Parent Footprint With Dr. Dan

This week, Dr. Dan interviews Andrew Campanella, President of National School Choice Week, the largest public awareness effort in the U.S. focusing on opportunity in K-12 education. Recorded in real time during the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s episode will help parents and families everywhere recently thrust into educating their students at home.   In addition to his role as President of the nation's largest celebration of education choice, Andrew is the author of The School Choice Roadmap, a workbook for parents to understand education options.  Andrew is passionate about school choice, education reform, and empowering parents. Today’s episode will enlighten parents and educators everywhere while also providing relief for the 40 million experiencing education at home during the 2020 pandemic.   Dr. Dan and Andrew open the show with a powerful discussion about virtual and distance learning: During the pandemic, this does not look like “normal school”  -- but Andrew reminds us that our students are learning, are

Get ready to laugh out loud! Today Dr. Dan treats listeners to an episode filled with humor and real life parenting advice from the hilarious author, professional comic writer, and (in his own words) “amateur father” James Breakwell (best known as the Twitter phenomena @XplodingUnicorn).  A parent of four daughters, James Breakwell is the popular author of several funny parenting books including the newest How to Save Your Child from Ostrich Attacks, Accidental Time Travel, and Anything Else that Might Happen on an Average Tuesday.  James tackles challenges ordinary challenges parents encounter in their own everyday lives and at the same time gives us all his fresh perspective and a great laugh, too. Dr. Dan and James chat about parenting, humor, silly scenarios, pets, kids, jokes, and much more in today’s episode.  Dr. Dan has fun sharing why over one million fans follow James and his parenting adventures on Twitter. At the end of the episode, parents will giggle like kids when they hear James talk to Dr. Da

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

In Episode 81, Dr. Dan and Dr. Huber tackle a tough and essential teen parenting topic: the link between social media and depression.   Dr. John Huber is the Chairman for Mainstream Mental Health, a non-profit organization that brings lasting and positive change to the lives of individuals that suffer from mental health issues.  Dr. Huber has been a mental health professional for over twenty years (including working as a school psychologist) and has worked with children, families, teens, adults, and veterans.  He is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist, and a practitioner with privileges at two long term acute care hospitals. Dr. Huber has appeared on over three hundred top tier radio shows (NBC Radio, CBS, Fox News Radio) and thirty national television programs (ABC, NBC, Spectrum News). In addition Dr. Huber is the host of “Mainstream Mental Health Radio” which is heard nationwide and features interviews with today’s top mental health professionals. Today’s episode is inspired by a recent study stating that "S

Dr. Dan welcomes colleague and friend Debbie Steinberg Kuntz to today’s episode to discuss our bright and quirky kids.  Debbie is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Bright and Quirky’s mission statement is powerful:  Ease the struggle for bright and quirky kids and parents, help them self-actualize with the help of experts in the fields of mental health and education, and inspire the hope that new ideas and possibilities bring. When Debbie started her family counseling practice a decade ago, she had no idea the area of 2e (twice-exceptional) would be her specialty. She credits her sons, now teenagers, and their unique strengths and challenges as the inspiration for her life’s work. Early in her parenting journey, Debbie learned that her own sons were ‘2e’ or ‘twice exceptional,’ meaning they are smart and also have unique brain wiring that makes accessing those smarts at times challenging.  As she researched and found solutions for them, she started to share the learning with families

Dr. Dan welcomes guest Dr. Heather Maguire, founder Prism Parenting, to the podcast for a discussion about Proactive Parenting.  Dr. Heather Maguire has spent over a decade studying behavior and working with children, parents, families, and educators. As the founder of Prism Behavior, she helps parents manage challenging behaviors with confidence and provides hope for parents everywhere. Dr. Maguire started Prism Behavior (www.prismbehavior.com) to help parents struggling with their child’s behavior and her approach is pragmatic, yet evidence-based.  She loves to teach parents ways to motivate their kiddos. In addition she connects with parents on her new, popular parenting podcast also called Prism Parenting (www.prismbehavior.com/podcast). Dr. Dan and Dr. Maguire discuss practical ways (some are very simple changes) to shift from a reactive parenting approach to a proactive one.  Parents face many diverse issues such defiance, how to motivate your child, picky eating, sleep issues, homework, and more. Today

On Episode 78 Dr. Dan welcomes guest Dr. Laurie Browne, Director of Research for the American Camp Association, to discuss the latest studies about how camp benefits our kids. In her role at the ACA, Laurie Browne, PhD, specializes in measuring youth outcomes, program quality assessment, and issues related to access, equity, and inclusion. Prior to joining ACA, Laurie was an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management at California State University-Chico.  Laurie received her PhD from the University of Utah, where she studied youth development and research methods.  Dr. Dan and Dr. Browne discuss the American Camp Association, day camp vs. overnight camp,  camp and community, and much more. The ACA’s 5 Year Impact Study and the findings showcase the many ways camp can help throughout a child’s lifetime. Today Dr. Dan and Dr. Browne (both enthusiastic campers; Laurie has three campers of her own, ages 16, 13, and 11) discuss the enlightening research and the five re

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 topi

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 th

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 mo

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 syst

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, an

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 fast

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

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

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, TH

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 br

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 mean

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 ar

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 My