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

Dr. Dan welcomes organizing & productivity consultant, New York Times best-selling author, and expert speaker Julie Morgenstern (www.juliemorgenstern.com) to today’s episode to discuss her new book Time To Parent which teaches the ways parents can savor time with their children and their own time, too. https://www.juliemorgenstern.com/time-to-parent     Dr. Dan agrees with Julie that parents have struggled with the time equation for generations. In the age of extracurriculars, calendar alerts, and smartphones, the question of how to give your kids undivided attention—and still take care of yourself—looms larger than ever. During today’s discussion Dr. Dan and Julie talk about being present, setting intentions, connecting with your kids, and actionable strategies parents can do right now (with memorable acronyms) and many other topics. Julie’s Parent Footprint moment is about how she conquered her own fear with her daughter on a vacation and how that single lesson helped her parent well during the teen years. For over 30 years, Julie Morgenstern has been teaching people all around the world and at all stages of life how to overcome disorganization to achieve their goals. Her mission is to free each individual to make their unique contribution to the world—by helping them design their own systems for managing time and space that feel natural and are easy to maintain. This Inside Out approach to organizing everything gives readers, listeners, and clients the energy and knowledge they need to get (and stay) organized. Julie has shared her expertise on countless TV and radio outlets, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, The Rachael Ray Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The National Public Radio. Julie is quoted and featured regularly in a wide variety of publications and has been seen in The New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, Best Life, O Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Fitness Magazine and Men's Health. Julie is the author of the classic tomes Organizing from the Inside Out and Time Management from the Inside Out, both of which have been developed into popular specials for PBS. Julie and her teenage daughter, Jessi Morgenstern-Colon, co-authored Organizing from the Inside Out for Teens. Her workplace productivity and work-life balance tome, Never Check Email in the Morning, is now the basis of a popular training program conducted for Fortune 500 businesses and organizations worldwide. Julie's book Shed Your Stuff, Change Your Life takes her message to a new level, showing people how to use the process of decluttering to 'get unstuck' in their lives. Her latest book is Time to Parent. 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 enthusiastically welcomes today’s guest Tosha Schore to talk about a crucial topic for parents and communities across the globe: Raising our boys. www.toshaschore.com Tosha Schore is a parent coach, speaker and co-author with Hand in Hand Parenting founder, Patty Wipfler, of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges. Tosha is mom to three boys and an advocate for boys and their families worldwide. She is committed to creating lasting change in families and in the world by supporting parents to care for themselves, connect with their boys deeply, set limits lovingly, and play wildly. Tosha holds a BA in Women’s Studies & Language Studies from UCSC, an MA in Applied Linguistics from UCLA, and is a certified teacher and trainer of instructors in Parenting by Connection. Tosha's intense work with boys (along with her book) teaches parents effective ways to build healthy relationships with their boys. She lives by the philosophy that as parents and caregivers transition through changes that are natural in life, families can come through those changes whole and wholly as who they authentically are. Dr. Dan and Tosha discuss the goal of raising respectful, resilient boys by dealing with emotions, hardships, and much more and in doing the work of good listening we are collectively creating a more peaceful world, one boy at a time. Dr. Dan has great questions for Tosha and her examples (from spaghetti to cell phones!) will resonate with listeners everywhere. The discussion includes parenting strategies that will change your relationship with your boys and the tone of your family. As the mom of boys, Tosha shares a brave and honest Parent Footprint moment to close the show. 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 the inspiring educator, author, and co-founder of Challenge Success. Dr. Denise Pope for Episode 51. Today’s show focuses how to help your child find the right college match. This discussion is based Denise’s recent Challenge Success research and white paper on college admissions. This episode will help parents better navigate the college search and admission process with their child. In this episode, Dr. Dan and Denise have a provocative discussion about the complex college research, search and decision making process.  Denise’s research and paper shift the paradigm on the college selection journey and the result is a less stressful (and hopefully healthier and happier) experience for parents and children -- before, during and after college selection. Research reveals that #2 stressor for high school students today is applying to college (the #1 source of stress is overload). Happily, Denise’s work reveals in its largest finding that the key to success is not where you go to college but how you go. The right fit means your child will and can engage and therefore thrive in college and thrive later in life. This research challenges established opinions about colleges and will change the way every parent think about future education of their child. In this interview Denise gives great guidance on how to select the right schools to apply to and the important considerations including: Engagement - finding mentors, internships, inspiring professors, your preferred major Community - find your people! Climate and location (city vs. country) Size of the school Dr. Dan asks Denise to offer one single piece of advice for all families on the college hunt and her answer will provide instant relief to parent and students: have faith and confidence that YES your child will find the right school and will be happy! The new research demonstrates that there is a place for everyone and that there really is NO significant difference between schools - ivy leagues and so-called top tier schools included. The show wraps up with Denise’s Parent Footprint moment -- kids are always watching the behavior we model whether it is driving or restaurant etiquette or applying to college. Denise Pope, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, where she specializes in student engagement, curriculum studies, qualitative research methods, and service learning. Challenge Success is an expanded version of the SOS: Stressed-Out Students project that Dr. Pope founded and directed from 2003-2008. She is the author of, “Doing School”: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students (Yale University Press, 2001), which was awarded Notable Book in Education by the American School Board Journal, 2001, and co-author of Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy, Successful Kids (Jossey-Bass, 2015). Dr. Pope lectures nationally on parenting techniques and pedagogical strategies to increase student health, engagement with learning, and integrity. She is a 3-time recipient of the Stanford University School of Education Outstanding Teacher and Mentor Award and was honored with the 2012 Education Professor of the Year “Educators’ Voice Award” from the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. Prior to teaching at Stanford, Dr. Pope taught high school English in Fremont, CA and college composition and rhetoric courses at Santa Clara University. She lives in Los Altos, CA with her husband and three children. 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 interviews husband and wife entrepreneurs and parents Gregg and Lori Ireland for Episode 50 in this inspiring episode about their organization Extraordinary Adventures which helps special needs adults work and live independently. http://www.extraordinaryventures.org/about-us/ Gregg and Lori Ireland are the couple who inspired and continue to help the growth of their non-profit organization, Extraordinary Ventures https://www.extraordinarypeoplefilm.com/). In 2007 Gregg and Lori faced the problem of what to do with their son, Vinnie, who has autism spectrum disorder “ASD” and would “age out” of the public school system and community resources. That’s when a group of like-minded-parents united to create employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.  Gregg and Lori join the podcast to discuss more about the organization, the documentary their son is featured in EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE FILM ( https://www.extraordinarypeoplefilm.com/ ), and how their own parenting experience and creative thinking within the autism community is helping so many special needs young adults after the leave the school system.  Gregg and Lauri each share a Parent Footprint moment in this episode and listeners will learn from each reflection.  Greg and Lauri are helping others, raising awareness about neurodiversity, and changing the world one job and one person at a time. 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

As a parent, Dr. Dan knows how important today’s discussion with expert and educator Charis Denison will be for all families: talking and communicating is the key to all relationships, especially relationships with our children and teens. Charis Denison has worked for two decades with a special focus on the topics parents and teens need to address most to have a positive relationship and effective communication. Recently her work was featured in Peggy Orenstein’s new book, Girls & Sex: Navigating the New and Complicated Landscape and she regularly lectures on this subject and many others.  Today Dr. Dan and Charis address many important and provocative topics including:   What are the most important issues our teens are facing today?   What is the most effective way to talk to teens about drug use?   What are kids’ concerns about sex and sexuality?   What are some ideas to help us impart our values to our kids?   What do most teens want from their parents during this time? And more. Charis Denison built her experience primarily by working with schools and nonprofits for more than 20 years. After initially teaching middle and high school English and Creative Writing, Charis began to develop curricula and publish articles related to social justice, ethics, human development, community involvement, and experiential education. She has received national recognition for her work in those fields, as well as for her community-based work with American teens and Tibetan refugees in Central Asia.  Charis holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. She has been a faculty member at Westridge School in Pasadena, CA, the Urban School of San Francisco, the Branson School in Ross, CA, and Marin Academy in San Rafael, CA. Currently, she runs Prajna Consulting while also maintaining long-term teaching relationships at several Bay Area schools, including Sonoma Academy, Head-Royce School, University High School, and Sir Francis Drake High School. Through Prajna Charis consults with schools, parents, students, and businesses both organizationally and individually. She also facilitates workshops and speaks on a wide variety of topics. 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 welcomes Polo Tate, the author of DEEP DARK BLUE: A MEMOIR OF SURVIVAL (www.polotate.com). A warning to our listeners: today’stopic is not appropriate for young listeners and could be triggering for sexual assault survivors. Dr. Dan and Polo Tate discuss her memoir and her harrowing story of survival – of losing her sister at a young age (in a tragic horse riding accident) and as a sexual assault victim (twice) at the US Air Force Academy. Polo’s story is one of resilience and victory and her advice and advocacy is helping young men and women find their voices, speak out, and not just survive but thrive. In this episode, Dr. Dan and Polo discuss important and sensitive topics including: Sexual assault and PTSD Warning signs of a sexual predator   How writing can be a path to healing The importance of not letting others take your joy and trusting your inner voice And more (including Polo’s Parent Footprint moment) Polo Tate was born in Lansing, Michigan, where her family has deep ties to the community. Her Great Great Grandfather was Ransom Eli Olds (R.E. Olds), a pioneer and prolific inventor most notably responsible for inventing the first American internal combustion automobile—the Oldsmobile. Growing up, Tate used her academic aptitude and athletic prowess to earn appointments to both The United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs (USAFA). She decided to accept the challenge to attend USAFA out of high school, where she played varsity volleyball in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Tate left during her second year, and her harrowing journey at one of our nation’s most challenging institutions can now be found in her gritty, honest and dynamic debut memoir, Deep Dark Blue. After leaving USAFA, Tate restarted her college career at the University of Notre Dame. She played Volleyball for the Irish in the Big East Conference and eventually graduated with a B.A. degree in Film, Television, and Theatre. Today Polo Tate is an actor, author, writer, and comedian, performing all over New York City and Los Angeles. She is a passionate public speaker, with a mission for all to see, feel and understand their own self-worth, empowerment, and value. For more information about Polo and her book please visit: www.polotate.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

Today Dr. Dan welcomes Elaine Hall, founder of Inclusion from WithIn (I WIn)® and The Miracle Project®. Elaine Hall’s pioneering work with autism and special needs is changing the way the world perceives disability.  Elaine Hall is a pioneer in using inclusive theatre to connect with individuals with autism. When traditional therapies did not work for her son, diagnosed with autism as a toddler, she developed an innovative creative-based methodology (now evidence-based) to reach him.  Recognized worldwide, she has spoken at the United Nations, featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, on CNN, CBS, the Oprah Winfrey Network, received numerous honors, and profiled in the Emmy winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical. Her memoir, Now I See the Moon, was the official selection for World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations and her second book, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism is used as a text book at Brown University. Elaine has led training programs and neuro-diverse summer camps nationally and internationally including at Brown University, in San Francisco, in Hong Kong, in Argentina and spoke on inclusion for faith-based organizations at the National Autism Conference. A media consultant, she has been an advisor and acting coach on the film Please Stand By starring Dakota Fanning, the Netflix series Atypical and on several other upcoming Disney animated and live action series. Hall’s students, once too shy to even walk into a room of their peers, have now performed alongside Crosby, Stills, and Nash; on the TV shows, Parentood,The Good Doctor, and Atypical as well as others. Elaine’s son Neal has also presented at the United Nations using his iPad to speak.   Elaine also leads workshops moving from inclusion to belonging for faith-based organizations, and has received several grants from The Jewish Community Foundation for her groundbreaking work in religious programming for individuals with disabilities. She has led trainings in universities and theater programs nationally and internationally  including at Brown University, UCLA, and at NYU in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Argentina. Nominated as one of Los Angeles’ 50 most inspiring women, Elaine lives in Santa Monica with the two loves of her life, her son, Neal and husband Jeff Frymer, a Marriage and Family therapist. Dr. Dan and Elaine discuss many inspiring topics including: The Miracle Project Elaine’s own parenthood journey and what we can all learn from her HBO’s Autism The Musical and the Netflix series Atypical Teaching tolerance, acceptance, and the beauty of diversity  Elaine’s books  - her memoir NOW I SEE THE MOON and the instructive 7 KEYS TO UNLOCK AUTISM The interview wraps up with Elaine’s heartfelt Parent Footprint moment (though as Dr, Dan mentions Elaine gives us many profound parenting moments). Today’s show will touch your heart and change the way you see the world!  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 interviews educator and expert Natasha Singh about a timely and important topic: Sexual Literacy. As founder of SexLitEd (Sexual Literacy Educator, www.sexlited.com) Natasha explains that while parents are the primary teachers about life that schools and society (including pop culture and social media) often are the main teachers for our children about gender, race, sexuality, and power. Natasha helps families, educators and children everywhere achieve sexual literacy -- a concept that is more important than ever as we raise our children to become happy and healthy adults in a complex world. Natasha Singh is a writer and sexual literacy educator who regularly teaches about consent, sexual ethics, effective communication, healthy relationships, the difference between porn and sex, undoing gender-role training, learning mindful masculinity and more. She partners with parents, teachers, and schools to create programing and curriculum that is responsive to student needs and helps families, too. She is a respected expert and a popular workshop educator. Today’s interview touches on many topics including: meaningful sexuality education for students; how parents, teens and pre-teens can have open lines of communication about gender, sex, and intimacy; and her goal for all students to have healthy relationships, clear communication, sexual ethics and joy in their relationships with themselves and others. The episode wraps up with Natasha’s Parent Footprint Moment. Today’s show offers powerful and useful advice for all parents. 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. Suanne Kowal-Connelly to discuss her new book Parenting Through Puberty: Mood Swings, Acne, and Growing Pains. They discuss other topics including parenting, teens and much more! https://www.healthpoweredbyyou.com/ Suanne Kowal-Connelly, MD, FAAP is a practicing pediatrician with more than 30 years’ experience. She serves as the Director of Pediatric Clinical Quality for the Long Island Federally Qualified Health Centers (LIFQHC) in Nassau County. Additionally, she works as the district physician in many of her local school districts and performs as a New York State trainer for child abuse and neglect. Dr. Dan and Dr. Kowal-Connelly discuss the more than 12 million children in the United States who fall into the 12-14-year-old age group that are either currently or soon to be experiencing puberty. PARENTING THROUGH PUBERTY is published with the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a vital new resource for all parents. In today’s episode Dr. Dan explores with Dr. Kowal-Connelly how going through puberty in 2018 is very different than it was when you and I were 12. Social media, cyberbullying, increased environmental toxins, and new brain science studies mean that most parents don’t have all of the information to help their children make this transition healthfully. Thankfully Dr. Kowal-Connelly explains to Dr. Dan how her book will provide families with the information they need now. The show wraps up with Dr. Suanne’s Parent Footprint Moment. Dr. Suanne Kowal-Connelly is a contributor to HealthyChildren.org, the official AAP website for parents. And is the ultra-proud mother of three grown sons. She is a sports enthusiast and an avid triathlete. 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 Stephanie O’Leary, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and author of PARENTING IN THE REAL WORLD to the show today. http://www.stephanieoleary.com Dr. O'Leary specializes in neuropsychology and a mom of two. She has been in practice for over a decade providing parents with her no-nonsense approach to navigating the daily grind while preparing kids for the challenges they will face in the real world. Dr. Dan discusses the book PARENTING IN THE REAL WORLD with Dr. O’Leary and both offer parenting advice including -- A simple road-map to help parents parent like a rock-star (even when they want to give up). A no-nonsense approach to help parents navigate the chaos of the daily grind. Strategies to help ditch the "mommy (or daddy) guilt" that only makes parenting harder. Easy ways to prepare your child for the challenges that exist out there in the real world all while rediscovering joy in parenting! The two also discuss how parents can strengthen the parent-child bond and the show ends with Dr. O’Leary’s Parent Footprint Moment. Listeners can learn more about Dr. O’Leary and her approach at www.StephanieOLeary.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