Talking About Kids
R. Bradley Snyder
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Talking About Kids is a weekly podcast for parents, educators, and direct service providers that explores the latest information on issues impacting children and adolescents, from preventing bullying to unlocking creativity. Hosted by R. Bradley Snyder, author of The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids, each episode presents a new topic and introduces listeners to authors, academics, and visionaries from around the globe.
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21 hours ago
What social sciences say about gender identity and gender expression in kids with Madelaine Adelman
In honor of Pride Month, I wanted to look at sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in kids. In particular, I wanted a better understanding of the terms that are used to describe gender identity and gender expression. I also wanted to get an overview of what happens when we fail to support kids who are perceived as not conforming to prevailing sexual and gender norms. To help with this, I reached out to Madelaine Adelman. Maddie is a Professor of Justice Studies in the School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University, an author, and, for over two decades, one of the driving forces in GLSEN, a national organization that was founded by teachers to promote safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. More information about Maddie and links to resources for parents and educators are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 29, 2023
What data suggest about school shootings with David Riedman
School shootings are all-too-frequently in the news. When they are, there is a good chance that my guest’s work will be cited. David Riedman is the co-founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database, which contains detailed information on all school shootings in the United States from 1970 to present. David, an expert on security and crisis management, has spent a lot of time with this information, and his conclusions about our society’s response to school shootings might surprise you. More information about David, including a link to the K-12 School Shooting Database is at talkingaboutkids.com.
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May 22, 2023
How desegregation impacted school discipline with Aaron Kupchik
Aaron Kupchik returns to Talking About Kids to discuss his new research on the origins of contemporary school discipline practices. Aaron is a Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware and the author of numerous articles and books, including the award-winning Judging Juveniles: Prosecuting Adolescents in Adult and Juvenile Courts and Homeroom Security: School Discipline in an Age of Fear. When I initially invited Aaron back to provide an update on school violence, Aaron replied, “I don’t study school violence. I look at the crappy things adults do because of an irrational fear of school violence,” which is why we like him. More information about Aaron, including links to his books, is at www.talkingaboutkids.com.
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May 15, 2023
How being a mother is changing with Nicole Feliciano
In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to examine the evolving demands of motherhood, and I could think of no better person to help me do that than Nicole Feliciano. For nearly two decades, Nicole has convened and supported mothers, initially through her wildly successful blog, MomTrends, then with her book Mom Boss: Balancing Entrepreneurship, Kids & Success, and most recently with Ski Moms Fun, which is a podcast and social media focusing on winter sports and motherhood. She and I discuss the changes she has seen and her advice for staying balanced. More information about Nicole, including links to her projects, is at TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 8, 2023
How equity-centered research benefits kids with Sheryl Cababa
My guest this episode is Sheryl Cababa. Sheryl is the Chief Design Officer at Substantial, an insights, design, and development firm based in Seattle, WA. Sheryl and her colleagues are working with amazing partners – like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – and using equity-centered research to improve education technology. Sheryl and I discuss what “equity-centered research” is and how it might benefit the kids in your life. More information about Sheryl and her new book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, can be found at TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 1, 2023
Why school boards fail with AJ Crabill
Public opinion of school boards is low, and that is understandable. When school boards are not making headlines for banning books, enacting discriminatory policies, or arming teachers, videos of brawls erupting at school board meetings are blowing up social media. So when the award winning educator, AJ Crabill, comes out with a brand new book that proports to outline how school boards can improve so that student outcomes can improve, I jumped at the chance to talk with him. The book is called, Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective. I think it is smart, accessible, and right. More information about AJ and his new book can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Apr 24, 2023
How neurofeedback benefits kids with Dianne Kosto
When Bessel van der Kolk – famed researcher and author of The New York Times best seller, The Body Keeps the Score – says that neurofeedback has the potential to help kids reshape their brains to be more regulated and more open to new experiences, one takes notice. After all, helping kids stay regulated is the first thing that we, as people who care about kids, need to do to ensure their success. Consequently, I was excited to talk with Dianne Kosto, the CEO and Founder of SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training because she is a self-described “mom on a mission” to bring neurofeedback services to everyone. The story of Dianne’s passion, what neurofeedback did for her kid, and what it potentially can do for the kids in your life, are the topics of this episode. More information about Dianne and SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training can be at TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Apr 17, 2023
How to do early childhood STEM with Karen Martinson
The introduction of the U.S. Department of Education’s webpage on STEM states, “In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering, and math, including computer science—disciplines collectively known as STEM/CS.” While this is an excellent summary of the need, getting kids interested in STEM can be tricky, especially when they are very young. To help explain early childhood STEM, I reached out to Karen Martinson. Karen is the founder of Early STEM Ed, an organization that supports parents, teachers, and out of school time professionals in establishing and maintaining early STEM education programs. She also happens to be the teacher that turned my kid into a chemistry junkie. More information about Karen can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Apr 10, 2023
Spring Holiday Episode: How expectations affect kids
In this Spring Holiday episode, I discuss the ways that expectations affect kids and how we, as adults who care about them, can adjust our expectations to help them succeed. Links to the research I cite are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return next week.
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Apr 3, 2023
How futurcasting impacts education with Cyndi Coon
Cyndi Coon is an Applied Futurist and a self-described “time traveler and rule-bender.” I first collaborated with Cyndi on an Emerge: A Festival of Futures event at Arizona State University. Since then, I have followed the work of her and her colleagues as they futurcast for government agencies and high-tech private sector companies. What is “futurcasting”? Well, I am going to let Cyndi explain it, but I think you will find that it directly applies to kids and education. More information about Cyndi is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Mar 27, 2023
What it is like to be a youth in need of shelter and transitional housing services
This is the final episode in Talking About Kids series using the history of HomeBase Youth Services to examine the lifecycle of a nonprofit from founding, through hardships, and into maturity. To conclude the series, I thought it would be important to hear from some of HomeBase’s clients. Several years ago, three young adult residents offered to - anonymously and with the support of the clinical staff - share their stories to help professionals better understand the lasting effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the importance of programs like HomeBase. As mentioned, there are three anonymous, yet distinct, voices in this podcast. Each is generous and courageous. More information about HomeBase Youth Services is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Mar 20, 2023
How to manage a mature nonprofit with Dede Yazzie Devine
This is the third episode in Talking About Kids’ series using the history of HomeBase Youth Services to examine the lifecycle of nonprofits from founding, through hardships, and into maturity. My guest this episode to discuss managing a large, complex and community-embedded nonprofit is Dede Yazzie Devine. Dede is the CEO of Native American Connections, a position she has held for over 40 years. Some nonprofit administrators embody the mission of an organization. Others are masters of the technical logistics of the work. Somehow, Dede is both. More information about Dede, Native American Connections, and HomeBase Youth Services is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Mar 13, 2023
What a nonprofit Board of Directors does with Neil Sutton
This is the second episodes in the series that uses my experience with HomeBase Youth Services to examine what it is like to found a nonprofit, the role of a nonprofit Board of Directors, and how mature nonprofits grow and embed themselves in communities. My guest for this episode is Neil Sutton. Neil is an entrepreneur and serial community servant. He was on one of the first Boards of Directors for HomeBase and its Chair through the through the roughest time in its history. We discuss how he led HomeBase through those trials and, more importantly, why he did. More information about Neil and HomeBase can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Mar 6, 2023
How to start a nonprofit with Dan Minton
There are over 1.8 million nonprofits in the United States. Tens of thousands of new nonprofits are launched every year, and tens of thousands fail. With 10% of the U.S. workforce employed in nonprofits, I thought I would use my experience with HomeBase Youth Services to examine what it is like to found a nonprofit, the role of a nonprofit Board of Directors, and how mature nonprofits grow and embed themselves in communities. My guest for this first episode in the series is Dan Minton. Dan was the first Executive Director of HomeBase, a position that came with very little pay and a lot of heartache. Today, Dan is the Associate Vice President of The Steier Group, a national firm that assists nonprofits with fundraising and capital campaigns. More information about Dan, The Steier group, and HomeBase Youth Services, is available at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Feb 27, 2023
How technology can help prevent cyberbullying with Yasin Silva and Deborah Hall
Protecting kids from the cyberbullying can be, to say the least, frustrating. Parental controls and gatekeeper apps can be easily bypassed, other restrictions might be incompatible with assigned schoolwork, and all oversight seems, at least, a step behind how young people are engaging in the digital world. But there is hope! My guests for this episode, Yasin Silva, Director of the Data Science Graduate Program at Loyola University Chicago, and Deborah Hall, Associate Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University, share what we know about cyberbullying and discuss the technology they are developing to promote a positive relationship-based approach to cyberbullying prevention and cessation. More information about Yasin, Deborah, and the BullyBlocker project is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Feb 20, 2023
How to pay for college with Ann Garcia
If you are a parent or you work with parents, then you know that the topic of paying for college can be unpleasant, which I why I am so glad that I was introduced to this episode’s guest, Ann Garcia. Her book, How to Pay for College, is easy-to-read and implement. More importantly, Ann is committed to the belief there is a college that fits your budget, your values, and your kid, but it might not be the one you are focused on right now. More information about Ann, including information on purchasing How to Pay for College, can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Feb 13, 2023
How to motivate kids to read and write with Sharon Lynn
With all of the headlines about the pending death of writing at the hands of artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, I thought it would be useful to talk about the value of reading and writing and how we inspire kids to do both. My guest to help explore these issues is Sharon Lynn. Sharon teaches writing at UAT, a technology university where the students and faculty are very familiar with chat bots. She and I discuss strategies for engaging students and her own experience writing and finding a publisher for her wonderful new book, Death Takes a Bath: A Cotswolds Crimes Mystery. More information about Sharon and her book can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Feb 6, 2023
What you need to know about year-round schools with Cara Jackson
As communities struggle to address the impact of the pandemic on student learning and well-being, there seems to be renewed interest in year-round schools. In this episode of the Talking About Kids podcast, I wanted to address what year-round schooling is and what we know about it. To answer these questions, I enlisted the help of Cara Jackson, a Senior Associate at Abt Associates who evaluates and conducts systematic reviews of educational programs. In response to Education Next’s article, “Busting the Myths About Year-Round School Calendars,” Cara recently wrote a piece entitled, “Do Year-Round Schools Work? Three Questions to Ask.” We ask and answer those questions here. More information about Cara and some resources hand-picked by her are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Jan 30, 2023
How to teach kids to manage emotions and tolerate frustrations with Kate Lund
The science is clear: Kids need to be able to regulate their emotions and overcome adversity and frustration to be successful in a classroom, in relationships, and in life. Social and emotional skills do not detract from learning other subjects. Rather, these skills allow all learning to occur. My guest this episode, Kate Lund, knows this. As she bravely describes in her book, Bounce: Help Your Child Build Resilience and Thrive in School, Sports and Life, Kate's own early childhood experiences taught her the importance of managing emotions and of resilience. She brings these insights to her work as a clinical psychologist and a peak performance coach, and she is sharing them here for you. More information about Kate and her work can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Jan 23, 2023
Holiday Break Episode 5: How to bridge the gap between home and school
In this final mini Holiday Break episode, I asked Dan Uttech and Anthony Smith, two Response to Intervention Behavior Specialists from Cartwright Unified School District in Phoenix, to share insights on their approach to their roles and to address misconceptions that might exist between parents and school faculty and staff. More information about Cartwright Unified School District is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full episodes of Talking about Kids return next week when my guest will be psychologist and best-selling author Kate Lund.
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Jan 16, 2023
Holiday Break Episode 4: How to interpret the Teens and Pornography report
In this fourth mini Holiday Break episode, I address Teens and Pornography, the new report from Common Sense Media; I discuss what is and what is not included in the report; and I offer my own interpretation of some of the findings. Links to the research I cite are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return later in this new year.
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Jan 9, 2023
Holiday Break Episode 3: What we know about Pediatric Seasonal Affective Disorder
In this third mini Holiday Break episode, I look at the research on Pediatric Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I present its definition, describe its prevalence, explore why we should care, and describe treatment options. Links to the research I cite are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return later in this new year.
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Jan 2, 2023
Holiday Break Episode 2: What News Year's resolutions teach us about how kids want to learn
In this second mini Holiday Break episode, I look at the science of why New Year's resolutions fail or succeed, connecting it to the research on students' success in the classroom. Links to the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return later in this new year.
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Dec 26, 2022
Holiday Break Episode 1: How an understanding of foreign cultures benefits kids
In this first mini Holiday Break episode, I explore the research on the ways being exposed to foreign cultures impacts children and adolescents. Links to the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return in the new year.
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Dec 19, 2022
How to make gifted and talented programs more equitable with Scott Peters
In the United States, 6.6% of public-school students are enrolled in gifted and talented programs, but enrollment is not evenly distributed. For example, 12.6% of Asian students are enrolled, but only 4.5% of Hispanic students and 3.6% of Black students are. Scott Peters, my guest for this episode, has been studying and writing about these and other discrepancies for some time. Scott is a Senior Research Scientist at NWEA, where he specializes in educational assessment and data use. A series of articles he wrote about equity within gifted and talented programs is receiving a lot of attention, and I am grateful that he agreed to share his insights in this podcast. More information about Scott and his research can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Dec 12, 2022
How to make the most of a children's museum experience with Kate Wells
The Holiday Season is a great time to take the kids to a children’s museum, but museums can be intimidating, especially if you have not been before. To help you make the most of your next visit, I sought guidance from Kate Wells. Kate is the co-founder and CEO of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, a top destination in Arizona and one of the highest ranked children’s museums in the U.S. Kate is passionate about her work, and her insights might even help you create your own interactive learning space. More information about Kate and the Children's Museum of Phoenix can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Dec 5, 2022
How to create a vibrant youth program with Ziana James, Arielle Kelley, and Melina King from YTC
I recently was in a workgroup in which some colleagues were complaining about how difficult it can be to engage teens in out-of-school time activities. That made me think about Youth Taking Charge (YTC), which is the youth component of Tanner Development Corporation’s HEAAL (Help Enrich African American Lives) program. Over the years, I have worked with YTC on some anti-bullying initiatives and found the teen participants to be completely engaged, so I reached out to the team at the Tanner Community Development Corporation to see if they would be willing to provide some tips. They agreed, but, instead of speaking with me themselves, they sent 14-year-old Ziana James, 14-year-old Arielle Kelley, 13-year-old Melina King, three members of YTC’s youth leadership team. In addition to sharing amazing insights on how to create a vibrant youth program, these impressive young leaders provide an example of what a growth mindset looks like in practice. More information about YTC and the Tanne…
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Nov 24, 2022
Thanksgiving Episode: What we know about gratitude and kids
In this mini Thanksgiving episode, I discuss the science of gratitude, its benefits, and one technique for fostering it in ourselves and the children in our lives. Links to the research I cite can be found www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return next week (December 5, 2022).
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Nov 21, 2022
What we know about growth mindset with Elizabeth Tipton
Growth mindset has come up before in this podcast because some advocates believe that it helps kids succeed. Everyone seems to be talking about growth mindset, but there is a poor understanding of how to define it, how to foster it, or how to determine if it works. This is why I was so excited to speak with Elizabeth Tipton. Beth is an Associate Professor of Statistics at Northwestern University, where she co-directs the Statistics for Evidence-Based Policy and Practice Center and is a Faculty Fellow in the Institute for Policy Research. Just this month, Beth and her colleagues published a commentary on two different meta-analyses of growth mindset. In our conversation, Beth explains what that means and what she found. She also provides a framework for how to think about growth mindset and any program or initiative we are thinking about for the kids in our lives. More information about Beth can be at TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Nov 14, 2022
Veterans Day Episode: Supporting the children of soldiers
In this mini Veterans Day episode, I discuss two things research indicates you can do right now to support the children of soldiers. Links to the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return next week (November 21, 2022).
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Nov 7, 2022
How animation can help kids with Mark Collington
Over the course of my career, several private sector and public sector companies have asked me to consult or conduct research to help them develop animation on topics ranging from banking to relationship skills. Each time, the justification these companies gave for wanting animation was, “kids like cartoons.” I also have conducted research with parents and found that many of them would prefer that their children not watch animation because they felt that, as a medium, it was somehow less healthy than live action. As a result of these divergent experiences, I crafted this episode to explore what animation is and who and what it is good for. My guest is Mark Collington. Mark is a Senior Lecturer in Animation Production at the Arts University Bournemouth and the author of Animation in Context: A Practical Guide to Theory and Making, which is, in my opinion, the definitive book on this topic. More information about Mark can be found www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Oct 31, 2022
How to prepare kids for careers in public service with Terry Babcock-Lumish
Career days at schools tend to be generic. Students hear from doctors and lawyers, but they rarely hear from professionals who work for governments or nonprofits. This is despite the tremendous impact these sectors have. That is the impetus behind this episode, and Terry Babcock-Lumish is the perfect guest for it. Terry has worked at every level of government; she has trained young would-be public servants for some of the world’s more egalitarian and most exclusive universities; and she currently is the Executive Secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, the premier graduate fellowship in the United States for public service leadership that awards live-changing scholarships to 50 plus students each year. Terry is dedicated, smart, funny, and busy. I am grateful that she found the time to share her insights. More information about Terry and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Oct 24, 2022
How to address the growing need for social and emotional intelligence with Angel Jannasch-Pennell
The topic of this episode was suggested to me by the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence, which is that state’s professional association for out-of-school time programs (OST). Its member organizations were reporting some troubling incidents that involved, what they perceived to be, increasingly dysregulated students, staff, and parents. Their observations are anecdotal, but, as you will hear from my guest, Angel Jannasch-Pennell, they are indicative of some very real trends. Angel has a lifetime of experience working on educational issues as a teacher, a researcher, an administrator, and, for the last decade, as the co-founder and CEO of KOI Education, a firm that has trained thousands of educators and direct service providers on subjects like Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and behavior management. This interview was recorded in front of a live audience on October 22nd, 2022, at the Arizona Center of Afterschool Excellence’s annual conference. More information about Ange…
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Oct 17, 2022
How to respond to traumatic brain injuries in kids with Stacy Suskauer
This is part three in Talking About Kids' three-part series on traumatic brain injury (TBI). In part one, Keith Owen Yeates explained what TBI is and why we care. In part two, Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa shared strategies for preventing TBI. In this final installment, Stacy Suskauer presents the latest research on responding to concussions, TBIs, and other head injuries to ensure the best possible outcomes children and adolescents. Stacy is the Vice President of Pediatric Rehabilitation at Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Director of the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. More information about Stacy and links to some TBI resources hand-picked by her can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Oct 10, 2022
How to help prevent traumatic brain injuries in kids with Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa
This is part two in Talking About Kids’ three-part series on traumatic brain injury (TBI). In part one, Keith Owen Yeates explained what TBI is and why, as people who care about kids, we need to be so very concerned about it. This episode is about prevention, and there is no better person to speak to this topic than my guest, Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa, Senior Health Scientist on the Traumatic Brain Injury Team in the Division of Injury Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Juliet brings to the position over 30 years of experience and over 100 publications and presentations on TBI. More information about Juliet and links to her hand-picked TBI resources can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Oct 3, 2022
What you need to know about traumatic brain injuries and kids with Keith Owen Yeates
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are injuries that affect how the brain works, and they are a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, both in terms of sustaining a TBI and experiencing debilitating, potentially lifelong effects. The topic of traumatic brain injuries is so important to kids that I have decided to dedicate three episodes to it, each with a different, preeminent guest expert. The first episode is an overview of TBI (i.e., what it is, why we care, etc.), the second episode is on prevention, and the third episode is on responding to and treating TBI. For this episode - the first in the series - my guest is Keith Owen Yeates. Keith holds the Ronald and Irene Ward Chair in Pediatric Brain Injury at the University of Calgary, where he also is a Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology and an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences. More importantly to our topic, Keith is the…
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Sep 26, 2022
How to approach educating kids about sex with Nikol Hasler
Sex Education has been in the news a lot recently, and it has me thinking about my favorite sex education series: The Midwest Teen Sex Show. It aired new episodes on YouTube from 2007 to 2009. Nikol Hasler, my guest for this podcast, was one of the creators of the show, as well as its host and writer. After the show, Nikol wrote two sex education books. Sex: A Book for Teens came out in 2010, and a revised and expanded version of the book, called Sex: An Uncensored Introduction, came out in 2015. The series and the books are honest, respectful, informative, and engaging. They are among the best sex education materials I have ever seen. Professionally, Nikol now focuses on different issues, which is why I am honored that she agreed to share her insights on this topic. More information about Nikol and links to her videos can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Sep 19, 2022
How state agencies are supporting suicide prevention with Joshua Stegemeyer
In the U.S., we have started to make real progress towards decreasing juvenile suicides by promoting mental health and reducing the stigma around suicidal ideation. However, practical concerns remain. What should a kid do when they are feeling suicidal? What should a parent, teacher, caring adult, or even a friend do when a kid they know is in crisis? I know it takes substantial resources and a concerted effort to put the correct services in place and then to make the public aware of those services. My guest to scratch the surface of the work state and federal agencies are doing to decrease juvenile suicides is Arizona’s Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Joshua Stegemeyer. The passion, experience, and innovation that Joshua brings to the position is inspiring, and I am honored to have him on to bravely share his story and to provide practical information on how you can plug in for assistance or to become a part of the larger movement. More information about Joshua and a link to Ari…
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Sep 12, 2022
What we know about restorative justice practices in schools with Akiva Liberman
Over the years, many teachers, administrators, and parents have asked me about restorative justice in schools. It is an important topic, but one that I am a little confused about myself, which is why I am so glad to be joined by Akiva Liberman. Akiva is a friend and colleague with whom I have discussed restorative justice many times. More importantly, Akiva has studied responses to youth misbehaviors for over two decades – much of it as a Senior Research Fellow at the Urban Institute – and he has published evaluations of restorative justice programs in schools. More information about Akiva and links to some of the research we cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Sep 5, 2022
Labor Day Episode: Being a caring adult in the life of child
In this mini Labor Day episode, I discuss labor and new evidence of the power of being a caring adult in the life of child. Links to the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return next week (September 12, 2022).
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Aug 29, 2022
How we know if an initiative or program for kids works with Eric Hedberg
As parents, teachers, and direct service providers, we are bombarded with products and services that claim to help kids. Many of them are quite expensive. We want the best for the children and adolescents in our lives, but resources are scarce. My guest to help all of us understand how we can discern whether an app, a curriculum, a program, etc., might actually work is Eric Hedberg. Eric is an Accredited Professional Statistician and a Senior Associate at Abt Associates, a global public policy research firm and think tank. Eric has published extensively on statistical methods and on evaluations of educational programs. My first exposure to Eric was watching a video of him explaining statistics to group of non-researchers. I remember appreciating the clarity and humor of his explanation, which is why I approached him for this episode. More information about Eric and a link to the What Works Clearinghouse, which Eric and I discuss in the episode, can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Aug 22, 2022
What we know about human trafficking with Dominique Roe-Sepowitz
Dominique Roe-Sepowitz joins us for this episode. Dominique is the Founder and Director of Arizona State University’s Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research and the Clinical Director of Phoenix Starfish Place, a Federally funded supportive housing program for sex trafficked women and their children. Dominique has devoted her professional life to the heartbreaking topics of human trafficking and sex trafficking, and there is nobody I trust more to educate you about them. More information about Dominique and links to some of the resources she mentions can be found www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Aug 15, 2022
How we can support co-regulation with young children with Chandra Ghosh Ippen
My guest for this episode is Chandra Ghosh Ippen. Chandra is the Associate Director and Dissemination Director of the Child Trauma Research Program at the University of California, San Francisco. She also is the author of a series of storybooks for young children that are written to support emotion regulation and healing after stressful or traumatic experiences. Titles from the series include Holdin Pott, You Weren’t With Me, and Once I Was Very Scared. Chandra is somebody who, when it comes to kids, just gets it, and the advice shares and the resources she has created are invaluable. More information about Chandra and her books can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Aug 8, 2022
Why early childhood education is important with Melinda Gulick
My guest this episode is Melinda Gulick. Melinda is the CEO of First Things First, which is an organization created by Arizona voters to help young children be ready for success in kindergarten and beyond. Melinda took over the helm of First Things First in March of 2022. As an award-winning public administrator with a breadth and depth of experience, Melinda is uniquely poised to advance First Things First’s mission, and I am excited for you to hear her perspective on why early childhood education is important and what you can do to promote it. More information about Melinda and First Things First can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Aug 1, 2022
How to create a trauma-informed learning community with Steve King
My guest this episode is Steve King. Steve is the Superintendent of the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District in Arizona. For over 28 years, Steve has been experimenting, exploring new ideas, and reforming schools to support those students with the most significant needs, because he believes that supporting them affords the best opportunities for all students to succeed. I happen to think that Steve is an innovator. This interview was recorded on July 25, 2022, in front of live audience at the Our Future in Mind - Youth Mental Health Awareness Conference. More information about Steve and the about the conference can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Jul 25, 2022
How to L.E.A.D. (Learn. Explore. Act. Discover.) for racial justice and liberation for families with Corey Best
This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on July 19th, 2022, at the Child Abuse Prevention Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. My guest is the keynote speaker, Corey B. Best. Corey is the founder of Mining for Gold, a project that curates community members’ experiences with systems of oppression and utilizes that information to rebuild child- and family-serving systems. Corey is thoughtful, challenging, and generous, and I am so pleased to have him on this podcast. More information about Corey, Corey’s work, and Prevent Child Abuse Arizona can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Jul 18, 2022
Why bullying is bad for kids with Dorothy Espelage
My very special guest for this first episode of Season 2 is the venerable Dorothy Espelage. Dorothy is the William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; she is the author of numerous books on bullying, including Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools; and she is the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the American Psychological Association for her work on bullying. In other words, Dorothy is the expert on bullying. She and I discuss bullying and its consequences, and we attempt to answer a listener's question about workplace bullying. More information about Dorothy can be found www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Jul 11, 2022
Summer Episode 4: What can be done about kids' stress
In this final mini summer episode, I discuss some new research about the effectiveness of fostering in kids a "synergistic mindset approach" to stress. Links to the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return next week (July 18, 2002) with a very special guest.
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Jul 4, 2022
Summer Episode 3: What we know about kids and fireworks
In this third mini summer episode, I use the occasion of Independence Day (and my friend's birthday) to talk about kids and the dangers of fireworks. A link to the research I cite can be found at TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return in late July with very special guests to help you prepare for the new school year.
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Jun 27, 2022
Summer Episode 2: How to support LGBTQIA+ kids in school
In this second mini summer episode, I use the occasion of Pride week to address how LGBTQIA+ kids are treated in school and what can be done to support them and all students. Links to the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Once again, full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return in late July with very special guests to help you prepare for the new school year.
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Jun 20, 2022
Summer Episode 1: What we really know about the "achievement gap" between Black and White students
In this first mini summer episode, I expose truth of the so-called "achievement gap" between Black and White students and briefly introduce a strategy for supporting all kids as scholars and resilient human beings. Links to some of the research I cite can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return in late July with very special guests to help you prepare for the new school year.
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Jun 13, 2022
How to take an Anti-Racist Approach to Supporting Indigenous Kids with Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon
My guest for this episode is Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon. She is Iñupiaq and a research scientist in the Youth Development program at Child Trends. Heather’s work focuses on Indigenous youth, families, and Elders and the topics of colonization, historical trauma, and culture as a protective factor. Together, we explore the what, why, and how of anti-racist approaches to supporting the Native and Indigenous kids in your lives. We also answer a listener’s question about anti-racist approaches to researching Native and Indigenous kids. More information about Heather and her work can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Jun 5, 2022
How conferences like Speak Up Stand Up Save a Life benefit kids with Gina Godbehere and Annie Middlemist
In this episode, I talk with Gina Godbehere, one of the founders of Speak Up Stand Up Save a Life, and Annie Middlemist, the organization’s Executive Director, about their conference’s approach to promoting mental health and reducing suicides, bullying, and substance abuse. I encourage you to listen and evaluate whether the Speak Up Stand Up Save a Life might benefit you or your work. I hope that this episode might also inspire you to a lead your own movement around an unaddressed issue that is important to the kids in your life. Finally, we answer a practical question from a listener about hosting a conference for kids. More information about Gina, Annie, a Speak Up Stand Up Save a Life can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 30, 2022
What domestic violence services are available to help kids and families with Michael Hughes and Kathy Di Nolfi
It is difficult to overstate how terrifying it can be to try to leave an abusive relationship. In this episode, Michael Hughes, Chief Operating Officer, and Kathy Di Nolfi, Chief Program Officer, at A New Leaf – one of the Nation’s premier service providers – explain what domestic violence (or “DV”) services are available in communities and what happens at every step in the process. We hope that this information will make it easier for you to access or for you to help someone else access these important services. We also answer a listener's question about client confidentiality. More information about Michael and Kathy, A New Leaf, and DV services nationwide can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com..
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May 23, 2022
How protective factors afford better outcomes for kids following childhood adversity with Tracie Afifi
My guest this episode is Tracie Afifi, Professor in the Departments of Community Health Sciences and Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and an Associate Editor of the journal Child Abuse & Neglect. Tracie’s research advances our understanding of adverse childhood experiences and protective factors by examining, on a macro level, what makes an experience positive or negative and looking for other experiences that fit those criteria. She and I discuss her research and answer a listener's question about whether kids today are more or less resilient than previous generations. More information about Tracie can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 16, 2022
How to utilize the performing arts to increase hope, empathy and self-worth in kids with David Simmons
My guest this episode is David Simmons. David is an actor, musician, director, playwright, composer, and educator, but I know him best as the founder of the UBU Project. The UBU Project is an arts education outreach organization specializing in social-emotional (SEL) arts integration. I first encountered David and the UBU Project when I was reviewing material for the Speak Up Stand Up Save a Life conference. I was and remain impressed. In his work, David is brave, honest, creative, and, most importantly, always himself. We discuss his approach and answer a listener’s question about hope. More information about David, including links to his social media, can be found at TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 9, 2022
How to help kids with visual arts with Tyanna Buie
In this episode, I talk with Tyanna Buie. Tyanna is a visual artist whose work is exhibited nationally, including shows at the Haggerty Museum of Art, The Red Bull House of Art, and The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. She also is the Section Chair of Printmaking at the College for Creative Studies. Tyanna and I discuss how growing up in the foster care system shaped her approach to art and how she goes about inspiring young artists to find their own voices. Tyanna also answers a listener’s question about creating safe spaces for teaching art to children. More information about Tyanna, including a link to her artwork, can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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May 2, 2022
How to create positive entertainment for young children with Tommy Snider
My guest for this episode is Tommy Snider, the writer, director, and star of the YouTube children’s series Fizzling’s Funhouse. Tommy has been a working actor for nearly 20 years, and, if you do not know him by name, I guarantee you have seen him in Grey’s Anatomy, Rules of Engagement, Bad Samaritans, I’m Dying Up Here, Baskets the Clown, Top Elf, or Doom Patrol. I think Tommy’s personal journey explains a lot about his current project and his approach to creatively engaging kids. We also answer a listener’s question about tips for making videos for young kids. More information about Tommy and a link to the Fizzling’s Funhouse can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Apr 25, 2022
What we know about school safety with Aaron Kupchik
My guest for this episode is Aaron Kupchik, Professor of Sociology at the University of Delaware and the author of numerous articles and books, including the award-winning Judging Juveniles: Prosecuting Adolescents in Adult and Juvenile Courts and Homeroom Security: School Discipline in an Age of Fear. For the last two decades, Aaron has calmly and assertively promoted the research about what actually makes schools safer. Aaron and I discuss that research and answer a listener's question about mitigating anxiety when conducting safety drills in schools. Links to some of the research we cite, including an interview with Aaron from USA Today, can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Apr 18, 2022
How understanding discrimination can help all kids with Iya Affo
In this episode, I talk with Iya Affo. Iya is a Culturalist, a Historical Trauma Specialist, and the founder of Heal Historical Trauma. When many of us were still gaining an understanding of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Iya was pushing past early childhood and calling attention to the consequences of intergenerational trauma. She and I discuss this and how understanding discrimination can help all kids succeed. We also answer a listener's question about critical race theory (CRT). More information about Iya and links to her work can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Apr 11, 2022
How experiencing nature benefits kids with Andrew Lenartz
In this episode, I talk with psychologist Andrew Lenartz about his research on how connecting with nature yields a variety of benefits to children and adolescents. Andy was nice enough to suggest some resources for parents, educators, and direct service providers who are looking to create outdoor experiences for the kids in their lives. Links to those and to Andy's book can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. We also answer a listener's question about the Dutch tradition of "dropping."
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Apr 4, 2022
How partnering with faith-based organizations can help kids with Maria Cristina Fuentes
In this episode, I discuss the benefits and misconceptions of partnering with faith-based organizations with Maria Cristina Fuentes, Director of the Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family. We also answer a listener's question about how the Office of Youth, Faith and Family supports schools.
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Mar 28, 2022
What works for Native kids with Patty Talahongva
In this episode, I talk with Patty Talahongva - documentary filmmaker, activist, and senior correspondent for Indian Country Today - about what does and does not work for Native kids. Native students have some of the worst education outcomes of any segment of the U.S. population, and Patty and I use her experience and the history of Indian boarding schools to give context to this issue. During our conversation, Patty mentions several resources for teachers, parents, and direct service providers, and links to those are available at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. We also answer a listener's question about honoring the land.
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Mar 21, 2022
What statewide surveys know about our kids with Wendy Wolfersteig
In this episode, I talk with Wendy Wolfersteig - Director of Evaluation and Partner Contracts at the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) at Arizona State University - about what we know about kids from statewide surveys like the Arizona Youth Survey (AYS). Although the AYS is specific to Arizona, I believe that its findings are consistent with national trends. A link to the most recent AYS report is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com in case you want to follow along as Wendy and I discuss the data. We also answer a listener's question about bullying prevention.
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Mar 14, 2022
What national surveys know about our kids with Sarah Lindstrom Johnson
In this episode, I talk with Sarah Lindstrom Johnson - professor at Arizona State University and expert on prevention interventions for youth - about what we know about kids from national studies, like the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), Monitoring the Future, and the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey. If you want to follow along, links to data from those studies are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. We also answer a listener's question about the rise of cocaine use among teens.
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Mar 7, 2022
How LEGO engages kids' creativity with Peter Johnson
In this episode, I talk with Peter Johnson - Head of Creation at LEGO - about what parents, teachers, and other professionals can learn from how LEGO inspires creativity in its customers and employees. We also answer a listener's question about girls and LEGO.
Additional information from this episode is available a www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Feb 28, 2022
What we can learn from videogames with guest James Paul Gee
In this episode, I talk with James Paul Gee - the leading expert on why kids like videogames - about what educators, parents, and others can borrow from videogames to make any environment, and learning environments in particular, more successful. We also answer a listener's question on violence in videogames.
Additional information from this episode is available a www.TalkingAboutKids.com.
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Feb 18, 2022
Preview
My name is R. Bradley Snyder. I am a researcher, activist, and author of several books, including The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids. In this episode, I introduce my new, weekly podcast, Talking About Kids. Designed for parents, educators, and direct services professionals alike, Talking About Kids explores the latest information on issues impacting children and adolescents, from preventing bullying to unlocking creativity. In this preview you will hear clips from James Paul Gee, author of the ground-breaking work, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy, and Peter Johnson, Head of Creation at LEGO. I hope you will subscribe.
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