Why not uncork them? Today? And start living a life where you get to play the starring role? Sound crazy? It’s not. Today’s guest is Curtis Zimmerman who knows a thing or two about making dreams come true and reaching goals. His is a life that took him from a broken home – where poverty and learning disabilities could have easily held him back – to a life on the stage as a performing artist.

In his new book, Life at Performance Level, Curtis shares metaphorically how realizing your personal dreams is much like the journey he went through to find success on stage. He believes in the power of “writing your own script” as well as “playing the role you want to play.” And he gives you strategies for making it all happen.

He also talks about how we, as parents, can give our children the same gift of pursuing their own dreams and realizing their own goals. It’s all about putting yourself out on the stage of life and creating the life – and role – you want to live.

So pull up a chair and enjoy the chat. The show is starting now!

Fact: Kids today are ten pounds heavier than they were ten years ago.

Fact: As a parent, you are the most important dietician and nutritionalist in your child’s life.

Today’s show is for every parent who reads those facts and has the desire to do more to raise healthy kids. Our guest is dietitian Jodie Shield, author of countless columns and books on the subject including her most recent book, “Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight for Kids and Teens.”

Jodie brings practical, easy-to-understand, information important for every mom and dad to understand. She’ll walk you through how you should be tracking your child’s weight (and BMI) over time. She’ll help you understand the timing and differences of growth spurts in boys and girls. She’ll talk candidly about what you should NEVER say to a child who has a weight problem, and she’ll give special advice for dads for encouraging their children to be healthy and eat healthy!

You’ll also learn about other great resources for you to turn to for help, including the new My Plate.gov, which provides simple, direct information to help you unwrap detailed information regarding this topic every parent needs to master.

Fields knows a little about risks – and uncertainty. He gave up a six-figure income to make $12 an hour as a personal trainer. Then signed a lease to launch a yoga center in the heart of NYC the day before 9/11. But he survived, and along the way he developed a fresh approach to transforming uncertainty, risk of loss, and exposure to judgment into catalysts for innovation, creation, and achievement.

In today’s show we’ll talk about how to better train yourself to work through the challenges of fear and doubt. We’ll talk about why – by the time we reach adulthood – we are pretty much soft-wired to avoid change, and why that leaves many of us asking the question, “How did I end up here?”

More importantly, we’ll give you strategies for changing your avoidance of uncertainty, providing you specifics strategies to implement every day of your life.

So stick around and join in the chat! And start turning your fears and doubt into something brilliant!

Our guest today is former U.S. Ambassador, the Honorable Gregoy Slayton, who is the author of Be a Better Dad Today – a call-to-action book for men across our country to embrace the importance of their fathering role.

Growing up with an absent father himself, Slayton set out on a research expedition across five continents to examine fatherhood, and the universal qualities of successful fathering shared around the globe.

“We get involved in business and politics to ensure a better future for our kids,” explains Slayton. “But it’s easy to lose perspective that the most important thing we can do to keep America healthy for tomorrow is to be a better dad.”

“The statistics are bleak,” adds Slayton. “And fatherhood failure is a direct driver of nearly ever social ill impacting our youth.”
The impacts of “fatherhood failure” is staggering – as you’ll learn in today’s show.

Slayton presents a “toolbox” of items that all men must master. He challenges each dad to not be satisfied with strengths in a few of the areas. “We’ve really got to focus on all of them,” he says. Each “tool” has a “Put it to Work” section – providing men specific ideas how to improve their fathering skills.

Join in the talk. Be part of the change. And be an Ambassador for Dads yourself!

In today’s show, we’ll talk about some of the signs parents can look for to identify whether or not their child might be ADD or ADHD. You’ll learn the difference between ADD and ADHD and some of the behavioral characteristics that are often not associated with the two. More importantly, you’ll get great ideas to use in your own home as well as strategies for successfully working with teachers.

ADD/ADHD is nothing to feel ashamed about – and Margit will talk about normal feelings that parents and kids often have when they are presented with a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

Join in today’s show. You’ll learn a lot. And when you’re done, head over to Margit’s Facebook Page for more information and community!

Today we’re joined by award-winning children’s book author, Julia Cook, to talk about the many ways you can share information on subjects that are often hard to discuss. Reading to your children is one of the most positive ways to communicate with them. And if the book is written from their perspective – from the voice of a child – story books are a powerful way to help your child understand more complicated ideas and emotions.

Julia has written a multitude of books covering a variety of topics including ADD, grief, divorce, listening and following instructions, anxiety, and abduction. Each of her books integrates an age-appropriate story that first presents an issue or topic then provides specific tools and concepts to teach your children how they can find success on their own.

And the real bonus with well-written children’s books? They’ll provide moms and dads with a better understanding of the topic and provide them ideas for better parenting!

Join us for today’s story!

Mellen, author of “Unstuff Your Life: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good” will walk you through every room in your house as well as the “things” that weigh down our lives. He offers practical solutions for e-mail, momentos, photos, your car – all with the goal of helping you gain more time and more control.

“There is no magic device, and you don’t need to be rescued,” Mellen assures, advocating ways of streamlining that don’t have to break the bank. His solutions are not intended to add a new layer of work to your day but rather make your days more efficient.

Mellen is not a sentimentalist so be prepared for a journey intended to shift your behavior. So join us for the show! And get ready to start Unstuffing Your Life!

As a soul nurturer, Burnside helps others awaken to their own personal truths by providing spiritual support and encouragement while offering tools to balance their inner world with the exterior world. Burnside’s teachings inspire others to reconnect with their spirit and listen tot he voice of their own soul so that direct divine connection can become fully accessible within daily reality.

“I tell people this is about soul-to-soul connections,” Burnside explains. “It’s more than role-to-role.” Further elaborating her comment, Burnside illustrates that it’s more than husband-to-wife, or mother-to-child type of relationships. “I want people to connect at a very personal, soul-based level.”

Burnside gives tips and advice for how to start your own journey in a practical and non-threatening way. She also offers help for those who fear that their family may not support a soul-centric journey.

“Raising a spiritually conscious family starts with you,” reminds Burnside. “Give yourself that gift and let it flow to the rest of your family.”

Join in today’s show for an enriching discussion that could change your entire outlook and perspective on life.

We’re joined today by entrepreneur John Cerasani - author of “Paid Training” – an insightful roadmap to help you assess your ability to successfully navigate the road to working for yourself.

John will walk you through the five critical steps to becoming your own boss – and help you avoid the pitfalls so many people face. He’ll help you understand why it’s critical to have a differentiator to your product or service (and why you cannot use pricing as the only thing to set you apart!).

The basic premise of John’s approach is to use your salaried position to give you the tools you will need to transition successfully into being your own boss. “Pay attention to everything around you,” reminds John. “Eventually, you’ll have enough intellectual capital to go out on your own.”

Whether or not you ever chose to take the entrepreneurial leap this show is full of helpful advice to make the most of your career path – while leaving the door open for new options along the way. Stick around!

Over half of our teens admit to drinking. Over half of those kids claim that they gain access to alcohol from either their parents or the parents of their friends. Staggeringly, over 25% of our youth say their parents have never talked to them about the dangers of drinking or alternatives to drinking.

Dr. Waldman will help you clearly see why this dialogue must occur and why it ideally needs to start when children are young. He also talks about the growing belief that many parents have about allowing teens to consume alcohol or use drugs within the “safety” of their home.

“This is a bad idea,” states Dr. Waldman. “This is anything but normal. And there are plenty of reasons why it’s dangerous.”

The safest way we can protect our teens during these high risk months, according to Dr. Waldman, is for parents to take the lead and have thoughtful conversations with our children. It begins in the home. And today’s show will help you know what you should be talking about.

This is a program that can safe lives. If you are a parent of a younger child, you will gain valuable information that you can put to use today – as an investment to protect your child’s future.

Today we’re joined by Jim Moorhead, author of “The Instant Survivor - Right Ways to Respond When Things Go Wrong.” Jim will walk us through the most important steps you can take when you face a crisis in your life. Jim shares the critical four steps you need to be aware of with every crisis in both your professional and personal life – and will help you understand the implications to you if you ignore any of those steps.

Have you ever taken a periodic audit of your life to better assess where you may be at risk of finding yourself face-to-face with a crisis? Can you do things to avoid those potential crises? Well, Jim will walk you through what a personal audit is all about and how you can do one for yourself.

“We all face crises – that’s a reality of life,” explains Moorhead. “But how well you survive it, is largely impacted by the steps you take along the way.”

This is a show that will help you understand those steps. And very likely, help you be a better survivor. Join in the discussion!

Finch’s book chronicles his 18-month journey – and the detailed journal he kept for himself – as he strived to learn empathy for those he loved most: his wife and children.

“I literally would write detailed reminders to myself every day,” explains Finch. “Things like – It’s not okay to change the radio station if someone is singing along.” A humorous example, perhaps, of what Finch and his wife were dealing with. But what was at stake, in the scheme of the bigger picture, was a marriage.

Join in the show today to hear more about Finch’s journey. You will walk away with a mirror being held up to you. Asperger’s or not, you’ll be asking yourself if you could become a better person for someone you love.

“Does your child bounce back after a problem – regardless of what it is?” asks Simens. “If so, that’s a great sign of emotional resilience.” She further explains that having emotional resilience is part of a bigger skill set of understanding a experiencing and being comfortable with a wide variety of emotions. And that’s a skill most kids never learn.

Simens explains the four basic emotions common worldwide: happiness, sadness, fear and anger. She discusses why one of those four emotions is seldom taught by parents to their children. Do you know which one of those four she’s referring to? You may be surprised!

She also provides fascinating observations about how boys emotions work differently than girls. And she gives parents an eye-opening technique for helping boys discuss emotions in a manner different than girls.

Join in the conversation today. You’ll walk away with great knowledge to tap into your own child’s emotions. and you just may learn a little bit about yourself along the way!

“Addiction is a disease of the brain’s reward center,” explains Dr. Sack. “Someone who is addicted takes a drug because it stimulates that reward center and secondarily there are are changes in behavior and relationships and memory that have to do with the reward center.” Everyone – including teens – are vulnerable to addictions.

Dr. Sack also explains various drugs “dependence liability” – the statistical probability that a person who uses that particular drug will develop a compulsive addiction as well as which drugs teens are more likely to become addicted to.

This is a nuts and bolts show that will walk parents through the ABC’s of teen addictions. Parents of kids all ages will take away valuable – and potentially life-saving information – from this vitally important show.

If you’ve picked up a magazine in the last ten years, you’ve probably read some of Jon’s work. He was the Body Guru for GQ Magazine. He was also the Fitnessologist for Muscle and Fitness magazine. Plus, you may have seen him in the New York Times, Men’s Health, or in some of the great pieces he’s done for Comedy Central.com.

Jon’s built a career out of giving advice to men. Direct, funny, and always to the point. He’s also recently published a new book, “The Three Dollar Scholar – Awesome Advice for Acing Life’s Major Decisions & Mindless Debates”. It’s a quick, fun read.

Stick around for a little bit of Jon’s wisdom. You’ll get advice on naming your children. And your pets! You’ll also hear some wonderful strategies Jon’s learned along the way for staying (or getting!) in shape. And, best of all, you’ll learn a whole lot more about the wise guy behind the advice!

It’s dads. It’s Vince checking out vegetables. Or your daughter’s soccer coach, Marty, looking for mayonnaise. And don’t be surprised if you bump into Clint reading the labels on cleaning products in aisle 9. More and more dads are assuming the shopping responsibilities throughout homes in America. And brands are starting to notice. Today we are joined by well-known dad blogger Doug French who will shed some light on this emerging interest in dads who have visible voices in social media. Doug is also one of the co-founders of the Dad 2.0 Summit - an annual conference where marketers, social media leaders, and blogging parents connect to discuss the changing voice and perception of modern fatherhood.

Did you know that in 1950 43% of American families had both a mother and father living together under one roof? Did you know that today that percentage is less than 20%? Did you know that more women are getting bachelor degrees today than men? Do you know what kind of impact that is having on the decisions today’s modern family is making regarding child-rearing, home life, and consumption?

Stick around and join in this conversation. You’ll not only learn about the changing buying patterns of family’s like yours, you might start to look at your own buying patterns with a little more insight!

We are joined today by one of the country’s leading experts on marriage and relationships – in fact he’s even know as “America’s Family and Marriage Therapist.” He’s Dr. Paul Hokemeyer and he’s here with direct answers to common problems. Dr. Hokemeyer maintains a private practice specializing in the treatment of individuals and their families. He’s a senior clinical advisor to Ocean Drive at Caron Renaissance and is on the Board of directors of the New York Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

You may have seen him on any number of prestigious television and radio shows where he serves a s a regular contributor including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, Oprah Radio and the Dr. Oz Show.

“We always think things are going to stay the same,” explains Dr. Hokemeyer. “But everything ultimately changes – including our sex lives with our partners.” Dr. Hokemeyer further explains why changes occur for most couples and, most importantly, the one, simple thing every couple can do to improve their sex and intimacy life.

So stick around and join in the talk. This show has helpful, common-sense advice for everyone.

Part Two of our informative show on kids, drinking and drugs welcomes back Jeff Wolfsberg, one of the most influential drug and alcohol educators and speakers regarding teens and substance abuse. Jeff works globally with high schools and colleges sharing his expertise, advice and wisdom on this critically important topic. He’s a familiar guest and authority on The Today Show, The View and Fox news. He’s also written countless articles appearing in publications including Time Magazine and The Boston Globe.

This is part two of a two part series of shows providing critical information every parent should understand about raising children free of the harms associated with underage drinking and drug use.

While the first show presented a high-level overview on the status of drug and alcohol use among our teens, today’s show will give parents critically important information on what they need to be doing today to raise their children with a “No Use” value system.

Jeff helps parents understand the importance of having a long-term game plan on this subject which starts by asking the fundamental question, “What qualities do we want for our child as they mature?” He further elaborates about the ways all parents can help nurture high functioning adults and the types of attributes we should strive to be cultivating in our children.

This show is full of important advice including how to strengthen parent-child communication, the importance of parents showing “leadership” in a family as it pertains to a value system, and why we should all aspire to raise “No Use” kids. Most importantly, you’ll hear samples of the exact kind of conversation you should be having with your own child as you share your attitudes on drinking and drugs.

Join in the talk. You’ll walk away with valuable information to help your child with this critically important topic.

Brooke explains, “Emotional intelligence is the ability to notice things, understand things and piece things together. It’s the ability to process your situation, others and yourself – the good and the bad – and understand why things are happening and how your actions can impact that situation.”

The result can be very positive. For you. And others.

Today’s show is full of terrific techniques that every guy should know to be a better communicator with his partner. It’s a great show for men and women who are stuck in a rut or just aren’t connecting the way they used to.

Join in and hear a bit of Brooke’s wisdom. She’s smart. She’s witty. She’s relateable. And you’ll walk away with some great ideas.

“As a primary care physician, I know that doctors do not do a good job of showing patients in the office how to lose weight and improve their health. Doctors just don’t have the time or resources to do this effectively,” explained Dr. Giuglianotti. So he’s taken it upon himself to be a leader in the medical world to educate and inform people on things they can do to enjoy the benefits of good health – including losing weight, improving blood pressure and cholesterol, feeling rested, having more energy and living life with a more positive outlook.

Dr. Giugliantti doesn’t just preach his message. He also put it to work, having lost 30 pounds as he tested out his easy-to-do tips. “I used to go through my days stressed and felt unhappy with the way my body looked. I knew it was time for a change.” He found that change in a collection of tips he gladly shares.

This is a show about getting you to think differently about your health. It opens new ideas with hopes of empowering people to make healthy lifestyle decisions on a daily basis. It’s a show you’ll be sure to enjoy! And if you think you like Dr. Giuglianotti on-air, you’ll really enjoy his complimentary online videos at his website, www.TheLeanYou.com!

“We are at a thirty year high of teenage drug and alcohol use,” according to Wolfsberg who provides not only further astounding facts but also important strategies that all parents must adapt for supporting their children. “When a teen figures out they can alter their consciousness through a chemical–a beer, weed, or a pill–it’s a remarkable thing.” Remarkable and extremely dangerous.  Could your adolescent or teen be experimenting in this arena…?  They might be!

Wolfsberg talks extensively about cultural issues–especially our tendency to avoid suffering–and how that collective “cultural” attitude influences all of our attitudes towards alcohol and drugs. Throughout the show, Wolfsberg draws incredible links for all parents to understand that the road to a healthy relationship with alcohol goes far beyond a few discussions and well-established rules.  (Raise your hand if you ever broke one of your parent’s rules as a kid!)

This is part one of a two part series of shows providing critical information every parent should understand about raising children free of the harms associated with underage drinking and drug use.  Listen in!  We promise you’ll walk away feeling more knowledgeable and more comfortable in your role in your child’s life than ever before!  (And don’t forget to tune in next week for our thrilling conclusion!)

Major Depressive Disorder currently reigns “king” of the mental health disorders among parents, but Jim and Dr. Joel Winner touch upon many others–from OCD to Bi-polar Disorder to Anxiety–that have plagued parents (young and old) for years.  Do you have racing thoughts?  Have you ever heard voices?  Or have you ever felt “down” for “no reason?”  You’re not alone!

“Most of us who go into this profession are very open-minded. We’re no here to judge,” says Dr. Winner of mental health professionals.  Dr. Winner also explains the differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist, and offers advice for how to find a professional to help you.

Has your social life gone missing?  Has your work been suffering?  “There’s help out there,” says Dr. Joel Winner.  If you’ve been thinking about getting help, but don’t know where to turn, then this is an episode that’s been tailor-made just for you.  There’s no shame in reaching out or needing a hand–especially when getting the help you need could not only make your life better, but the lives of your children as well!

Want mental health advice from the comfort of your own home (or office if you snuck headphones to work!)?  Do you have a million questions about mood disorders, but are afraid to ask? This is a practical, no-nonsense show. You’ll walk away informed, aware, and attuned. Join in!

“Cancer spreads in various ways,” says Matt Ferstler, getting down to the nuts and bolts of the issue at hand. “In testicular Cancer it usually spreads through the lymph nodes and it grows from the testicles up–toward the brain.”  What starts as an illness with a 95% success rate of being cured can turn into something seriously life-threatening in a relatively short amount of time.  Are you willing to take that risk?

“It’s definitely very scary,” Matt shares of his personal experience with testicular Cancer.  Matt goes on to describe what it was like to lose one of his testicles, how it changed his mental (and physical!) image of himself, and how he’s moved past it.

Throughout the episode, Single Jingles founder Matt Ferstler answers all of your most pressing questions:  What can you expect at the doctor’s office?  How can you detect testicular Cancer on your own?  What is the typical treatment?  (i.e. Is it always going to be surgery, or are there alternatives?).  And what happens after it’s all over?

Talking about testicles is nothing to giggle at–well, at least not when it comes to testicular Cancer.  Tune in to hear approachable, practical, non-vulgar advice.  If you’re a boy, a man, or a very caring woman, this could be the most important, informative, episode of Bobblehead Dad ever!

“When you first become a father there’s a lot of panic and anxiety and I funneled a lot of that into food,” says John Donohue of how he first started cooking for his family.  But how did panic and anxiety turn into something so fulfilling?

John Donohue talks about the differences between food for adults and “kid food.”  (Answer: There isn’t any difference!).  Jim and John swap tips about how to get children on an “adult” diet early on in life, sharing their successes and failures (early on John’s daughter’s skin turned orange due to her diet!), and how their own upbringing has influenced their parenting–and their cooking!  Are you leaving a legacy of family recipes for your children to look back on?

You’ll not only enjoy some of the fun stories from A-List chefs including Stephen King and Mario Batali, but John takes you on a mini crash course exploring your relationship with food, the role food plays in your family, and the potential benefits of placing the kitchen in the center of your family life.

This is a delicious show so pour yourself a glass of wine and cozy up to the kitchen stool.  And be sure you stay tuned through dessert!

Sharing his humble beginnings as a “frustrated actor,” Rob Jolles explains how he got his start in public speaking.  “I was nervous about making a career out of it,” he admits, showing that even the most successful among us have hesitations.  So how did he get over his nervousness to become the man he is today?

Rob Jolles knows what it’s like to always be traveling–”There’s nothing I can do about it” became his excuse when his wife griped about how he was missing out on key family events.  Sound familiar?  “But there was something I could do about it!” says Jolles.  Are you ready to make the transition?  Listen in to learn how you can keep doing what you love and not miss out on your life.

But aren’t there hidden costs (both in time and money) in running your own business?  You bet!  Jim Higley and Rob Jolles share what it was like during their first years of “controlling” their destinies.  “I never worked so hard in my life,” laughs Jim.  But is it worth it…?  Absolutely.

hroughout this episode, you’ll enjoy hearing some of the same wonderfully woven tales.  You can also find more of Rob Jolles’ adventures in Rob’s weekly “blarticle” (a blend of a blog post and an article).

Stop by and enjoy the show. We’re ready to board now!

Horseplaying with parents–when done with thoughtful intent–can help children learn self-control, strengthen their emotional dimmer-switch, teach them trust, experience empathy, and fine-tune self-handicapping skills.  The added bonus?  It’s fun for the kids!

“There’s a fine line between roughhousing and aggression,” says Anthony DeBenedet, explaining how “roughhousing” with parents can teach children the difference between safe “rough” play and the unhealthy dangerous brand of roughhousing–a prelude to bullying.  Anthony DeBenedet shares how to figure out your child’s “peak arc” of energy, how you can help them control their emotions, and how you can use roughhousing as a “tool” to help your child on the playground and at home.

Do children get the same benefits from sibling roughhousing as parental roughhousing?  Anthony DeBenedet shares his thoughts on emotional intelligence and “self-handicapping.”  You’ll hear how to keep your children safe–even if they have a large age difference–and how you can keep play time from becoming “bullying” time.

“What are we doing when kids are playing?” asks Anthony DeBenedet.  In an era where you can check your e-mail from your cellphone, many parents find themselves distracted when they don’t even know it!  Are you missing out on valuable opportunities to connect with your kids?

A little controversial? Perhaps. But at the end of the day, this is a message that is all about connecting with your child, building a bond, and giving your child skills to last a lifetime.  Tune-in!

Boot Camp for Dads originally started as a simple way for a few new dads to pass on some common-sense wisdom to a group of soon-to-be dads. Covering baby topics, emotional (yep, guys have emotions!) issues, and addressing the realities of what many moms and dads sometimes struggle with, the Camps have exploded across the United States and abroad. Tune in for more about some wonderful programs for moms and dads – including the MOST important thing Greg tells all new parents.

Finding he was adept at handling crying babies, Greg Bishop ended up speaking to other men in the local hospital, sharing his baby-holding secrets with his fellow new fathers  From there, his experiences and advice expanded, eventually turning into the bootcamp he runs today!

This is not only an informative show for new parents. It’s also a great reminder for parents of all ages about the importance of navigating the parenthood journey as a team!

“This is really the first study that’s been done, in the United States, exclusively on the women’s experiences [of being the sole breadwinners of their families],” says Dr. Marianne Dunn.  Women in the study were asked a variety of questions ranging from how they made the decision to be the “at work” parent to how they (and society!) view their stay-at-home husbands.  Their answers may surprise you!

But what would an episode of Bobblehead Dad be without having the opinions of a few fathers?  Surprise guests Al Watts, a stay-at-home dad to four kids and President of Daddyshome, Inc.; Matt P., a brand new stay-at-home dad to his 19-month-old daughter; and Ronnie D., a former military man and at-home dad for over 7 years; join the show to add their input to the answers found in Dr. Marianne Dunn’s study.  How do the dads themselves feel about the results of this intriguing research?

“The impact on [the women's] careers was overwhelmingly positive,” states Dr. Marianne Dunn.  Women were able to go forth in their chosen career paths–further than ever before!–knowing that their children were safe with a trustworthy caregiver.  These mothers shared their delight at being able to stay out late, travel with no guilt, and reveled in their added flexibility.

But what are the biggest negatives…?  Learn how these relationships are viewed from the perception of the wives.  How has their current family arrangement affected their children?  Their marriages?  And is it true that men just can’t keep a “perfectly cleaned house?”

Tune in!

Join in the conversation today as Lenore shares thoughts on what exactly it means to raise “Free-range” kids. She shares insights about just how safe kids really are today (a lot safer than kids were when we were all growing up!), why failure is a good thing, and why it’s critically important for a child to experience their own world without Mom or Dad constantly hovering over them.  Lenore Skenazy and host Jim Higley ask:  How were you brought up?  What kind of supervision did you have?  (What about your parents before you?)  How does your own upbringing differ from that of your children or your parents?

“If we only think of childhood in terms of risk, we’re only thinking about half of the equation, ” explains Skenazy. “You have to think in terms of risk/benefit.” She further shares compelling wisdom about what a child actually loses when a parent places rigid boundaries around their world.  Have you been placing these detrimental types of boundaries on your child?

“Our children are safer and more competent than pop culture wants us to believe,” says Lenore Skenazy.  Are you afraid of your child being abducted?  Of their grades falling behind?  Of them failing in every conceivable way without your constant guidance?  Listen in and hear what Lenore has to say. Even if you don’t agree with everything she has to say, her perspective on parenting will get you thinking!

It’s never too late to start thinking smart and planning for your family.  In this episode, Scott Powers and Jim Higley provide a checklist of the most important things to do to get yourself prepared for your family’s future security.  “Get it when you’re young,” states Jim, sharing some advice he gave his college-age son.  Why would someone so young want to think about life insurance?  Are these habits really so important to enforce?  Absolutely.

“I usually recommend $250,000 per child,” says Scott Powers.  No matter how much money you think you need to be insured for, you’re going to need more.  But how do you find a reputable source for procuring life insurance?  What can you expect when applying?–Will they ask for your medical records?  Will any tests be performed?  Scott Powers has all the answers you’re looking for, as well as a warning against volunteering “too much information” on your application.

Are you ready to listen in?   Because – Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, Life will go on…without you.  But your family’s financial security may hit a brick wall if you don’t make some thoughtful decisions.  Today!

Tara shares valuable information about the high level of stress kids are living with in today’s society–including her perceptions about the impact our economic slump is having on them.  But what of technology and social media?  Has Facebook and texting ruined our children’s innocence?  Do kids of today no longer have the ability to turn “off” and have some alone time to just be kids?

Coach Tara Brown also talks about brain development in boys and girls and why impulsive behavior for many of these kids is to be expected.  “When you’re talking about impulse control and the ability to control their own actions, [their brains are] nowhere near fully mature in their teens and early-twenties,” says Tara of teen brain development. “So, sometimes, when you ask them ‘why did you do that,’ and they say ‘I don’t know,’ sometimes they really don’t know!”

More importantly, Tara shares strategies for parents to build strong, healthy connections with their kids. Do you really find time to focus on your kids? Do you show them empathy? Tara talks about the importance of these and more things you can do as she shares, practical common sense concepts that are easy to put to work and effective!

Listen in! And get connected!

“You know how people are,” laughs Matt Roloff when asked about his and Amy’s decision to film four specials for TLC, “they think they want to retire and then they realize they miss what they did and what they loved to do…”  Matt explains the behind-the-scenes goings-on with TLC, why he and his family decided to take an “extended break,” and what they’re planning for the future of their hit reality TV show.

While initially drawn in by “the little people factor,” host Jim Higley shares that what kept him watching Little People, Big World was his admiration for the family itself–especially Matt, the father.  Jim and Matt have a candid talk about raising their boys, their girl, and remembering to always keep things balanced.  What’s it like to be a famous parent?  Is disciplining your children any different when you’re on television?  How is it to have one daughter amidst several sons? (Something Jim and Matt have in common!).  And what is the most important thing, as a father, to always remember…?

This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Jim Higley starts off this episode with a personal story from his own life: What his therapist told him about his parenting techniques.  Shocked by the doctor’s evaluation, he realized that he was not an “available” parent–he wasn’t a parent his children could trust.  From that day, he and his children went on a life-changing and relationship-changing adventure.  It was this experience that prompted Jim to take interest in the works of Dr. John Duffy.

Dr. John Duffy has literally written the book on how to be an available parent.  A therapist himself, Dr. Duffy found himself surrounded by troubled parent-teen relationships.  But, unlike most therapists, Dr. Duffy decided to take a different route when it came to healing: Rather than trying to change the child’s poor behavior, he helped the parents change their own behavior–the behaviors that initially caused the poor behavior.  “It was always about fixing the behavior of this kid,” says Dr. Duffy, equating his original practice to a Jiffy Lube: Parents would drop off their children to be “fixed” without owning up to their own behaviors.

Are you ready to be the adult in your parent-teen relationship?  Are you ready to take ownership of your role as a leader?  Are you ready to be an available parent?

Are you ready to be friends with your teenager again…?

Tune in!

“While [the movie] Mr. Mom was definitely good for some chuckles, it probably helped to reinforce a stereotype of  fathers that a lot of guys have been trying to shake for decades,” starts Jim Higley, right off the bat addressing some of the typical assumptions made about “at-home” dads.   Inept at home appliances such as vacuums and washing machines?  Weight gain and Depression?  Getting lost in a grocery store?  Drinking beer while watching soap operas?  “Today’s show is going to give you a little insight into the new definition and reality of what life is like for dads who are the primary caregivers for their kids.”

“Most people don’t remember the end of that movie,” interjects Al Watts. “…Michael Keaton gets excellent at being at at-home dad.”  Al Watts goes on to make other intelligent comparisons to the movie as compared to real life, sharing his own struggles at the beginning of his “career” as an at-home dad to his four children.  What’s it really like for a man to give up his monetary job to begin a new job as an at-home parent?  How quickly does the transformation take?  How does a newly “at-home” dad choose which areas of parenthood to focus on?  “Fortunately, babies don’t remember the mistakes you make,” jokes Watts.

Young dad?  New dad?  Struggling dad?  Don’t worry!  You’re not alone.  And things do get better.  You’ve got this…  And Bobblehead Dad is here to help!

“There aren’t too many dads’ sites in the UK,” says Craig Hodgson, explaining how he first got the idea to create Dadz Club.  Left in charge of his two children and searching desperately for weekend activities online, Craig became frustrated with the abundance of “very pink” websites–where were the websites for him?  Where were the websites for a dad in need?

“Just like a child, we’ve got to nurture it and make it grow and feed it with information,” Hodgson says of his new website.  Dadz Club is well on its way to becoming the leading “dad community” in the UK–and it’s not even a year old yet!

But what of Craig’s own childhood?  Host Jim Higley probes his guest for answers about his background.  What’s it like growing up in Europe?  Born to elderly parents, Craig Hodgson shares the humorous story of his birth (and how he became known as his brother’s “little cyster”) and how things have changed since his parents’ day when it comes to raising children.

Thanks to the “astronomical costs of childcare” in the UK, many parents are choosing to stay at home–and quite often the parent of choice is the father.  How has this new culture of stay-at-home dads changed the way children are being raised?

Listen in as Jim Higley and Craig Hodgson swap stories on what it’s like to be a “dad.”  Hear some great stories and learn some more about the best “non-competitive” fatherhood web community the United Kingdom has to offer!

Be sure to visit Bobblehead Dad to connect with me and share your comments!

Be sure to visit Bobblehead Dad to connect with me and share your comments!

Be sure to visit Bobblehead Dad to connect with me and share your comments!

Be sure to visit Bobblehead Dad for a more personal profile on Mark – a superstar dad of five kids, ages two to 23!

Be sure to visit Bobblehead Dad for a more personal profile on Mark – a superstar dad of five kids, ages two to 23!