How mothers are shaping the future of the country – and you can too | Spawned ep 150
Mothers are changing the world! Not just for other mothers — but for everyone. We think you’ll be just fascinated by the wisdom of today’s guest, Sara Berliner, whose organization Vote Like a Mother literally started with a sign. We instantly fell in...
Help for picky eaters from a reformed picky eater | Spawned ep 149
This week’s Jacky Lamenzo is a health coach with a focus on picky eating, to help make mealtime less stressful. We like that while we’ve gotten some great picky eater tips in the past, Jacky has a more kid-centered approach, focusing on how kids feel, and...
Can astrology help you find more direction in life? It can when you look at it this way. | Spawned episode 148
Whether you’re a skeptic, an astrology devotee, or just curious about the science behind it, we had the most fascinating chat with Mimi Truong, a life coach, trained lawyer by background…and an astrologer. She combines strategic coaching expertise with her...
Are female friendships actually good for our health? Spawned Episode 147
Have you been missing time with your female friends? (Hi Laura Mayes! We miss you!) Turns out, research says they’re actually good for your health and well-being. How’s that for an excuse for a girl’s night out or weekend away? On this episode of...
Is raising unplugged kids a terrible idea? Spawned Ep 146
Let’s face it, parents: screens are here to stay. So why are we still so ambivalent about them? Maybe being unplugged isn’t actually the best way to help our kids thrive in this digital world. On this week’s Spawned podcast, we’re chatting with...
Completely mind-shifting tips for treasuring the teen years instead of “surviving” them | Spawned Ep 145
Did you know that when you Google “how to talk to my teen” the number one word that comes up with it is “survive?” Have you ever thought about how that language is impacting your kids as they grow into teens? What if, as a society, we were able...
What the heck is a Spinal CSF Leak? with author Andi Buchanan | Spawned Episode 144
So, imagine this: You’ve had the flu but you’re feeling much better, so you leave your house to go grab some food, but suddenly start coughing. You think nothing of it until you suddenly get the worst headache you’ve ever had in your life, one that...
The AMA (aka Ask Me Anything) Spawned Episode: Random things about Kristen and Liz
Curious about Kristen’s pet peeves? Or the last time Liz was in the ER? (Trust us, this story is incredible!) Well, you’re in for a treat because on this week’s episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we use a random question generator to fuel our...
How to raise creative, imaginative kids in a digital world with Peter McNerney and Beth Newell | Spawned Ep 142
We’re always looking for ways to foster imagination and creativity in our kids, and who better than to help us with that than Peter McNerney from Story Pirates, and his wife Beth Newell, co-host of the We Knows Parenting podcast, both of whom are popular...
The 5 biggest sleep-training mistakes that parents make and how to fix them | Spawned episode 141
Is there anything new parent topic that generates more controversy than sleep training? Arguably…no way. But can we finally stop fighting about what’s right and wrong? Yes! Maybe? Certified sleep training expert Tamiko Kelly, owner of Sleep Well Wake...
Activism 101: How to get involved with issues you care about when you don’t see yourself as the activist type | Spawned 140
We talk a lot about being the change you want to see in the world, but how do you do that? How do you get started? What if you’re like us, crazy-busy parents who are already juggling a lot of stuff? What if the word “activist” doesn’t seem to...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.
Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)
We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).
But we did.
And we still love what we do every single day.
We're so glad you're here.
Our Podcast. (It’s won awards and everything!)
What are your top questions about kids + tech?
Our Low-Pressure, Online Book Club
Raising Activist Kids: 2 books by Marley Dias and Caroline Paul
Atomic Habits by James Clear :Oct 1
No More Mean Girls, by Katie Hurley
The Yes Brain, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
How to Break Up with Your Phone, by Christine Price
The New Childhood, by Jordan Shapiro
How to Be a Happier Parent by KJ Dell'Antonia
Raising Empowered Daughters by Mike Adamick
Radical Kindness by Angela Santomero
“Hi. Does anyone know of a way to make it so my son’s Youtube watch history can’t be paused? “
“What can you use ricotta for besides lasagna?”
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