Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan: #1 Podcast for Inspiring Conversations to Live and Lead On Purpose

Get ready to laugh out loud! Today Dr. Dan treats listeners to an episode filled with humor and real life parenting advice from the hilarious author, professional comic writer, and (in his own words) “amateur father” James Breakwell (best known as the Twitter phenomena @XplodingUnicorn).  A parent of four daughters, James Breakwell is the popular author of several funny parenting books including the newest How to Save Your Child from Ostrich Attacks, Accidental Time Travel, and Anything Else that Might Happen on an Average Tuesday.  James tackles challenges ordinary challenges parents encounter in their own everyday lives and at the same time gives us all his fresh perspective and a great laugh, too. Dr. Dan and James chat about parenting, humor, silly scenarios, pets, kids, jokes, and much more in today’s episode.  Dr. Dan has fun sharing why over one million fans follow James and his parenting adventures on Twitter. At the end of the episode, parents will giggle like kids when they hear James talk to Dr. Dan about his Parent Footprint Moment involving his pet pigs.  Dr. Dan and James end the show with great advice - merely surviving every single day on the parenting journey is an enormous accomplishment.   James Breakwell’s comedy went viral in April 2016 when Buzzfeed featured his kid-centric jokes in an article that quickly drew more than two million views. His jokes have been featured by USA Today, US Magazine, DailyMail.com, Metro.co.uk, Huffington Post, 9GAG, theCHIVE.com, CollegeHumor.com, and countless TV, radio, and internet outlets. James Breakwell’s articles have appeared in Reader’s Digest, The Federalist, and AskMen.  His next book Prance Like No One’s Watching will be published in spring 2020. Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today Dr. Dan hosts his first-ever special episode to address the situation surrounding the coronavirus and how it is impacting parents and families. Based on Dr. Dan’s essential reading Psychology Today post Parenting with Resilience in Unsettling Times: It Starts with Us, Dr. Dan offers actionable advice for all families during this challenging time.  Listeners can use these suggestions today to help calm anxious children, to limit teen social media use, and many other challenges.  In this episode, Dr. Dan leads listeners through the steps for building inner strength right now in this moment including self-awareness, acceptance, self-care, and staying present.   In addition, Dr. Dan welcomes long-time Parent Footprint Podcast producer Laura Rossi to the episode to lead an informative Question and Answer session featuring listeners’ parenting questions about COVID-19. The episode wraps up with Dr. Dan’s poignant Parent Footprint Moment and Dr. Dan’s trademark hope, comfort, and wisdom.  www.drdanpeters.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 81, Dr. Dan and Dr. Huber tackle a tough and essential teen parenting topic: the link between social media and depression.   Dr. John Huber is the Chairman for Mainstream Mental Health, a non-profit organization that brings lasting and positive change to the lives of individuals that suffer from mental health issues.  Dr. Huber has been a mental health professional for over twenty years (including working as a school psychologist) and has worked with children, families, teens, adults, and veterans.  He is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist, and a practitioner with privileges at two long term acute care hospitals. Dr. Huber has appeared on over three hundred top tier radio shows (NBC Radio, CBS, Fox News Radio) and thirty national television programs (ABC, NBC, Spectrum News). In addition Dr. Huber is the host of “Mainstream Mental Health Radio” which is heard nationwide and features interviews with today’s top mental health professionals. Today’s episode is inspired by a recent study stating that "Social Media Use [is] Linked To Depression Among Teens" and that social media use plus screen time can lead to an increase in depression and anxiety among teens and adolescents. In the study, researchers measured how much time students spent in front of social media, television and computers. The data revealed the more time kids spent engrossed in digital screens, their symptoms of anxiety and depression became more severe.  Dr. Dan talks to Dr. Huber about the study, depression among teens, teen behaviors, and how social media affects their mental health.  They focus on questions and topics including: What are some things parents can look out for if they think their child is depressed? What anxiety looks like vs. depression in teens that are struggling? How are they related? How do you think that social media has changed the way people interact with each other and develop relationships with each other?   Common red flags in teen behavior such as: isolation, decrease in eye contact, irritability, and more. How do you think the way that information flows in social media deviates from the way it did in previous traditional societies?  And related: should you monitor your teen’s digital world? Should you limit a teen’s screen time? How can you let your teen self-regulate but also be involved? Many people are taught to be wary of mental health labels. Dr. Huber works to reduce the stigma of “mental health” treatment. His goal is to empower the young person to make positive changes in his/her life before a crisis evolves.  In particular his work changes lives and helps our children break the stigma (and even shame) of mental health and seek treatment proving that we can all embrace each other and our differences as part of the human condition. The show ends with Dr. Huber’s great Parent Footprint moment about his own childhood. Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes colleague and friend Debbie Steinberg Kuntz to today’s episode to discuss our bright and quirky kids.  Debbie is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Bright and Quirky’s mission statement is powerful:  Ease the struggle for bright and quirky kids and parents, help them self-actualize with the help of experts in the fields of mental health and education, and inspire the hope that new ideas and possibilities bring. When Debbie started her family counseling practice a decade ago, she had no idea the area of 2e (twice-exceptional) would be her specialty. She credits her sons, now teenagers, and their unique strengths and challenges as the inspiration for her life’s work. Early in her parenting journey, Debbie learned that her own sons were ‘2e’ or ‘twice exceptional,’ meaning they are smart and also have unique brain wiring that makes accessing those smarts at times challenging.  As she researched and found solutions for them, she started to share the learning with families in her private practice near Seattle. These kids are very bright and struggle with learning, executive function, social, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Some have diagnoses such as ADHD, autism/Aspergers, anxiety, depression and learning disabilities like dyslexia. In the winter of 2018, Debbie decided to try an experiment and run a 2e parenting program online. Today the Bright & Quirky Child Online Summit, attracting over 15,000 people from 95 countries featuring World-class psychologists, educators, and child development experts who share tools and insights to help bright & quirky kids thrive.  In fact, Dr. Dan is one of the featured speakers for the third annual online summit which is free if you register (click here to register).  Listeners can go to this link: https://hub.brightandquirky.com/~access/a7c5262f/ Today Debbie works with hundreds of bright-but-busy parents who work for Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Starbucks, to have a happy home life and equip their kids with the habits to succeed. Since her private practice is typically full, she founded Positive Impact Family to help even more parents transform their family to become more happy, positive, and cooperative, and make a positive impact in the world. Today’s show covers many topics and features registration information about the 2020 Bright and Quirky Summit as well as the “Idea Lab” learning community, online resources and parenting tools to help navigate: How to meet your uniquely wired child's needs by providing the right supports What it means to be a self-scientist How to teach kids, educators, others to lead with strengths Flipping the script on how we see our 2e kids And Debbie’s Parent Footprint moment advice on the importance of being present and just showing up for our kids For more information on Debbie’s work, the summit and more visit: https://brightandquirky.com/summit-2020/  and https://brightandquirky.com Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®. Parent Footprint podcast listeners can get a discount from Wild Foods because they align with Parent Footprint’s mission to make the world a better place one family at a time.  Use FOOTPRINT12 and this link http://wildfoods.co/?aff=325 for 12% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes guest Dr. Heather Maguire, founder Prism Parenting, to the podcast for a discussion about Proactive Parenting.  Dr. Heather Maguire has spent over a decade studying behavior and working with children, parents, families, and educators. As the founder of Prism Behavior, she helps parents manage challenging behaviors with confidence and provides hope for parents everywhere. Dr. Maguire started Prism Behavior (www.prismbehavior.com) to help parents struggling with their child’s behavior and her approach is pragmatic, yet evidence-based.  She loves to teach parents ways to motivate their kiddos. In addition she connects with parents on her new, popular parenting podcast also called Prism Parenting (www.prismbehavior.com/podcast). Dr. Dan and Dr. Maguire discuss practical ways (some are very simple changes) to shift from a reactive parenting approach to a proactive one.  Parents face many diverse issues such defiance, how to motivate your child, picky eating, sleep issues, homework, and more. Today’s show offers solutions and an acknowledgement that parenting can be tough, especially when your kids are misbehaving or acting out or facing challenges, but parents can make positive changes.   A few preventative parenting techniques Dr. Dan and Dr. Maguire discuss today include:  Catch your kids being good (and praise them for it).  Listen to your children and teach them to negotiate respectfully but still set limits.  Re-adjust your own parenting behaviors with your kids  - be flexible! (Is what you are doing working for your child? What works today may not work tomorrow so think about how to make a change that works for all of you.)  Engage with your children. And other tips!  (As a listener bonus,  Dr. Maguire generously offers her free resource on proactive parenting: https://www.prismbehavior.com/freeguide.) Dr. Heather Maguire’s interview with Dr. Dan ends with a dramatic and eye-opening Parent Footprint Moment. Dr. Heather Maguire holds a doctorate in educational psychology, and she is a credentialed school psychologist, with over tens years experience working with parents and educators. She is also the proud mama of two kids. # # # Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®. Parent Footprint podcast listeners can get a discount from Wild Foods because they align with Parent Footprint’s mission to make the world a better place one family at a time.  Use FOOTPRINT12 and this link http://wildfoods.co/?aff=325 for 12% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Episode 78 Dr. Dan welcomes guest Dr. Laurie Browne, Director of Research for the American Camp Association, to discuss the latest studies about how camp benefits our kids. In her role at the ACA, Laurie Browne, PhD, specializes in measuring youth outcomes, program quality assessment, and issues related to access, equity, and inclusion. Prior to joining ACA, Laurie was an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management at California State University-Chico.  Laurie received her PhD from the University of Utah, where she studied youth development and research methods.  Dr. Dan and Dr. Browne discuss the American Camp Association, day camp vs. overnight camp,  camp and community, and much more. The ACA’s 5 Year Impact Study and the findings showcase the many ways camp can help throughout a child’s lifetime. Today Dr. Dan and Dr. Browne (both enthusiastic campers; Laurie has three campers of her own, ages 16, 13, and 11) discuss the enlightening research and the five reasons parents should explore sending their kids to camp: Develop Independence Experience Outdoor Childhood Fun and Adventure Relaxation Living Unplugged Become Better at Making and Keeping Friends The interview wraps up with Dr. Browne’s Parent Footprint Moment. Listeners will want to start exploring camp for their children as soon as today’s episode ends! Parent Footprint podcast listeners can get a discount from Wild Foods because they align with Parent Footprint’s mission to make the world a better place one family at a time.  Use FOOTPRINT12 and this link http://wildfoods.co/?aff=325 for 12% off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra, founder of Children and Screens:Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, to discuss one of the most important modern parenting topics today: children and screens. Today’s discussion about technology, parenting, children, and health is timely, relevant, and crucial for all families to hear. Children and Screens was founded in 2013 by Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra because she wanted to better understand the cognitive and long-term impacts of frequent technology use among her own children. Today, Children and Screens is an active non-profit organization addressing three central questions which Dr. Dan and Dr. Pam also discuss briefly today: How is digital media enhancing or impairing children’s ability to live happy, healthy, and productive lives? How are years of electronically mediated interactions shaping children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development? What should we do about all of the above?   Dr. Dan and Dr. Pam touch on many digital topics including: screen use, age, violent games, digital addiction, and how her Parent Footprint moment changed her life. Dr. Dan, Dr. Pam and Children and Screens urge parents to consider: Social media’s impact on mental health. When to introduce digital devices to your child. The problem of digital addiction. Digital media’s impact on physical health. Role-modeling healthy media use. How technology interferes with sleep. Video game content and age appropriateness.  Children’s online privacy. Cell phones in schools. Cyberbullying. For more information about Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development visit www.childrenandscreens.com. Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®. Parent Footprint podcast listeners can get a discount from Wild Foods because they align with Parent Footprint’s mission to make the world a better place one family at a time.  Use FOOTPRINT12 and this link http://wildfoods.co/?aff=325 for 12% off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan is honored to speak to courageous author, inspiring speaker, and visionary leader Lesia Stockall Cartelli today about Angel Faces, the national nonprofit she founded that provides healing retreats and ongoing support to adolescent girls and young women with severe burns and trauma injuries.  Lesia Cartelli overcame a serious injury at the age of nine and learned to transform her intense pain into a life of passion and purpose. Today she touches the hearts of everyone she comes in contact and has helped thousands. Lesia Stockall Cartelli endured serious burn injuries at the age of nine in a natural gas explosion. For thirty years, Cartellilaunched and directed aftercare programs for burn and trauma patients. In 2003, she founded Angel Faces. Cartelli was selected as “Hero of the Week” by People Magazine, featured on CNN’s “Human Factor” with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, HLN, ABC NEWS 20/20, MSN, PBS, and other national media. She has received many prestigious awards for her leadership and inspiration including the “Heart of a Woman” Award on the Dr. Phil Show and an EMMY for Angel Faces mini documentary. Dr. Dan and Lesia discuss how parents can support their children by seeking professional help and support -- for their child and for themselves, too.  Lesia discusses how for any teen it's tough trying to fit into a world obsessed with physical beauty, but for a young woman who has been permanently disfigured by a traumatic injury trying to fit in is deeply challenging. Stares, unwanted questions and rejection are the reality this special group of survivors deals with on a daily basis.  During the Angel Faces retreats survivors learn to deal with grief and loss, gain tools to deal with everyday struggles, and so much more. In today’s interview, Lesia and Dr. Dan demonstrate how to talk to kids with direct questions and how to discover blessings and gifts within any challenge. Lesia explains how she also teaches the power of embracing our fears—something she did herself at age thirty-three when she faced her fear of fire and suited up in full firefighting gear to enter a burning building known as a "control burn.” (A beautiful side note to the story is that after she conquered her fear, she married the fire captain who actually led her into the fire.) Today’s podcast interview about Leisa and Angel Faces (and her Parent Footprint moment) is one listeners will never forget. Dr. Dan’s conversation with Leisa will give everyone hope. About Angel Faces: Angel Faces®, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization headquartered in Encinitas, CA, whose mission is to provide healing retreats and ongoing support for adolescent girls and young women with severe and permanent disfigurement from burn/trauma injuries so they may achieve their optimum potential and develop meaningful relationships for themselves, their families, and their communities. Leisa’s work with others and her own healing journey inspired Lesia to write the book Heart of Fire.  For more information, please visit www.angelfaces.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes entrepreneur Brad Barrett to the podcast today to talk about kids and financial independence. Brad Barrett is the founder of the company and host of the podcast ChooseFI.  His journey will inspire and motivate listeners to take charge of their savings, their future retirement and their dream life today.  His financial teachings start with intention and awareness and values and will help parents show their children how to live a happy and independent life. ChooseFi.com is a personal finance podcast and community that helps people accelerate their path to financial independence.  Brad Barrett went from being a full-time CPA to retiring with complete financial independence by the age of 35 through diligent savings and investing. Now, as co-host and co-founder of ChooseFI (a Top 50 Business Podcast on iTunes) he’s empowering others in their own pursuit of the financially independent lifestyle. Brad’s awareness and commitment to living a life with options starts with money.  Whether you have mountains of debt or are recently debt-free and wondering what to do next, Brad’s advice during today’s interview is a blueprint to financial independence. Dr. Dan and Brad explore many topics listeners will find useful including: Talk about money with your children in an honest and open manner (that is age appropriate) Start explaining the concept of  Financial Independence early by teaching kids how to save their money and how to build a “savings habit” (Brad says he accomplishes this by giving his children an allowance) Why Brad encourages his children to aim for a 50% savings rate  Teach kids basic facts about the stock market and investing and compounding Expose children to the concept of experiences vs. stuff  As parents we can choose to live by example and demonstrate to our children how living with intention is life changing – From eating well to being in the moment with your family to experiencing genuine conversation, everything we do should be intentional (including financial independence) Brad’s personal philosophy (and his honest Parent Footprint moment) will change how listeners think about living a good life, money, family, self-improvement, and ultimately success. For more information about Brad Barrett visit:  https://www.choosefi.com/ Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes back author, speaker, advocate, and entrepreneur Jonathan Mooney to the podcast. His new book Normal Sucks will inspire listeners of all ages. A highly sought after public speaker, Jonathan Mooney has been inspiring audiences with his story and message for two decades. Jonathan has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, TheChicago Tribune, USA Today, HBO, NPR, ABC News, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and other media and he speaks across the nation about neurological and physical diversity.   Jonathan Mooney inspires those who live with differences and reassures us all that Normal Sucks (his book title is inspired by his incredible mom). Jonathan says we need to stop thinking about deficits and instead support the fact that there are advantages and upshots to every type of brain and body. As a neuro-diverse kid diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD who didn't learn to read until he was twelve, the realization that that he wasn’t the problem―the system and the concept of normal were―saved Mooney’s life. In today’s show Dr. Dan and Jonathan explore  normal vs. the toll that being “not normal” takes, learning disabilities, challenges, biology, behavior, and how IF we can reorient the ways in which all we think about diversity, abilities, and disabilities, we CAN start a revolution. Dr. Dan and Jonathan discuss some of Jonathan’s challenges (including anxiety, dyslexia and suicidal thoughts) and have a moving discussion about how to support neurodiverse individuals, including-- Active Learning Different Ways to Share Information  Inclusive Environments Why Every Individual needs to hear “You are not the problem!”  Jonathan tells Dr. Dan one thing parents can do today to help their neurodiverse son or daughter and then shares a very personal Parent Footprint moment. Jonathan Mooney’s books are considered foundational texts in the disability rights movement, the inclusive education movement, and the learning revolution and are used in undergraduate and graduate programs at universities and colleges across the country including Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and Teachers College, Columbia University. For more information about Jonathan’s revolutionary work and advocacy please visit:  https://www.jonathanmooney.com/ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices