The Parenting 411 Podcast

The Parenting 411 Episode 15: En-Courage-ing Our Children in Crisis

In this episode, Carol sat down with Dr. Renae Reinardy to talk about “En-Courage-ing Our Children in Crisis”. Dr. Renae shared her perspective on how children are handling fear and anxiety as they head back to school. She also discussed valuable strategies for children and parents. You don't want to miss this.Dr. Reinardy was named 2019 National Mother of the Year®️ by American Mothers, Inc. She is the director of the Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change in Fargo, North Dakota. She is also the creator of Courage Critters, an online, stuffed animal program designed to help children overcome common fears and control unwanted repetitive behaviors. Learn more about Dr. Reinardy's work at www.lakesidecenter.org. Find out more about Courage Critters at www.couragecritters.com.

The Parenting 411 Episode 14: Winning the College Admissions Game

As the college admissions game becomes increasingly competitive, many students wonder just what it takes to make their application stand out from the rest. Many resort to such tactics as loading up their resumes with activities or advanced courses for which they have little to affinity. Some go as far as to misrepresent their abilities in athletics and admissions testing as recent scandals have revealed. There is another way. Here is an insightful interview, from the pre-pandemic archives, with 2019 California Mother of the Year®️, Susan Tatsui D'Arcy. An educator and college consultant, Susan has written a book that helps students design robust projects that allow them to research and learn more about a topic or cause that is important to them while demonstrating a range of skills and talents that will catch the attention of college admissions directors. Learn more about Susan and Project Merit at www.meritworld.com

The Parenting 411 Episode 13: Tapping Into Teen Wisdom

Carol sits down with Kamyra Harding and her teen son, Garrett Brand to learn more about their joint article, “4 Parenting Mistakes to Avoid: A Teen Shares Parenting Don’ts”. Mom Kamyra is a blogger and writer, known on social media as The Try Hard Mommy. Garrett is a high school senior and talented musician who is preparing to launch. He shares a valuable perspective on how parents can engage more effectively, and lovingly, with their teens. It's no secret that the teen years can be tricky terrain for families, so I think you'll want to check out what Kamyra and Garrett have to say.

The Parenting 411 Episode 12: Celebrating Black Motherhood: Being a Model Mom

Meet Alina Patton Jones. This was a particularly poignant discussion as it took place in the days following Kobe Bryant's untimely death and the early weeks of the pandemic. In my conversation with this dynamic mom, you'll learn about her experience balancing the needs of her beautiful family while crafting a multi-faceted career as a community activist, social worker, model, and author. Her secret to making it all work? She calls it “a practical positivity focused on making the best of the present while believing in the future and conquering her insecurities in a visible way, inspiring others along the way.” Learn more about her at: www.alinapatton.com.

The Parenting 411 Episode 11: Why Manners Matter

Even as pop culture and social media have been transforming the way we interact, there truly is no substitute for good old fashioned etiquette and decorum. What better legacy can we leave with our children than good manners and social graces? It truly is a gift that keeps on giving. No matter how high our aspirations take us and no matter how advanced our technology, there is still a human connection we have to nurture if we want to live harmoniously in society.
Joining me to explore this topic, "Why Manners Matter" Fannie Allen, Certified Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant, and Founder of The Allen Protocol & Leadership Institute and Hennrietta Smith, President of Vital Business Solutions, Inc. In the first half, we’ll talk about why manners matter and how beneficial it is to start young, including a few tips about how parents might approach teaching manners and in the second half, we will talk about the long-term implications after children have matured in young adults and beyond in the workforce.

The Parenting 411 Episode 10: Raising Black Boys: Playing the hand you‘re dealt

Each year, more than 250,000 children are placed into foster care. African American children make up about 20% of that population. More than 23,000 children will age out of the foster care system (age 18), every year and 25% of those will suffer from direct effects of PTSD. While about 7 out of every 10 foster kids indicates they would like to attend college one day, only about 6% of those who age out of the system will attend college and only 50% of that group will actually graduate with a degree. My guest, Rodney J. Walker beat those odds. The account of his journey, A New Day One: Trauma and Grace and a Young Man’s Journey from Foster Care to Yale is sure to inspire. You will admire the resilience, determination and courage Mr. Walker demonstrated on his journey through foster care from, age 5 to 17, and throughout his academic pursuits in the upper echelons of higher education as well as his professional endeavors as a speaker and entrepreneur.
Learn more about Rodney Walker at www.anewdayone.org

The Parenting 411 Episode 9: Raising Black Boys: Lessons From A Wayward Journey

For this episode, I sat down with Kevin Shird, Speaker, National Youth Advocate, and Author. I asked him to recount his journey to redemption where his quest to escape the perils of poverty and his father's addiction led to drug dealing and violence on the mean streets of Baltimore. There was no question he was unwilling to answer and he owned his mistakes as he offered sobering lessons for young boys today and the parents who are raising them. Callers also chimed in with astute observations.

The Parenting 411 Episode 8: A Mother’s Impact

In this episode, Carol Muleta sits down with Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, 2021 National Mother of the Year®️. Her passion for mothering her own children as well as her tireless service in the community where she sets young people up for success in school and in life.
Guest: Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, University Administrator, Advocate, and Philanthropist https://www.americanmothers.org/2021-national-mother-of-the-year/

The Parenting 411 Episode 7: Childhood Trauma

We are seeing alarming numbers of children and adolescents wrestling with anxiety and depression, often brought on by brought on by toxic and tragic circumstances. For insight on childhood trauma, Carol Muleta talked with Psychotherapist and Trauma Consultant Beth Tyson who shared coping strategies that are applicable in the current pandemic as well as other traumatic and stressful circumstances. Beth Tyson is committed to helping children and families process and overcome trauma in healthy ways using productive strategies.
Guest: Beth Tyson, Psychotherapist, Trauma Consultant, and Author/http://www.bethtyson.com.

The Parenting 411 Episode 6: Reclaiming Peace

This interview with Dr. Lorie Hood was truly illuminating. Carol Muleta enlisted her expertise to examine the traumatic impact of the current pandemic and its layers — fear of COVID 19, loss of social connection, economic distress, and racial injustice. Dr. Hood shared signs to help us recognize when the effects of trauma require professional attention as well as strategies for responding to stressful situations.
Guest: Dr. Lorie Hood, Neuropsychologist, Traumatologist, Coach and Speaker/http://www.loriehoodphd.com