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Season 3, episode 18 This Teacher Appreciation Week, Miss Oklahoma & public school teacher Ashleigh Robinson joins us to talk about her platform of inclusion for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She shares how parents can model and discuss inclusion in our homes, the importance of representation in education and our communities, how the community can support our educators and what is giving her hope as she travels to every corner of the state.

Heather Zacarias, head of school for Season 3, episode 20 Western Gateway, and Dean Ketchum, head of school for John Rex, join us to clear up misconceptions about charter schools, share the unique opportunities their schools offer to both students and staff and remind us all of all the good happening in our public schools in Oklahoma City. Learn more about whether a charter school could be a good fit for your child, what questions to ask and how the application process works.

Season 3, episode 17 Spark Creative Lab is a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary concept featuring a diverse ensemble of acclaimed artists. The mission of the nonprofit organization is to rethink public engagement with the arts, expand the creative capacity of Oklahoma City, explore cultural creative expression and value artists and cultural workers. The organization launched in 2021 as a pilot in Oklahoma City, paying living wages for artists to innovate for the common good and continuing that mission today. Check out their upcoming experience in creating YIELD: WE BELONG TO THE LAND, a 10-week creative investigation into our collective presence as Oklahomans. Workshops will be held March 20 through May 26 at Oklahoma Contemporary, culminating in an immersive, interactive public performance on May 26. Find out more at www.sparklahoma.org.

Season 3, episode 19 If you're feeling especially stressed or overwhelmed as a parent, you're not alone. Katrina Leggins, LCSW, attributes the ongoing uncertainties in our world today to higher parent stress, and she joins us to advise parents on how to identify stress and anxiety, improve our self-talk, give ourselves time to rest and prioritize self-care.

Did you know postpartum anxiety is actually more common than depression, and that the two are often experienced in tandem? Postpartum therapist and local mom Thai-An Truong, LPC, shares common signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety and less-understood ways they can manifest for moms. Truong talks about coping strategies that were helpful for her in her own journey with postpartum depression and anxiety, free resources for local moms, how to know when to seek professional help and encouragement for moms working toward healing.

On the 26th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, we talk with Lynne Porter, education director for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Lynne shares how the Memorial & Museum have continued to evolve to stay relevant to today's generation, ensure those whose lives were lost are remembered and honored and  teach important lessons on strength, courage and resolve.

"Pretend play is just as important as vitamins in early childhood." Rozz Grigsby, education director for Lyric Theatre, shares how skills learned through the performing arts benefit kids of all ages, from boosting mental wellness and academic performance to increasing empathy and setting them apart for post-high school pursuits. Rozz offers tips on how parents can implement this skill-building at home, plus gives us a sneak peek into all the family fun available through Lyric Theatre and the Thelma Gaylord Academy this spring and summer.

We all have a part to play in protecting the kids of our community from child abuse. Kate Bacon, Executive Director of Family Builders, joins me once again to talk about what qualifies child abuse in the eyes of the court and social workers, how the pandemic affected rates of child abuse cases and how we can approach a situation of suspected abuse as a friend, family member or community member to be an active part of the solution. Our kids need us – listen in to be prepared for when they need YOU.

A bright and beautiful smile is more than a health benefit, it's a confidence booster for the rest of your life. Join us as we chat with Dental Depot's orthodontist Dr. Mychi Nguyen on what brings her joy every day (and makes her office sing, literally!), as well as the answers to questions you need to know before signing up your child for orthodontic treatment. 

Let's be honest, parenting is hard right now. That's why MetroFamily is bringing you the Modern Art of Parenting Summit. Listen in as MetroFamily's editor, Erin Page, and Senior Project Manager, Kirsten Holder, discuss the upcoming summit and what they've most appreciated after interviewing 20 nationally-known experts to talk about everything from technology usage to sexual health education to raising resilient kids to mindful parenting to mental health issues to getting out in nature and how that can positively impact mental health. We all want to bring back the joy to our family lives! Tune in to get a teaser on favorite speakers, surprising knowledge and inspiration for the future.

Through her work as the CEO and president of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the founder of LeadHERBoard, Shannon Rich joins us to celebrate and empower women. Shannon shares how her experiences being the first or only woman in the room have inspired her to create and advocate for more equitable opportunities for women in powerful positions in the workplace and community, plus how other women, including her daughter, have inspired her on her journey.

Season 3, episode 10 Jenna Worthen, founder and CEO of the James Martin Company and founder of @MomWhoWorks online community, joins us to provide an empowering, refreshing take on how women can redefine what it means to be a working mom in a world without working dads. She shares tips for moms to advocate for themselves in the workplace, creative ways business owners can support working moms, why this is the perfect time for moms to reenter the workforce (plus how to address resume gaps) and why work-life balance is a myth.

Season 3, episode 8 Madison Whitekiller, who holds the title of 2022 Miss Indian Oklahoma, joins us to talk about her platform: guiding Native American youth to discover success through STEM. She discusses her own journey to a STEM field, advice for parents on helping children discover the fun of STEM and the power of representation when kids see people who look like them succeeding in a field they love. Whitekiller also addresses her vision to combat the healthcare disparities faced by Indigenous communities. Plus, she shares what she's most looking forward to about joining us for Geekapalooza on March 12!

Mental health has been a trending topic lately, especially as it relates to our new “work/life balance.” Join us as Michael Dickerson, founder of the Dickerson Consulting Group and the podcast The Spillover Effect, talks to us about stigmas around mental health in the workplace, stigmas around mental health in POC communities, stressors and support available for working moms and above all how to recognize, create and maintain a mental wellness-focused work environment so that happiness and fulfillment can spill over into all our relationships and families.

Season 3, ep. 4 (rerun of ep. 47) Even though this year already looks a little different than “normal,” January is always a great time to refresh and focus on health. Today we’re talking with Umo Callins, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and owner of Well Rooted Health and Nutrition, about a healthy mindset and healthy living. Hear from Umo about how she makes quick and easy dinners, tips for avoiding “hangry” households and how she gets her kids involved in the kitchen too! She also shares her advice on how to support a healthy immune system with practical tips for the whole family.

What do family dinners, cowbells and climbing a tree have in common? Nicole Kanelakos, Center of Excellence director of education services, and Amy Chlouber LPC-S, Center of Excellence director for mental health services, both from Sunbeam Family Services, join us to talk about the importance of family togetherness, free play and engaging with our kids at every level. Parenting is challenging, so they've broken out simple ideas, applications and recommendations for kids of every age. Plus, get encouragement for taking care of yourself as a parent first and often!

Educators Danielle and Andre Daughty are back to talk about the state of education in 2022, from the challenges of teacher burnout and mental health to the hope of students excited to be back in the classroom to learn. The duo shares advice on how parents and the community can make a much-needed positive impact on teachers this year, the importance of continued social-emotional learning in the classroom, reframing language around student testing and moving toward equity.

Marcy McConnell, local Enneagram expert and founder of The Reclaimed Soul, joins us to talk about healthy goal-setting for 2022. Contrary to many New Year to-do lists that focus solely on resolutions, Marcy breaks down how continuously working on the "why" behind our reactions and responses can heal and set us up for long-term success in so many areas of life, from parenting and to relationships with our partners to exercise and self-care, plus so much more.

Stacey Johnson, LPC, helps us get prepared in this new year with a positive mindset. We talk mom guilt, the top threats to moms’ mental health, self-care strategies, the importance of affirming ourselves as moms and the number one thing moms can do this year to strengthen their families’ mental health. Follow Stacey @staceyjlife and staceyjohnson.life

Why are we talking about vanilla ice cream, chocolate Santas and the infamous “uncle Lou” alongside the topic of tension and division of the past few years? Listen in as we hear from Rabbi Abby Jacobson, president of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma and Rabbi of Emmanual Synagogue. We will share laughs, tears, tips on cringe-worthy holiday conversations and heartfelt stories about the humanity that connects us all.