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Parenting
In each episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook Podcast, Katie Kimball, the national voice of healthy kids cooking, interviews experts in fields like nutrition, medicine, psychology, parenting, technology, entrepreneurship and more to help parents get tools to raise healthy, independent kids.
No Such Thing as Bad Weather: Practical Ways to Get Kids Outside
Our hearts tell us we want to be outside, that we were created for nature…when it’s warm and beautiful and sunny!
I don’t know about you, but I do find that when it’s cold, rainy, snowing, or blowing, I tend to be grateful for my four walls, central heat, and mug of tea indoors.
How can we change this paradigm in ourselves and in our culture where the outdoors is becoming less and less popular all the time?
It doesn’t happen by accident. To be intentional about outdoor and nature time, we have to be inspired. My guests today are the co-authors of a wonderful book about getting outdoors, Digging Into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Happier and Healthier Kids, and they share research and physiology to remind us: Our kids need time outside. Much, much more time than they’re getting!
You’ll be inspired by:
- how parenting has changed in the last 30 years & Dr. Glassy’s wake-up call
- outdoor benefits to physical and mental health
- why parenting actually becomes easier when your kids are outside!
- what “counts” as a dose of nature
- simple ways you can incorporate nature into your day – without even going out!
- how children’s development is actually supercharged with outdoor experiences
- the ways in which time outside builds resilience and prepares kids and teens for real life
I figure I need to listen to an interview like this about every 2 months to re-inspire me to make outside time a priority! Maybe every 2 weeks in the winter…
What do you think?
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Episode 105: How Danish Families Build Connection, Responsibility, and Contentment with Jessica Joelle Alexander
I couldn’t stop thinking about this interview with Jessica Joelle Alexander – and honestly, I haven’t stopped since! As a mom and as someone who teaches kids to cook and helps families connect around the table, I was deeply struck by how peacefully and intentionally Danish families seem to live: more play, less pressure; more...
Episode 104: The Danish Way of Parenting with Jessica Joelle Alexander
In America, we tend to raise kids with a constant sense of striving. We measure success early, track milestones closely, and quietly worry about whether our children are doing enough, fast enough, and well enough. The Danish approach offers a striking contrast. Instead of pushing children to prove themselves, Danish parenting emphasizes something far more...
Episode 101: Raising Work-Ready Teens Through Leadership and Life Skills with Arthur C. Woods
Somewhere between “I can do hard things” and “Can you order for me?” is a whole lot of teen growth waiting to happen. Arthur C. Woods has spent decades working with teens, and he brings a refreshingly practical take on leadership that starts way earlier than a title, a team captain badge, or a future...
Episode 99: Child Melts Down, Parent Blows Up — No More! Scripts for Calm Connection with Author and Therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel
Have you ever blown up at your kid because they’re melting down? Just wanted their bad behavior to STOP because you feel like a bad parent if it doesn’t? Committed that you would parent differently than your parents, but see some cycles repeating you don’t like? My guest today is a Licensed Marriage and Family...
Episode 96: Coughs, Colds and Bees: How Honey and Other BEE Products Can Keep Our Kids Healthy! with Carly of Beekeeper’s Naturals
Coughs, Flu and School Germs, oh my! If cold-and-flu season causes tremors in your heart but you hate the idea of using over-the-counter drugs on your kids just to get through the night, I have great news: The bees got your back. Carly from Beekeeper’s Naturals joins us today to share about the power of...
Episode 95: How Can We Allow Other People to Partner with Us in Parenting? with Author of Don’t Mom Alone Heather MacFadyen
We’re lonely! It’s hurting us! And we’re not very good at connecting with other humans. Heather MacFadyen is here to help. Author and podcaster of Don’t Mom Alone, she’s all about building connection to help moms do their jobs better. “Loneliness can be when you’re with others but not feeling truly known,” she said in...
Episode 94: Homeschool Routines That Build Connection: Morning Time and More with Pam Barnhill
If you’ve ever felt that homeschooling can slip into a checklist of math pages and grammar drills, you’ll love this conversation. Pam Barnhill, a veteran homeschooling mom of over 15 years, reminds us what education can truly be: a chance to connect deeply with our kids and nurture a lifelong love of learning. Pam’s story...
Navigating Holiday Stress
The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year … or the most overwhelming. Between the excitement, the sugar, the schedule changes, and the constant stimulation, even the calmest kids can start to unravel. And let’s be honest, parents can too!
In this episode, I sat down with JoAnn Crohn, a former school teacher who’s now on a mission to help overwhelmed moms rediscover joy and raise healthier, happier families. She has a gentle, realistic way of helping moms shift from chaos to calm, especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. You might recognize JoAnn, as she’s been a camp leader in all four seasons of #LifeSkillsNow!
JoAnn and I talk about what really happens to kids (and parents) when the routines disappear and expectations skyrocket. We explore why kids may act out more in December, how to prepare them for disappointment, and what it looks like to model calm even when you’re running on half a night’s sleep and the to-do list is longer than the wrapping paper roll.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why do my kids seem extra emotional this time of year?” or “How can I actually enjoy the holidays without snapping at everyone I love?”—this episode is for you.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How JoAnn helps overwhelmed moms find joy and balance again
- Why self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential to being an effective parent
- What holiday overstimulation does to kids (and how to help them recover)
- Simple ways to validate your child’s emotions without giving in to every whim
- How to prepare kids for the changes and disappointments that come with the holidays
- Why calm-down strategies work best when practiced before the meltdowns
- The easiest ways to bring your kids into holiday traditions so everyone feels connected
You’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh mindset to make this holiday season feel more joyful and a lot less stressful.
Listen in to learn how small shifts in preparation, awareness, and connection can help your whole family thrive when the holidays hit!
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Episode 91: The Daily Scoop: Secrets to Healthy Poops for the Whole Family with Genevieve Howland of Mama Natural
Our digestion happens every day and REALLY can impact how we feel, think, and treat others! So let’s talk all about poop. 🙂 My guest today is brimming over with practical tips about assessing your digestive output (aka poo) and solving issues in gut health based on what you see. For example: What does “healthy”...