*Little Ears Warning* We discuss some topics in the episode preview, and in the final third of the episode, that you probably won't want little ears to hear (e.g., pornography, digital dangers, and addictions).

My guest for the season 1 finale is Dr. Marcey Mettica, owner of Prosper Counseling, PLLC. She's a licensed professional counselor supervisor and a registered play therapist supervisor with more than 20 years of experience serving children, teens, and families.

Marcey explains why unstructured play and boredom are critical for child development, and why parents should be more like thermostats than thermometers. She gives us an insider look at how play therapy works, hops up on her digital soapbox with a call to arms for parents, and she leaves us with her absolute best parenting advice and strategies (which are surprisingly simple and effective).

If you want to feel more equipped to meet the challenges of modern parenthood, don't miss this conversation.

LISTEN IN AS WE EXPLORE:

1) how to balance structured/unstructured activities to minimize overwhelm and resistance from our kids
2) what happens in a play therapy room, and what issues and ages it's suitable for
3) simple tips to get your kids to listen, without raising your voice or repeating yourself a hundred times
4) how 30 minutes a week can transform the parent-child relationship, and banish most behavior problems
5) the Surgeon General's advisory on mental health and social media for teens, and what Marcey wishes more parents understood about the dangers of the digital world.

LINKS + FOLLOW-UPS:

To connect with Marcey and her team, visit the Prosper Counseling website, or call their office at 972-292-0007.

We referenced episode 4 with Dr. Dave Schramm where we discussed some ideas for special parent-child time.

We also mentioned Officer Gomez, a school resource officer who shares information and resources to help keep parents abreast of what's happening in schools, especially around kids' technology/social media use.

To read the 2023 Surgeon General's Advisory on "Social Media and Youth Mental Health," click here.

Once again, we mentioned the great book by Catherine Price, How to Break Up With Your Phone.

Note: If you purchase the book using my Amazon affiliate link above, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Links are provided for your convenience and help support the podcast.

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Looking for more ways to stay grounded in the good stuff?

Visit www.groundedingood.org for Dr. Kara's book, free newsletter, curated resources, and other offerings.

Disclaimer: This podcast is educational/preventive in nature and is NOT intended to be therapy. If you have relationship or mental health concerns, you can find qualified help on sites like BetterHelp or The Gottman Referral Network.

*Thanks to Alex Grohl for the intro/outro music.

Hello, this is Matt, and he's a teacher . . .

In this episode, I chat with one of the good guys of the internet, Matt Eicheldinger. He’s a veteran teacher and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who knows a thing or two about the power of stories to connect and inspire us.

We talk about the significance of small moments, Matt’s fast rise to fame after unclogging a parking lot drain, and the profound journey of self-discovery that followed.

He urges us to really slow down to connect the dots and listen to the stirrings of our hearts. We muse on integrity and authenticity in a social media landscape that favors flashiness and followers, and he shares his best tips for listeners with big dreams.

LISTEN IN AS WE EXPLORE:

1) what makes stories powerful vessels for connection, learning, and meaning
2) playing long games, like teaching and parenting, where you never fully know your impact
3) how journaling and looking back can help propel you forward
4) identifying your transferable skills and bursting out of your bubble
5) how to really know yourself and discern which opportunities align with your values

LINKS + FOLLOW-UPS:

Follow Matt on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok @matteicheldinger.

You can also grab a copy of his books on Amazon:

Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments (for adults, especially teachers!)

Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes (middle grade novel #1)

Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun (middle grade novel #2)

Matt also shared a quote from NYT bestselling author Jason Reynolds, the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, about stories as "baked-in empathy machines."

Note: If you purchase Matt's book(s) using my Amazon affiliate links above, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Links are provided for your convenience and help support the podcast.

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Looking for more ways to stay grounded in the good stuff?

Visit www.groundedingood.org for Dr. Kara's book, free newsletter, curated resources, and other offerings.

Disclaimer: This podcast is educational/preventive in nature and is NOT intended to be therapy. If you have relationship or mental health concerns, you can find qualified help on sites like BetterHelp or The Gottman Referral Network.

*Thanks to Alex Grohl for the intro/outro music.

Dr. Morgan Cutlip is a relationship expert who knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she’s committed to helping moms navigate it better. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the mental load, intensive parenting, and the great expectations of modern motherhood.

Morgan shares what you can do on the toilet to improve your life, why stuffing your needs typically backfires, and how partners can close the gap when the division of labor feels out of whack.

It's a great conversation starter for couples around fairness, embracing differences, and how to carry the weight of it all better, together.


LISTEN IN AS WE EXPLORE:

1) what it means to "go mom yourself"
2) what informs our expectations around marriage and parenthood, and why we need to give them a second look
3) ways to share the load with a partner who travels, or if you have odd or variable schedules
4) how to help kids see and do some of the "invisible work" in a family
5) the Surgeon General's advisory on extreme parental stress and practical ways to cope better

LINKS + FOLLOW-UPS:

Follow Morgan for practical relationship tips on Instagram, or visit her website for more resources!

You can also pre-order her latest book on the mental load for couples, A Better Share, or grab a copy of her first book for moms, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself.

Here's a link to the full report we mentioned at the end of the episode: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents


Note: If you purchase her book(s) using my Amazon affiliate links above, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Links are provided for your convenience and help support the podcast.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Looking for more ways to stay grounded in the good stuff?

Visit www.groundedingood.org for Dr. Kara's book, free newsletter, curated resources, and other offerings.

Disclaimer: This podcast is educational/preventive in nature and is NOT intended to be therapy. If you have relationship or mental health concerns, you can find qualified help on sites like BetterHelp or The Gottman Referral Network.

*Thanks to Alex Grohl for the intro/outro music.