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

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

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