and space. (Maggie Dent was in Australia when we spoke; Baro Hyun, Japan.) We also hosted our first ON BOYS Interactive, a live web-based event in which we brainstormed solutions to the challenges of remote learning. We've got more ON BOYS Interactive sessions planned for 2021, as well as podcast episodes featuring Amy Lang (the Queen of the birds & bees!) and Richard Louv, author of The Last Child in the Woods and Our Wild Calling. But first, ON BOYS year in review. Here's the best of 2020: 5. Helping Boys Grow Into Healthy Men (w Ted Bunch) “I think the biggest challenge for us is really allowing our boys to show us, say to us and demonstrate to us who they really are,” Bunch says, without us excessively trying to mold them. Our job isn’t to make boys conform; our job is “to allow them to blossom, to really show who they are.” 4. Boys and Sex (w Peggy Orenstein) Contrary to her expectations when she began reporting the book, Peggy found that boys were “insightful narrators” of their lives and experiences. Boys are acutely aware of the issues that affect them, of the “rules” that govern their behavior and social success and of society’s evolving definition of masculinity. 3. Managing Emotions (w Ellen Dodge) Try “tell me the story.” When you see your guys doing something — positive or negative — ask them to tell you the story behind their actions. If you see a feeling on your son’s face, ask him to tell you the story behind the feeling. 2. ADHD w Ryan Wexelblatt the ADHD Dude ...a lot of people still misunderstand ADHD. Making matter worse is the fact that “school is not designed with the male brain in mind,” as Ryan says. On top of that, many people consider ADHD a mental health issue, not a learning disorder. That conceptualization makes things harder for our boys, who face social stigma and internal shame. Often, their parents are judged as well; too often, educators and others consider ADHD a “character flaw” or the result of poor parenting. 1. Decoding Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson According to Dr. Natterson — a pediatrician, mom of two and author of Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys — the first changes of puberty can begin as early as age 9. But because those early changes are largely invisible to parents’ eyes, we may misunderstand our boys’ mood swings and behavior. And because our culture has long ignored male puberty, many of us simply allow our boys to self-isolate behind closed doors, instead of talking to them about the changes they’re experiencing. You'll have to listen to hear Jen & Janet's personal favorites! STAY CONNECTED WITH JANET & JEN: Join the Building Boys FB group and the Boys Alive! FB group Be sure to opt-in at  Boys Alive! .com for your free report “3 Simple Tips to CONNECT with Your Boy.”  And subscribe to Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly email newsletter filled w boy-specific info & inspiration. Follow us on Instagram:  @on.boys.podcast and @boys.alive Twitter:  @ParentAdvisor and @BuildingBoys  LinkedIn:  use this link for Janet and use this link for JenniferAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Cara Natterson’s book, Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons, came out in February 2020 & made a big splash. Kirkus Reviews calls it, "A common-sensical, gently humorous exploration of male puberty’s many trials" and a New York Times article declared, "...for rational, evidence-based advice on how to talk to your son about every internal and external force he’ll experience from fourth grade through college, Cara Natterson’s zippy, bighearted 'Decoding Boys' is the guide you need.'" Our ON BOYS listeners clearly agree: Decoding Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson is our most-downloaded episode of 2020. Some gems: Not talking to your son about his evolving physical, emotional and social self is the biggest parent trap of them all. and Boys will take good information and run with it. If we just tell them no and don’t give them the why, they don’t listen. This conversation was originally recorded in April 2020. Note the bookmarks.... In this episode, Jen, Janet & Cara discuss: Why it’s OK to let your teen boys sleep late What the coronavirus crisis and shutdowns are teaching us about kids’ physical and emotional needs The difference between making kids do something vs. educating them Why boys go quiet around puberty Getting boys to talk Late-blooming boys Brain development during adolescence (a.k.a, why boys can be so smart and so dumb, at the same time!) Why boys take more risks when surrounded by friends Boys, body image & eating disorders How to tell if your son’s fixation on fitness is healthy or harmful Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons — Cara’s book worryproofmd.com — Dr. Natterson’s online home; includes a link to her newsletter Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys — one of Cara’s puberty book for boys STAY CONNECTED WITH JANET & JEN: Join the Building Boys FB group and the Boys Alive! FB group Be sure to opt-in at  Boys Alive! .com for your free report “3 Simple Tips to CONNECT with Your Boy.”  And subscribe to Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly email newsletter filled w boy-specific info & inspiration. Follow us on Instagram:  @on.boys.podcast and @boys.alive Twitter:  @ParentAdvisor and @BuildingBoys  LinkedIn:  use this link for Janet and use this link for JenniferAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Adam Cox helped Janet crack the boy code, way back when she was a first grade teacher who didn't know what to do with a class full of boys. His book, Cracking the Boy Code: How to Understand and Talk with Boys, is a seminal text that contains valuable insights for parents and teachers of boys. More than 25 years ago, Dr. Cox, a psychologist, recognized that boys in his community were looking for a place where they'd be accepted and welcomed. His boy-friendly approach developed over the years as he learned how boys communicate. His understanding of boys grew further as he studied boys worldwide. "The highest priority of boys is their happiness," Dr. Cox says. Happiness even trumps popularity and success, as far as boys are concerned -- which goes a long way toward explaining why you spend so much time fighting with your son over homework. Boys also crave a sense of purpose. Even young boys want to make a tangible difference in the world. "Boys want to feel as though they are needed to do some kind of important work," Dr. Cox says. He recommends a "counter-intuitive" approach to boys' misbehavior. "The way that we deal with misbehaving boys the world over is to ratchet down on their freedoms. We take away freedom and privileges. I think instead that we should try to get them to ally themselves with us by giving them an important job," Dr. Cox says. If, instead, "we get into a moral conflict with that child -- 'I'm going to prove to you that I'm the boss here!' -- it just backfires on us. It's much better to invite their leadership in a way that suits them." In this episode, Jen, Janet & Dr. Adam discuss: Boy "constants" that persist across cultures Boys' priorities Why boys need a sense of purpose Effective discipline for boys Finding appropriate jobs for boys The difference between "purposeful work" and "chores" Why you must monitor & control your vocal tone when talking to boys How to talk so boys will listen Picking the right place and time to talk with your son Respecting boys' privacy Why you shouldn't dismiss or denigrate your son's interest in video games Talking to boys about love and imagination Helping boys live a life that's in line with their values and interests Adolescent inertia The link between teenage depression and lack of motivation How to get unmotivated boys moving forward Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: DrAdamCox.com -- Dr. Adam's website Cracking the Boy Code: How to Understand and Talk with Boys, by Dr. Adam Cox On Purpose Before Twenty, by Dr. Adam Cox Why Boys Need Chores - ON BOYS episode The Evolution of Esports -- ON BOYS episode Video Game Design: A Career for Boys -- ON BOYS episode Sponsor Spotlight: Hiya Health HEALTHY children’s vitamins — no sugar or “gummy junk” included! Made from a blend of 12 farm-fresh fruits & veggies, Hiya Health vitamins are the easy way to get your boys the nutrition they need.  Use discount code ONBOYS at checkout to save 50%.  STAY CONNECTED WITH JANET & JEN: Join the Building Boys FB group and the Boys Alive! FB group Be sure to opt-in at  Boys Alive! .com for your free report “3 Simple Tips to CONNECT with Your Boy.”  And subscribe to Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly email newsletter filled w boy-specific info & inspiration. Follow us on Instagram:  @on.boys.podcast and @boys.alive Twitter:  @ParentAdvisor and @BuildingBoys  LinkedIn:  use this link for Janet and use this link for JenniferAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How do you help boys become resilient?  It's easy enough to say that resiliency is important, and we know that the ability to bounce back in spite of obstacles is essential for success and happiness in life. But how exactly does one build resilience? Contrary to popular belief, you can't teach a child resilience, says Dr. Sandy Gluckman, a psychologist. Rather, you create a climate that allows a child to develop self-knowledge and self-confidence. Most of our boys spend a lot of times in environments that don't help them feel good. School, for instance, is not a good fit, developmentally speaking, for most boys, and it's easy for boys to assume that something is wrong with them when they can't read or write as well as their female classmates. Pushing your child to do things that he's not ready or willing to do is NOT the answer. Your intentions may be good, but you'll actually increase the levels of stress hormones coursing through your son's body, and a stressed brain and body is not ready or able to learn. One of the quickest, most effective ways to ease your son's stress is to take care of yourself. You cannot effectively parent your son while you're in a state of stress because your son will sense the anger, fear, and concern behind your carefully chosen words. Taking time for yourself -- both in moments of high stress and on a regular basis -- allows you to parent from a place of peace, which, in turn, allows your son's nervous system to relax. Then, you can turn your attention toward helping your son recognize his inherent worth. In this episode, Jen, Janet & Dr. Sandy discuss: The link between resilience and brain chemistry Interpersonal neurobiology -- or, how parents' emotional state affects their children How feeling "not good enough" affects our brains and bodies The fight, flight or freeze stress response Inflammatory vs. non-inflammatory parenting How deep breathing can help you be a better parent How to build your son's self-esteem Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: drsandygluckman.com -- Dr. Sandy's website www.youtube.com/user/sandygluckman -- Dr. Sandy's YouTube channel Parents, Take Charge! Healing Learning, Behavior and Mood Challenges Without Medication, by Dr. Sandy Gluckman Why You Need to Stop Focusing on Your Boys' Bickering -- Building Boys blog post How Confidence and Joy Spark Success -- ON BOYS episode Self-Esteem and Boys -- ON BOYS episode STAY CONNECTED WITH JANET & JEN: Join the Building Boys FB group and the Boys Alive! FB group Be sure to opt-in at  Boys Alive! .com for your free report “3 Simple Tips to CONNECT with Your Boy.”  And subscribe to Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly email newsletter filled w boy-specific info & inspiration. Follow us on Instagram:  @on.boys.podcast and @boys.alive Twitter:  @ParentAdvisor and @BuildingBoys  LinkedIn:  use this link for Janet and use this link for JenniferAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Most of us know what consent means. But knowing what it MEANS doesn’t necessarily guarantee that we - or our BOYS - will actually be prepared in the moment…. Acroyoga, or partnered yoga, helped Sarah Casper understand boundaries & consent. "In this practice, instead of using an apparatus like trapeze or aerial silks, we're using our bodies. So there has to be a lot of conversation about our comfort levels, what we want to explore, where our limits are, what we maybe want to work towards and bowing out if a trick doesn't work," Sarah says. "I started to realize the conversations I was having in my acroyoga classes were more or less the same conversations that happen in the bedroom." With a background in psychology and previous experience teaching socio-emotional skills to children, Sarah started teaching kids how to navigate boundaries & consent. "We want kids to make mistakes and learn from them when they're hanging out with friends," Sarah says, emphasizing the importance of building interpersonal skills from early on. "You get them to work through things like rejection and coercion and how to ask and respond to questions when they're young, when they have the support of teachers, parents and coaches, because if the first time a boy has to deal with this is when he's 18 and at Prom, he's not going to be good at it." In this episode, Jen, Janet & Sarah discuss: How acrobatics helped Sarah understand consent How roughhousing can teach boys about boundaries Teaching boys to check in w friends and partners Helping boys handle rejection How to say no without shaming or unintentionally coercing the person who asked Creating a "consent culture" How respecting your child's autonomy can decrease parent/child conflict What to do if you walk in on your son masturbating 5 factors to consider in consent: Who, What, When, Where, How Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: ON BOYS Interactive -- Distance Learning -- Register now for our Dec. 8 or Dec. 9 session! Comprehensive Consent -- Sarah's website; includes lots of free resources & a link to Sarah's Boundary Setting Bootcamp The Art of Roughhousing -- ON BOYS episode Your Son's Ability to Tolerate Frustration & Rejection is More Important Than You Know -- Building Boys post Consent with Mike Domitrz -- ON BOYS episode Boys & Sex with Peggy Orenstein -- ON BOYS episode Sponsor Spotlight: Hiya Health HEALTHY children’s vitamins — no sugar or “gummy junk” included! Made from a blend of 12 farm-fresh fruits & veggies, Hiya Health vitamins are the easy way to get your boys the nutrition they need.  Use discount code ONBOYS at checkout to save 50%.  STAY CONNECTED WITH JANET & JEN: Join the Building Boys FB group and the Boys Alive! FB group Be sure to opt-in at  Boys Alive! .com for your free report “3 Simple Tips to CONNECT with Your Boy.”  And subscribe to Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly email newsletter filled w boy-specific info & inspiration. Follow us on Instagram:  @on.boys.podcast and @boys.alive Twitter:  @ParentAdvisor and @BuildingBoys  LinkedIn:  use this link for Janet and use this link for JenniferAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How much do you know about boys & anxiety? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 7% of American children between ages 3-17 have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Likely, the actual prevalence of anxiety is significantly higher, because many kids -- especially boys -- are undiagnosed. What looks like anger, opposition or teenage angst may actually be an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, anxiety is expressed physically; boys with anxiety may have headaches, stomachaches or other maladies that interfere with their ability to participate fully in every day life. Of course, we're all feeling a bit anxious these days. Living through a pandemic will do that. But "the commonness of anxiety doesn't mean it shouldn't be addressed," says Dr. Mary Wilde, an integrative pediatrician and mom of 8 boys. "Anxiety, untreated or unaddressed, can lead to depression." Statistically, girls are more likely than boys to be diagnosed with anxiety and seek help for anxiety. Boys, in part due to social conditioning, are more likely to hide their anxiety or attempt to "power through." Boys' anxiety may show up as difficulty sleeping, anger or acting out. Teaching boys how to recognize and manage their anxiety can change their lives -- and yours. Yoga, deep breathing and tapping are just a few of the non-medication modalities Dr. Mary uses to help boys with anxiety. It's a good idea, she says, to teach boys a variety of techniques, so they can choose the ones that work best for them. Parents need to be conscious of the way they respond to their anxious boys as well. "The tricky thing about anxiety is that parents need to parent in a way that's counterintuitive," Dr. Mary says. "They feel like their job is to bring comfort, ease and happiness, so of course they try to create this ideal context, but they don't realize that in creating this ideal context, they're sending a message to their kids that says, 'I don't believe you can handle it, and therefore I'm going to custom make your environment.'" Dr. Mary -- mom to 8 boys -- also shares her Top 4 Tips for Parenting Boys:  Insist on respectful behavior from your boys. Stuff is stuff. People are more important than things. Provide opportunities for service. Your job is to give your kids opportunities for apprenticeship, to learn alongside you. (Role modeling is key!) In this episode, Jen, Janet & Mary discuss: Integrative medicine Identifying "normal" anxiety vs. problematic anxiety Symptoms of anxiety in boys Why to seek help for anxiety The 4 components of emotional intelligence Talking to boys about anxiety How physical movement helps boys with anxiety Non-medication treatment options for anxiety A family approach to anxiety Dealing with your anxiety Using stories to teach emotional intelligence How your boys can benefit from an imperfect life Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: Dr. Mary's "Overcoming Childhood Anxiety" course -- SPECIAL OFFER available to ON BOYS listeners drmarywilde.com - Dr. Mary's website Imagine Pediatrics Behavioral Health & Wellness -- Dr. Mary's clinical practice Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, by Dr. John Ratey -- book mentioned at 13:45 If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit, by Brenda Ueland -- book mentioned at 45:45 Faithful Nurturing: Mothering from the Heart, to the Heart, by Mary Wilde -- Mary's book Dealing with Change, Anxiety & Energy (Listener Q&A) -- ON BOYS episode Helping Teens Cope with Anxiety, Depression and More -- ON BOYS episode Anxiety & Depression in Boys -- ON BOYS episodeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Esports -- competitive videogaming -- is quickly becoming a very big deal. In 2017, 106.2 million people watched the League of Legend esports championship.  In 2020, 99.9 million watched the Super Bowl on TV, according to Reuters. Today's parents, teachers and grandparents often find themselves annoyed at the hours boys spend in front of screens, gaming. They find it absolutely absurd that boys (and girls) watch other people play video games on You Tube and Twitch. But is watching a top video gamer in peak form really any different than parking yourself in an overstuffed chair on Sunday to watch young athletes throw, catch and carry a football? Baro Hyun grew up in Korea; his generation was part of the video game revolution, and he participated in video games' evolution from household amusement to public pastime. To him, his young sons' obsession with video games doesn't seem particularly alarming or surprising. His boys' grandmother, though, had another perspective altogether. As Baro writes in the introduction to his book, Demystifying Esports: A Personal Guide to the History and Future of Competitive Gaming: [the boys'] otherwise peaceful grandmother...couldn't stand the sight of her grandchild giving all his attention to the tiny screen of Switch for hours at a time, and none to her... Stress in the house gradually build up until the clouds broke in dramatic fashion. My sons' granny had a bad day. When she saw the younger one in gaming mode, she flipped out. With a speed that belied her age, she brought a pair of scissors from the kitchen and mercilessly cut the charging cable of the Switch... Adults' misunderstanding and misconceptions about esports and video gaming contributes to the generational divide (and household conflict!). Baro encourages adults to learn about esports role in kids' lives - and in the modern economy. "Esports isn't just about playing fun games," Baro says. "It's about dedication and commitment." In this episode, Jen, Janet & Baro discuss: Generational perspectives on video gaming Recognizing emotional reactions to video gaming History of esports & competitive gaming Why people love esports (Spoiler alert: It's stories & strategy) Collegiate esports Gaming scholarships Esports as a business and industry What it takes to be a professional gamer Career opportunities in esports What kids learn via video games Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: Demystifying Esports: A Personal Guide to the History and Future of Competitive Gaming -- Baro's book All About Esports -- ON BOYS episode Video Games are the New Competitive Sport in Schools —  article by Jen Fortnite is Not a Waste of Time -- Building Boys post Collegiate Star League -- largest esports platform (mentioned at 17:10) Esports in the Pac-Man Era -- share this video (about a 1982 Pac-Man tournament held at Milwaukee's County Stadium) w your boys! Biathlon -- the winter ski & gun sport we couldn't name right away! STAY CONNECTED WITH JANET & JEN: Join the Building Boys FB group and the Boys Alive! FB group Be sure to opt-in at  Boys Alive! .com for your free report “3 Simple Tips to CONNECT with Your Boy.”  And subscribe to Building Boys Bulletin, a weekly email newsletter filled w boy-specific info & inspiration. Follow us on Instagram:  @on.boys.podcast and @boys.alive Twitter:  @ParentAdvisor and @BuildingBoys  LinkedIn:  use this link for Janet and use this link for JenniferAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy