Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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...
Can you name the 5 core principles of raising responsible digital citizens?
We've talked a long time on Cool Mom Tech about the importance of raising responsible digital citizens. And one thing we know: However old your kids, it's never too early -- or too late -- to learn a few new parenting tips to keep our kids safe in the digital world....
Meet Stephanie V.M. Lucianovic and Vashti Harrison, the author and illustrator duo behind Hello, Star
It's probably no surprise that I'm a big children's picture book fangirl, considering I've got my own children's picture book coming out in late 2023, so when I got the opportunity to interview Stephanie V.M. Lucianovic and Vashti Harrison, the duo behind Hello, Star,...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Spring 2022 nail trends that are cool, not kitschy
I am so excited to share some of the spring 2022 nail trends I'm loving. Because when I decided to share my favorite winter nail trends a few months ago, I'll be honest -- had no idea it would be such a huge hit! Maybe because of all the things that are seemingly out...
The products that helped me battle the dreaded dry hands of winter. (And I won!)
Ahhhh winter. You get your sweaters, and your nog, and your glisten of frost on everything. Winter is beautiful. Winter is also the arch nemesis of my hands. My first indication that winter is HERE is that my hands become so dry, the mere act of clapping is a...
Tired of looking at the same four walls? Here are 7 easy and affordable ways to update the family room
I've been searching for easy ways to update the family room in my house lately. And I know it's not just me! With so many of us working remotely and spending more time in our homes than we would haveve in pre-pandemic days, it's no wonder that we're getting a little...
What you need to know about executive function skills in kids | Spawned Episode 266
We've been so grateful to our recent expert Spawned guests who have offered their help in navigating these last two years with our kids. And this week's expert, Mara Koffmann, is no exception. She shares her expertise from years working with kids and families as...
Where to find a Colombian Wayuu bag like Mirabel’s from Encanto: 4 options we love
I know I'm not the only one who's fallen in love with Encanto's Mirabel -- and her adorable mochila handbag too. And also her entire family, and the whole world she inhabits. (Seriously if you haven't watched yet, get on it!) If you're like me and you're looking to...
We’re here for this new Ida B. Wells doll from Barbie, the latest in their Inspiring Women Series
I've been really encouraged by Barbie's new Inspiring Women Series, which celebrates women trailblazers throughout history. And I was especially excited to see that they've chosen Ida B. Wells as their next historic figure to expose to a new generation of girls. A...
How the Breathwrk app is helping with stress, anxiety, and focus. (Things we could all use more help with these days.)
This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Breathwrk app As we (ahem, parents) come up two years since the beginning of Covid, things are still tough. The stress, the anxiety, the uncertainty, the Groundhog Day every day feeling... it's having serious impact on our...
The Betty White mug that supports everything Betty White loved.
My first cool pick of 2022 just had to be this sweetly illustrated Betty White Mug from artist, maker and online Insta-friend Jennifer Vallez of Sophie and Lilli. So many of us were just crushed Betty White's passing at 99, even if we couldn't ask for much more than a...
The best children’s books of 2021: All the award-winners to read in 2022
While there have been plenty of downsides to 2021, one really wonderful upside are all the fantastic children's books and YA lit that has come out this year. After compiling the best books of 2020 last year, I decided to put down my phone and read a lot more. And I'm...
Liz’s 10 favorite cool picks of 2021
Each year, we wrap up the year by sharing our editor's favorites of the year -- our top posts, our favorite finds, or the trends that encourage us. This year, we decided to do something a little different! If you listen to our podcast, Spawned with Kristen + Liz, you...
Kristen’s 10 favorite cool picks of 2021
On every episode of our podcast Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we share our cool picks of the week. We even started an email full of them every week. And now, we give you, our favorite cool picks of the year. Granted, it's pretty hard narrowing it down to just 10...
The top 10 Spawned podcasts of 2021: From parenting teens to to reframing self-care
Well now, this has been quite the year -- giving both of us a whoooole lot of topics to cover on the Spawned Parenting Podcast in 2021. It's been so interesting looking back at our 10 most downloaded episodes of the year and seeing what resonated with you all, from...
Our readers’ top 10 Cool Mom Picks posts of 2021. What a list! What a year.
This time of year, we love looking back to see the top posts that resonated with our readers and social media fans. This year, our top 10 includes a fascinating mix of gift recommendations, craft ideas, Covid-era tips and advice, and an increasing number of posts for...
Liz + Kristen’s 10 favorite holiday picks this year
As we close out the year (phew, what a year it's been, we wanted to devote our last episode of Spawned 2021 to cool picks of the week. Holiday style. Whether you still have time to grab one last-minute, or you want to bookmark them for holidays, and other celebrations...
Tons of amazing last-minute gift ideas that don’t feel last-minute at all.
For all you out there needing last-minute Christmas gifts, we got you! My son's gotten into the habit of asking Alexa how many days are left until Christmas and while it was pretty adorable at first, it can incite a little panic now that we've hit the single digits....
15 thoughtful DIY gifts for teenage girls | Holiday Gifts 2021
As the mom of teen girls, I know that DIY gifts for teenage girls can be so wonderful -- not just to make for your own teen, but for teenage girls to make for their friends. They don't require a whole lot of money, but handmade gifts certainly give all the right...
Last minute DIY holiday gifts for friends. And family, who you like enough to call friends. | Holiday Gifts
We love looking for easy last-minute DIY holiday gifts each year that show our friends we care, especially during such a trying time. But not all of us are gifted crafters who can knit a pair of mittens while watching a Christmas movie, or eke out the time for a...
These washable chalkboard tees are so clever for holiday photos!
While we've already been sharing tons of holiday gift ideas, just had to share one more of the coolest last-minute gifts I know. I've written before about the adorable and smart washable design-your-own chalkboard tees from Chalk of the Town. And now this indie,...
Online math tutoring that’s like sitting at the kitchen table with a favorite teacher.
This is a sponsored message from Remind Tutoring No one wants to see their child struggling in school, especially when we know what they're capable of if they're just given the chance. And math is just one of those subjects that can take some kids a little more time...
4 ways to help parents prioritize work-life balance
Whether you're still working from home, or have gone back to your place of employment, work-life balance can be difficult to find as busy parents. The juggle was always real, but now it feels really difficult to keep up. So, it's probably no surprise that families are...
Lessons in gratitude for the holidays or any day | Spawned Episode 264
This week, we're taking a little break to catch up on all of the things (anyone else feeling overwhelmed?) by sharing a Spawned podcast episode from a couple of years ago with a message we could all use right now. Back in 2019, author Nancy Davis Kho, shared how her...