Join Phil from the Redwood Empire podcast with friend Michelle Miller, a former teacher turned magazine publisher transforming local communities. After 25 years in education, Michelle made a bold COVID-era career pivot to launch West and East Petaluma Living magazines through Best Version Media. This conversation explores her journey from personal crisis to professional reinvention, Petaluma's unique character, and hyper-local media's power in building stronger communities. Michelle shares candid stories about overcoming depression, finding her 'Plan B,' and discovering her life word: 'brave.'

Guest: Michelle Miller

Former educator turned magazine publisher who spent 25 years teaching in Sonoma County before launching West and East Petaluma Living magazines through Best Version Media. Montgomery High School alumna, deeply rooted in Petaluma community, serves on Petaluma Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee and member of Petaluma Polka Dots networking group.

Chapters

00:00 - Reconnecting Old Friends: Phil introduces Michelle Miller, former Montgomery High classmate, now publisher of Petaluma Living magazines

01:30 - East vs West Petaluma Divide: Geographic divisions, zip codes, and friendly rivalry between town sides

03:00 - Teaching Through Crisis: 25-year teaching career, COVID struggles, remote learning challenges

08:00 - Rock Bottom and Recovery: COVID illness, depression, divorce, deciding to 'rock Plan B'

15:00 - Discovering Best Version Media: Serendipitous Craigslist find leading to career change

22:00 - Economics of Local Business: Supporting local businesses, community money circulation

35:00 - Growing Up in Sonoma County: 1980s Santa Rosa memories, Montgomery High, area changes after fires

45:00 - Magazine's Mission: Celebrating local businesses, highlighting community members, positive approach

55:00 - From Fear to Brave: Personal mantras, life word 'brave,' facing daily business fears

65:00 - Generational Differences: Gen X independence vs modern helicopter parenting

75:00 - Community Connections: Local networking importance, chamber involvement

Business Mentions

**Best Version Media** - National magazine company with 250+ local publications

Website: https://bestversionmedia.com/

**West Petaluma Living** - Community magazine covering west Petaluma

Website: https://bestversionmedia.com/publications/west-petaluma-living/

**East Petaluma Living** - Community magazine covering east Petaluma

Website: https://bestversionmedia.com/publications/east-petaluma-living/

**Exchange Bank** - Community bank serving Northern California since 1890

Website: https://www.exchangebank.com/

**Petaluma Chamber of Commerce** - Local business organization

Website: https://petalumachamber.com/

Key Quotes

> "Plan A got blown out of the water... So I need to fucking rock Plan B."

> "My word for life is brave, because I sit in fear so often and you know what brave is? Looking fear in the eyes and still taking steps forward."

> "You are enough. I'm enough of a friend, I'm enough of a daughter, I am so enough for me, and I'm so enough for my kids."

> "Think globally, act locally - when you think of your business, a local business with a rich local community, think locally and act locally."

Call-to-Actions

**NEWSLETTER:** Sign up for West or East Petaluma Living magazine

**SOCIAL:** Follow the Redwood Empire podcast for more Sonoma County stories

**PRODUCT:** Support local Petaluma businesses featured in Michelle's magazines

In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges of parenting teenagers in today's digital age, the importance of relatable expertise in providing support, and the creation of Cultivateen Roots, an online platform designed to help parents navigate the complexities of raising adolescents.

They explore topics such as attachment styles, social media management, and the significance of building strong relationships with teens. The conversation emphasizes the need for evidence-based strategies and community support for parents. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various themes surrounding parenting, mental health, and the challenges of adolescence. They discuss the impact of adult themes in animation, the importance of universal free lunch programs, and the stigma surrounding mental health. The conversation also highlights the significance of resources for teens, the evolution of parenting strategies, and the challenges faced during the teenage years.

CultivaTeen Insta

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Weekend Plans

02:37 Navigating Parenting Challenges with Teens

07:40 Understanding Teen Culture and Communication

13:48 Teaching Critical Thinking in the Digital Age

18:27 Cultivating Roots: The Birth of an Idea

19:51 Reflecting on Parenting: The Impact of Childhood Experiences

21:01 Understanding Attachment and Its Influence

22:27 Expanding the Course Offerings

22:55 Target Audience: When to Start Engaging with the Course

24:20 Building a Community for Parents

25:18 Future Modules and Topics of Interest

26:22 Community Engagement and Launch Events

27:44 Navigating Modern Parenting Challenges

31:55 The Importance of Mental Health Resources

36:51 Breaking Stigmas Around Therapy

39:16 The Role of Online Resources in Parenting

40:01 The Journey of Cultivating Roots

41:18 Naming the Course: Cultivating Roots

42:14 The Role of Parents in Child Development

43:04 Empowering Parents: Grounding in Their Role

44:00 Navigating Fear in Parenting

45:49 Addressing Social Media and Toxic Masculinity

46:59 Using Facts Over Fear in Parenting

48:24 Engaging in Open Conversations with Teens

50:43 The Impact of AI on Youth Relationships

52:10 Creating a Parenting Alter Ego

54:32 Understanding Teen Development and Hormones

56:30 The Complexity of the Teen Brain

57:45 Conclusion: Cultivating Roots for Adolescents

Takeaways

• It's a really hard time to be a teenager.
• Parents often feel helpless and seek solutions.
• Relatable experts bridge the gap between personal experience and professional knowledge.

• Building strong relationships with teens is crucial during adolescence.
• Teaching social media skills is as important as teaching driving skills.
• Parents need to be empowered to manage their children's digital lives.
• Understanding attachment styles can help in parenting decisions.
• Cultivating Roots offers evidence-based strategies for parents.
• Community support is essential for navigating parenting challenges. The portrayal of adult themes in animation can be concerning for young viewers.
• Universal free lunch programs play a crucial role in supporting students.
• Mental health support is becoming more normalized among youth.
• Parents should encourage open conversations about feelings and mental health.
• Resources for teens are essential in navigating difficult situations.
• Cultivating roots in parenting fosters stronger connections with children.
• Media representation of adolescence can influence perceptions and fears.
• Fear-based parenting strategies are often ineffective.
• Understanding the developmental changes in teens is vital for effective parenting.
• Healthy communication is key to navigating the challenges of adolescence.

Keywords

parenting, teenagers, social media, attachment styles, parenting strategies, adolescent development, Cultivating Roots, parenting support, digital parenting, communication, animation, mental health, parenting, adolescence, education, stigma, free lunch programs, special education, resources, substance use