Mojo Mom Podcast

Internet safety expert Linda Criddle, president of the Safe Internet Alliance and founder of iLookBothWays.com, returns to the Mojo Mom Podcast to talk about two crucial issues:  first, what parents need to know about Facebook's new privacy policies (or lack thereof, as they sell user data to an ever-widening circle or marketers) and second, an introduction to the risks of technology in the context of teen relationship violence. Host Amy Tiemann was motivated to invite Linda on the podcast to talk about technology and relationship violence after hearing the May 10 episode of The Diane Rehm Show, which took a broader look at teen relationship violence but also honed in on technology as a tool that abusers can use to control and keep tabs on their partners.  Linda Criddle is an excellent expert to continue this conversation, as she has deep knowledge and professional experience in the areas of relationship violence and technology. Linda is currently working on a guide wtih specific strategeis on Internet Safety for Victims of Violence.  When it comes out this summer, the guide will be made available free through Linda's Website, www.iLookBothWays.com Linda also contributed a chapter to Amy Tiemann's latest book, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids, teaching parents how to guide their children through the early stages of internet use.

Amy Tiemann talks with Ellen Galinsky, President of the Families and Work Institute about her new book Mind in the Making:  The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Mind in the Making takes parents on an engaging tour of the science of early learning, including many classic experiments that still have relevance today.  And, Ellen Galinsky emphasizes, it's never too late to start incorporating this knowledge into your family's life!  You can learn more and see videos of experiments at the Mind in the Making website, www.mindinthemaking.org

Every parent wants to learn how to raise happier kids.  Listen in this week as Mojo Mom talks with Christine Carter, Ph.D., author of Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  In her work wtih the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, Christine has gathered the best scientifically-validated research into her book and translated in into practical and strategic advice that parents can understand! She draws on the field of positive psychology, which studies what works in people's lives rather than what is wrong. A refreshing approach for today's complicated times. Christine's advice resonates strongly with my work as Mojo Mom, such as the Raising Happiness chapters "Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First," "Build a Village," and "Expect Effort and Enjoyment, not Perfection." We're down to the last few days to register for the free digital download of Amy Tiemann's new book, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids:  Letting Go So You Both Can Grow.  Sign up on MojoMom.com by April 18th to receive a free copy of the e-book when it's released on April 19th. 

This week Amy Tiemann welcomes Karen Maezen Miller back to The Mojo Mom Podcast. Karen has described herself as an "errant mother, delinquent wife, reluctant dog walker, expert laundress, and stationmaster of the full catastrophe."  She's a Buddhist priest--but she could also be the Mom next to you in the school carpool line.  You may already know Karen as the author of "Momma Zen" and now she has  a brand new book "Hand Wash Cold--Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life."  Her writing will help you enjoy the life you already have, which is such a wonderfully sane and comforting concept--just what we need in today's overscheduled, distracted world.

This week's Amy Tiemann talks to kindred spirit Lenore Skenazy, author of the book Free-Range Kids and founder of FreeRangeKids.com. Lenore has been at the forefront advancing the trend of giving kids more independence and ability to roam and explore.  Her work was one of the inspirations for Amy Tiemann to join this cultural conversation wtih the creation of Courageous Parents, Confident Kids. So join Amy and Lenore for a wide-ranging discussion!  One more bit of resonance: next month on April 19th, the new paperback edition of Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) will be published the same day as the launch of Amy's special free digital download offer for Courageous Parents, Confident Kids:  Letting Go So You Both Can Grow.  Visit MojoMom.com to learn more about Amy's limited-time offer.

We continue our ongoing series of interviews with "Courageous Parents, Confident Kids" book contributors as podcast host Amy Tiemann talks to Renee Trudeau about the absolutely essential need for mothers to practice self-care. Renee has written extensively about this issue in her book "The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal," and her training that teaches women how to form and facilitate their own Personal Renewal Groups.  Amy has also written about self-care as a core principle in her book "Mojo Mom:  Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family."  So these two have a lot to talk about! Listen in to find out why mothers in particular have a hard time claiming their own self care as a top priority,  why it's really important to learn how to do so, and how to get started.  Then make sure you register on MojoMom.com to reserve a free digital download of the new book that is a collaboration between  Amy, Renee, and 12 other experts, "Courageous Parents, Confident Kids--Letting Go So You Both Can Grow."  Sign up now and we'll send you a free digital download of the new book when it's released on April 19, 2010.

This week Mojo Mom is talking career strategies with Kella Hatcher, who along with Maryanne Perrin is a principal in Balancing Professionals consulting, advocating or a flexible, strategic, sustainable workplace.  Kella and Maryanne have also contributed a chapter on career development to the new anthology that Amy Tiemann is editing, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids -- Letting Go So You Both Can Grow. Kella and Amy talk about strategies for lifelong career development, on-ramping, putting your best foot forward and getting your confidence back as you craft your own path, which may go "off-road" rather than follow a career ladder.  Fortunately, these days more employees and entrepreneurs are advocating for alternative, flexible work, and that will benefit both Moms and Dads.  Workplace change is coming, and we are the pioneers! Get a digital download of our new book Courageous Parents, Confident Kids for free!  Sign up now on www.MojoMom.com  

The Mojo Mom Podcast is all about providing parents with valuable information that applies to all aspects of life. Parents are leaders and change agents.  So this week Amy Tiemann welcomes Dan Heath back to the podcast to talk about his brand-new bestseller co-authored with Chip Heath, "Switch:  How to Change Things When Change is Hard." Whether you are a PTA volunteer, community organizer, or CEO, "Switch" will change the way you look at change.  Dan explains the guiding metaphor of "Switch" and inspiriging examples of people creating big change in difficult situations. Listen in, check out the Heath Brothers' website for more information, and read Amy Tiemann's full review of "Switch." 

Amy Tiemann continues her series of interviews wtih "Courageous Parents, Confident Kids" anthology contributors, this week by talking politics with Joanne Bamberger, creator of PunditMom blog. In Joanne's book chapter, she talks about what it means for parents to connect with their political voices, and proclaim their opinions, often using blogs as an outlet.  Here Joanne and Amy get right into it, sharing their own opinions about their frustrations with the Democratic Party, politics, and the seeming inablity to get anything done, even when one party has the Presidency and majorities in the House and Senate. Hear what's on Amy and Joanne's minds, and then feel free to stop by the Mojo Mom and PunditMom blogs to let us know what is on yours!

When Marc and Amy Vachon married and started a family, they could not have predicted that their personal commitment to each other to act as equal parenting partners would contribute to a growing social movement.  But it has grown into a movement that Marc and Amy cover thorugh their blog and their new book, Equally Shared Parenting.  On this week's Mojo Mom Podcast, the Vachons talk to Amy Tiemann about their co-parenting strategies and the benefits--for both Moms and Dads--that come from developing an egalitarian parenting partnership.

Amy Tiemann continues her series of interviews with Courageous Parenting anthology contributors.  This week, Kidpower founder Irene van der Zande returns to the show. How can parents teach their kids to be independent and safe?  Kidpower personal safety skills are designed to do just that, for people of all ages.  Listen in and learn how to "co-pilot" your kids (without becoming a "helicopter parent") as they take their first steps out of the nest. You can register to get a free electronic download of Courageous Parenting when it is released in Spring 2010 by signing up on MojoMom.com

Amy and Sheryl are back from hiatus to start a new season of The Mojo Mom Podcast.  They talk about their plans, getting geared up for 2009 when the new edition of Amy's book will come out.Then Mojo Mom talks to Cate Colburn-Smith and Andrea Serrette, authors of The Milk Memos.  This truly unique book began when IBM manager Cate sat down in the company’s employee lactation room, shed a few silent tears, and wrote this on a paper towel: I’m a new mom and today is my first day back at work. Is anyone else using this room?

Amy and Sheryl have a lot to talk about after viewing the Oprah episode from October 1 about overwhelmed Moms.  It was a wake-up call to remind us that living mindfully is a worthy priority. Then Amy talks to Catherine Orenstein, founder of The Op-Ed Project.  She wants to change the fact that op-ed pages and airwaves are overwhelmingly dominated by men.  Through her workshops, Katie teaches women the skills and strategies needed to join the public conversation.  A timely topic in a month full of fast-moving news and an impending election.

Amy and Sheryl are in a giddy mood this week, which is a nice change of pace!They are happy because Pamela Stone, author Opting Out? Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home, is the guest on the podcast, and she'll be speaking in Durham, NC in person next week.  So if you are in the area, we hope you'll register for the Carolina Parent Women@Work Breakfast on September 17, and join us to form a Mojo table!

Amy and Sheryl discuss the successes of their Mojo Circle, a group of ten women who have met monthly for two years now.  The group has a shared background as mothers, but when we meet we talk primarily about entrepreneurship, and serve as a sounding board for each other.Amy and Sheryl talk about the keys to success in forming a group, and you can also find resources in the free Mojo Mom Party Kit on MojoMom.comThen Amy talks to Kella Hatcher, co-founder of Balancing Professionals and expert on alternative work arrangements (flex-time, telecommuting--the strategies that allow people to get their work done and have a life, too!).Balancing Professionals will be presenting a Career On-Ramping workshop in conjunction with the Carolina Parent Women@Work event in Durham, North Carolina on September 17, 2008.  We hope to see you there!

We are reposting the episode on Mojo Mom and Positive Discipline because only the second segment was uploaded the first time.  Here is the complete show:We're reaching the end of summer and co-host Sheryl Grant is already back to school, so Amy's friend Aparna Desai Brown is filling in.  Aparna shares her family's story of recently moving away from Silicon Valley in favor of a saner and more sustainable lifestyle in Pittsburgh.Then Mojo Mom switches gears to talk about Positive Discipline with Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions in Raleigh, North Carolina.  We have more democratic families these days, but how can parents maintain their leadership role?  Positive Discipline operates on a foundation of respect and responsibility for all family members to help parents bring up capable, competent kids.

Amy and Sheryl debrief their summers and look ahead to a hectic school year that starts very soon.Then Amy talks to EquallySharedParenting.com founders Amy and Marc Vachon.  Mojo Mom had some questions about how shared parenting works in practice.  Who better to answer than the Vachons, who practice ESP and write about it.  Their family was even featured in Lisa Belkin's June 2008 New York Times piece, "When Mom and Dad Share It All."

Amy and Sheryl discuss the recent NY Times article about parents who just can't seem to let go of their children while the kids are at summer camp.Then we meet Julie Shields, author of one of Mojo Mom's favorite books, "How to Avoid the Mommy Trap."  Julie's strategies help couples lay out a roadmap for truly shared parenting.

Amy and Sheryl talk more about Sheryl's new job working on social networking for the MacArthur Foundation and HASTAC.In addition to her work with the MacArthur winners, Sheryl is excited about the potential that social networking has to expand social horizons for Moms.Then Amy welcomes internet safety expert Linda Criddle back to the show.  Linda is the author of the book "Look Both Ways:  Help Protect Your Family on the Internet" and the website Look-Both-Ways.comAmy has gotten to know Linda well over the past year, through interviews for Amy's CNET blog and Linda's trips to give seminars in North Carolina.  Linda looks at safety and privacy issues for everybody, from kids to parents to senior citizens, to help people have positive and safe experiences online.

Amy and Sheryl discuss their new jobs.  Amy is revising Mojo Mom and Sheryl is working on social networking for the Macarthur Foundation.  Life and work mingle as usual, as Amy ponders what it means to have a 9 year old.Then Amy talks to Debra Levy of Mothers & More, a national organization providing support and advocacy for Moms.  Debra also wanted to highlight Mothers & More's campaign to save the American Time Use Survey, which we did not get to discuss on the show.  For our work to be counted as significant is first has to be measured, and the ATUS provides this crucial data.