Family Confidential: Secrets of Successful Parenting with Annie Fox, M.Ed.

In this, our first video podcast, Annie talks with Carrie Goldman, author of the best-seller Bullied: What every parent, teacher and kids needs to know about ending the cycle of fear. Carrie understands tweens' all-consuming love of social media. She also knows that parents need support for setting guidelines to balance social media use with "sacred" unplugged family time. About Carrie Goldman In addition to her insightful book, Bullied, Carrie also writes the internationally followed parenting blog, Portrait of an Adoption for Chicago Now, the site hosted by the Chicago Tribune. Learn more at http://www.CarrieGoldmanAuthor.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Reading to kids is tremendously important in building literacy skills. But actually telling stories to our children brings us closer in so many important ways as it helps us shape their values and talk about things that matter. In this podcast Annie talks with Sean Buvala, author of "DaddyTeller: How to be a Hero to Your Kids and Teach Them What's Really Important By Telling Them One Simple Story at a Time". About K. Sean Buvala K. Sean Buvala is a professional storyteller, corporate trainer, parent educator and author. His newspaper work spans 23 years. In 2007, Buvala was presented the Oracle Award by the National Storytelling Network for his work in the promotion of storytelling, including the development of Storyteller.net, an online goldmine of resources for storytellers and their audiences. More info at: http://daddyteller.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

ADD/ADHD impacts the lives of millions of kids and their families. In this podcast Annie Fox talks with Katherine Ellison, author of "Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention" (Hyperion 2010). In this extremely personal memoir, Ellison focuses her Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporting skills on attention deficit disorders (which both she and her son have). During her year-long probe she researched the personal costs and promised treatments from an insider's perspective. Listen in on this intimate conversation about what's going on with these kids and how we can best help them. About Katherine Ellison Katherine Ellison is a Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative journalist, veteran foreign correspondent and writing consultant. She is the mother of two sons and the author of four books, including "The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes us Smarter" and the new memoir "Buzz, A year of paying attention." More info at: http://www.KatherineEllison.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

We're all driven by needs and sometimes our need for acceptance is in direct conflict with our need to be unique. This is especially challenging for tweens and teens who are trying so hard to fit in AND be themselves! In this podcast Annie Fox talks with Ronit Baras, author of "Be Special Be Yourself for Teenagers" (Trafford Publishing, 2006). Ronit shares with us her life experience, her wisdom and her infectious positive attitude about life and raising healthy teens. About Ronit Baras Ronit Baras is a a Life Coach, a teacher and an author. For the last 22 years she has travelled the world speaking with parents about their troubled relationships with their teenage children and helping them to lead happier, healthier lives. For her community service she has twice been nominated as Australian of the Year. More info at: http://RonitBaras.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

21st century parents frequently miss opportunities to take the lead and maintain meaningful connections with their tweens and teens. Of course, it's not all our fault. Teens don't encourage dialogue, at least not with us! In this podcast I talk with David McQueen, educator, international speaker, and blogger extraordinaire who's a master when it comes to teaching adults and youth alike to build up their communication skills. About David McQueen For the last 22 years, David McQueen has reached over a million teenagers through live speaking and workshops, on TV and online, with messages of empowerment about inhabiting the present and creating a brilliant future. Dave McQueen is also the founder of The Dave Mack Project, a Teen Empowerment Movement that combines speaking, live events, social media and youth coaching for teens and those who work with teens. More info at: http://TheDaveMackProject.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Whether you chose single motherhood or had it thrust upon you, being a solo parent has unique joys and challenges. In this podcast I talk with singlemommyhood.com founders Dr. Leah Klungness and Rachel Sarah. Dr. Leah is co-author of The Complete Single Mother (Adams Media, 2006). Rachel's memoir is Single Mom Seeking: Playdates, Blind dates, and Other Dispatches from the Dating World.(Seal Press, 2007) About Dr. Leah Klungness and Rachel Sarah Dr. Leah Klungness is a psychologist and recognized authority on single parenting and relationship issues. Rachel Sarah, is an award-winning journalist. Rachel and Dr. Leah - aka "the Sanity Fairy" – are co-founders of the popular website Singlemommyhood.com More info at: http://SingleMommyhood.com Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Every child has the right to learn in a place where all students are accepted. And yet, thousands of students suffer daily from school bullying and harassment. Schools need to do a better job insuring the rights of each student. In this podcast I talk with Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer, nationally recognized educator and author of "Gender, Bullying, and Harassment: Strategies to End Sexism and Homophobia in Schools" (Teachers College Press, 2009). About Elizabeth J. Meyer, PhD Elizabeth J. Meyer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. She is the author of "Gender, Bullying, and Harassment: Strategies to End Sexism and Homophobia in Schools" ( She also writes for the Freire Project for Critical Pedagogy. A former high school teacher and coach, she has published articles in: Gender and Education, McGill Journal of Education, The Journal of LGBT Youth, and the Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology. More info at: http://sites.google.com/site/lizjmeyer/ Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Every adult has the power to be a positive influence in the lives of the children we live and work with. To offer less is to miss an opportunity to help a child reach his/her full potential. In this podcast I talk with Salome Thomas-El (aka Principal El), nationally recognized educator and author of "The Immortality of Influence: We Can Build the Best Minds of the Next Generation" (Dafina Kensington 2006). About Salome Thomas-El Salome Thomas-El, AKA Principal El, is a superstar educator, educational expert and consultant. He was a teacher and principal with the Philadelphia School District from 1987-2009 where he received national acclaim as an educator and chess coach. Principal EL is a regular contributor on "The Dr. Oz Show" and the author of the best-selling book, "I Choose To Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City" (Dafina Kensington 2003), about his teaching experience in the inner city, and his new book, "The Immortality of Influence", which stresses the importance of mentoring, parenting and service to others. More info at: PrincipalEl.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Parents like to feed their kids. It makes us feel needed. But when the kid is a picky eater it can make every meal a battle of wills. In this podcast I talk with food writer Matthew Amster-Burton, author of "Hungry Monkey – A food loving father's quest to raise an adventurous eater" (Houghton Mifflin 1st edition 2009) Matthew shares his love of food with his young daughter Iris, and together they learn that there are all kinds of wonderful things to experience when you open your mind and your mouth. About Matthew Amster-Burton Matthew is a food writer based in Seattle. He writes frequently for Gourmet.com, Culinate.com, Seattle Magazine, and the Seattle Times. He has been featured repeatedly in the Best Food Writing anthology. More info at: HungryMonkeyBook.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Knowing there's something is wrong with your child and getting no confirmation or support from doctors can be the loneliest feeling in the world. Figuring out what's wrong and how to help that child reach his potential can become a mission. In this podcast I talk with Amalia Starr, author of "Raising Brandon: Creating a Path to Independence for your Adult 'Kid' with Autism & Special Needs" (Mountain Star Publishing, 2009). Amalia's memoir pulls no punches as she discusses the reality of raising a child with autism and what happens when that child becomes an adult. About Amalia Starr Amalia is a family consultant and motivational speaker who specializes in supporting parents of children with special needs through workshops, seminars, and private sessions. Her results-based approach focuses on empowering both parents and their children to reach their full potential. As a mom, she has devoted more than thirty-six years to creating a path to independence for her son, Brandon. More info at: http://amaliastarrspeakerautism.com/ Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

American kids are raised on a steady diet of media messages that are, for the most, extremely hazardous to their healthy social and emotional well-being. In this podcast I talk with Diane E. Levin, Ph.D., author of "So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualization of Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids" (with Jean Kilbourne) (Ballantine Books, 2009). Diane describes what happened when the deregulation of children's television allowed multi-billion dollar industries, not parents themselves, determine what your kids will learn about gender roles, sex, and what's "important" in life. About Diane E. Levin, Ph.D. Dr. Levin is Professor of Education at Wheelock College in Boston. She has written seven other books including: "The War Play Dilemma", "Teaching Young Children in Violent Times" and "Remote Control Childhood?" Diane Levin speaks around the world on the impact of violence, media and other societal issues on children, families and schools. More info at: DianeDLevin.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

The recent rise in the use of social digital media has brought a new wrinkle to the way tween and teens girls deal with friendship conflicts and it's not pretty. In this podcast I talk with Rosalind Wiseman, author of "Queen Bees and Wannabes" (Three Rivers Press, 2009). Rosalind brings her considerable knowledge of Girl World to this spirited discussion of the way things are for girls in the Age of Technology and how parents can help them survive and thrive. About Rosalind Wiseman Rosalind Wiseman, author of "Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World" which has just been re-released in a new edition covering the impact of technology on Girl World. Twice a New York Times bestseller, "Queen Bees and Wannabes" was the basis for the 2004 movie "Mean Girls". Rosalind's follow up book, "Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads: Dealing with the Difficult Parents in Your Child's Life", was released in 2006. More info at: http://rosalindwiseman.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Life is full of surprises. But when you marry a man with children and become a stepmom, you may find that the ride you signed on for is the Turn My Life Upside Down variety. In this podcast I talk with Izzy Rose, author of "The Package Deal: My (not-so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom" (Three Rivers Press 2009). Izzy chronicles the first tumultuous year of her marriage which involved quitting her career, moving from San Francisco to Texas, and becoming a full time mom to her two step sons. About Izzy Rose Izzy Rose is an Emmy award-winning television producer from the San Francisco Bay Area. She's the creator of Stepmother's Milk, a blog and resource site for the modern-day stepmom with national and international readership. She's appeared countless times on television and radio programs in San Francisco, Austin and Memphis and is a regular contributor to Stepmom Magazine. http://www.stepmommag.com More info at: http://stepmothersmilk.com and http://izzy-rose.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

By idealizing and rewarding the Good Girl, we teach girls to become people-pleasing shadows of themselves, thus limiting their power and potential. In this podcast I talk with Rachel Simmons, author of "The Curse of The Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence" (The Penguin Press, 2009), about the long-lasting negative impact of a culture that prizes nice over real and how parents, teachers and coaches can help girls push back. About Rachel Simmons Rachel Simmons is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls" (Harcourt, 2002), the first book to explore the phenomenon of bullying among girls. Rachel works internationally with girls, parents, and teachers to develop strategies to address bullying and to empower girls. A Rhodes scholar, Rachel Simmons is the founding director of the Girls' Leadership Institute in Santa Cruz, CA More info at: www.rachelsimmons.com and www.girlsleadership.org Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.

Kids aren't necessarily supposed to love school. But when a child is either terrified to go to school because of something going on there or something that might happen to the family when they're not home that kid is suffering. This all too `common disorder is called School Refusal Behavior. In this podcast I talk with Diane Peters Mayer, licensed social worker and author of "Overcoming School Anxiety – How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and other Worries (AMACOM 2008). In her private practice for the past 18 years and now in her book, Diane, helps parents understand school anxiety and offers many practical tips for helping anxious kids, tweens and teens. About Diane Peters Mayer, M.S.W., L.S.W Diane Peters Mayer, a licensed social worker, graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a master's degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, and has been in private practice in Doylestown, PA since 1990. After graduating from Penn, Diane trained in New York City for many years with Ben Rappoport, Ph.D a master therapist and scholar in existential/humanistic psychotherapy. Diane's own struggle with anxiety and how she overcame it is the basis for her specialization in anxiety, anxiety disorders, school anxiety, and performance anxiety. Diane's therapeutic work is to empower people to take control of their anxiety and difficult life situations so they can live full, rich, and rewarding lives. www.dianepetersmayer.com Subscribe to Family Confidential on iTunes: http://bit.ly/famconf Copyright © 2009-2018 Annie Fox and Electric Eggplant. All Rights Reserved.