Tips for keeping kids safe from online predators, from Roo Powell of Undercover Underage | Spawned 276
This week’s Spawned podcast guest, Roo Powell, is the perfect person to help us with tips and advice for keeping kids safe online. She’s the co-founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sexual Abuse) and has put her child advocacy skills to use by…disguising...
Exceptional chocolates from Black-owned chocolate companies. For Valentine’s Day and beyond!
I may have just written about 20 of the most delicious Valentine’s food gifts that go beyond a box of chocolates, but that doesn’t mean I don’t also want my own box of beautiful and delicious chocolates for Valentine’s Day. But not just any box of...
Why we’re supporting Bombas this holiday: The gift that gives back in more ways than one
Every year we share our favorite holiday gifts that give back, to help us maximize the impact that our gifts can make on the world this time of year. And every year, we talk about Bombas Socks — the incredibly comfortable, increasingly stylish, mission-driven...
How to make change in the world, without losing your joy: A chat with author Karen Walrond | Spawned Episode 258
We know that over the last few years in particular, many of us have felt extra activated to help make change in the world. But if we’re honest, engaging in activism can be exhausting and at times, soul sucking. Well, our good friend, life coach and author Karen...
Fall fashion must-have: Gorgeous pieces from the Alivia clothing line created by adults with autism
When I recently spotted the Alivia clothing line on a friend’s Instagram, and learned all the clothes were created by adults with autism, I knew I had to share it here. We’ve always been thrilled to spread the news about big brands creating inclusive...
This non-profit creates absolutely free, Instagram-worthy room makeovers for adopted kids and foster families
Several months ago I stumbled on the work of the non-profit group Bloom Family Designs on a friend and fellow adoptive-mom’s Instagram feed. This organization creates beautifully designed rooms for adopted and foster kids — at absolutely no cost to the families....
I switched to reusable bamboo paper towels to help my kids’ climate change anxiety, and here’s how it went
I committed to switching to reusable bamboo paper towels recently, in part at the urging of my teens. The realities of climate change — and the constant important conversations about it in the media — is a very real stressor for my kids. Especially since COVID, when...
Broadway’s Ali Stroker on helping kids be proud of their disabilities | Spawned Ep 239
When we talk about diversity and inclusion, people with disabilities are often left out of the conversation. We think about gender, race, sexuality, cultural heritage — but not always disabilities. So was I a wee bit excited to talk to Tony award-winner Ali...
7 outstanding high school or college graduate gift books: On stepping into the arena, dreaming with eyes wide open, and professional troublemaking (in the best possible way)
When my daughter graduated from high school five years ago, the headmaster gifted each graduating senior a book with a personal message inside. Her class received Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. The following year, my niece’s...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, 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).
We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.
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