Episodes

How well do we really understand what our teens are going through? In this episode of aParently Speaking, we talk with James McLamb, founder and CEO of Generation Youth and a nationally respected youth development expert. A former high school teacher, author, speaker, and dad of three, James shares what teens are telling him, what parents may be missing, and practical ways we can help our teens build confidence, stay connected, and prepare for what’s ahead. aParently Speaking is presented by N...

Have you ever felt like your child has a little piece of Velcro stuck to them… and to you? In this episode, we dive into the world of “velcro kids”—children who struggle to separate from their parents—and what it means for both kids and caregivers. Our guest, Dr. Sara Briggs, a licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, and core faculty member at the University of Phoenix, shares her expertise from years of clinical work in private practice, community mental health, hospital settings...

Kids today face intense pressure to perform—on the field, in the classroom, and in their social lives. But when does normal performance stress become something more? In this episode, Jennifer Licate, school counselor and award-winning children’s book author, joins us to explore how parents, teachers, and coaches can identify when stress turns into anxiety. With over a decade of experience supporting children, Jennifer shares practical strategies for helping kids build resilience, confidence, an...

In this special bonus episode, host Miriam Conner, sits down with Northeast Ohio 11th grader Alyssa Maniar, who is raising money for Blood Cancer United. Alyssa shares her personal connection to blood cancer and why this cause is so meaningful to her. Driven, compassionate, and determined to make a difference, she’s using her time and energy to support others and raise awareness in her community. This is an inspiring conversation about purpose, leadership and turning personal passion into actio...

Parenting is full of surprises—some wonderful, some exhausting. In this episode of aParently Speaking, author, speaker, and personal coach Tomas Lyndahl joins host Miriam Conner to discuss his book, How to Be Happy Even Though You’re a Parent: Effortless Parenting from the Heart. This isn’t a guidebook with rules or techniques. Instead, Tomas offers a warm, insight-based invitation to rediscover the calm, connected parent that’s already within you—the one who shows up naturally when your mind is...

Language is how kids connect with the world—and as parents, we all want to help them find their voice. In the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner talks with child development experts Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff , who are back for a second visit after their episode on their best -selling book, Einstein Never Used Flashcards. Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff They dive into the fascinating world of language development: how...

We all remember sitting in class wondering, “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” Turns out, parents are asking that same question today. In this episode, illustrator and storyteller Elijah Stanfield—known for The Tuttle Twins series—joins host Miriam Conner on the latest episode of aParently Speaking to talk about a new survey that reveals what parents really want schools to teach their kids. Elijah Stanfield From life skills to learning how to think—really think—we’re unpacking wha...

AI is changing everything — fast. From chatbots doing homework to deepfakes that blur the line between real and fake, today’s kids are growing up in a digital world unlike anything we’ve seen before. And most parents? They’re not getting the full story. In the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner is joined by Angela Nakalembe — a mom and tech professional at Google (speaking personally, not on behalf of the company) with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity and digi...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by Susan McNamara — author of Remembering What Matters Most: A Call to Courage for Parents Ready to Take a Stand for Childhood in The Age of Technology. McNamara shares the personal story behind her new book and the journey that led her to write it over the last 15 years. As a mother of two grown children and a passionate advocate for conscious parenting, Susan explores what it really means to raise children with intentio...

On this episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner sits down with child development experts Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff and Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, co-authors of the bestselling Einstein Never Used Flashcards. Discover the 6 C’s—collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence—that kids need to thrive today and in the future. Learn why playful, active exploration beats passive note-taking, how to balance screen time, and why school doesn’t h...

On this episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner chats with the amazing Karen Johnson, author of What Do I Want to Be When THEY Grow Up. Karen Johnson If you’re a mom navigating the empty nest or just looking ahead to what’s next, Karen’s inspiring guide is packed with humor, heart, and practical tips to help you lead your best, most fulfilling life! Join them as they dive into everything from finding your passion after motherhood to embracing life’s next chapter. aParently Speaking ...

We teach kids to talk, read, and write… but who’s teaching them to LISTEN? Crazy, right? Especially when they’ll spend 3x more of their adult life listening than reading. The truth is, listening doesn’t just “happen.” It’s a skill—one that can shape their relationships, success, and confidence. So why aren’t we teaching it? And how do we start? On this episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner, sits down with Christine Miles, author of What Is It Costing You Not to Listen?, to break i...

As parents, it’s natural to want to be involved in your child’s friendships, but how much is too much? In this episode, we talk to Stacy Thiry, a mental health clinician, to explore how you can actively support your child’s social life, from: What to do when your child is struggling to make friends Red flags that their mental health might be at risk How to encourage the right kinds of friendships Plus, how you can get involved—without overstepping—to help foster healthy social connections F...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Pucci to discuss transitioning back to school and getting into the routine as well as school-life balance and the importance of making sure you kids have balance. Listen as Dr. Pucci shares some tips that apply to all ages and stages. Dr. Nicole Pucci aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Mazda of Kent. Interested in being part of a parent p...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner is joined by Ron Kerbs, CEO of, Kidas is an anti-cyberbullying and predator protection tech company to discuss the latest research that shows that kids as young as 8 years old are being targeted online, many while innocently playing online games. Listen as Kerbs explains how these kids can be targeted by predators and financial scammers and what parents can do to help prevent this from happening. Ron Kerbs, CEO, Kidas aParently Sp...

Sometimes we do not think about things until we need them, or it is too late. If you have children who have turned 18 you know how quickly that happened and there is so much to do and manage at that changing time that legal documents may not be on the top of your list, but there are some very important documents every parent should discuss with their 18-year-olds. On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by John Wood to discuss those legal documents and why they ...

On the 100th episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner welcomes back Lt. Gov. of Ohio, Jon Husted. Husted discusses the Social Media Parental Notification Act. Listen to learn what this means for you and your children and why this is an important step in helping to safeguard your children online. aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Mazda of Kent. Interested in being part of a parent panel? Email Miriam at podcast@northeastohioparent.com The post Pod...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by Vanessa Kahlon to discuss her book, How to do Parenting with Confidence. Kahlon discusses topics such as: using powerful “one-liners” for those challenging parenting moments that push buttons, trying out under-reactions when these situations occur, how to pursue a relationship and spend quality time, learn phrases to cut from the parental vocabulary for success, and much more! aParently Speaking is presented by Northeas...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking host Miriam Conner is joined by author, coach and founder of the Family Enrichment Academy, Jim White. White discusses his book, “How to be the Parent your Teenager Needs You To Be” and covers issues including getting your teen to talk to you more about what is going on in their life, feeling disconnected from your teen, ten questions to never ask, conversation killers, and more. aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored b...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by nationally renowned pediatrician and co-author of the bestselling “411” parenting book series including Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for your Baby’s First Year, Expecting 411, and Toddler 411, Dr. Ari Brown. Dr. Brown shares her insight on topics such as sleeping, eating, milestones, bonding, and much more including screen time and social media and parenting. If you are having a baby, have a baby, or care f...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by Leonard Sax, MD,PhD to discuss his book The Collapse of Parenting. Sax discusses a major shift that has occurred in American culture: the transfer of authority from parents to children and how these factors and related influences have led to children and teenagers being less resilient, less physically fit, and more likely to become anxious or depressed – and far more fragile – compared with kids from the same demographi...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner is joined by author of Reading for Our Lives- a Literary Action Plan from Birth to Six, Maya Smart. Listen as Smart discusses tools for raising readers plus advice for elevating our own habits and lives and what parents can do to help to raise fluent readers and to connect people of all ages to great books and authors. aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Mazda of Kent. Interested in being part...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner is joined by guest, Kive Schuler to discuss her new book, “The Peaceful Parenting Revolution: Changing the World by Changing the Way We Parent.” Kive Schuler Schueler discusses a new way of looking at discipline, communication, discovering what parents really want for their kids, making peace with your parenting past, being the best version of yourself, and more. aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsore...

There is a neurological explosion that is taking place before us as tweens experience four significant changes that shake them (and us) to the core. As parents, we’ve already been through it so there’s no visceral reference for what’s happening, only distant memories. For the tweens, this is all brand new and very visceral. Their brains are changing. They feel and experience emotions they do not recognize. They’re hyperaware of themselves. They do not know how to express themselves. Parents stil...