In this episode, join Jessi and Erin as they sit down with Olivia Howell from Fresh Starts Registry and discuss all things family and divorce. Not only about the emotional weight of legal processes but about navigating and rebuilding of families during challenging and emotionally charged times. Most importantly, supporting and guiding children through familial shifts with love and hope.

*Please note, nothing discussed today constitutes as legal advise. If you would like legal guidance, you can find resources through the Fresh Starts website.

Topics covered:

• 🛒Features and benefits of Fresh Starts Registry
• 🚫Challenges and Stigma of divorce
• 🗣️How to have difficult conversations with children, relatives, and more
• 🤝Maintaining consistency through parenting plan disagreements
• 💖Importance of self care practices
• 💌Advice for family and friends on how to be supportive

Episode #24, January 2026

For more resources on this topic, check out our resource guide: Resource Guide Episode #24

Why do teens make impulsive decisions even when they know better? Join Jessi and Erin as they sit down with Stephanie Muller and Jahira Campazano from Safe Harbor to decode adolescent brain development and behavior.

Learn practical strategies for setting boundaries, navigating emotional outbursts, and maintaining open communication without pushing your teen away. Plus, explore how social media exploits teen vulnerabilities and why real-world connections matter more than ever.

Perfect for parents navigating the journey of raising teenagers. Find out how to be your teen's safe space while still holding them accountable.

Topics covered:

• 🧠Teen brain development
• ❌ Setting healthy boundaries
• 📱Social media's impact
• 📖Teaching accountability
• 🤝Staying connected

Episode #23, December 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #23

We're back just in time for Family Literacy Month this November! In this episode, we're diving into an important discussion relevant to parents everywhere - how kids really learn to read. Join Jessi and Erin with a special guest, Chad Aldeman, creator of Read Not Guess. This free, online resource is helping families and schools shift toward Structured Literacy, which is focused on letter sounds and builds difficulty as a child progresses with the goal of creating fundamental building blocks for comprehension and critical thinking.

In this episode learn all about:

• 📉Current U.S. literacy statistics

• 📖Practical, evidence-based ways to support your child’s reading journey at home

• 🚩How to spot a child struggling to read

• 💡Benefits of science-based reading instruction

Episode #22, November 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode 22

Ever feel lost when teens say something is "mid" or "giving main character energy"? Join Jessi and Erin as their special guest, Emily Moyers, a Teen Librarian at PML and self professed language lover breaks down the wild world of modern slang – from how it spreads faster than ever on social media to why some terms stick while others get left on read.

What's inside:

✨ The psychology behind why teens create new language 📱 Which platforms are slang factories (hint: it's not just TikTok) ⚡ Cultural appropriation vs. natural language evolution 🎯 Parent survival guide to staying current without being cringe 🧠 Slang quiz to test your fluency!

Whether you're a confused parent or just fascinated by how language evolves, this episode will leave you absolutely shook by the creativity of modern communication.

No cap – this one hits different! 💯

Episode Timestamps:

0:01 – Introduction 03:15 – Terms and Patterns 05:15 – Reference points for slang 06:45 – How can parents stay informed 08:55 – How does slang reflect Gen Z cultural shifts/values 10:50 – How does their time online influence slang 13:30 – Life cycle of slang terms 14:20 – Influence of marginalized groups on slang (appropriation vs mainstream) 18:30 – Possible hidden meanings of slang terms 22:05 – Platforms where slang is being created 23:40 – Favorite slang terms 28:10 – Slang quiz 35:00 - Closing

Episode #21, May 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #21

Erin and Jessi are joined by Jasmine Lucas from the Association for Mental Health and Wellness who shares practical strategies for creating mentally healthy family environments. Listen and discover how to recognize warning signs in children, engage reluctant teenagers, and have age-appropriate mental health conversations. Jasmine offers guidance on balancing personal wellbeing with children's needs, handling crises, and navigating the impacts of technology on family dynamics.

Episode Timestamps:

• 0:50 – Association for Mental Health & Wellness overview
• 9:45 – Signs of mental health struggles in children
• 13:50 – Engaging reluctant teenagers
• 20:25 – Age-appropriate mental health conversations
• 26:20 – Balancing personal and family mental health
• 30:11 – Mental health crisis response
• 35:05 – AI and social media impacts
• 41:45 – Communication barriers
• 46:35 – Practical recommendations

Remember: building mentally healthy families isn't about perfection—it's about progress and presence.

Episode #20, April 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #20

🎧 Join librarians Jessi and Erin as they tackle the challenges of the "sandwich generation" - those caring for both young children and aging parents with Alzheimer's or dementia. With special guest Regina Anderson from the Families & Children Association’s (FCA’s) Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Support Program, this episode offers practical wisdom and emotional support for caregivers navigating this complex journey. 💜

Learn about:

• 🤝 Free support services and resources you may not know you're eligible for
• 👶 Creative ways to explain grandparents' changing behavior to young children
• ⚠️ How to spot caregiver burnout before it hits
• ✨ Tips for finding moments of joy and connection while caring for multiple generations
• 💪 Practical strategies for handling when both parent and child need urgent attention

Whether you're currently caregiving or want to prepare for the future, this episode provides compassionate guidance and reminds us we're not alone in this journey. Regina shares invaluable insights on maintaining boundaries, practicing self-care without guilt, and fostering positive relationships even as roles evolve. 🌟

Episode #19, February 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: COMING SOON!

Join librarians Jessi and Erin as they sit down with Nick Tanzi, a straight-talking tech expert, author, and Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library, who admits he has a "love-hate relationship" with AI. From ChatGPT doing homework to AI chatbots giving questionable advice, Nick reveals what's happening in our kids' digital world.

Discover why Nick calls AI a "non-consensual relationship" that's invaded our lives, and learn how to turn this uninvited guest into a helpful tool for your family.

Whether you're AI-savvy or AI-scared, this episode cuts through the tech jargon to give you practical guidance on:

• Teaching your kids to spot AI's mistakes and biases
• Using AI tools together as a family (yes, like testing ChatGPT with questions you know the answers to!)
• Protecting your children from AI's hidden risks while embracing its benefits

Episode #18, January 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #18

Time Stamps:

0:00 – Introduction

2:07 – What is A.I./overview

4:39 – Current concerns

9:05 – How should this technology be used in education

10:20 – Entry points for parents to engage with AI

12:30 – Bias and popularity vs correctness

15:20 – How to know where the data is coming from

16:38 – How can libraries support AI literacy education

18:20 – How can parents approach this topic with their child?

25:36 – What to do with A.I.

28:15 – A.I. and the complications of language

29:35 - CLEAR Framework for Generative AI by Leo Lo

32:24 – Picking the right tool for the right job

35:25 – The future

In this episode, Jessi and Erin welcome Rhonda Nedderman and Natalia Johnson from local community organization, Youth Enrichment Services (YES) to discuss bullying. Learn about current bullying statistics, the shift to cyberbullying, and practical strategies for parents. YES experts share insights on empowering children, monitoring social media use, and the importance of being an "upstander." Whether your child is experiencing bullying or IS the bully, this episode offers valuable resources and actionable tips for families.

• 📊 Learn current bullying statistics and trends
• 🖥️ Implement cyberbullying prevention strategies
• 📱 Set up social media monitoring practices
• 🤗 Develop skills to support children facing bullying
• 💡 Learn how to address bullying behavior
• 🤝 Connect with local community resources

Episode #17, November 2024

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #17

Time Stamps:

0:01 – Introduction 5:25 – Impact of social media on bullying 9:50 – Steps to protect children from online bullying 11:15 – What to do if your child is the bully 22:40 – What to say to your child if they’re witnessing bullying 24:21 – Telling vs tattling 30:20 - Addressing both the bully and the bullied 32:40 – Tips for parents on how to help their children help themselves 38:31 – How to approach your child when they refuse to go to school, activities, etc. 42:00 – Dealing with the ‘after’