Episodes

  • Haunted by Halloween Stress

    Haunted by Halloween Stress
    Oct 24 2025
    Halloween is supposed to be fun, but for many parents, it can feel more like a haunted house of sugar highs, late nights, and expensive costumes. Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu, Erika Price, and Wendy Mar—share how they handle the chaos with humor and heart. From navigating candy with a child who has Type 1 diabetes, to deciding how old is too old to trick-or-treat, to creative costumes, the moms remind us that Halloween doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable.
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    32 mins
  • Rethinking Chores and Family Responsibility

    Rethinking Chores and Family Responsibility
    Oct 17 2025
    When chores turn into daily battles, how do you get kids to actually help without the endless reminders or frustration? Lisa and the Council of Moms—Julie Taylor, Emilie Campbell, and Sunny Mahe—share how they’ve learned to make chores a family effort instead of a fight. From dividing jobs by principle (not just convenience) to teaching accountability in everyday routines, they explore what it really means to work with your kids rather than against them.
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    33 mins
  • Beyond Punishment: Helping Kids Learn from Mistakes

    Beyond Punishment: Helping Kids Learn from Mistakes
    Oct 10 2025
    What happens when your child seems unfazed by consequences? Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Cree Taylor, Amy Hackworth, and Michelle Love-Day—talk about how to reset your approach. They share how to shift from punishment to purpose while finding ways for kids to connect their choices to meaningful learning.
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    31 mins
  • Parenting Digital Kids: How to Set Boundaries Around Media

    Parenting Digital Kids: How to Set Boundaries Around Media
    Oct 3 2025
    With endless streaming options and constant new content, it can feel nearly impossible to keep up with what your kids are watching. Ruth Aguirre, Hilary Craner, and Liz Palmer-Bastian join Lisa on The Council of Moms to talk about teaching media literacy at home—how to help kids build their own filter for what’s appropriate, even when you can’t preview everything first.
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    29 mins
  • Screen Time Struggles: Finding Balance After Saying Yes Too Often

    Screen Time Struggles: Finding Balance After Saying Yes Too Often
    Sep 26 2025
    Screens can be a lifesaver in some moments—but what happens when the habit has gotten bigger than you’d like? Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Whitney Call, Julie Suazo, and Juhi Raizada—take on the guilt so many parents feel about screen time. It’s easy to wonder if it’s already “too late” to change course once the precedent has been set, but the moms remind us that there are always ways to reset. From recognizing that not all screen use is created equal (some can actually build skills), to setting tech-free zones or times (like no screens after 8pm or during meals), to inviting kids into the process through open conversations and family plans, the moms share their honest experiences and practical strategies. This episode is about moving past guilt and taking small, realistic steps to reset screen boundaries with confidence and connection.
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    28 mins
  • When We Get It Wrong as Parents

    When We Get It Wrong as Parents
    Sep 19 2025
    It’s easy to scroll through social media and feel like every other parent is doing it better—handling emotions, avoiding mistakes, and saying all the “right” things. So what do we do when we get it wrong? Lisa Valentine Clark and the Council of Moms—Geraldine “G” Fitisemanu, Erika Price, and Wendy Mar—open up about their own parenting missteps and what recovery really looked like. From overreacting in the moment, to kids getting access to things sooner than expected, to learning how to take ownership and keep the door open for honest conversations, the moms remind us that mistakes don’t define us as parents---repair, connection, and love do.
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    30 mins
  • How to Ask For Help Without Feeling Like a Burden

    How to Ask For Help Without Feeling Like a Burden
    Sep 12 2025
    Asking for help can feel tricky—especially when you worry about burdening others. Lisa and her Council of Moms—Emilie Campbell, Sunny Mahe, and Julie Taylor—open up about how to move past people-pleasing habits and embrace honesty with the people around you. From building a support system you can lean on, to offering service in return when you’re able, to learning that true friendship makes space for give and take, the moms share how they’ve learned to both ask for and accept help with grace.
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    31 mins
  • Back to School Secrets for Sanity and Success

    Back to School Secrets for Sanity and Success
    Sep 5 2025
    Back-to-school season feels like a fresh start, but how do you keep that blank-slate energy alive once the chaos sets in? Lisa and her Council of Moms--Cree Taylor, Amy Hackworth, and Michelle Love-Day--share their tried-and-true strategies for attempting to stay organized and grounded through the school year. From the power of a Sunday reset, to forming habits that really stick, to knowing what’s worth sacrificing (and what’s not), these moms get real about what works and why school routines don’t look the same for every child.
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    33 mins