Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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,...
Jenny Lawson on depression, anxiety and why we have to talk about it | Spawned Episode 255
We can't believe after all these episodes of Spawned, we've never had the chance to chat with Jenny Lawson. A.K.A. The Bloggess. A.K.A. the best-selling author. A.K.A. new indie bookshop owner. A.K.A. the woman who first left a comment on Liz's blog comparing her to a...
How to be a compassionate parent of LGBTQ kids | Spawned Episode 254
If you have questions about parenting LGBTQ+ kids, wow do we have the answers, thanks to the absolutely delightful Kristin Russo, author of This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids. If you know her -- or her terrific book, or popular podcast about Buffy the Vampire...
More coolness from recent weeks…
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...
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...
Wish your kids loved science more? This holiday, give them the gift of MEL Science and watch their interest grow.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of MEL Science. If you're looking for a great holiday gift that will get your kids excited about science in a fun and engaging way, while also giving you a great activity to do together each month, MEL Science makes a great holiday...
12 creative gift ideas for the man who has everything. Or…does he? | Holiday Gifts 2021
If you need to find a creative gift for the man who has everything it requires just a little more thought. Fortunately, we're here to help! Is there anything better than surprising someone we love with a gift they didn't even know they wanted? We know it can be a...
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 socks...
Incredible advice for better parent-child communication: An interview with William Stixrud Ph.D. and Ned Johnson
If you've ever struggled to connect with your kids, help them solve problems, open up to you, or just give you more than a one-word answer when you ask how school was today...well, help is here! We have had a lot of favorite Spawned podcast guests over the years, and...