Spawned Parenting Podcast: Latest Episodes
The latest from Spawned, our award-winning parenting podcast
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 really apply to you? On...
Talking about a feminine revolution, with author Catherine Connors | Spawned Episode 139
We've talked at length about how the future is female, hey, it's even on shirts now, but the jury is still out on how female power impacts femininity and the associated stereotypes. That's where our guest (and dear friend) Catherine Connors comes in, who is addressing...
How to make more time for the things you love with Jake Knapp | Spawned Episode 138
If you're like us, then you've said something like "I wish I had more time" at least once. Or like 1000 times. Well, that's exactly what we learned how to do with author Jake Knapp in our recent Spawned with Kristen and Liz podcast episode. He chatted with us about...
More coolness from recent weeks…
11 thoughtful gifts that help support first responders, in California and beyond
After putting together a list of ways to help the first responders and victims in the California Camp and Woolsey wildfires, we knew right away that we wanted to start collecting gift ideas that help support and give back to first responders. I for one have been...
The white elephant gift that everyone will end up fighting over.
We know a white elephant gift exchange is not a competition, but let's be honest here. We all know that deep down, everyone wants to give the gift that everyone else ends up fighting over. And that is what we predict will happen with this hilarious shower wine glass...
A beautiful custom gift for the holidays. Tissues sold separately.
Some of our favorite gifts to give (and receive) are custom gifts because they feel so personal. And really, what's more personal than a loved one's handwriting? That's why we fell instantly in love with these custom handwriting cuff bracelets by Emily J. Design,...
How to be a bare minimum parent with James Breakwell | Spawned Episode 134
If you've heard of helicopter parenting, well, sorry to say, we're not talking about that today. We're actually talking about the polar opposite (or well, close enough) with the hilarious social media sensation and author James Breakwell (aka Xploding Unicorn on...
17 feminist gifts that honor our activist women friends after a long, hard year
While our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide is up and running with hundreds of gift ideas, there are still a few very specific types of people on our lists that you might be shopping for. In my case, I'm thinking of all the incredible, engaged, active, activist women who worked...
5 things parents need to know about administering over-the-counter medicine to kids | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message on behalf of KnowYourOTCs.org With cold and flu season officially here, parents are doing their best to help their kids when they're not feeling well, which often means giving them over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to help relieve their...
How not to make yourself crazy this holiday season.
I always start the holiday season with good intentions, like this will be the year that we have lots of fun and don't stress about the cookies not getting baked and the tree not getting up until the week before Christmas. But then I'm not sure if it's the egg nog or...
4 cool black sneakers for people who would rather be wearing anything but sneakers
As anyone who knows me knows, I'm not a sneaker person. I mean I love the comfort, I've just always felt more...dressed, when I'm in boots or booties or basically anything but sneakers. But recently I've discovered a few pairs that are striking the right balance...
This baby and toddler subscription is like a 3-year Montessori education | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Monti Kids Kids learn through play. And this is the season so many parents, grandparents, and caregivers have play on our minds. Enter Monti Kids, the only at-home Montessori learning toy subscription program that's designed and safely...
Introducing our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide! Whoo!
It’s true! Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide is here! Can you believe it's our 13th annual holiday gift guide? We're a teenager! This year, we've scoured the web to find literally hundreds of gifts for everyone on your list. And when we say everyone, we really mean...
3 favorite under eye concealers that could actually help you look well-rested this winter.
Anyone else needing a fantastic under eye concealer to help them through these shorter days and a busy holiday schedule? I know that my own dark circles have turned a decidedly eggplant shade (not a good look) since since fall started. So while I'm normally just a...
10 things we wish we had spent way less time on when our kids were babies
Now that our kids are older, it’s easy to look back and ask ourselves why we spent so much time thinking about things that didn’t really matter that much in the long run. Oh to have all of that time back! One thing we know parents spend a lot of time thinking about:...
A few adorable, modern Christmas pajamas for kids for a picture-perfect Christmas morning
Since this is my son's first Christmas in proper pajamas and not a sleep sack, I've been inordinately excited to pick out some cute modern Christmas pajamas for him. While I love a good flannel plaid in holiday hues -- hey, nothing wrong with the classics -- I think...
Kids and video games: What parents need to know | Spawned Episode 133
With the holiday season in full swing, we know lots of parents are seeing video games on gift wish lists. We also know parents, like us, have so many questions about them. What are upsides and downsides? When do we know too much is too much? Will Fortnite ever go away...
You could be using coupon codes at these 4 kinds of websites – but may not know it
We have preached for years about the #1 rule of online shopping -- always look for discount codes before you checkout -- but even we forget that it always means...well, always. In fact, there are plenty of sites that just don't spring to mind as even offering discount...
3 terrific books for children who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah
We've covered so many holiday books for kids over the years, and one thing we've realizes is missing: a good selection of books for children who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. While my teens may be jealous of friends who celebrate both of the big winter...
Some of our favorite Secret Santa gift ideas for the whole family
One way I always bring all of my family together over the holidays is with a Secret Santa gifting tradition. Truth be told, it's the most affordable (and let's be honest, fun) way to exchange gifts with a large family over the holidays. I generally try to keep gifts...
3 wooden high chairs so gorgeous you’ll actually want them at your holiday table
With the holidays coming up, I've been on the hunt for beautiful high chairs that will actually look nice at the dining room table -- unlike the sweet potato-crusted plastic monstrosity I'm currently using. Let's just say it won't be winning any beauty pageants (or...
We found wonderfully diverse dollhouse dolls: Multicultural, multiracial, differently-abled and more.
If a dollhouse is on your kids' holiday wish lists, don't forget to include some dollhouse dolls so that they can get right to the business of playing (while you clean up wrapping paper). But unlike dollhouses which come in lots of different styles, from modern to...
These funky handmade holiday dresses are perfect for girls who say no to frills and flounce
Before you deck the halls, deck your girls out in the handmade, one-of-a-kind holiday dresses and skirts from one of our longtime favorite indie makers, Courtney Courtney. They're much more comfy than a red faux-taffeta dress with scratchy white lace, we wouldn't be...
The best teacher gift ideas from people who know: actual teachers.
We are always on the lookout for the best teacher gift ideas every year, and it may in fact be one of the top gift questions we get from readers every year about this time. (Then again in May.) And hey, I get it; if there are any people on my holiday shopping list...