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Helping Families Be Happy

Helping Families Be Happy

Von: Familius
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 With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Beziehungen Elternschaft & Familienleben
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  • Navigating Social Media and AI with Kids

    Navigating Social Media and AI with Kids
    Jan 21 2026
    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy Podcast, host Christopher Robbins speaks with award-winning author Jessica Spear about the critical challenges of social media and AI safety for teens and preteens. They discuss the irrefutable data showing how social media is negatively impacting youth mental health, the emerging concerns around AI companions and chatbots that teens are using for emotional support, and practical strategies parents can implement to protect their children. Jessica emphasizes the importance of ongoing conversations, coming from a place of curiosity rather than judgment, and creating family tech plans together. The discussion highlights that while technology offers benefits, current platforms lack adequate safety guardrails for young users, making parental engagement essential. Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Christopher introduces the podcast and welcomes guest, Jessica Spear, an award- winning author specializing in books for preteens and teens about friendships, safety, and technology use. 00:01:47: Jessica thanks Christopher for the introduction and expresses enthusiasm about tackling the important topic of social media and AI safety for young people. 00:01:56: Christopher praises Jessica's book "The Phone Book" and recommends it for every family with children who have smartphones. 00:02:03: Jessica explains that while her book is written for preteens and early teens, it's really for all families and encourages parents to read it alongside their children to facilitate conversations about navigating technology. 00:02:26: Christopher references Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation" and notes that global statistics show teens and preteens are suffering due to social media abuse, then asks Jessica what parents need to know to help children stay safe. 00:03:01: Jessica acknowledges the nerve-wracking nature of parenting in the tech age and emphasizes that helping kids navigate technology is one of the biggest parenting challenges today, requiring lots of conversations starting early and happening often. 00:04:18: Christopher notes that social media can be problematic even for adults, interfering with real life. 00:04:26: Jessica discusses how innovation has outpaced child protections in social media, mentions Meta's 2024 teen account safety features, and notes that a 2025 report found these features ineffective, emphasizing that parents must be aware these tools weren't built for kids. 00:05:52: Christopher transitions the discussion to artificial intelligence as another challenge, asking what's happening with AI use among teens and preteens. 00:06:18: Jessica reports that 70% of teens have used AI and 50% use it regularly, primarily for fun, entertainment, schoolwork, and concerning companionship, noting that AI companions validate rather than challenge unhealthy thinking patterns. 00:08:05: Christopher asks Jessica to repeat what research shows children are doing with AI that is concerning. 00:08:20: Jessica explains that while curiosity-based AI use is fairly safe, the problem arises when kids seek emotional support from AI, which is not built for kids and cannot provide safe counseling, mentioning a lawsuit where parents claim their son committed suicide due to bad advice from ChatGPT. 00:09:43: Christopher summarizes that teens are creating artificial companions that appear as people on screen, creating asynchronous relationships that compound the challenges already present with social media. 00:10:22: Jessica discusses potential guardrails, mentioning ChatGPT's announcement to create age-based content filtering, but expresses skepticism based on Meta's failed guardrails, and emphasizes that parents keeping conversations going and testing technologies themselves is the safer approach. 00:11:50: Christopher summarizes that parents and mentors need to be engaged with children, maintain trust relationships, and help guide wise choices given that companies profit from children's attention. 00:12:39: Christopher asserts that no artificial intelligent therapist can replace a loving, caring, wise, experienced parent. 00:12:51: Jessica asks if the.re's anything else to share about AI, social media, and resources for parents, coaches, mentors, and teachers. 00:13:04: Jessica recommends "The Anxious Generation" and "The Phone Book," encourages parents to stay calm and authentic in conversations, and suggests families create tech plans together that outline screen-free times and appropriate technology use. 00:14:34: Christopher lists Jessica's books and asks where guests can find her online. 00:14:54: Jessica provides her website (jessicaspeer.com) and mentions her free e-newsletter, inviting people to reach out with questions. 00:15:11: Christopher concludes the podcast by thanking Famlis for support, encouraging subscriptions and reviews, and sharing the mission of making the world happier one parent-child relationship at a time. Key Takeaways Social ...
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    16 Min.
  • Making it Up: A Revolutionary Way of Bonding with Kids with Christopher Maninno

    Making it Up: A Revolutionary Way of Bonding with Kids with Christopher Maninno
    Jan 7 2026
    In this episode, host Christopher Robbins interviews Christopher Mannino about his new book "Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond with Kids Through Play." Mannino shares how parents, teachers, and caregivers can strengthen their relationships with children through just 10 minutes of daily imaginative play using improv techniques. The conversation explores the two pillars of Mannino's method: improvisation skills for engaging with children and "anchor" techniques from method acting to help adults stay calm and present. Through practical examples and personal stories, Mannino demonstrates how this approach not only deepens bonds with children but also helps adults manage stress and create lasting memories. Episode Highlights 00:00:00: Host Christopher Robbins welcomes listeners to the Helping Families Be Happy podcast and introduces guest Christopher Mannino, author and former theater teacher now living in Malta. 00:01:30: Christopher Mannino thanks the host for having him back on the podcast. 00:02:05: Mannino explains that his book is about strengthening bonds through play, dedicating 10 minutes a day to active imaginative playtime, which builds resilience and emotional regulation for both adults and children. 00:03:52: Mannino provides the tea party scenario as a simple example of improvised imaginative play, explaining how to accept and build on children's ideas using the "yes, and" principle from improv. 00:06:19: Discussion of the two pillars of the method: improv-based techniques and method acting skills that help adults stay calm during stressful moments. 00:08:00: Mannino shares a powerful memory from the first day of pandemic homeschooling when he and his son built an imaginary rocket ship and explored the solar system, creating a song they still sing years later. 00:10:48: Host Christopher Robbins shares a story about his wife teaching violin to their son by dressing up as a different character, transforming the lesson into imaginative play. 00:12:29: Mannino explains the "established pivot" concept, describing how offering a new idea helps children's developing brains get unstuck and transform non-fun activities into enjoyable experiences. 00:14:31: Discussion about setting boundaries with children while maintaining the practice, and introduction to the "anchor" technique for managing parental burnout. 00:16:23: Mannino explains the anchor technique in detail, describing how to use recent positive memories to center yourself and maintain emotional presence with children. 00:18:10: Mannino shares his current anchor memory of seeing polar bears at the Munich zoo with his son, demonstrating how this memory helps him stay present and engaged. 00:19:38: Closing remarks with information about where to find Christopher Mannino online at christophermannino.com Key Takeaways Just 10 minutes of daily imaginative play using improv techniques can significantly strengthen bonds between adults and children while building emotional resilienceThe "yes, and" principle from improv—accepting children's ideas and building on them—transforms ordinary moments into meaningful play experiences.The "anchor" technique from method acting helps adults manage stress and stay emotionally present by tapping into positive recent memoriesPivoting or offering new ideas helps children get unstuck when they resist activities, transforming resistance into engagement.Setting boundaries is acceptable—you don't have to play every time a child asks, but dedicating consistent quality time makes a lasting impact.Imaginative play creates core memories that children carry with them for years, strengthening long-term relationships. Quotable Moments "If you can dedicate that 10 minutes a day to real active, imaginative playtime, and then you try the method and you try these, these new techniques, they're really easy and they're honestly really fun.""It's not just about fun and building, it's also about resilience and emotional regulation for you as the adult.""Kid runs in and their arms outstretched and says, dad, I'm flying. And what's your instant reaction?Because most people in that moment are like, okay, you have fun with that, or, I'm gonna keep cooking, or, eh, are you, but what happens if you say yes?""Flash forward to today, years later, we still sing the song that we ended up writing from that trip around the solar system.""I never do anything, whether it's an interview or going to work or going shopping or just waking up in the morning without an anchor at the ready.""You're gonna take that same technique and just feel happy. You don't have to tap into like a million different emotions.""Once you start doing it a few times you're gonna realize it can be really fun and b, if you use that, anchor, that memory to get you centered right before suddenly it doesn't feel like work."
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    20 Min.
  • Enjoying the Holidays During or After Divorce

    Enjoying the Holidays During or After Divorce
    Dec 17 2025

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy Podcast, host Christopher Robbins speaks with Paul Mandelstein, author of "The World's Best Dad During and After Divorce," about navigating the holidays as a divorced or separated parent. Paul emphasizes reframing divorce as creating an "extended family" rather than a "broken home" and stresses that holidays should focus on the children's wellbeing, not parental conflict. He provides practical advice on managing holiday gatherings, creating new traditions, and developing a positive collaborative co-parenting approach. The conversation highlights the importance of putting aside ego and hurt to ensure children feel loved by both parents during what can be a challenging time of year.

    Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Christopher Robbins introduces the podcast and welcomes guest Paul Mandelstein 00:00:11: Introduction to Paul stein's background as founder of Father Resource Network and his extensive publishing career. 00:01:09: Discussion of Paul's authored books including folk tales and "The World's Best Dad During and After Divorce." 00:01:57: Paul thanks Christopher for having him on the show 00:01:59: Christopher shares his friend's difficult divorce situation and asks for holiday advice. 00:02:34: Paul reframes divorce as creating an "extended family" rather than a "broken family." 00:04:06: Paul discusses choices parents have when invited to ex's house, emphasizing not disparaging the ex in front of kids. 00:05:19: Advice on being flexible with holiday schedules and planning ahead. 00:06:46: Suggestion to have separate holiday celebrations if parents can't get along peacefully. 00:07:40: Christopher asks about the positive collaborative co-parenting plan. 00:07:49: Paul explains men should take the lead in creating new family culture. 00:09:39: Christopher emphasizes advice applies to children of all ages. 00:09:48: Paul discusses how the relationship with an ex continues even after divorce. 00:10:42: Discussion of admitting fault and working on self-improvement. 00:11:02: Paul shares how listeners can contact him for consulting. 00:11:28: Christopher concludes with thanks to Famis and encouragement to subscribe.

    Key Takeaways

    • Reframe divorce as creating an "extended family" rather than viewing it as a "broken home."
    • Keep holidays focused on the children's happiness and wellbeing, not parental conflicts or hurt feelings.
    • Never disparage your ex-partner in front of the children, as they still love both parents.
    • Be flexible with holiday schedules and plan well in advance to avoid conflicts.
    • Create new traditions in your own home that work for your unique family situation.
    • Take the lead in establishing a positive collaborative co-parenting relationship, even if your ex doesn't initially reciprocate.
    • Put aside ego, blame, and the need to be "right" for the sake of your children.
    • If you can't be civil together, consider having separate holiday celebrations rather than creating tension.
    • Remember that you and your ex once loved each other, and that love created your children

    The relationship with your ex continues after divorce, especially when children are involved.

    Quotable Moments

    • "We're not a broken family when we divorce. We're an extended family."
    • "Happy holidays are not about you, they're about the kids. They're not about your ex, they're about the kids."
    • "This is an opportunity for you to learn compassion and to basically grow up."
    • "It's important to never disparage your ex in front of the kids because they still love their mom or their dad."
    • "Just don't be a jerk. Don't look for a way to prove that you were right or you or they were wrong."
    • "If you've never been nice before, some people haven't. Let's face it."
    • "It's an opportunity. And my book lays out a path that if you follow that path, even if your ex is, is not agreeing with you and is still adversary over time, the kids and your ex perhaps will realize that you're not the bad guy anymore."
    • "I'm asking men to take the lead and be the bigger hero. Be the hero. If anything divorces, the hero's security to go through it."
    • "The most important thing is for the kids to feel like they're not in an adversarial relationship where they have to pick one parent over another."
    • "You'll realize even divorce your relationship with your ex is not over, especially if the kids are teen, young kids, teenagers or even young adults."
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    12 Min.
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