Helping Families Be Happy Familius

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, talks to author and illustrator Liz Swenson. Liz has written two survival guides for parents: "You Got This, Mama: From boobs to Blowouts, a Survival Guide for New Mothers" and "Raising Tiny Humans: From Potty Training to Prejudice, The Survival Guide for the Wild Toddler Years." The discussion focuses on raising toddlers and includes valuable insights into teaching children about dehumanizing language, separating behavior from the person, and fostering executive function skills.
 
Episode Highlights:
01:30: Christopher extends Valentine's Day wishes and delves into the evolution of Liz's books, "You Got This, Mama" and "Raising Tiny Humans," laying the foundation for the discussion.
03:04: The focus shifts to a critical aspect of parenting toddlers: teaching them about dehumanizing language and its subtle yet impactful nuances.
05:07: Liz emphasizes the significance of distinguishing between a child's behavior and their core identity, encouraging a healthy understanding of hurtful actions.
06:29: Exploring the concept of "hurt people hurting people," Liz sheds light on how understanding this dynamic can help address negative behaviors in toddlers.
08:00: The conversation turns to the development of executive function skills in toddlers, with Liz underlining the importance of explicit teaching in this area.
09:49: Liz discusses the necessity for parents to undergo mental shifts, specifically reframing tantrums as expressions of significant emotions rather than mere misbehavior.
11:42: The podcast delves into the crucial topic of prioritizing parental well-being and self-care, acknowledging the challenges of navigating parenthood.
13:50: Liz shares valuable insights gained from her journey of writing books and raising toddlers, offering a glimpse into the lessons learned along the way.
16:51: Liz share practical tips for "levelling up" parenting emerge, emphasizing the importance of taking intentional breaks and being mindful of language choices.
 
Key Points:
The conversation highlights the importance of nurturing executive function skills in toddlers through explicit teaching, breaking down tasks, and promoting resilience, contributing to overall cognitive and emotional development.
Recognizing the challenges of parenting, the discussion underscores the significance of parents prioritizing their well-being, taking intentional breaks, and practicing patience to create a supportive environment for both them and their toddlers.
By reframing tantrums as expressions of significant emotions rather than mere misbehavior, parents can navigate challenges with patience and empathy.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
"Teaching toddlers isn't just about ABCs; it's about nurturing their executive function skills, breaking tasks into steps, and fostering resilience." - Liz Swenson
"Parenting is a journey of self-discovery. Prioritize your well-being, take breaks, and grow alongside your child for a more fulfilling experience." - Christopher Robbins
"Words matter. Reframing language to separate behavior from identity helps create a positive environment where toddlers learn empathy and understanding." - Liz Swenson
 
Resources Mentioned
Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
https://lizswenson.org/
Podcast Editing

Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Episode: Laugh Together with Author Gabe JensenIn this engaging episode, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius and an avid author and outdoor enthusiast,invites Gabe Jensen, a renowned author known for his humorous children's books, to delve into the significance of laughterand humor in strengthening family bonds. Through personal anecdotes and shared experiences, they explore how humorcan reduce stress, connect family members, and create a rich tapestry of shared memories.Episode Highlights:**00:00:09** - The episode kicks off with Christopher Robbins introducing the podcast's theme and its focus on family, love,and relationships. He outlines his background and the foundation of his interest in promoting family happiness. Theintroduction establishes the episode's objective of exploring the role of laughter and humor in enhancing family dynamics.**00:01:39** - Gabe Jensen, with a hearty laugh, enthusiastically joins the conversation, setting a lighthearted and engagingtone for the episode. This candid exchange serves as a prelude to the in-depth discussion on laughter as a pivotal elementin family cohesion and mental health.**00:01:41** - Robbins humorously states his readiness to laugh, indicating the episodeâ€TMs direction towards examiningthe elements that contribute to levity and joy in family settings.**00:02:07** - Jensen discusses the importance of shared experiences as a foundation for family humor, suggesting thatsuch experiences are vital for creating a repository of inside jokes and fond memories that foster a sense of belonging andjoy among family members.**00:03:59** - Through a personal anecdote involving his son, Robbins illustrates the power of humor to diffuse tension andenhance connections within the family. This story highlights the universality of such moments across families and the roleof parents in initiating humorous exchanges.**00:05:12** - The conversation shifts towards favorite funny movies as a source of shared laughter, with both Robbins andJensen sharing their top picks and how these films have become a part of their family's culture and humor.**00:07:26** - The duo discusses engaging in outdoor activities and expeditions as a means to create humorous andmemorable family experiences. Jensenâ€TMs anecdote about searching for a British accent underscores the uniqueness offamily bonding moments centered around humor.**00:09:12** - Creative endeavors and the importance of participating in children's play and imagination as an avenue forlaughter are discussed. Jensen shares insights on how engaging in activities at the childâ€TMs level, both physically andcreatively, can deepen familial bonds through shared joy and silliness.**00:11:38** - The conversation explores the delicate balance of incorporating potty humor in family settings and children'smedia. Jensen argues for understanding such humor as part of children's developmental process and a gateway toaddressing complex topics in a lighthearted manner.**00:14:12** - Gabe Jensen talks about how he incorporates humor into his children's books and the importance ofremembering that children appreciate and need laughter. This segment emphasizes the role of authors and parents inensuring that children's literature serves as a source of joy.**00:15:45** - The role of fathers in injecting humor into the household is examined. The discussion reveals that irrespectiveof which parent brings humor, its presence is crucial for fostering a joyful and resilient family environment.**00:17:29** - The episode wraps up with Gabe Jensen sharing where listeners can find him online, followed by ChristopherRobbins thanking the sponsor FS publishing and highlighting the significance of laughter in creating a happier world.
Show Notes By Barevalue
Key Takeaways:- Shared experiences and memories are the bedrock of humor in family relationships.- Humor and laughter are not just about amusement; they're vital tools for

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, talks to Caroline Saunders, a Bleu-trained freelance food writer and recipe developer. Caroline is known for her work in climate-friendly cuisine, discusses sustainability practices that start at the end of the fork, emphasizing the importance of making eco-conscious choices in daily life. The discussion focuses on exploring sustainability in the kitchen and how individuals can become better stewards of the planet through their food choices.
 
Episode Highlights:
01:51: Caroline discusses the significant role of food in the global climate crisis, emphasizing that the food system contributes to about one-third of global carbon emissions annually.
02:39: Caroline talks about food waste and its impact on the environment, mentioning that food waste drives about 80% of global carbon emissions. She provides insights into the challenges of food waste and how individuals can address it.
04:20: The conversation shifts to practical tips for reducing food waste. Caroline introduces strategies like the "first in, first out" method and befriending the freezer to minimize waste.
05:44: Caroline addresses the issue of food waste, pointing out that 80% of global carbon emissions come from food waste. She provides practical tips, like the "first in, first out" method, to reduce food waste at the household level.
09:48: Christopher addresses the issue of increasing meat consumption and its implications and asks Caroline about practical steps and considerations for reducing animal product intake.
10:08: The focus turns to the environmental impact of consuming animal products. Caroline emphasizes the importance of making more sustainable choices, such as opting for chicken over red meat, eggs over chicken, and so on.
11:42: Caroline highlights the connection between biodiversity, health, and longevity. She mentions the "Blue Zones" concept, where regions with centenarians share commonalities like plant-forward diets.
12:08: Christopher shifts the conversation towards healthier eating and asks Caroline for guidance on starting a journey towards a more sustainable and healthy diet.
14:30: Caroline introduces the concept of climate-friendly desserts. She explains her passion for sustainable dessert recipes, emphasizing plant-forward desserts and using leftovers creatively for desserts.
17:32: Caroline delves into the role of dessert in sustainability, discussing plant-forward desserts and the versatility of desserts in utilizing leftover ingredients.
 
Key Points:
Food contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, prompting the need for sustainable eating practices.
Reducing food waste and shifting towards plant-based diets are pivotal in combating climate change.
Lowering meat consumption, especially red meat, is essential for both personal health and environmental sustainability.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
"Health and sustainability go hand in hand. A plant-forward diet not only benefits us but also nurtures the biodiversity crucial for a resilient food system." - Caroline
"Every meal is an opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet. Small changes in our food choices today lead to a healthier and more sustainable future tomorrow." - Christopher
"Desserts aren't just sweet treats; they're solutions. Embrace climate-friendly ingredients and turn leftovers into a delightful part of your sustainability journey." - Caroline
 
Resources Mentioned
Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
https://www.caroline-saunders.com/
https://palebluetart.substack.com/
Podcast Editing

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, talks to Kathryn Thompson. Kathryn is a web designer and consultant for small businesses and non-profits, with a passion for knitting and a penchant for Taylor Swift songs. Kathryn is also the author of three books: "Drops of Awesome," "Buckets of Awesome," and "532 Ways to Be Awesome." The focus of today's episode is on the significance of laughter and play in family dynamics.
 
Episode Highlights:
02:00: Kathryn shares the origin of the awesome concept during a challenging period of postpartum depression. She explains how the concept emerged as a way to shift her perspective and find humor in difficult situations.
03:16: Kathryn discusses the visualization of "drops of awesome" and how it became a tool for building momentum in her daily life. The metaphorical bucket of awesome is introduced as a way to celebrate small victories.
04:52: Kathryn shares her experience with overcoming the negative voice in her head and how the concept of drops of awesome helped her focus on the positive aspects of her life. The discussion touches on the motivation that comes from celebrating small victories.
05:16: Positive reader feedback is highlighted, with Kathryn sharing a specific story of a reader who found inspiration and permission to recognize their own drops of awesome. The transformative effect of the concept on people's lives is discussed.
07:03: Christopher discusses challenges in Kathryn's life, such as postpartum depression, her husband's layoff, and health issues. He prompts Kathryn to share stories illustrating how humor and laughter helped during these difficult times.
08:01: Reflecting on the job loss, Kathryn stresses the importance of finding ways to connect and solidify family relationships through humor. She shares how they turned a challenging situation into a memorable play day.
10:12: Kathryn recalls the laughter and joy she and her husband experienced while creating the humorous LinkedIn profile. She shares the positive outcome of the job search, emphasizing that their attitude and approach shifted the entire tone of the experience.
11:43: Christopher addresses how humor can be used to emotionally strengthen during serious health issues, referring to Kathryn's experience with her daughter's thyroid cancer diagnosis.
13:20: Kathryn details their humorous approach to her daughter's surgery, including a knitted stocking for the thyroid and a playful sword to "fight" cancer. The family continued finding humor in the post-surgery period, creating jokes around the scar and even displaying a stuffed thyroid in a jar.
14:38: Kathryn emphasizes that their humor was never at the expense of her daughter, Claire, and it always followed Claire's lead and sense of humor. The family's approach helped them find joy during challenging times.
15:36: Kathryn advises not to take oneself too seriously during challenging times. She suggests stopping and asking, "What is funny about this situation?" as a way to shift perspective and find humor even in the darkest moments.
 
Key Points:
Kathryn introduces the "drops of awesome" concept as a coping mechanism during postpartum depression, celebrating small positive actions to shift perspective.
The conversation explores using humor and play during challenging times, including a layoff turned into a playful family day and finding humor in a daughter's thyroid cancer journey.
Kathryn advises to ask, "What is funny about this situation?" as a practical way to use humor during tough times, emphasizing the importance of not taking oneself too seriously.

Tweetable Quotes:
"In the midst of challenges, celebrate the small victories as drops of awesome to shift your perspective and build momentum." - Christopher
"Humor is a powerful tool to navi

In this insightful episode of "Helping Families Be Happy," host Christopher Robbins engages with Christopher Mannino, a former theater teacher turned author, to explore how the principles of play and theater can significantly enhance parent-child relationships. The discussion delves into practical techniques and personal anecdotes that highlight the transformative power of play, offering listeners a blend of theory, actionable advice, and inspiring examples to foster deeper connections within their families.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00:09: Christopher Robbins introduces the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, setting the stage for a dialogue on using play to strengthen parent-child relationships. Robbins, a father of nine with a diverse background, shares his passion for bringing real-life, nurturing information about love, family, relationships, and life to listeners.
00:01:39: Guest Christopher Mannino expresses gratitude for being part of the podcast and sets the tone for a conversation focused on the art of playful interaction and its role in family dynamics.
00:01:43: The concept of transforming parent-child relationships through play is introduced. Mannino provides context by reflecting on his experiences as a theater teacher and a stay-at-home dad, emphasizing the natural yet overlooked importance of play in building strong familial bonds.
00:02:54: Mannino advocates for dedicated playtime, suggesting a minimum of ten minutes daily to deeply engage with children. He shares how meaningful these moments can become, transforming ordinary play into cherished memories that bolster the child-parent connection.
00:04:11: The conversation shifts to specific theater techniques that can enhance play, with Mannino offering practical advice on engaging children and entering their imaginative worlds through the principle of "Yes, and."
00:07:34: Another theater technique, emotional recall or using an "anchor," is discussed. Mannino explains how drawing on vivid, positive memories can help parents become more present and emotionally available during playtime.
00:11:46: Strategies for changing negative dynamics, especially after a child has had a tough day, are explored. The significance of maintaining a playful and affirmative approach to diffuse tension and shift the mood is highlighted.
00:14:35: The conversation concludes with insights into Mannino's upcoming book, which aims to provide parents with tools to revolutionize their playtime interactions and deepen familial relationships through simple yet effective theater-inspired methods.
00:17:01: Robbins wraps up the discussion by thanking Mannino for his insights and asking about ways listeners can connect with him online, leading to the sharing of Mannino's contact information.
Key Takeaways:1. Daily, dedicated playtime can significantly enhance the parent-child connection, turning routine interactions into lasting memories.2. The use of theater techniques like "Yes, and" and emotional recall can deeply enrich play experiences, fostering creativity, acceptance, and emotional bonding.3. Addressing negative moods and dynamics through playful engagement, rather than confrontation, can effectively transform challenging moments into opportunities for connection and joy.4. Introducing structured yet flexible play exercises from theater can provide parents with powerful tools to engage and connect with their children on a deeper level.
Tweetable Quotes:
"The more you play with your kids, the richer the memories and the stronger the bond." - Christopher Mannino
"Saying 'Yes, and' to your child's imaginative ideas can open up a world of creativity and connection." - Christopher Mannino
"Using positive emotional anchors can help us be more present and engaged during playtime with our kids." - Christopher Mannino
Resources Mentioned: Christopher Mannino: https://www.christophermannino.com/

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Adina Oberman talks to Sarah Jayne, a content creator and blogger based in Pennsylvania. The mission of her blog and social channels is to inspire parents to embrace cultural experiences and travel with their kids.
 
Episode Highlights:
01:48: Sarah shares the origin of her blogging journey, driven by the desire to connect with other moms during maternity leave amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She also discusses the unexpected growth and opportunities that unfolded in her content creation journey during the pandemic.
03:59: Adina reflects on the relatability of Sarah's story for many parents navigating challenges during the pandemic.
05:02: Sarah elaborates on her multicultural family background, highlighting the importance of raising bilingual children and incorporating intentional choices in cultural learning.
06:41: Sarah discusses specific strategies for cultural learning, including reading books, watching TV shows, and spending time with Spanish-speaking family members.
09:45: The discussion delves into the impact of intentional parenting choices and exposing children to diverse experiences, both culturally and in other aspects of life.
10:44: Sarah empathizes with the challenges of parenting and acknowledges the victory in simply getting kids ready on time. She mentions the commonality of parenting stress and the added challenges, especially when it involves traveling with kids.
11:27: Sarah encourages a shift in mindset towards exploring diversity locally and exposing kids to different cultures without the need for extensive travel. Adina agrees and acknowledges the wealth of diversity available within neighborhoods.
12:41: Sarah emphasizes evaluating the pros and cons of traveling with kids, highlighting the positive impact on children. She mentions the strategies, tips, and tricks she has learned for successful family travel.
14:14: Adina appreciates the point about accepting that meltdowns can happen anywhere, not just during travel. They discuss the inevitability of meltdowns and the importance of not letting the fear of meltdowns limit travel experiences.
15:14: Sarah suggests connecting with the local tourism board as an excellent starting point to discover cultural events and resources. She recommends looking for multicultural events, passing through the area, or featuring different cuisines.
16:28: Adina discusses additional resources for cultural experiences, mentioning local libraries offering museum passes. She highlights the benefits of such resources, including free passes and the flexibility to handle meltdowns without significant financial investment.
17:52: Sarah reveals that her family is currently going through the adoption process to complete their family of five. They became home study approved at the end of 2023 and are eagerly awaiting a match.
19:26: Adina appreciates Sarah's openness in sharing her adoption journey, acknowledging the messiness of family life and the contrast with the curated perfection often portrayed on social media.
 
Key Points:
Tips and challenges of family travel are shared, focusing on the positive impact on children and strategies for managing inevitable challenges.
Sarah suggests utilizing local resources like tourism boards, social media, and library museum passes for cultural learning experiences.
The conversation touches on family, multiculturalism, and travel, emphasizing local resources for cultural learning and offering insights into family travel challenges.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
"Traveling abroad is amazing, but you don't need to go past your neighborhood to expose kids to diversity. Shift your mindset to explore local multicultural opportunities." - Sarah
"Local libraries offer free museum passes. It's a great way to introduce kids to something new without financial pressure. Check your local library for these resources." - Adina
"Family life is messy, far from perfect. Sarah's openness abou