Episodes

  • Social Media, Kids and Mental Health: Dr. Devorah Heitner on What We're Getting Wrong

    Social Media, Kids and Mental Health: Dr. Devorah Heitner on What We're Getting Wrong
    Jun 29 2024
    This episode is a must-listen for all parents of kids who have smartphones, especially if you're worried about the impact of social media on mental health. Dr. Devorah Heitner a renowned author and expert on kids and technology, joins me to provide thought-provoking insights that challenge a lot of the conventional wisdom, so get ready for a fresh take on parenting in the digital age. You'll get actionable advice for parents, compelling research that supports it, and the nuances of complex issues surrounding kids, tech, and well-being -- including where she agrees and disagrees with the Surgeon General's recommendations, the unintended consequences of social media age restrictions, and the laws and regulations that we should be advocating for to ensure heath and safety for all of us. Not just for our children. ---- Special offer from Phyla Skincare: Save 25% your first order with code COOLMOM on this truly breakthrough, science-backed, derm-recommended, probiotic acne serum that prevents breakouts before they start - with literally no side effects. (Literally!) There's a reason Ryan Reynolds is an investor and advocate and the brand is headed to Sephora soon. ----- Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Find Dr. Devorah Heitner: Website, Instagram, Substack, Amazon Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Substack, Facebook, Threads Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Join: The Spawned Podcast FB Community and Out Tech Your Kids Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe for cool picks each week right in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Brutally honest college admissions questions from teens: Asked and answered

    Brutally honest college admissions questions from teens: Asked and answered
    Jun 21 2024
    So here's a fun surprise: Today, my own daughter and rising high school senior, Sage, joins me on Spawned for the first time! She's asking fantastic questions about college admissions on behalf of teens who have shared them with us. In our third and final podcast in our Insider's Guide to College Admissions, with Alyse Levine of Premium Prep, you'll learn about weighted grades, class rank, tough math teachers, padding extracurriculars, arguing with parents about college preferences, and procrastinating on the personal essay. Plus, Sage's excellent hack for identifying colleges where you'll fit in. This is such a fun, helpful episode -- and I hope you'll consider listening with your own college-minded kids, who probably have different questions than you do. A special offer from Premium Prep: Mention Spawned for a free 30-minute college counseling session with a best-fit counselor at Premium Prep A special offer from Phyla Skincare: Save 25% with code COOLMOM on the game-changing, derm-recommended, probiotic acne serum that prevents breakouts before they start, with literally no side effects. (Literally!) Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Find Alyse Levine: Website, Facebook, Instagram Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe to get cool picks, deals + helpful info in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Jonathan Van Ness: Creating a culture of acceptance for kids who are different

    Jonathan Van Ness: Creating a culture of acceptance for kids who are different
    Jun 7 2024
    What a treat to have 30 minutes during Pride Month with the one and only Jonathan Van Ness, who's out with a brand new children's book, Gorgeously Me! We're talking about how to create a culture of acceptance for kids who are different, but we touch on so much more. Like the book that traumatized Jonathan as a kid (eek!), their strongest memory of Barney, the importance to them of faith and spiritual connection, unpacking the mantra "I am exactly who I'm meant to be," optimism for the future, and some compelling advice for parents who want to raise our kids to be the best version of themselves. I can't wait for you to listen! Also, I have to humblebrag a little that Jonathan says I "slayed my Cool Pick of the Week" -- but theirs is fantastic too. Stick around to hear them both. ---- Thanks to our sponsor Premium Prep, the personalized college counseling service that helps with applications, financial aid, essay writing, and more. Visit PremiumPrep.com and mention Spawned or Cool Mom Picks for a free 30-minute 1:1 session with a best-fit counselor. ----- Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Find Jonathan Van Ness: Queer Eye on Netflix, Getting Curious, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Substack, Facebook, Threads Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Join: The Spawned Podcast FB Community Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe for cool picks each week right in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • A grade-by-grade guide to college admissions with Alyse Levine

    A grade-by-grade guide to college admissions with Alyse Levine
    Jun 1 2024
    I am so happy to continue our 3-Part Insider Guide to the College Admission Process with my guest, Alyse Levine, one of the country's most prominent college counseling experts. Today we're focusing on a grade-by-grade guide to supporting our kids on the path toward college applications. Some of the topics we cover: Why middle school should be about focusing on healthy work habits How and when to make the most of clubs and after-school experiences Plotting out high school courses like a decision tree Why Alyse calls 10th grade "a pivotal year" What “demonstrated interest” is, and why it matters Different ways to visit colleges and when to start How and when to start creating your college list How to frame the (dreaded) personal essay to take off pressure Why there are no limits to essay topics (contrary to popular belief) How to decide whether to apply Early Decision Putting mental health first, always. Spoiler: Even if you start late, it may not be late. Just breathe! A special offer from Premium Prep: Mention Spawned for a free 30-minute college counseling session with a best-fit counselor at Premium Prep, who will be matched to your student. They've helped guide 93% of their students into one of their top three choices, so take advantage! She also describes on the podcast just what the team can do for you in those 30 minutes. Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Find Alyse Levine: Website, Facebook, Instagram Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Pages Subscribe to get cool picks, deals + helpful info in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Brad Meltzer: Empathy, Kindness, Magic, Transformation, and That One Guy in the Restroom That One Time

    Brad Meltzer: Empathy, Kindness, Magic, Transformation, and That One Guy in the Restroom That One Time
    May 24 2024
    Fresh off his viral commencement address at the University of Michigan, I'm joined by best-selling author Brad Meltzer. (Yes, that Brad Meltzer from the "I Am..." biographical children's books we all own!) He talks about his thoughts on kindness as a "naive ideal worth fighting for," the need for more empathy online, his love for the Harlem Globetrotters, and why he believes one person can change the world. Plus, he shares some deeply personal stories of kindness that changed his own life, including one in a random men's room. You are going to love what he has to say. Plus, by popular demand, Cool Picks of the Week is back! Whoo! (Though a new audio cue...eh, stay tuned for that one.) ---- Thanks to our sponsor Premium Prep, the personalized college counselling service that helps with applications, financial aid, essay writing, and more. Visit PremiumPre.com and mention Spawned or Cool Mom Picks for a free 30-minute 1:1 session with a best-fit counselor they'll match to your student's interests and your family's needs. ----- Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: The Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Find Brad Meltzer: Website, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe for cool picks right in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • How to help your chid identify and develop their passions, with Alyse Levine of Premium Prep

    How to help your chid identify and develop their passions, with Alyse Levine of Premium Prep
    May 10 2024
    As parents of teens know, it's the college admission season. That's why I am thrilled to welcome back Alyse Levine, one of the most prominent college counseling experts, to help us out. You all loved my interview with her in January about de-stressing college admissions, which is why I invited her for a 3-Part Parent's Guide to the College Admission Process. To start things off, Alyse is sharing insider tips and insights on how parents can help their children identify and develop their passions. You'll find her perspective reasonable, encouraging, and helpful, even beyond the college process. A special offer from Premium Prep: Mention Spawned for a free 30-minute college counseling session with a best-fit counselor at Premium Prep, who will be matched to your student after a free 15-minute intro session. (They've helped guide 93% of their students into one of their top three choices, so take advantage!) Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Find Alyse Levine: Website, Facebook, Instagram Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe to get cool picks, deals + helpful info in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Have we been thinking about kindness all wrong? With guest Jaclyn Lindsey of Kindness.org

    Have we been thinking about kindness all wrong? With guest Jaclyn Lindsey of Kindness.org
    May 5 2024
    Spawned is back (whoo!) with host Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks and Mom-101. I'm excited to get back to what I love most-- helping us get through the ups and downs of parenting together. Each week I'll be joined by compelling experts, best-selling authors, entrepreneurs, comedians, therapists, and even some big celebrities. I'm thrilled to kick things off with Jaclyn Lindsey, the remarkable founder and CEO of kindness.org. We're talking about what the science of kindness can teach us about raising kind humans. Jaclyn shares what we're doing right, what we're getting wrong, and some super-practical tips we can put to use right away. Jaclyn shares the difference between being nice and being kind, and lets us in on some common "acts of kindness" that...don't do much at all. Oops. Get ready to learn a ton. ---- Thanks to our sponsor Sourcebooks, publisher of I Am Money, the wonderful new Schoolhouse Rock-style book by Julia Cook, Garrett Gunderson, and Josh Cleland that's helping parents raise kids to have a healthy relationship with money for life. ----- Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Find Jaclyn Lindsey: Website, Facebook, Instagram, X Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe for cool picks right in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • A college guidance expert and former admissions officer helps de-stress the application process. Phew! | Ep 301

    A college guidance expert and former admissions officer helps de-stress the application process. Phew! | Ep 301
    Jan 17 2024
    It is so tough to navigate the college search and admission process -- emotionally, practically, financially. (Eep!) It completely stressed me out, and I'm a pretty Type B mom. So learn from my mistakes! To kick off a new year of Spawned, we're lucky to be getting super helpful tips from Alyse Levine, one of the foremost college counseling experts in the country. She's not only worked with high school students at all levels, she's the former assistant director of undergrad admissions at Washington University in St. Louis. In other words, she's got an invaluable perspective you're going to want to hear. (Also, she's really nice!) - Liz Thanks to our sponsor Premium Prep, the renown college counseling program that's helped guide 93% of their students into one of their top three choices. Spawned Listeners: Mention Spawned for a free 1:1 college counseling session with a right-fit counselor at Premium Prep after your first free 15-minute intro session. (Take that offer, worth it!) Follow Spawned: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Join: Spawned Podcast FB Community Find Cool Mom Picks: Instagram, Facebook, Threads Find Liz Gumbinner: Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Threads Find Alyse Levine: Website, Facebook, Instagram Shownotes from today's episode: Cool Mom Pick Podcast Page Subscribe to get even more Cool Picks of the Week in your inbox: coolmompicks.com/subscribe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins