The Parenting 411 Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Kamal Ali, co-owner and operator of Ben’s Chili Bowl to talk about his new book, Ascend:  The Black Man’s Guide to Success, Elevation, and Purpose. We also explore his philosophy about how to equip young Black men to lead fulfilling lives that incorporate key elements such as healing, mindset, purpose, leadership, financial freedom, and spiritual growth.  Inspired by his father and the principles of the Success Motivation Institute, he emphasizes releasing the past through faith, affirmations, daily rituals and writing practices, and wealth building habits.  To learn more about Ben Ali, visit https://www.benalimotivation.com. 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
02:18 Growing Up at Ben's Chili Bowl
04:37 The Neighborhood Through Change
06:47 Entrepreneurship & Family Lessons
12:49 Faith, Pain & Releasing the Past
17:17 Healing Practices & Daily Rituals
26:17 Building Wealth & Freedom
35:00 Legacy & Parenting
39:10 Writing Ascend & Closing Reflections
 
 
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode.
 
The Parenting 411 – Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual.  It can be hard to figure out which road to take and when it’s time to shift.  Thankfully, my mini motherhood memoir offers a blueprint for charting your own course – and being intentional about the steps you’re taking and confident you can recover from any missteps.  Grab it FREE at https://www.mothersworkthebook.com.   Along with the book you will gain access to powerful parent-child communication tools and so much more!
 
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
 
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
#TheParenting411Podcast #Legacy #Motivation #BlackMen #BlackBoys #BlackExcellence
 
Website: https://www.carolmuleta.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theparenting411
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@theparenting411 
Let's stay connected: https://www.carolmuleta.com
 

Today's conversation was recorded LIVE at Podcast Summit 2026.  The environment was a buzz with creative energy you can likely hear in the background.  My apologies.  I just had to seize the opportunity to discuss growing parent and educator concerns about excessive screen time during in-person school, highlighted by Los Angeles Unified School District’s strict new limits (no screens before second grade and weekly caps for older students). I take a look at how pandemic-era emergency device use became routine and why families are now questioning the amount, purpose, and impact of school technology on attention, deep learning, and human connection. There are benefits and risks associated with these practices.  I close out with practical steps like asking schools for transparency and purpose for screen use in school and creating low-tech time at home, and building kids’ self-awareness.  Parents and educators must reckon with our ever-increasing engagement, and sometimes unhealthy dependence, on screens and make some crucial choices.  For more ideas, check out our eBook, Connected Hearts, Digital Smarts. 
 
CHAPTERS
 
00:00 School Screen Backlash
00:59 Why It Matters Now
05:34 Parents Demand Transparency
08:57 Kids Perspectives on Screens
13:08 Experts Weigh In
16:43 What Parents Can Do
19:03 Practical Steps at School
20:31 Home Habits and Balance
22:12 Big Picture Takeaway
23:22 Closing
 
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode.
The Parenting 411 – Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual.  It can be hard to figure out which road to take and when it’s time to shift.  Thankfully, my mini motherhood memoir offers a blueprint for charting your own course – and being intentional about the steps you’re taking and confident you can recover from any missteps. 
 
Grab it FREE at https://www.mothersworkthebook.com.   Along with the book you will gain access to powerful parent-child communication tools and so much more!
 
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
 
#TheParenting411Podcast #Family #ScreenTime #Education #ParentingIntheDigitalAge
 
Website: https://www.carolmuleta.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theparenting411
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@theparenting411 
 
 

Today, I invite you to consider that parent stress is an often-overlooked factor in childhood obesity alongside food, exercise, screen time, and sleep.  Rather than blaming parents, I propose that supporting parents with compassion and practical tools can make a difference. I discuss a randomized study conducted by Yale University researchers who worked with114 parent-child pairs (ages 2–5) while comparing the outcomes of two 12-week programs.  Both sets of parents received nutrition and physical-activity guidance, but one set also completed a stress intervention, Parenting Mindfully for Health, teaching mindfulness and behavioral self-regulation. Listen into hear the impact on child weight gain and parent stress levels. 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Parent Stress Matters
02:00 Yale Study Breakdown
03:36 How Stress Shapes Routines
06:57 Equity and Uneven Stress
08:20 Program Components
09:42 Capacity Over Knowledge
11:02 Practical Stress Tools
13:18 No Shame Just Support
15:51 Closing Thoughts
 
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode.
The Parenting 411 – Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual.  It can be hard to figure out which road to take and when it’s time to shift.  Thankfully, my mini motherhood memoir offers a blueprint for charting your own course – and being intentional about the steps you’re taking and confident you can recover from any missteps.  Grab it FREE at https://www.mothersworkthebook.com.   Along with the book you will gain access to powerful parent-child communication tools and so much more!
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
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LET’S CONNECT:
Website: https://www.carolmuleta.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theparenting411
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@theparenting411 
 
 

This conversation addresses new fathers’ mental health, emphasizing that struggling after a baby’s arrival is common and not a sign of weakness. It cites research, including a large Swedish study of over one million fathers, showing increased risk of depression and stress-related problems by the end of the first year, and notes estimates that 8–13% of fathers experience postpartum depression. The host explains how men’s depression may present as anger, irritability, withdrawal, overworking, substance use, or emotional numbness, and why dads are often overlooked as attention centers on mom and baby. The episode outlines effects on relationships and family wellbeing, offers practical solutions, encourages loved ones to check on dads.  Learn more about Carol Muleta and her work at The Parenting 411 at www.carolmuleta.com 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Dads, You Are Not Weak
02:06 The Research
06:00 Why Dad’s Struggles Get Missed
10:22 Signs A Dad Is Struggling
12:21 Family Impact And Why It Matters
15:42 How Loved Ones Can Support
17:08 Practical Steps For Dads
19:07 Crisis Support And Wrap Up
20:26 Closing Thoughts
 
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode.
The Parenting 411 – Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual.  It can be hard to figure out which road to take and when it’s time to shift.  Thankfully, my mini motherhood memoir offers a blueprint for charting your own course – and being intentional about the steps you’re taking and confident you can recover from any missteps.  Grab it FREE at https://www.mothersworkthebook.com.   Along with the book you will gain access to powerful parent-child communication tools and so much more!
 
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
 
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
#TheParenting411Podcast #Family #ADHD #GutHealth #Nutrition #Behavior

Today, I talk with Dana Kay about viewing ADHD symptoms as signals of underlying biological stress rather than only behavior problems. A Board- Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner and two-time international best selling author Dana shares her journey, starting with her son’s early ADHD diagnosis, escalating medications, and her pivot into holistic science and functional lab testing.  In our conversation, Dana highlights chronic inflammation as a major driver that can affect the brain.  She introduces the “trash can” analogy to illustrate the effects of cumulative toxic and lifestyle load plus impaired detox pathways, and the gut-brain connection, including serotonin and dopamine production in the gut and the impact of antibiotics, dysbiosis, and leaky gut on emotions and focus. She encourages parents to stay curious, avoid blame, and consider testing and gradual changes alongside or before medication.  Learn more about Dana Kay at https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro – ADHD Is More Than Behavior
02:39 Dana’s  Story
06:44 Symptoms As Body Signals
10:35 Inflammation Explained
16:43 Gut Brain Connection
20:56 Leaky Gut Food Sensitivities
26:06 Functional Testing Root Causes
33:51 Hope For Overwhelmed Moms
35:36 Where To Find Dana
36:02 Key Takeaways
38:08 Closing
 
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode.
The Parenting 411 – Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual.  It can be hard to figure out which road to take and when it’s time to shift.  Thankfully, my mini motherhood memoir offers a blueprint for charting your own course – and being intentional about the steps you’re taking and confident you can recover from any missteps.  Grab it FREE at https://www.mothersworkthebook.com.   Along with the book you will gain access to powerful parent-child communication tools and so much more!
 
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
#TheParenting411Podcast #Family #ADHD #GutHealth #Nutrition #Behavior
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's Stay Connected!
Website: https://www.carolmuleta.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theparenting411
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@theparenting411 
 
 

In this episode, I sit down with leadership mentor and values-based coach, Adalena Oliver, about core values, those beliefs that guide decisions when no one is watching and how they shape parenting through what children observe in everyday moments. 
Adelena shares how recognizing misalignment with her values, especially freedom, influenced her leadership and personal choices.  She recounts a childhood lesson that set her on a course of discovering the true meaning of core values. Adalena explains her Developmental Core Values Theory, emphasizing that values show up differently across life stages and that parents often err by punishing without curiosity about their children’s level of understanding, thoughts, and intentions. 
We discuss principles like modeling values, apologizing, and restoring trust, as well as deciding which inherited practices to keep or change amid cultural and technology-driven pressures.
If you’ve been wondering how to impart crucial values and ideals to your children in a meaningful way, tune in for tips to get you started.  
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome 01:07 Why Values Matter02:21 Defining Core Values06:01 Adalena’s Values Journey12:15 Values Across Stages14:39 Stop Scolding Start Being Curious20:20 Consequences and Repair25:53 Daily Values Conversations29:24 Breaking Dysfunction Cycles33:45 Unpopular Value Choices39:29 Where To Follow Adalena39:57 Final Takeaways 
Check out our brand partners for this episode: 
The Parenting 411 -  Motherhood can be beautiful and heavy at the same time. The Ministry of Mom Experience is a space for moms to breathe, connect, and be renewed—spiritually and emotionally. Learn more: https://www.ministryofmom.com
Chewy – Keep your pet well-fed, well-dressed, and most of all, well loved with all the things you need at Chewy. Shop here: https://bit.ly/4nVp7Sv 
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks 👍 
If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who wants to raise kids with character.
#FamilyValues #Leadership #RoleModels #TheParenting411 #ParentInPurpose #MothersWork
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Let's stay connected:
Website: http://www.theparenting411.com/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theparenting411YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/@TheParenting411

Today, I’m joined by Samira Jones, founder of Smarter Resilience and the nonprofit Survivors Advocates Voices Emerging (SAVE), for a heartfelt conversation about helping families navigate fear, anxiety, trauma, and life’s hardest seasons.
Samira unpacks her SMART framework for resilience:Self-Awareness, Mindset Mastery, Action with Intention, Reinforcing Actions, and Transformation. She explains how resilience is not about simply returning to who you were before hardship, but about learning how to move forward with greater clarity, strength, and purpose.
During the conversation, Samira shares a deeply personal part of her story.  It became a turning point, leading her to publicly name her truth and deepen her commitment to helping others heal and “bounce forward.”  Carol and Samira also explore what it looks like to create emotional safety at home. Finally, this episode also highlights the reality that parents bring their own triggers into family life.  If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child through difficult emotions while tending to your own healing too, this conversation offers compassionate insight and practical encouragement.Connect with Samira L. Jones through her podcast, her book, and SurvivorsMag.com to learn more about her work.
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Welcome02:22 What Is the SMART Framework?05:54 The Moment of Truth11:26 Building Emotional Safety at Home21:52 Anxiety Warning Signs23:19 When Kids Trigger Trauma29:58 Reconciliation After Mistakes33:05 Proud Mom Reflections36:37 Where To Find Samira37:37 Closing Thoughts
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode. 
The Parenting 411 - Feeling spiritually drained or running on empty? The Ministry of Mom Experience is a faith-centered day designed to help moms reset, refuel, and reconnect—while gaining practical parenting tools you can use right away. Get the details at https://www.ministryofmom.com 
Ulta – Dermalogica Moms can keep their skin refreshed with Phyto Nature Firming Serum by Dermalogica. Grab yours from Ulta with link: https://bit.ly/4nj6Ezd.  
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks 
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
#TheParenting411Podcast #Family Trauma #FamilyHealing #MentalHealth #Reconciliation #Anxiety #Trauma 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's stay connected:
Website: http://www.theparenting411.com/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theparenting411YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com@TheParenting411

Julie Cole calls herself a “recovered lawyer”.  She’s the mom of six, and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, the now award-winning, multimillion-dollar label company that started in a basement. Julie tells the real story behind growing a business while raising a big family, navigating an autism diagnosis, and learning that self-care sometimes looks less like spa days…and more like boundaries, help, and lowering your standards without shame.
This conversation is equal parts inspiring and practical—with plenty of takeaways for moms who are building dreams, raising kids, and trying to do it all without burning out.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
How Julie Cole and her co-founders spotted a market gap that became Mabel’s Labels
Why durability mattered so much…including the early dishwasher testing during R&D
What it took to launch and grow a brand before social media
The power of grassroots marketing: free press, word-of-mouth, early mom bloggers, and later social platforms
The real-life cost of entrepreneurship for moms: late nights, sacrifices, and aligning co-founders
What Julie’s “self-care season” really looked like while raising six kids
Learn more about Julie at https://mabelslabels.com
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome
02:03 Meet Julie Cole
07:14 From Basement R&D to Launch: Building an Early E‑Commerce Brand
13:31 Tips for Moms with a Business Idea
17:03 Self‑Care Reality Check
22:46 Raising Independent Kids: Chores, Responsibility & ‘Don’t Do It For Them’
30:35 The ‘Mother Load’: Invisible Labor, Decision Fatigue & Workplace Flexibility
36:51 What She’s Most Proud Of: Role Modeling, Culture & Building a Company Community
39:37 Advice for Moms: Find Your People, Curate Social Media & Take the Next Step
41:09 Closing Thoughts
 
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND PARTNERS for this episode.
The Parenting 411 - Feeling spiritually drained or running on empty? The Ministry of Mom Experience is a faith-centered day designed to help moms reset, refuel, and reconnect—while gaining practical parenting tools you can use right away. Get the details at https://www.ministryofmom.com
Chewy – Keep your pet well-fed, well-dressed, and most of all, well loved with all the things you need at Chewy. Shop here: https://bit.ly/4nVp7Sv
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
👍 If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
#MotherLoad #momLife #parentingSupport #Branding #Entrepreneur #workingMoms #TheParenting411Podcast

Feeling overwhelmed by the invisible mental load of parenting?   Appointments. Email.   School updates.  Birthday parties. And the pressure to “do it all”? In this episode of The Parenting 411 Podcast, I talk with Amy Briggs, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, mom, and creator of Aviva, an AI-powered scheduling assistant built to help families reclaim time, reduce stress, and stay present.
Amy shares what she witnessed in families’ homes post-pandemic: rising standards, constant guilt, and moms apologizing for not keeping up. We unpack executive functioning (your brain’s “conductor”), why scheduling is emotional, and how practical support can bring you back to connection and joy. Amy also addresses common concerns about AI, including privacy and control.
Learn more about Amy Briggs and Aviva at https://www.withaviva.com/
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome + Ministry of Mom invite01:06 Invisible mental load + meet Amy Briggs08:06 Executive functioning for parents14:08 Why scheduling triggers anxiety20:59 Can AI reduce parental stress?23:48 How Aviva works for real family life26:11 4 hours back + fewer dropped balls29:24 “No trophy for doing it all”35:07 Closing + community invite 
 
Check out our brand partners for this episode:
 
The Parenting 411: Motherhood can be beautiful and heavy at the same time. The Ministry of Mom Experience is a space for moms to breathe, connect, and be renewed—spiritually and emotionally. Grab your copy:  https://www.mothersworkthebook.com 
Ulta – Dermalogica Moms can keep their skin refreshed with Phyto Nature Firming Serum by Dermalogica. Grab yours from Ulta with link: mavely.app.link/e/d1yGDmi0CXb
 
Don’t forget to sign up for The Ministry of Mom Experience (Washington, DC) — May 2: A faith-centered day to reset and walk away with practical parenting tools and encouragement. Register at https://www.ministryofmom.com
 
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
 
If this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with a mom who’s carrying too much.
 
#mentalLoad #momLife #parentingSupport #executiveFunctioning #familyScheduling #workingMoms #TheParenting411Podcast

For this conversation, I just had to bring Donna Cates back. You'll recall she's a financial expert and certified divorce financial analyst who knows her stuff. Our conversation is short but loaded with nuggets divorcing moms need to know. We talk about the emotional and practical impacts of divorce on children, focusing on how parents can manage financial disparities and communicate effectively to maintain stability for their kids.
Donna offers insights on handling alimony and child support, emphasizing the importance of predictability and creating positive experiences. The discussion highlights tools like Our Family Wizard to facilitate co-parenting communication. Tune in for valuable advice on leading with wisdom and fairness during challenging times.
Connect with Donna:
• Website: MoneyMattersWealth.com
• Social: Money Matters Wealth Solutions (and “Donna Cates”)
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome
00:33 Special Invitation: Ministry of Mom Experience
01:06 Introducing Financial Expert Donna Cates
01:53 Discussing Lifestyle Adjustments with Children
04:20 Understanding Child Support and Alimony
07:19 Ongoing Practices for Co-Parenting
08:44 Financial Truths Children Need to Hear
10:51 Connecting with Donna Cates
13:11 Final Thoughts
#KidsAndDivorce #CoParenting #EmotionalWellbeing #PeacefulParenting #DoItForTheKids
The Parenting 411: Motherhood can be beautiful and heavy at the same time. The Ministry of Mom Experience is a space for moms to breathe, connect, and be renewed—spiritually and emotionally. Learn more: https://www.ministryofmom.com
Ulta - Dermalogica:   Moms can keep their skin refreshed with Phyto Nature Firming Serum by Dermalogica. Grab yours from Ulta with link: https://bit.ly/4nj6Ezd
**For more of our Favorite Finds for Moms and Families, click here: https://mave.ly/p411picks
#DivorceFinancialPlanning #DivorceSupport #WomenAndMoney #SingleMomSupport #CoParenting #ChildSupport #529Plan #FinancialEmpowerment #DivorceAdvice #TheParenting411Podcast
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Let's stay connected: Website: http://www.theparenting411.com/
IG: http://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_411
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theparenting411
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@TheParenting411