gym shorts

by Kathie Smith and Kristie Smith

Education for Kids Parenting

Season 1

Career Pathways for High School Students

Career Pathways Coordinator Bob Manning from Stillwater Area High School (MN) joins us to explore opportunities for high school students thinking about what's next!

Not "The Talk" Healthy Conversations around Sex Ed

We're talking with Lisa Turnham, Planning Analyst, Hennepin County Public Health - Better Together Hennepin and Adjunct Instructor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health about kids and healthy conversations about the birds, bees and learning to build comfortable discussions with young people about body positivity and sexual health.

Early childhood conditions originating in the brain.

Podcast host Kathie Smith chats with pediatric neurologist Dr. Kelsey Christoffel, who treats children with conditions originating in the brain. Her specialties prenatal-neonatal neurology and neonatal neurocritical care.

Music and it's impact on learning

We meet with Dr. Karrin Meffert-Nelson to talk about music and playing instruments and the impact on learning for kids as well as adults.

Taking Steps Towards Better Health

We meet with self-taught nutrition expert, and my daughter, Nicole Hellenbrand to talk about making small changes toward better nutrition both as parents, and then changing things for kids.

How sports can improve all areas of learning and reaching the top level of competition

We talk with Diving Coach and 2016 Olympic Diving Trials Finalist, Sarah McCrady about her experience at the elite level of competition and what it takes to get to that level from an early age. Sarah also shares what skills from sports transfer to learning, developing self esteem, a good work ethic, and competing "in the flow."

Preparing your adolescents for middle school language arts

Meet Laura McCrady, 8th grade language arts teacher. She talks with us about preparing your middle school kids for reading to learn. She shares skills parents can work on with their students including having conversations around books they are reading, to even reading the books at home with their kids.

Music education: Stories and tips for parents on starting music lessons for kids

In this episode, we meet with music educator, Jodie Sands Dahl as she shares personal stories about her musical experiences and teaching kids about music. She talks pointedly about what is a good age to start lessons, and how to encourage kids to try.

Mental Health and Adolescents

Erika Koopmans, Licensed Mental Health Professional, joins us to talk about some of the challenges young people are struggling with and a few suggestions to help navigate the world around us all. She emphasizes that every struggle is different and there is help available. She shares resources and talks about 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and that kids can text, chat or call anytime of day.

Reading, writing and a chat with author Loretta Ellsworth

As an author, Loretta Ellsworth draws from stories in her own life. In her first children's book, Tangle Knot, a story about Fia's hair, her mother's challenge to understand why her daughter keeps things so messy, and their warm love for each other, Loretta shares the power of reading and the power it can bring to relationships everywhere.

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