Brainy Moms

Wondering why America's children are struggling to read fluently? Is your child struggling with reading? Reading and dyslexia specialist Donesa Walker joins Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast to unpack the alarming decline in America's reading performance revealed in the latest Nation's Report Card.
 
With the wisdom gained from 30+ years working with dyslexic students, Donesa challe...

Does your teen have an unhealthy relationship with food? Want to learn some tips for nurturing and teaching your teen some heathy eating habits? Join Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcasts as they interview Claire Ketchum, the innovator of the Peaceful Eating Method.  Drawing from her own challenges with yo-yo dieting, Claire joins us to illuminate pathways for teens to develop positive body images and sustai...

Feeling overwhelmed over the tumultuous teen years? Confused about your teen’s eating habits? Join us for a conversation with Bryn Miller, an experienced adolescent eating disorder therapist turned parent coach, about the profound impact of parental support on adolescent mental health and eating disorders. On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Bryn joins Dr. Amy and Sandy to help parents to bridge the gap with their teens. Di...

Want to help your whole family make financial decisions and manage their money in a shame-free way? On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, discover how to transform your relationship with money as financial therapist Lindsey Konchar joins Sandy for a compelling discussion into the world of money management for the whole family. Lindsey skillfully combines her training and expertise in behavioral therapy with financial educatio...

Want more calm and less conflict with your teen? What if transforming your family's communication dynamic could be as simple as a shift in mindset? Join Dr. Amy and Sandy for an engaging episode with guest Jeanine Mouchawar, a seasoned life coach for parents, as she shares her journey from conflict to connection with teenagers. Jeanine's personal parenting experiences with academic stress, social media pressures, and ADHD...

At your wits end with trying to find effective consequences for your teen's behavior? Maybe loosening the reins rather than tightening them might work better! (Hint: Stop 'helicopter parenting' your teen!) On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy interview Ann Coleman, an attorney, parent educator, and host of the podcast, Speaking of Teens.  Ann shares a deeply personal journey that many parents...

Dr. Jodi Aman, renowned psychotherapist and TEDx speaker, joins Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast to uncover the root causes behind the escalating anxiety epidemic among teenagers. It's a bold statement, but modern conveniences might be making things worse. Dr. Aman suggests that the reduction in problem-solving opportunities due to cultural shifts has led to increased negativity and entitlement amon...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, we dive into the emotional and practical aspects of parenting teens, focusing on the importance of flexibility, trust, and communication. Dr. Amy and Dr. Jody interview educator, author, and mom of 5 Amy Betters-Midtvedt who highlights the challenges faced by parents as their kids grow, the necessity of establishing boundaries with technology, and the value of teaching effective friendshi...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy interview Dr. Wendy O'Connor, a Stanford-trained positive psychologist. After facing burnout and the whirlwind of transitioning into motherhood with three children in 15 months, Dr. Wendy transformed her career path and embraced the vibrant world of positive psychology. In this episode, she shares her journey and how she helps women harness self-trust and evidence-b...

On this mash-up from our Brainy Moms podcast special series on cognitive skills, we share all the highlights on what they are, why we need them, and how to strengthen them. Listen to clips from Sandy's interviews with our experts Dr. Amy and Dr. Jody as well as a guest appearance from Kim Hanson. In this engaging episode, Sandy tackles a mental task that illustrates the interplay of memory, attention, reasoning, auditory and v...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy discuss some hot topics parents face when raising teenagers. They explore three main areas: curfews, dating, and clothing/hair choices, and provide practical tips for minimizing conflicts about those topics. Sharing personal anecdotes and expert advice, they emphasize the importance of flexibility, open communication, problem solving, values-driven decision making, and m...

We loved this episode so much that we’re bringing it back for another listen! If you’re parenting a differently wired kid, you may have concerns that go beyond the already heavy stressors that can come with parenting. Am I parenting to bring out the best in my child or doing what’s comfortable, easy or socially expected?  Is my child’s IEP just addressing the behavior rather than the stressors that are causing the behavior? Is my n...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy discuss the nuanced impacts of the election and cancel culture on our youth. We raise concerns about how some colleges are responding to election results, questioning whether these reactions might be hindering the development of resilience in students. By fostering respectful debates and exposing young people to multiple perspectives, we aim to nurture essential executiv...

What if you could navigate holiday stress with a little more ease? This episode of the Brainy Moms podcast promises to equip you with insightful strategies for beating those seasonal pressures. 

Holiday family dynamics can be a minefield, but Dr. Amy and Sandy have got you covered with thoughtful approaches to a little more harmony. As families expand and evolve, coordinating plans can become more challenging, especially w...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and cognitive specialist Sandy Zamalis share how dietary choices can significantly impact brain development and cognitive performance in your children. From the powerhouse omega-3 fatty acids to essential proteins and carbohydrates, we break down the crucial nutrients your kids need for their growing brains. Learn practical ways to incorporate these br...

Ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer range of sensory experiences your child navigates daily? On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy discuss the world of sensory processing with Dr. Eva Lassey, a doctor of physical therapy and the visionary behind Dr. Sensory. Through her personal and professional journey, Dr. Lassey breaks down the often-confusing landscape of sensory processing disorders, helping us discern b...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, discover the transformative power of conscious parenting as Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with Holly Swenson, an award-winning author, nurse, and mother of four. Holly shares her groundbreaking approach to parenting, inspired by principles from her latest book, "Stop, Drop, Grow, and Glow." Learn how the "five rights of parenting," derived from nursing practices, can foster d...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore chats with Sandy Zamalis about inattentive ADHD in children, teens, and adults. This subtype of ADHD is often overlooked and underdiagnosed because it manifests in behaviors that are less disruptive to a learning environment than the hyperactive subtype of ADHD. They share the criteria used to diagnose the inattentive type of ADHD inattentive, along wi...

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, therapist Katie May joins Dr. Amy and Sandy to discuss concepts from her book, “You’re On Fire, It’s Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors.” They talk about how to have conversations with your “fire feeler” in a way that doesn’t come across as judgmental or cause them to lose trust in your relationship. You’ll hear advice on what and when it might ...