Parenting is full of surprises—some wonderful, some exhausting. In this episode of aParently Speaking, author, speaker, and personal coach Tomas Lyndahl joins host Miriam Conner to discuss his book, How to Be Happy Even Though You’re a Parent: Effortless Parenting from the Heart.

This isn’t a guidebook with rules or techniques. Instead, Tomas offers a warm, insight-based invitation to rediscover the calm, connected parent that’s already within you—the one who shows up naturally when your mind is clear, your heart is open, and you’re fully present in the moment.

They talk about what to do when parenting isn’t what you expected, how to shift from guilt and chaos to connection, and ways to bring more joy into everyday parenting. If you’ve ever wished for a calmer, happier approach to raising kids, this episode is for you.

The post Podcast #112: Parenting from the Heart: Less Chaos, More Connection appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

Language is how kids connect with the world—and as parents, we all want to help them find their voice. In the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner talks with child development experts Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff , who are back for a second visit after their episode on their best -selling book, Einstein Never Used Flashcards.

They dive into the fascinating world of language development: how to foster language at home, what milestones to watch for, the role of technology and digital toys, and much more. Whether you have a baby just starting to babble or a preschooler forming full sentences, you’ll come away with practical tips and insights from two of the leading voices in early childhood education.

The post Podcast #111: Talking the Talk: Helping Kids Find Their Words appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

We all remember sitting in class wondering, “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” Turns out, parents are asking that same question today. In this episode, illustrator and storyteller Elijah Stanfield—known for The Tuttle Twins series—joins host Miriam Conner on the latest episode of aParently Speaking to talk about a new survey that reveals what parents really want schools to teach their kids.

From life skills to learning how to think—really think—we’re unpacking what modern education could look like if it actually prepared kids for the real world.

The post Podcast #110: From Life Skills to Adulting: What Parents Say Schools Miss appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

AI is changing everything — fast. From chatbots doing homework to deepfakes that blur the line between real and fake, today’s kids are growing up in a digital world unlike anything we’ve seen before. And most parents? They’re not getting the full story.

In the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner is joined by Angela Nakalembe — a mom and tech professional at Google (speaking personally, not on behalf of the company) with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity and digital literacy. Angela brings a clear, practical voice to the complex and often hidden risks our kids are exposed to online, especially in the age of AI.

They discuss topics including:

• Why traditional parental controls aren’t enough anymore
• How deepfakes and behavioral data are reshaping childhood
• What schools should be teaching about digital footprints
• And how parents can actually stay informed and empowered

If you’re a parent of Gen Alpha or Gen Z, this is a must-listen conversation that cuts through the tech jargon and gets real about what families need to know now.

aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Nickajack Farms.

The post Podcast #109: How Safe are your Kids Online? appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner is joined by Susan McNamara — author of Remembering What Matters Most: A Call to Courage for Parents Ready to Take a Stand for Childhood in The Age of Technology. McNamara shares the personal story behind her new book and the journey that led her to write it over the last 15 years.

As a mother of two grown children and a passionate advocate for conscious parenting, Susan explores what it really means to raise children with intention in a world dominated by screens, distractions, and expert-driven advice.

She speaks candidly about the three pillars that shaped her parenting and her book: learning to be present, discovering and living your personal values, and making decisions based on the real needs of children — not just the cultural noise around us.

aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Nickajack Farms.

The post Podcast #108: “A Call to Courage: Parenting with Presence in the Age of Technology” appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

On this episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner sits down with child development experts Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff and Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, co-authors of the bestselling Einstein Never Used Flashcards.

Discover the 6 C’s—collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence—that kids need to thrive today and in the future. Learn why playful, active exploration beats passive note-taking, how to balance screen time, and why school doesn’t have to be boring.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child’s learning in a way that’s joyful, meaningful, and backed by science, this episode is for you.

aParently Speaking is presented by Northeast Ohio Parent and sponsored by Nickajack Farms.

The post Podcast #107: Why Play Beats Flashcards for Raising Brilliant Kids! appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

On this episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner chats with the amazing Karen Johnson, author of What Do I Want to Be When THEY Grow Up.

If you’re a mom navigating the empty nest or just looking ahead to what’s next, Karen’s inspiring guide is packed with humor, heart, and practical tips to help you lead your best, most fulfilling life! Join them as they dive into everything from finding your passion after motherhood to embracing life’s next chapter.

The post Podcast #106: What Do I Want to Be When THEY Grow Up? appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.

We teach kids to talk, read, and write… but who’s teaching them to LISTEN? Crazy, right? Especially when they’ll spend 3x more of their adult life listening than reading. The truth is, listening doesn’t just “happen.” It’s a skill—one that can shape their relationships, success, and confidence.
So why aren’t we teaching it? And how do we start?

On this episode of aParently Speaking, host, Miriam Conner, sits down with Christine Miles, author of What Is It Costing You Not to Listen?, to break it all down. Don’t just hear about it. Listen.

The post Podcast #105: Shhh… Are We Forgetting to Teach Listening? appeared first on Northeast Ohio Parent.