The Parenting Brief

This episode is focused on drowning prevention. We share comprehensive tips to keep your family safe, especially around backyard pools and spas. 

Jessica discusses drowning prevention with Jay Arthur, the President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona and a retired Phoenix Fire Captain that helped start the fire service drowning prevention efforts in Phoenix. 

Learn about the importance of multiple safety layers, audible a...

Feeling overwhelmed as a parent? You're not alone! Learning how to be aware of your level of stress and how to manage it can be a game changer. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Karissa Whitlatch, a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in parenting therapy, 

“ …We tend to do things on our own instead of reaching out to friends or support or family. When we weren’t meant to try to navigate parenthood on our own. We ...

Early childhood education helps kids develop social, cognitive, and physical skills. Whether that learning comes from a formal child care setting or a stay at home parent, this episode covers what you need to know about early learning experiences.  

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Ruth Ray, the Program Director of Early Learning Professional Support at Candelen, about how to support your child’s growth and development. 

Host...

Returning to work after parental leave can be very emotional. From finding a day care you feel confident in, to trying to focus on work when you’re away from your new baby, this can be a stressful time. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Michelle Saint Hilarie, the Senior Program Director for Child Care Resource and Referral at Child & Family Resources, to share practical tips to make that transition better for your entir...

How long should families wait after giving birth before getting pregnant again? There’s a lot to consider when making that decision- things like whether you’re ready to have more than one kid in diapers or the cost of childcare- but most importantly, there needs to be enough time between pregnancies for mom’s body to recover.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Doctor Siobhan Dolan, an OB/GYN and clinical geneticist, to tal...

About one in five babies will experience colic, which means they may cry for three hours a day, at least three times a week, for about three weeks, even when they are perfectly healthy. With time, it goes away on its own but it’s important for families to get support while they’re caring for a colicky baby. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks about the challenges of colic and the importance of  support networks with Adrienne Brothe...

You know that moment when your kiddo’s holiday excitement turns into a meltdown? It’s a familiar scene for many parents— when holiday travel or celebration disrupts kids’ routines, it’s normal for little ones to struggle to manage their feelings. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Maria Lopez​​​​, the Senior Program Manager at the Birth to Five Helpline, about how parents can co-regulate by modeling healthy behavior for their...

Every year, there are more and more single-father homes. These dedicated dads face unique challenges, including societal stereotypes and biases against fathers. Many navigate their parenting journey without the community support that mothers often receive. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Sleepy Vildosola, a Family Involvement Center Parent Ally and father, to talk about the unique challenges single fathers face in toda...

Co-parenting your newborn is a challenge, but we’re here to confirm it can be done. In this episode, we dive into how to work with your co-parent to meet the needs of your little one while they grow up. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Billie Tarascio, an Arizona family law attorney, owner of Modern Law and co-owner of Win Without Law School. Together, they go over co-parenting an infant from a legal standpoint. 

Host:

Je...

Playdates are a great way for kids to have fun and develop social skills.. But before parents send their kids over to a friend’s house, it’s important to make sure that the environment they are playing in is safe by checking in with the parents. But this can be a tricky conversation to navigate.

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Yomy Castillo, Injury Prevention Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services....

After you give birth, you want to make sure you’re taking the right vitamins. That way, you have all the nutrients you need to support yourself and your growing family. But with so much advice out there about specific brands and postnatal vitamins, it can be hard to tell what’s true and what's not.

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sorts it out with Susie Leo, a Professional Parent and Child Health Dietitian for the Arizona Department o...

In a live interview from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with KC Davis on how to help parents overcome cleaning roadblocks. The conversation aims to teach parents they’re not bad people if they struggle to do care tasks, like laundry or cleaning the kid's playroom. Listen to learn how to create a more functional home that meets your family's needs.

Guest: 

KC Davis

Lic...

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. John Molina about the impact of Substance Use and Mental Health on Native American families. Tune in to learn about culturally appropriate ways to talk to children about substance abuse in a way they can understand. 

Guest: 

Dr. John Molina

Director, Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care

Resources:

Stro...

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) are mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy or within a year after delivery. Many families feel afraid to talk about PMAD, but we want families to know that they are not alone, it's not anyone’s fault, and with support, things will get better.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks with Rachel Flater, the Postpartum Support International Support Coordinator, ...

Whether you’re planning your first family trip or you’ve done it before, flying with young children is challenging. With so many things to keep track of, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez visits with Jodi Baker, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to learn tips and information to help make your family’s travel experience smooth. 

Host:

Jessic...

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car crashes in Arizona. Like other distractions, kids can cause their parents or caregivers to lose focus on safe driving.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Jesse Torrez, the Director of Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and Gabby Gallegos, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Occupant Protection Coordinator, to help parents focu...