Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
Joy Cho on encouraging creativity in kids, even if you’re not creative yourself. | Spawned 191
I have wanted to talk to Joy Cho, the founder and creative director of Oh Joy! for oh...about forever. When I think of creativity, style, and design, she's one of the people who pops into mind first -- and with a half-million Instagram followers and 13 million (!!)...
Relationships, romance, and a little hope for the whole world, with Robert Wilder | Spawned Episode 190
Even though Valentine's Day is over, we can all use a little more romance, relationship advice, and hope, don't you agree? That's why we think you'll enjoy our almost completely live (yes live!) Spawned Parenting podcast episode we recorded on Valentine's Day. Along...
How do you know when it’s time to move? And how do you make it easier when you’re ready? | Spawned 189
We never thought that a book about moving would be so enjoyable. Just thought thought of moving gives lots of us cold sweats! And yet, Ali Wenzke, who's been called the Marie Kondo of Moving has authored the extremely helpful, calming, and yes, enjoyable book, The Art...
More coolness from recent weeks…
Mattel’s Creatable World and other progress towards gender non-comformity and inclusivity: Editors Best of the Year
it's time for our annual Top 10 Editors Picks of the Year! To kick things off, I wanted to start with one of the biggest, most positive events that pops out to us as we reflect on 2019: the growing awareness of gender fluidity and gender identity, and the increasing...
Greta Thunberg and youth climate activism: Editors Best of the Year
When we first started this site in 2006, eco-friendly was one of our most popular tags. Parents were concerned about where their products were made, what ingredients were in them, and how they impacted the planet. Then the recession hit. Suddenly no one wanted to pay...
Happy whatever you celebrate. Because we need more happiness in the world.
There have been years that I received kind Christmas cards from family and friends that blessed me and my Atheist-slash-Secular Jewish family, wishing Our Heavenly Father’s blessings upon us. They expressed hope that we have found peace with The Lord Jesus Christ....
How to create more positive thinking to manifest success this year: 7 great tips | Spawned ep 182
While we know that positive thinking doesn't cure every problem in life, we do know that positive thinking has proven, science-based effects that impact your life for the better. It helps with lowering stress, keeping you healthier, and providing better coping skills...
8 thoughtful tips if you’re hosting kids with special needs for the holidays
Nothing gets me emotional quite like the Folger's coffee holiday commercial, with the sentimental mother-son reunion at 5:30 AM over a cup of coffee. (I'm not joking, I cry every time.) But that's not quite most people's reality when we travel to visit family --...
Yes, real Christmas trees are better for the environment than artificial trees. Here are the facts.
Lately, I've seen a lot of well-meaning posts from people around my social networks, with comments like, "well I want to protect the environment....that's why we're getting a fake Christmas tree this year." Suddenly I was like crap, should I be feeling super guilty...
Expert answers to your top questions about parenting teens | Spawned Episode 181
Like you, we've got lots of questions when it comes to parenting teens, which is why it was such a pleasure chatting with Dr. Ken Ginsburg, someone who knows an awful lot about parenting them. Along with being a parent himself, Dr. Ginsburg has years of experience...
9 creative, healing, self-care gift ideas that go beyond bath salts and chocolates
Kristen and Liz have talked a lot about self-care and how important it is for parents on their Spawned parenting podcast. I know it's a big issue for me, and for lots of us. Parenting culture seems to push and push us to do more and more, until sometimes...well, let's...
The science behind baby bedtime routines. (Yes, there’s really a science to it.)
Babies and sleep may be the one issue that strikes the most fear in the hearts of new parents. But when you think about it, a bedtime routine is actually one of the most lovely, beautiful bonding experiences between babies, parents, and all caregivers. There's even...
Zenmed’s cult-favorite skin care products: I tried, I tested, I have some thoughts…
I love trying out beauty products. So when I had a chance to try three of Zenmed's natural skincare products that seem to have a cult-y following with beauty editors, influencers, and regular folks, I thought sure, why not! They're known for being 100%...
Make a gratitude garland: a simple craft to help our kids be more thankful (and thoughtful) this holiday season
Being thankful and expressing gratitude always shifts our own mindset in a positive direction, especially over the holidays, so my family came up with a new tradition we're excited about: a gratitude garland! I was inspired by my neighbor's beautiful paper snowflake...
15 cool gifts for the guy who has everything. Except…well, these.
Oh, men. We love them, we love shopping for them, but we hate when they seem to already have everything they need -- maybe because we're all such amazing gift givers? Ha. Fret not! Over the years, we've put together a lot of fabulous guides to cool gift ideas for men...
Your kid’s craziest story ideas could win the Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous Challenge. Here’s how.
As a mom of three, I have loved few things as much as hearing the crazy stories my kids have dreamt up, or reading the creative things they choose to write on paper. And so I am super psyched to hear about a contest that rewards kids for their most imaginative story...
A special needs mom shares 4 great toys for kids with cognitive disabilities.
With the holidays coming up, grandparents and friends are naturally asking for ideas for gifts for the kids, but when you are shopping for toys for kids with cognitive disabilities, it can make the gifting a little more challenging. For my daughter, play time is also...
A brilliantly easy way to donate your kids’ plastic toys to children who will really love them.
If the picture up top makes you think, Ack! That's every room of my house, then you're going to be so happy to learn about Second Chance Toys, an organization that will help you get those no-longer-wanted toys into the hands of kids who really do want them instead of...
Holiday gift guide picks: The coolest gifts from our favorite small businesses
It's our annual holiday gift guide Spawned episode, where we share some of our favorite cool picks that we think make fabulous holiday gift ideas. This year, we're highlighting small makers, indie businesses, many of which are owned and run by women. Yay! If you need...
Save big on this popular smartphone alternative for kids, now 50% off! | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for Relay If you've been wanting your child to have the safety and security of a phone, but know they aren't quite ready for the responsibility and distraction of one, you need Relay, a smartphone alternative that's totally screen-free. And...
Baby Yoda Funko POP! The stocking stuffer we desperately want will be here…not by Christmas.
The good news: I finally found the one affordable little gift I know will please every one of my kids. Baby Yoda: The Child Funko POP! figurine, fresh off his Mandalorian boost into meme-of-the-year status, complete with a Lin Manuel approved viral Baby Yoda Hamilton...
Our own best tips, secrets, and tricks to save you money on your holiday shopping | Spawned 179
We love sharing tips for saving money when it comes to holiday shopping. Maybe because we love saving money ourselves? So this week on the Spawned Parenting Podcast with Kristen and Liz we are hooking you up, big time. We're rerunning a favorite show that includes...
24 gifts that give back beautifully to everyone on your list. Because any day can be #GivingTuesday if you make it.
Each year, we love putting together some of our favorite gifts that give back in substantial and specific ways -- not just some undetermined percentage of your purchase going to "charities." While we definitely share these kinds of gifts that give back year round, it...
7 homemade mason jar spa gifts all made with safe, edible ingredients.
I think these DIY mason jar spa gift ideas are just so incredibly perfect for the holidays, Mother's Day, anniversaries...you name it. I mean, is there anyone among us who could not use a little pampering right now? The way I see it, if you can't afford to gift...