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

Just in time for holiday meals, Dr. Dan enthusiastically welcomes author and food writer Brianne DeRosa to discuss family dinners, family meals and the recently released book Eat, Laugh, Talk: The Family Dinner Playbook.  Today’s episode will help parents and families hungry for meaningful meals come together at the table.  Brianne explains how the new book proves the enduring importance of family meals and redefines the concept of family dinner for modern families so that we can all look forward to dinner (or breakfast or lunch).  Dr. Dan and Bri discuss dining-related topics including what the research says about the benefits of family dinners, The Family Dinner Project organization’s mission, and the revelation that “Food + Fun + Conversation” are the three key ingredients to a meaningful family dinner (or meal). Over 20 years of research has shown what parents have known for a long time: regular family meals lead to long-term benefits, including higher resilience, self-esteem, and grade-point-averages, and lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, and depression. Dr. Dan and Bri tackle common obstacles to gathering the whole family for a meal such as busy lives, stress, lack of time, picky eaters, and conflicting work schedules as well as how to follow the family rule “No One Eats Alone Rule” (even if it means Face-timing during dinner!). Brianne DeRosa, MFA, is the Content Manager for The Family Dinner Project and co-author of Eat, Laugh, Talk: The Family Dinner Playbook. As a freelance writer and consultant to nonprofit organizations, she has spent over a decade working in communications, program development and creative initiatives. Bri runs her own food blog, Red, Round or Green and has contributed to the Cooking with Trader Joe's: Easy Lunchboxes cookbook as well as the Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide. She has also written for numerous outlets including Motherwell Magazine, Yahoo! Parenting, HandPicked Nation, KidsNation Magazine, Real Mom Nutrition and The Lunch Tray. Bri has the opportunity to practice her family dinner skills every day with her husband and two young sons.  This episode ends with Bri’s thoughtful Parent Footprint moment.  Bon appetit! # # # About The Family Dinner Project: A nonprofit initiative started in 2010, The Family Dinner Project champions family dinner as an opportunity for family members to connect with each other through food, fun, and conversation about things that matter. More than 20 years of scientific research shows "why" family mealtimes are so important. The Family Dinner Project provides the "how" for today's busy families. The Family Dinner Project team members come from varied personal and professional backgrounds. They are parents and non-parents, and their ages range from "young professional" to 'Medicare-eligible.' Their collective professional experience includes education, family therapy, research, food, social work, marketing and communication. With nonprofit partners and local champions, The Family Dinner Project team works online and at community events to help families increase the frequency, meaning, and long- term benefits of their shared meals. The Family Dinner Project is based in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital's Psychiatry Academy. NOTE: All the authors’ proceeds will benefit The Family Dinner Project’s nonprofit community programs. Book Contributors: Lynn Barendsen  Brianne DeRosa  Anne K. Fishel, PhD  Shelly London  Cindil Redick-Ponte More information: Website  https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/ Twitter @FDP_Tweets Instagram @thefamilydinnerproject Facebook  @thefamilydinnerproject Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes Cass and Len Arcuri, the founders of Warrior Parent Coaching to the Parent Footprint podcast. Today’s two guests teach listeners how all parents can transform into “Warrior Parents” as a way to help their child.   Cass Arcuri spent her career in marketing, sales, creative development and business development. When her son got sick she took a three year sabbatical so that she could focus on healing. Cass understands the body’s innate power to heal. She has put in over 15,000 hours in the kitchen - creating recipes to accommodate allergies and special diets. Cass is a certified Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Len Arcuri’s professional background and expertise is in process improvement. Len loves to help clients achieve their goals, realize their potential and upgrade their body, mind and life. He’s a Six Sigma Master Blackbelt and a certified Bulletproof Human Potential Institute Coach. His coaching combines proven productivity tools and biohacking to get results faster with greater ease. Dr. Dan interviews Cass and Len about their life-changing journey which started when their son received an autism diagnosis at a young age.   During today’s show, Cass and Len share intimate details about their personal experiences with autism, diet modification, and environmental toxins.   The Warrior Parent Coaching program grew out of Cass and Len’s roles as “Mom and Dad” and today is a thriving personal coaching program for many parents.  Episode 72 covers:    What is Warrior Parent Coaching?  How did Cass and Len start their organization?   The role of Empowerment and Mindset as part of the transformation to “Warrior Parent.” Warrior Parent Coaching is a support program that is whole child based and includes nutrition. Cass and Len tell us about their own experience with diet and nutrition. How Cass and Len’s son is doing today.    And much more including listening to your intuition, asking for help, striving for a strong relationship as parents, and envisioning your child’s dreams (wishes do come true!).  Cass and Len’s two eye-opening Parent Footprint moments.  For more information about Warrior Parent Coaching and Cass and Len visit   https://warriorparentcoaching.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October is National Eczema Awareness month and today Dr. Dan Peters welcomes expert Christine Triano, MSW, LCSW, the Director of Mental Health at the Center for Connection in Pasadena, CA.  Today’s interview about often misunderstood chronic diseases and conditions offers helpful advice for all parents raising teenagers. Christine Triano is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of adolescents, adults, families and creative professionals. Her strengths-based approach ensures that counselling addresses not just what's going wrong, but identifies and nurtures what is going right. She strives to help clients make new discoveries about themselves and identify ways to overcome the obstacles they face—which is why she joined the Understand AD (atopic dermatitis) Squad. Her work at the AD Squad includes encouraging patients with chronic diseases to open up about their personal experience and she helps teens realize their condition does not define them. Dr. Dan and Christine discuss these questions:      What are the psychological and social impacts of living with eczema (and similar conditions) as a teen?   Advice for  parents who are navigating raising a child with eczema.   Atopic dermatitis is a severe form of eczema. What is the Understand AD Squad?    How parents can control their own stress (so that they don’t amplify their child’s stress)?   Teaching resilience, self-care, and other life skills for teens.  The show ends with Christine’s Parent Footprint Moment. Christine Triano holds a Masters in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Political Science from Tufts University in Medford, MA. Highlights of her professional experience include working with Eastlake Youth Services, Verdugo Hills Hospital, Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles, Jewish Family Services, and Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center, where she spent five years as an adolescent psychiatric social worker.  Most recently, Christine ran the Mental Health Counseling program at AMDA College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Hollywood. A proud native New Yorker, Christine enjoyed many years as a writer, media consultant, and documentary film and television producer before earning her MSW. She continues to pursue her passion for storytelling through documentary projects highlighting the importance of connection and community. As writer and co-producer of Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home, she received the VOICE Award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for educating the public about the experiences of people in recovery from mental illness.  More recently, she wrote and co-produced the 2016 documentary feature, Los Punks: We Are All We Have, chronicling the vibrant DIY punk rock scene in East and South Los Angeles. For more information visit about Christine Tirano and her work visit: https://www.thecenterforconnection.org/christine-triano-bio  and https://understandad.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

Episode 70 Dr. Brad Reedy How to Be a Heroic Parent with Dr. Brad Reedy, PhD Today Dr. Dan welcomes Dr. Brad Reedy to the podcast to discuss his inspiring work and book The Journey of the Heroic Parent. Co-owner and the Clinical Director of Evoke Therapy Programs, Dr. Brad Reedy, PhD believes all parents can be heroic parents.  His work helps struggling adolescents, young-adults and families embark on a journey to a happier, healthier relationship — and in doing so they can achieve understanding and love. An acclaimed speaker, author, and podcast host, Dr. Brad Reedy works with parents who want to provide their children with a safe haven in the midst of today’s challenges. He provides parents with principles and skills critical for a child’s healthy development. Parents dealing with many challenging issues (anxiety/depression, school problems, substance abuse, communication difficulties, defiance/behavioral difficulties, self-harm) will want to tune into today’s informative interview.  In Episode 70, Dr. Dan and Dr. Reedy discuss the tools to help children cope, build confidence, and thrive in many circumstances including: Why “heroic” parenting? What is the heroic aspect of parenting Dr. Reedy discusses in his book? What are the things parents can do to reduce or inoculate their children from anxiety and stress? What roles do “parent shame” and “guilt” play into parenting? Should parents filter the feelings they share with their children? What is the most common mistake new parents (or parents) make? How do you account for the rise in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide in today’s youth? The show ends with Dr. Reedy’s deeply moving and personal Parent Footprint moment.  Dr. Brad Reedy has his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Co-owner and the Clinical Director of Evoke Therapy Programs, an experientially-based therapy program for adolescents, young-adults and families. Previously, as owner and partner, Dr. Reedy served as a Primary Therapist, Clinical Director and Executive Director for a program that became the most successful wilderness therapy program in the country. He has served on the Board of the Utah Department of Child and Family Services, the Board of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, and the En Garde Arts Board, a New York based theatre company. He is a prolific public speaker and has been invited to deliver keynote addresses at conferences, private events, nationally syndicated radio shows, and universities on experiential therapy, mental health, childhood issues, parenting, and organizational health. He is also the host of the podcast for Evoke Therapy Programs on iTunes and Soundcloud and has broadcast over 1000 webinars on mental health topics and parent and family issues. To find out more about Heroic Parenting and Dr. Reedy’s work and book go to  www.evoketherapy.com and www.drbradreedy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes author/CEO of The Wonder Weeks book and app Xaviera Plas-Plooij to today’s episode.  Listeners will love this informative discussion about the just released sixth edition of the internationally bestselling book THE WONDER WEEKS: A STRESS-FREE GUIDE TO YOUR BABY’S BEHAVIOR.  Xaviera Plas-Plooij, mother of three, has one mission: to give parents the tools they need in order to fully understand their baby’s mental and emotional development. Daughter of Dr. Frans X. Plooij and Dr. Hetty van de Rijt, founding authors of The Wonder Weeks, Plas-Plooij has significantly revised and modernized the sixth edition of THE WONDER WEEKS. This award-winning book offers a refreshing new paradigm for parenting, one in which fussy phases can be viewed positively. In addition, she launched a bestselling app so parents can track the ten magical leaps that their baby makes, on a personalized schedule. With more than two million copies sold of the book, and more than four million downloads of the companion app, THE WONDER WEEKS has struck a chord.  After listening to today’s episode and Xaviera’s Parent Footprint moment, every parent will want to know more about the phenomenon that has been embraced by celebrities, social media influencers, and parents, worldwide. As a writer, columnist, and a popular speaker, Xaviera Plas is in 24/7 contact with parents around the globe. Plas-Plooij is a trusted member of the Lumi by Pampers Expert Advisory Panel. For more information on Xaviera and The Wonder Weeks visit:https://www.thewonderweeks.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 Dr. Valerie Crabtree of the acclaimed St. Jude’s Research Hospital to Episode 68 to discuss the importance of sleep for young people. Dr. Valerie Crabtree has a bold statement for Dr. Dan and all parents: “Sleep is the third pillar of health, along with nutrition and movement, that keeps us healthy and balanced.”  Dr. Crabtree is the Chief of Psychosocial Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and her critical advice for young people on the importance of getting enough sleep is eye-opening:  “Insufficient sleep contributes to making us overweight, sick and sluggish. We literally clean our brains while we sleep, washing away harmful toxins and making room for memories to be stored. In children and teenagers, poor or insufficient sleep is related to poorer organization, poorer memory, and academic difficulties,” Dr. Crabtree writes in a recent and widely shared article for Your Teen Magazine. As the lead researcher on sleep and fatigue in children undergoing cancer treatment and brain tumor survivors, sleep is a major focus for Dr. Crabtree, which she highlights in her recent TedX Talk (Memphis) on how very early school start times are detrimental to the health of teenagers as well as those around them.  She suggests teens aren’t lazy, rather they are just sleepy – and explores the questions: why do we follow CDC guidelines and AAP recommendations when it comes to vaccinations and washing our hands, but not their guidance when it comes to school start times? Dr. Crabtree, who is also a parent of two teens, indicates that sleepy, grumpy, overtired teenagers are a hallmark of American schools – but we must ensure our children get adequate sleep. In this episode of the Parent Footprint podcast and in Dr. Crabtree’s work (and her recent Your Teen article) she addresses and answers many questions including: How she got interested in sleep and studying sleep. How does sleep relate to childhood cancer research? Why is sleep called on of the pillars of health? Does she think we take sleep for granted in our culture? Why? What the APA recommends regarding sleep in adolescents and teens and school start times. Her own experience raising teenage boys and trying to get them to learn the importance of health sleep? Does she think there are many school systems not following these guidelines of the APA? And is it starting to change? What are some examples of successful school districts that have enacted later school start times?  What positive benefits are they seeing? Her experience trying to make this change in her own district and how can parents advocate for later school start times? Dr. Dan and Dr. Crabtree’s interview will wake up all listeners when it comes to sleep! For more information on Dr. Crabtree and her work visit:  https://www.stjude.org/directory/c/valerie-crabtree.html St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is ranked the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes dyslexia advocate and author Don Winn to Episode 67. Don has struggled with dyslexia for his entire life and also deals with dysgraphia (trouble with writing) and dyscalculia (trouble with numbers, math, and sequencing). School—because it involved reading, writing, math, and memorizing things in sequence (the alphabet, multiplication tables, etc.)—was a nightmare for him but the happy ending that will resonate will all listeners of the Parent Footprint podcast with Dr. Dan is that not only did Don survive school (and growing up) -- he thrived!  Today, Don Winn is an author, speaker, blogger and advocate who shares helpful information so that parents and educators can help their dyslexic children and students to understand the condition and guide kids with patience, optimism, and perseverance.    On this episode, Dr. Dan and Don talk about many important subjects including:   Don’s dyslexia journey as a child and as an adult     The importance of parents understanding dyslexia and what it means for their child   Dyslexic strengths   What happens when children, teens, adults accept their dyslexia challenges?     The importance of parents examining what worked/ didn't work for them in their own childhood   Don Winn’s Parent Footprint Moment Don Winn’s forthcoming non-fiction book, Raising a Child with Dyslexia: What Every Parent Needs To Know, addresses all aspects of dyslexia, including social and emotional learning. Using current, cutting edge research, this user-friendly guide for parents and educators will help prepare their child to be a reader from infancy. These tools and techniques are proven to help all children, not just those with dyslexia.  Don is also the author of the award-winning four-book Sir Kaye the Boy Knight series of chapter books for middle readers and of thirteen picture books for young readers and his articles about dyslexia and reading have appeared on TODAY Parenting, Fostering Families Today and MD Monthly, among many others. For more information about Don Winn visit: https://donwinn.blog/about-childrens-author-don-m-winn/. 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 life/parent coach and expert (and mom to two boys) Deb Blum to the podcast today for a meaningful conversation about the "Boy Crisis" and raising healthy boys. Deb lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their 15 and 17 year old boys. She’s been a management & technology consultant for over 25 years. Ten years ago, Deb found herself at a personal crisis point – suffering the consequences of unhealed trauma, completely disconnected from herself, on the brink of divorce – bitter, blaming and hopeless. Deb learned that to be a good leader, parent and partner – she needed to show up for herself first which is aligned with the Parent Footprint mission and eventually led to her life’s work. After reading the book The Boy Crisis, Deb’s life changed dramatically and drastically as she learned that it's a myth that boys and men are doing fine. In fact, she discovered that all humans are facing an impending epic catastrophe if our boys continue to struggle and then grow into men who aren't engaged and positively contributing to our society. Deb passionately tells Dr. Dan that this is not a zero sum game -- she believes we're all in this together and when any group isn't doing well, it impacts everyone.  Dr. Dan and Deb agree that our boys need us and discuss provocative topics in today’s podcast including --  What are some of the ways that boys are in crisis? Three ways parents/moms can help boys Why boys need dads and positive male role models Why it is time to wake up and listen and why they need help in all areas: schools, relationships, families, the media - even the government! How to have a real relationship with your son Deb’s compelling Parent Footprint moment and what it can teach every parent In addition to her coaching and consulting work, Deb Blum is the co-founder of a large local parent community, Redwood Parents Connect; the founder of the Center for the Well-being of Boys; and a strategic advisor for the Marin County Restorative Youth Court.  She is also the official moderator Dr. Warren Farrell’s Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/boycrisisforum/ (Dr. Warren Farrell is the author of The Boy Crisis and one of the original advocates for boys and men).  Finally, Deb Blum is part of the coalition to create a White House Council for Boys and Men: http://whitehouseboysmen.org/ For  more information visit www.DebBlum.com and https://www.facebook.com/DebBlumCoach/. 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 Wendy Gossett, M. Ed. (an author, Temperament Specialist and Founder of Temperament Coaching) to today’s show to discuss temperament and parenting. Wendy is a child temperament specialist who helps parents learn how to “see” their kids, not through their own biased lens, but through the lens of their child’s natural temperament.   Wendy starts off the show discussing her own parenting journey and how her own daughter inspired her life’s work. Wendy Gossett’s Child Temperament test will help parents everywhere to understand their child or children (and her adult test will help parents understand themselves).  Her work with parents shows parents how to uncover their "true type” so they can be self-aware and differentiate their strengths from their kids. Many times parents have unrealistic expectations that come from their own temperament biases.   Today’s show tackles many topics including:  How Wendy started using temperament psychology with families (Hint: she was a corporate trainer using Myers Briggs, Keirsey and Carl Jung.) What is temperament exactly? Is temperament determined by nature or nurture? How early can a parent  tell a child’s temperament?  Wendy’s viral video and why you should watch it today! And more including Wendy’s Parent Footprint Moment.  Wendy Gossett, MA, is a Parenting and Relationship Specialist based in Denver, Colorado. She has worked with countless parents helping them to understand their children better by using temperament psychology. EEG maps in Neuroscience validate temperament as a tool for comprehending the eight psychological functions of the brain, which help people see and understand each other from the inside out. She has also worked with many Fortune 500 companies as a trainer and facilitator. In addition to her expertise in the field of temperament psychology, Wendy has a master’s degree with over twenty years of experience in all areas of training including parenting her own daughter who is her complete opposite. She is a contributing writer for Denver Parent and Mile High Mamas and for the past decade, she has been compiling all her acquired knowledge and experience with families into a comprehensive parenting textbook YOUR CHILD’S INNER DRIVE to help parents have a “User Manual” for their children, which will be published soon. 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 the incredibly inspiring author and leadership consultant Katy McQuaid to the Parent Footprint podcast today. Katy McQuaid spent more than three decades in the CIA, including 12 years living abroad. Her work in communities all over the world and the endearing, unconditional love of her four-legged muse Grace inspired her to write the “Everybody Loves Grace” series of illustrated books. Parents, kids of all ages, executives, and organizational leaders hail the series as a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone navigating change or challenging circumstances. Through her children’s book series, Katy introduces us to Grace, her loving, wise, and fluffy Finnish Lapphund who is the central character in this illustrated children’s book series aimed at giving kids hope and courage as they face life’s many challenges. The series “Everybody Loves Grace,” and the newest book – “Everybody Loves Grace: An Amazing True Story of Grace’s Adventure to the Grand Canyon” is out now. Through Grace (the character and the real dog), Katy teaches us life lessons including: Uncertainty can be wonderful. Simple acts of kindness really make a difference. If you make direct eye contact and you will really connect. Every day is an adventure! Dr. Dan and Katy discuss many relatable topics in today’s episode and they offer advice listeners can start to implement today. This interview will change the way every family sees the world and lives in it -- all thanks to Grace. More about Katy: Katy is the founder of McQuaid Corporate Performance, LLC and a graduate of Penn State University where she attended on a full scholarship, lettered all four years as a swimmer, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. She is also a graduate of the Vanguard Executive Development Program at Duke University, the Pinnacle Executive Leader Program at Kellogg’s School of Management, and is currently finalizing her studies to become a certified trainer for Conscious Transformation. Katy’s goal is to support people and organizations in experiencing successful, meaningful, and empowered transformations.  Katy was the first female Senior Executive in the CIA’s Logistics Career Service as well as the first Senior Executive Support Officer in the South Asia War Theater (and the first and only female to date in the position). She also held a key Support Officer position during the transition of US intelligence activities from one city to another in one of the largest European offices. Katy served as an Elder at Pathways Church in Denver, Colorado and currently serves as Chair of the Dorcas Aid America Board of Directors. Learn more at www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices