Talking About Kids

Send us Fan Mail
When Lawrence C. Harris was 14, he was failing in school, playing videogames all day, and existing on junk food. He was unhappy and unhealthy, and, as Lawrence recalls, he felt like he “didn’t deserve to feel better.” Then Lawrence decided to turn his life around, and (spoiler alert) he did. Now, at the ripe old age of 20, Lawrence is a successful author, personal coach, and public speaker. Lawrence chronicled his transformation in his book Think Feel Live Different, which is one of the clearest case studies of a growth mindset in action that I have ever encountered. Lawrence and I discuss his book, his transformation, and what he hopes other young people might learn from him. More information about Lawrence and how you can bring him and his insights to your community is at talkingaboutkids.com.

Send us Fan Mail
Jeremy Heffner is a successful trauma surgeon, entrepreneur, and self-described systems thinker. To vet some of his ideas about complex systems, Jeremy started a dialogue with an AI chatbot. What happened next is chronicled in great detail and with supporting documentation in Jeremy’s book Proof of the Impossible: What the AIs Are Really “Thinking.” It is a cautionary tale, one Jeremy and I believe we need to learn from as more and more young people are turning to AI chatbots for advice or to deal with isolation or mental health concerns. More information about Jeremy and Proof of the Impossible: What the AIs Are Really “Thinking” is at talkingaboutkids.com.

Send us Fan Mail
Today on Talking About Kids, I am joined by Veronica Moya, a children's emotional wellness expert, mindfulness educator, author, and entertainer. Veronica and I explore her journey into teaching mindfulness, meditation, and intuitive learning; we clarify common misconceptions about these practices; and we discuss how they support children's well-being and family relationships. Veronica also shares tips for bringing mindfulness and meditation to the kids in your life. More information about Veronica is at talkingaboutkids.com.

Send us Fan Mail
When Daniel Shapiro’s son demonstrated a passion for chess, Dan found himself learning alongside his son, playing games, attending tournaments, and exploring the rich history of chess and its champions. The result is his new book, Decoding Genius:  The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club, which is an exploration of how chess develops the mind and why its lessons extend far beyond the chessboard. Dan and I discuss those lessons and some of the fascinating players and matches that exemplify them. For a limited time, Decoding Genius is available for just 99 cents on Kindle at amazon.com. A link to that and more information about Dan also are at talkingaboutkids.com.

Send us Fan Mail
Although it is difficult to admit, most of us need help with our kids at one time or another. Thankfully, there are trained professionals. I am not just talking about therapists or pediatricians. I am talking about speech-language pathologists. Through her firm, Kidology, Luba Patlakh is bringing the speech-language pathologist lens to issues that disrupt families but might not require the intervention of a doctor or psychologist. Luba and I discuss exactly what she and her colleagues do to support parents and where these services fall in a continuum of care. More information about Luba and Kidology is at talkingaboutkids.com.