Spawned With Kristen And Liz Of Coolmompicks

This week, I'm honored to be joined by Debra Whitman, expert on aging and longevity, AARP Chief Public Policy Officer, and author of The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond.  Don't let AARP scare you! Whether you're in your 30s or your 60s, you're going to learn the 5 things proven to help women live up to 14 years longer, the steps you can take now to be sure you have a more satisfying life as you age, and the data-based reason we all need to embrace aging with more positivity. (It also has to do with life span!) It's a short, engaging chat and you're going to take away some simple tips that can make a huge difference in your quality of life -- for the rest of your life. ----- Support Our Awesome Sponsor: Phyla Skincare: If you struggle with acne or have kids who do, save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on Phyla Phortify Probiotic Serum. (There's a reason Ryan Reynolds is an investor!) This is the breakthrough, science-backed, derm-recommended, probiotic acne serum that

If you've ever wondered whether best-selling author Gabrielle Blair -- A.K.A. Design Mom -- finds parenting fun and easy or just makes it look that way, you're going to love this conversation! We're talking about the new book she co-authored with her husband Ben, The Kids Are All Right: Parenting With Confidence in an Uncertain World, and wow does she have great ideas! She shares her tips for defining and creating a "family culture," reducing parenting stress, finding more joy and happiness in the process, and making sure you have your eye on "the long game." Plus, I ask her how the heck she gets her kids to voluntarily haul rubble and strip paint in the house they're renovating! Trust me -- you'll totally steal her advice. ----- Support Our Awesome Sponsor: Phyla Skincare: If you struggle with acne or have kids who do, save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on Phyla Phortify Probiotic Serum. (There's a reason Ryan Reynolds is an investor!) This is the breakthrough, science-backed, derm-recommended, prob

A lot of moms are hitting a phase where our kids get older and we're wondering what the next chapter looks like for us. If you know you can be more fulfilled with your life but don't know where to start, you'll get so many helpful tips from my guest, award-winning journalist Katherine Goldstein She's the founder of The Double Shift, a fellow at The Better Life Lab at New America, and a fierce advocate for moms, families, and gender equity. Tune in to hear us discuss Katherine's popular HuffPost op-ed There's a Life Coach for Everything These Days, and describe the questions to ask yourself before a big pivot. She also has fantastic advice about how to decide whether you need a life coach, career coach, or mayyyybe just a good therapist and community of friends. ----- Support Our Awesome Sponsor: Phyla Skincare: If you struggle with acne or have kids who do, save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on Phyla Phortify Probiotic Serum. (There's a reason Ryan Reynolds is an investor!) This is the breakthrough,

Tips for managing anxiety could not be a more timely topic, after the US Surgeon General's advisory about parents and mental health and the start of a new school year. You are going to LOVE my guest, Dr. Christopher Willard. He's an incredibly engaging and relatable author, clinical psychologist, and faculty member at Harvard Medical School. He's also one of the leading advocates for mindfulness as "psychological first aid" for parents and kids. He discusses the proven benefits of mindfulness including boosting positivity, regulating emotions, reducing anxiety and depression, and even changing our brains in ways that help us focus, absorb information, self-regulate, solve problems, and even create happiness. You'll learn what mindfulness is, how we can practice it in our daily lives, age-by-age exercises we can share with our kids, and other tips for reducing stress and anxiety. Dr. Willard even does a little live breathwork exercise that nearly puts Liz in a trance live on air! Tune in for his valuable insig

"Hope is bold," Brad Montague tells me. The New York Times best-selling author and illustrator explains how hope, in combination with play, togetherness, and joy, can be a force for change, and help spark kids' imaginations for what's possible.  What a treat you’re in for this week! It’s a truly inspiring, happy-making conversation with the man you may know for his many children’s books (including the upcoming Fail-a-bration, already a #1 new release!). He also created the Kid President web series and the global social good movement Socktober. Or maybe you’re just a fan of his super popular Instagram account, like everyone else I know.  Tune in for Brad's thoughts on learning from failure, advocating for “hopepunk,” and why we should aspire to be joyful rebels — right along with our kids. ----- Support Our Awesome Sponsor: Phyla Skincare: If you struggle with acne or have kids who do, save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on Phyla Phortify Probiotic Serum. There's a reason Ryan Reynolds is an investor -

Guess what? We all age! So why is the world so tough on women who do just that? Can we reclaim aging as something to celebrate? You'll get some wonderful answers today from Karen Walrond, author of the award-winning Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell We discuss how we all inadvertently promote ageism (ever said "senior moment" when you forget something?), how to "self-interrogate" to understand our choices a little better, Karen's nuanced view on women increasingly going grey, why in the world marketers are selling so many anti-aging serums to 14-year-olds, and whether she sees hope for positive change. Above all, Karen shares ways we can reclaim the joy in aging, practice gratitude, and find a path to feeling good about ourselves at any age. Support Our Awesome Sponsor: Phyla Skincare: If you struggle with acne or have kids who do, save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on Phyla Phortify Probiotic Serum. It's the breakthrough, side-effect-free, science-backed, derm-r

"Life is hard. Adulting is hard. The political climate is hard," confesses Dr. Christine Koh, one of my favorite humans and the host of the Edit Your Life Show. So she's here to share 5 small (really!) life edits you can make right now, that have immediate and positive impact. One of my favorite: Identifying the kinds of people you should be spending time with, thanks to a 4-question litmus test. It's brilliant. You'll find Christine's tips to be actionable, specific, and above all, realistic! I know you'll get so much out of her wisdom and this honest conversation, because phew, we can all use a little centering right now. ---- Support Our Awesome Sponsors: Phyla Skincare: Save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on this breakthrough, science-backed, derm-recommended, probiotic acne serum that prevents breakouts before they start - with no side effects. FreshCut Paper: Save 20% on 5 or more artisan-designed pop-up floral cards that are far more ----- Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Find Dr. Christi

This episode is a must-listen for all parents of kids who have smartphones, especially if you're worried about the impact of social media on mental health.  Dr. Devorah Heitner a renowned author and expert on kids and technology, joins me to provide thought-provoking insights that challenge a lot of the conventional wisdom, so get ready for a fresh take on parenting in the digital age.  You'll get actionable advice for parents, compelling research that supports it, and the nuances of complex issues surrounding kids, tech, and well-being -- including where she agrees and disagrees with the Surgeon General's recommendations, the unintended consequences of social media age restrictions, and the laws and regulations that we should be advocating for to ensure heath and safety for all of us. Not just for our children. ---- Special offer from Phyla Skincare: Save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on this truly breakthrough, science-backed, derm-recommended, probiotic acne serum that prevents breakouts before th

So here's a fun surprise: Today, my own daughter and rising high school senior, Sage, joins me on Spawned for the first time! She's asking fantastic questions about college admissions on behalf of teens who have shared them with us. In our third and final podcast in our Insider's Guide to College Admissions, with Alyse Levine of Premium Prep, you'll learn about weighted grades, class rank, tough math teachers, padding extracurriculars, arguing with parents about college preferences, and procrastinating on the personal essay. Plus, Sage's excellent hack for identifying colleges where you'll fit in. This is such a fun, helpful episode -- and I hope you'll consider listening with your own college-minded kids, who probably have different questions than you do. A special offer from Premium Prep: Mention Spawned for a free 30-minute college counseling session with a best-fit counselor at Premium Prep A special offer from Phyla Skincare: Save 25% with code COOLMOM on the game-changing, derm-recommended, probiotic ac

What a treat to have 30 minutes during Pride Month with the one and only Jonathan Van Ness, who's out with a brand new children's book, Gorgeously Me! We're talking about how to create a culture of acceptance for kids who are different, but we touch on so much more. Like the book that traumatized Jonathan as a kid (eek!), their strongest memory of Barney, the importance to them of faith and spiritual connection, unpacking the mantra "I am exactly who I'm meant to be," optimism for the future, and some compelling advice for parents who want to raise our kids to be the best version of themselves. I can't wait for you to listen! Also, I have to humblebrag a little that Jonathan says I "slayed my Cool Pick of the Week" -- but theirs is fantastic too. Stick around to hear them both. ---- Thanks to our sponsor Premium Prep, the personalized college counseling service that helps with applications, financial aid, essay writing, and more. Visit PremiumPrep.com and mention Spawned or Cool Mom Picks for a free 30-minute

I am so happy to continue our 3-Part Insider Guide to the College Admission Process with my guest, Alyse Levine, one of the country's most prominent college counseling experts. Today we're focusing on a grade-by-grade guide to supporting our kids on the path toward college applications. Some of the topics we cover: Why middle school should be about focusing on healthy work habits How and when to make the most of clubs and after-school experiences Plotting out high school courses like a decision tree Why Alyse calls 10th grade "a pivotal year" What “demonstrated interest” is, and why it matters Different ways to visit colleges and when to start How and when to start creating your college list How to frame the (dreaded) personal essay to take off pressure Why there are no limits to essay topics (contrary to popular belief) How to decide whether to apply Early Decision Putting mental health first, always. Spoiler: Even if you start late, it may not be late. Just breathe! A special offer from Premiu

Fresh off his viral commencement address at the University of Michigan, I'm joined by best-selling author Brad Meltzer. (Yes, that Brad Meltzer from the "I Am..." biographical children's books we all own!) He talks about his thoughts on kindness as a "naive ideal worth fighting for," the need for more empathy online, his love for the Harlem Globetrotters, and why he believes one person can change the world. Plus, he shares some deeply personal stories of kindness that changed his own life, including one in a random men's room. You are going to love what he has to say. Plus, by popular demand, Cool Picks of the Week is back! Whoo! (Though a new audio cue...eh, stay tuned for that one.) ---- Thanks to our sponsor Premium Prep, the personalized college counselling service that helps with applications, financial aid, essay writing, and more. Visit PremiumPre.com and mention Spawned or Cool Mom Picks for a free 30-minute 1:1 session with a best-fit counselor they'll match to your student's interests and your famil

As parents of teens know, it's the college admission season. That's why I am thrilled to welcome back Alyse Levine, one of the most prominent college counseling experts, to help us out. You all loved my interview with her in January about de-stressing college admissions, which is why I invited her for a 3-Part Parent's Guide to the College Admission Process. To start things off, Alyse is sharing insider tips and insights on how parents can help their children identify and develop their passions. You'll find her perspective reasonable, encouraging, and helpful, even beyond the college process. A special offer from Premium Prep: Mention Spawned for a free 30-minute college counseling session with a best-fit counselor at Premium Prep, who will be matched to your student after a free 15-minute intro session. (They've helped guide 93% of their students into one of their top three choices, so take advantage!) Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram,

Spawned is back (whoo!) with host Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks and Mom-101. I'm excited to get back to what I love most-- helping us get through the ups and downs of parenting together. Each week I'll be joined by compelling experts, best-selling authors, entrepreneurs, comedians, therapists, and even some big celebrities. I'm thrilled to kick things off with Jaclyn Lindsey, the remarkable founder and CEO of kindness.org. We're talking about what the science of kindness can teach us about raising kind humans. Jaclyn shares what we're doing right, what we're getting wrong, and some super-practical tips we can put to use right away. Jaclyn shares the difference between being nice and being kind, and lets us in on some common "acts of kindness" that...don't do much at all. Oops. Get ready to learn a ton. ---- Thanks to our sponsor Sourcebooks, publisher of I Am Money, the wonderful new Schoolhouse Rock-style book by Julia Cook, Garrett Gunderson, and Josh Cleland that's helping parents raise kids to have a h

It is so tough to navigate the college search and admission process -- emotionally, practically, financially. (Eep!) It completely stressed me out, and I'm a pretty Type B mom. So learn from my mistakes! To kick off a new year of Spawned, we're lucky to be getting super helpful tips from Alyse Levine, one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country. She's not only worked with high school students at all levels, she's the former assistant director of undergrad admissions at Washington University in St. Louis. In other words, she's got an invaluable perspective you're going to want to hear. (Also, she's really nice!) - Liz Thanks to our sponsor Premium Prep, the renown college counseling program that's helped guide 93% of their students into one of their top three choices. Spawned Listeners: Mention Spawned for a free 1:1 college counseling session with a right-fit counselor at Premium Prep after your first free 15-minute intro session. (Take that offer, worth it!) Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify,

At the end of such a tough year, we're looking to find all the holiday joy where we can, and make fun for our kids -- but why do moms always seem to be the people behind the fun, and not part of the fun? Liz is joined by Margaret Ables, co-host of the fabulous What Fresh Hell parenting podcast to commiserate, and we're offering smart tips (eg stop trying to make things perfect!), sweet family stories, plenty of laughter, and a lot of compassion for moms feeling overwhelmed right now. Thanks to our sponsor Disney Villainous: Intro to Evil for creating a wonderful screen-free game that's actually fun for adults, right along with our tweens and teens. Check out the new Disney100 limited edition, which is a great gift for Disney super-fans! Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Follow Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Follow Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Follow Margaret Ables and What Fresh Hell: Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Group, Adalyst

We all say we want to raise kids who are happy, healthy, and can be their authentic selves. So what happens when your kid is becoming someone who's really different from what we had imagined? That's the story Kate Brookes tells in the wonderful Transister: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World. She's incredibly forthcoming, funny, reflective, and supportive, whether you're raising kids who defy traditional norms of gender and sexuality--or are just individuals in their own way. Really, this is a meaningful conversation for any parent whose kids are on a path to be their own selves, and I'm grateful for Kate's time, her honesty, and her humor through it all. - Liz Follow Spawned on Apple: bit.ly/spawnedshow Follow Spawned on Spotify: Here Find Liz Gumbinner: Substack, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Post Find Kate Brookes: transistermom.com, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon Find Cool Mom Picks: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Shownotes, links from this episode, info on our Cool Picks of the week: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Pa

When the Surgeon General issued his recent advisory on social media and the health of our kids, I knew author, columnist, and adolescent digital media expert Dr. Devorah Heitner would be the perfect person to ask for guidance and reassurance. And wow does she come through! Here, she offers incredibly helpful, specific tips about what we can do as parents to keep our kids healthy on social media-- and what we should not do (no spying!) -- with Devorah's trademark non-judgmental, common sense, research-based wisdom to help us all navigate some tricky stuff we may not know a lot about. Follow Spawned on Apple: bit.ly/spawnedshow Follow Spawned on Spotify: Here Follow Cool Mom Picks: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Follow Liz Gumbinner: Substack Twitter, Instagram, Post Find Devorah Heitner: Substack, Instagram, Amazon, devorahheitner.com Shownotes, links from this episode, info on our Cool Picks of the week: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe to get even more Cool Picks of the Week in your inbox once a week: co

Bestselling author, podcast host, and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour shares her insights and thoughtful advice on raising emotionally connected and resilient teens and discusses the impetus for her newest book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. Visit Cool Mom Picks for show notes, and follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have wanted to talk with best-selling author, TED Talk phenom, and "professional troublemaker" Luvvie Ajayi Jones for so long! With the release of her wonderful new children's book, Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess, it's the perfect time. We discuss what it means to make good trouble, tips for talking to kids when they break the rules, and why to teach our children that it's not only possible to recover from big mistakes, it's important not to let those mistakes define us.  Also, be sure to stay tuned for Luvvie's own story about good intentions gone very, very, very wrong. I'm still sweating thinking about it! - Liz Follow Spawned on Apple: bit.ly/spawnedshow Follow Spawned on Spotify: Here Follow Cool Mom Picks: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Follow Liz Gumbinner: Substack Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, Post. Find Luvvie Ajayi Jones: Professional Troublemaker Podcast, LuvvLetter newsletter, Instagram. Shownotes, links from this episode, info on our Cool Picks of the week: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscri