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

Dr. Dan welcomes Alison Morrow to today’s show to discuss homeschooling and her work as a  homeschool coach and founder of Goodschooling.net. Alison Morrow is a former classroom teacher and veteran homeschool mom of two. Alison and her husband Dan created Good Schooling to provide resources designed to empower, equip, and encourage those wanting to homeschool. Alison’s one-of-a-kind program gives parents important information about the homeschooling choice and also helps families transition to homeschooling. Alison explains to Dr. Dan that our own educational experiences as children influence the choices we make for our own children's educations, and discusses how homeschooling can help parents to create a better parenting footprint by increasing and deepening their connection with their children.   Alison’s interview reveals that what matters for all children is “Good Schooling” -- and the path to that is one parents can choose and shape and customize for their child. For many families the conventional school system isn't the best fit for them. In Episode 63, Dr. Dan discusses many important topics with Alison including: - The myths of homeschooling - what is it and how does it work? -Why do families choose homeschooling? - How can homeschooling help children begin to form their own healthy self-concept? - Can homeschooled children be healthily socialized? - Can homeschooled children get into college (and be eligible for academic or athletic scholarships)? - Aren’t most homeschoolers conservative Christians? What if parents aren’t religious? - If a child is a different learner – can he or she still homeschooled? - How does homeschooling address conventional learning? -What are some examples of unconventional and creative learning children can experience as a result of homeschooling? Dr. Dan wraps up today’s interview with the Parent Footprint question. Alison’s heartfelt answer will lead listeners to reflect on their own parenting journey. For more information about Alison and GoodSchooling, visit https://goodschooling.net/about-goodschooling/. 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

Just in time for summer, Dr. Dan interviews Michelle Lang (swim instructor to the stars and so much more!) about swimming, water safety, empowered living, and much more in this timely interview. Did you know drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for kids ages 1-4? Did you also know drowning is -- in most cases -- totally preventable? Michelle Lang, author of the new book A MERMAID’S GUIDE: Empower Your Child in Water and in Life, tells Dr. Dan and the Parent Footprint podcast listeners how to keep children safe this summer (and anytime kids are around water).  Dr. Dan and Michelle discuss the Relaxation Based Swimming Method, the three phases of swimming, how to be a better swimmer at any age, Michelle’s Golden Rules, and the lessons swimming can teach us all about life and success. Michelle travels the globe teaching kids how to swim and has given over 10,000 swim lessons (including lessons to Kim Kardashian’s children as well as Simon Cowell’s and Sarah Michelle Geller’s!). Her tips and calm approach to swimming will allow all families to enjoy a summer without anxiety and fear about drowning. There are so many life lessons from today’s interview (useful both inside and outside of the water) listeners will take away many lessons from today’s show about topics ranging from water safety, anxiety, empowerment, courage, awareness, to how to “Be The Buddha” in your life!  The show ends with Michelle’s wonderful and inspiring Parent Footprint Moment.  Author Michelle Lang is a modern spiritualist, certified Reiki practitioner, black belt martial artist and childhood swim prodigy. Michelle is a thought leader when it comes to keeping your sanity while giving your child the tools they need to achieve greatness. Her work goes beyond the pool!  Michelle graduated from Northwestern University before moving to Los Angeles. She used her prestigious education, training from the American Red Cross, and experience teaching over ten thousand swim lessons to create her highly effective and revolutionary method, RELAXATION BASED SWIMMING. Michelle works with Hollywood's biggest celebrities and travels internationally teaching lessons and educating parents about what they can do to help their child succeed, both in water and in life. Michelle's husband, Ian Nelms, is a critically acclaimed filmmaker and co-creator of Relaxation Based Swimming. Michelle and Ian live with their two children in Los Angeles. For more information go to:  www.RelaxationBasedLifestyle.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Dan welcomes author and parenting expert Maureen Healy of Growing Happy Kids.com to discuss her new and inspiring book The Emotionally Healthy Child: Helping Your Child Calm, Center, and Make Smarter Choices. Growing up has never been easy, but today’s world presents kids and their parents with unprecedented challenges. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of children experience anxiety and 14 percent have a mood disorder, and National Public Radio shared that as many as five million public school students have mental-emotional issues such as depression and anxiety. Today Dr. Dan talks to award-winning author and international speaker Maureen Healy about emotional health and much more.  In her book The Emotionally Healthy Child, Maureen Healy explains that emotional health is the ability identify emotions and to make better choices, even when feeling anger or another big emotion. She explains to Dr. Dan that the ability to — Stop, Calm, and Make a Smarter Choice — are key to expressing emotions constructively. During today’s podcast interview listeners will hear about what children need to know, what children need to do, and what speeds up the process of emotional health. In addition, Dr. Dan and Maureen Healy discuss what age to start working on emotional health, the feeling brain vs. the thinking brain, mindfulness tools, the inspiring words the Dalai Lama wrote about Maureen’s book ( "I hope Maureen Healy's book - The Emotionally Healthy Child - will contribute to a more wholesome education for future generations"), her studies with happiness teachers globally, the concept of wholeness, and much more -- including Maureen’s Parent Footprint Moment.  Maureen Healy is an award-winning author, speaker and leader in the field of children’s emotional health. Maureen writes a popular blog for Psychology Today and her first book Growing Happy Kids won the Nautilus and Readers’ Favorite book awards. With over fifteen years of years of experience, Maureen has counseled thousands of parents and their children, worked with educators globally, taught in the classroom, and given keynote talks throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She’s also appeared across all media outlets including AOL’s “The Fatherhood Project” with Hank Azaria, Forbes.com and Scholastic magazine. Maureen’s earned a BA and MBA from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a PhD in Child Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, CA. 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 is excited to speak to Joshua David Stein, a Dad and the editor-at-large at Fatherly.com. A prolific writer, Joshua David Stein is responsible for editorial initiatives across the company and serves as the host of The Fatherly Podcast. A popular children’s book author, Joshua David Stein’s writing has appeared in The Guardian, GQ, The New York Times, New York and many more publications.  Dr. Dan is thrilled to talk all things Dad, fathers, and even grandfathers with Joshua David Stein in episode 60. Fatherly’s mission is to empower men to raise great kids and lead more fulfilling adult lives. It’s the premiere destination for Dads today. From original video series and deep dive reports to podcasts and events, Fatherly offers original reporting, expert parenting advice, and hard-won insights into a challenging, but profoundly rewarding stage of life.  Dr. Dan and Joshua discuss:  What it means to be a modern father Dad Guilt (yes it exists!) Advice for Dads to be more present/involved with their children/families The best advice for fathers (and how that advice aligns with the philosophy of Parent Footprint) The Fatherly Podcast Why Dads should spend enough time with their kids so that the children ignore you! And more! Dr. Dan and Joshua passionately agree on the importance of equitably sharing in the labor (and joys!) of child-rearing with your co-parent and the value of being present as much as possible. Joshua’s deeply honest and vulnerable Parent Footprint Moment helps to wrap up this remarkable show which redefines fatherhood and will inspire Dads everywhere to explore their own personal journey. For more information on Joshua and podcast information:   https://www.instagram.com/joshuadavidstein/?hl=en https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fatherly-podcast/id1297360596 Also, 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 his friend and colleague Dr. Devon MacEachron on Episode 59. Dr. Devon’s lifelong work helps families as they navigate neurodiversity, learning, and education on their parenting journeys. Dr. Dan embraces Dr. Devon’s method of framing neurodiversity as a super-power (and not a weakness) and agrees this shift is life-changing for children and families. Recently, Dr. Devon’s inspiring video about neurodiversity went viral with over 26 millions views. As a parent of neurodiverse children herself and a specialist in twice-exceptional and gifted learners, Dr. Devon is a respected expert diagnostician who provides actionable game-plans to families to enable students to achieve their potential. Listen to Dr. Devon as she debunks neuromyths, shares some of her favorite blogs, gives her top three tips to parents of neurodiverse children, and talks about her own trial-and-error as a parent including her entertaining and poignant Parent Footprint Moment. Today Dr. Devon runs a thriving New York-based psychology practice she founded in 2014 to meet the educational planning and psychoeducational assessment needs of families of bright learners seeking to optimize learning and achievement. Like Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint, Dr. Devon uses a strengths-based and positive psychology perspective. Her mission is to help position students to achieve their goals and dreams, and for parents to feel confident that they are doing the best for their child in ways that will make a real difference in their child’s life for years to come. Dr. Devon earned a B.A. from Amherst College (graduating in the first class of admitted women), an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (graduating in the top 3% of her class), and her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley. For more information visit: https://drdevon.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 is very excited to welcome Laura Carlin to the Parent Footprint podcast today. Laura is the author of the new book CLUTTER-FREE PARENTING: MAKING SPACE IN YOUR HOME FOR THE MAGIC OF CHILDHOOD AND THE JOY OF PARENTHOOD and she inspired parents and families everywhere. Laura Carlin talks to Dr. Dan about the role that clearing clutter can play in parenting and in our children's lives. Laura explains her own childhood love of clutter-clearing and how clearing clutter can help raise confident, compassionate children who have the space to discover their passions, learn, grow, and have fun--undistracted by an endless stream of "things" they don't need and really don't want.  Today’s show will help parents get a jumpstart on spring cleaning while also bringing more love and joy into their homes right now. Laura tells Dr. Dan to start by asking “Is your home working for you or against you?” and this starting point will easily guide families. Laura shares a great lesson about how her own sister (and co-author of the book) cleared her tupperware drawer and it instantly increased her daily joy and her ability to be present.  The Clutter-Free parenting method teaches moms and dads everywhere how to:  -Regain time and energy in their day -Create a home filled only with things they love or use -Inspire children to be collaborators in a clutter-free home -Prevent clutter from accumulating in the first place -Use clutter-clearing to be more mindful and present Laura’s advice is truly life-changing: if you own anything that is not loved or not useful then it should not be in your home! And how you clear clutter is as important as what you clear! Dr. Dan encourages listeners to start decluttering today to achieve immediate clarity and peace. The interview ends with Laura’s Parent Footprint Moment about authenticity and it is a great example of how everything starts with parents.  Author Laura Carlin is a Simplicity Parenting coach and has inspired hundreds of people to transform their homes and lives through her workshops and lifestyle brand, InspiredEverydayLiving.com. Laura received a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, and her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northwestern University. She also graduated from the Western School of Feng Shui™ and lives with her husband and two sons. 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 author Natalie Silverstein to episode #57. Beyond the homework, screen-time, and endless activities, there are bigger challenges for modern parents: figuring out how to raise compassionate, generous, civic-minded children. In her new book SIMPLE ACTS: THE BUSY FAMILY’S GUIDE TO GIVING BACK , Natalie Silverstein offers hundreds of practical ideas for incorporating service and the spirit of giving into your family life. Today’s show (and Natalie’s book) is a call to action for all parents to model good values, teach volunteerism, and ultimately help those in need. Natalie Silverstein is the New York volunteer coordinator of Doing Good Together in New York City. She believes it’s never too early to get kids in the habit of service and Dr. Dan enthusiastically agrees!  In today’s interview, Dr. Dan and Natalie Silverstein discuss: Living your values Making service a priority Volunteering -- how we teach our children compassion by modeling it How to choose community-service options that are right for your family How to create easy kindness project (at the kitchen table) Ideas for integrating volunteerism into your jam-packed schedule How to talk to children about inequality and suffering in an age-appropriate way And much more! Dr. Dan explains how saying yes to service means we are saying no to something else. It is important that we prioritize living our values every single day—remember our kids are always watching. As parents we are creating our children’s foundation of lifelong giving and service. At the end of the interview in her Parent Footprint moment Natalie gives listeners a terrific lesson about how sometimes parents miss the mark but that life lessons can be learned in almost any situation. Natalie Silverstein, MPH, is the volunteer coordinator of Doing Good Together TM in New York City. She is a frequent consultant and presenter to parents, faculty, students, and community groups on the topic of family service, and is a contributor to parenting blogs GrownAndFlown and MommyPoppins. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Health from Yale University. She and her family regularly make time to volunteer in their community. 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 authors of the new book series TERRIFIC TODDLERS today. Authors Carol Zeavin, MSEd, Med, and Rhona Silverbush, JD, give parents, educators and caregivers ways to help toddlers overcome their daily dramas including boo-boo's, sharing and saying bye-bye to mommy and daddy. Published by the American Psychological Association/Magination Press this series will help families struggling with the toddler years. The authors explain how they used groundbreaking research to craft age-appropriate stories that take into account the language level and comprehension level of a toddler. Dr. Dan focuses on how these books will empower parents because they all include a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” feature that provides parents with important guidelines for navigating these challenges and helping their toddlers understand their world. Dr. Dan leads the discussion with the two authors about these two titles -- Bye-Bye! In All Mine! The show ends like always with the Parent Footprint Moment question. Carol Zeavin holds master's degrees in education and special education from Bank Street College, worked with infants and toddlers for nearly a decade as head teacher at Rockefeller University Child and Family Center and Barnard's Toddler Development Center, and worked at Y.A.I. and Theracare. She lives in New York, NY.  Rhona Silverbush studied psychology and theater at Brandeis University and law at Boston College Law School. She represented refugees and has written and co-written several books, including a guide to acting Shakespeare. She currently coaches actors, writes, tutors, and consults for families of children and teens with learning differences and special needs. She lives in New York, NY.  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’s episode of the Parent Footprint podcast with Dr. Dan will help families thrive in the midst of the tumultuous teen years. Guest Dr. Christa Santangelo is an author, a psychologist and an assistant clinical professor at the University of California-San Francisco and her new book will transform every family. In her decades of work, Dr. Santangelo has witnessed many relationships devastated by the emotional hurricane that teenagers can inflict on a family. Dr. Santangelo talks to Dr. Dan about ways to resolve teen-parent conflict and gives us all a new way to parent teens. Dr. Dan (a loving Dad to teens himself) emphasizes how parents must focus on their own emotions and triggers before they can successfully parent their teens. In her book A New Theory of Teenagers and on today’s episode, Dr. Santangelo shares with parents the advice, tips, support, and big-picture overview they need to see the teen years as an opportunity for growth and for positive relationship changes. Dr. Dan and Dr. Santangelo agree that integrating conventional psychology with alternative methods (such as yoga and meditation and deep breathing) will help a parent approach the relationship with solid footing and then they can work with their teen on  building trust and understanding emotions. If parents bring a mindful and positive and non-reactive approach to their teens, the experience will be positive for each individual. Listeners will learn a lot from today’s show including: The importance of being in touch with our own emotions Parent Time-Outs! Trust and Mistrust (give your teen room to explore and then lower your expectations!) The role non-verbal communications plays in your teen parenting How parenting a teen is an inward journey of growth and change for the parent And more The show ends with a powerful Parent Footprint Moment -- Dr. Santangelo reveals how one day in the emergency room with her daughter she was forced to reframe her own feelings of helplessness as a Mom and use that experience to reset her parenting expectations in a positive way. Christa Santangelo, Ph.D is a clinical psychologist in private practice and on faculty at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Santangelo has been in practice for twenty years and during that time has utilized approaches to change, which include short-term solution-focused work, cognitive-behavioral strategies, analytic, mindfulness-based and others. She was trained at Yale University and holds advanced training in yoga/meditation and using mind-body approaches to healing. For more information visit: https://christasantangelo.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 author of “the bible for social media” Kristin Johnson to today’s show to discuss teens, parents, manners and social media.  Kristin is a prize-winning writer, blogger, ghostwriting/creative writing consultant, screenwriter, and editor. Her new book AIN'T "U" GOT NO MANNERS is a go-to guide filled with secrets and common sense for surviving -- and thriving -- in our brave new digital world. Are you worried about your kids and teens on social media? What is good and bad about living an online life? What do we do when our kids are consumed by their digital life? And should parents be friends with their kids on social media? Kristin shares the story behind the book, practical advice (including etiquette tips) and more technology rules such as: Every child is different just like every family is different. Set rules that work for your child. Yes you can be “friends” with your child on social media.  But NEVER send “friend requests” to your kid’s online friends (unless you really know him or her) Parents and their children: do you know that most social media apps automatically track locations?  Consider turning this off. Adults and children all need “breaks” and must set times where there is no device.  (Consider: meals, bedtime) Kristin’s Parent Footprint moment is about her role as an aunt and how this special relationship even helped her write this book! Kristin Johnson is a member of the Desert Screenwriters Guild, Society of Children’s Books and Illustrators, and Palm Springs Women in Film and Television. She is graduate of the former Master of Professional Writing Program from the University of Southern California and she has published/collaborated on seven books. 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