No Silly Questions- An Education Podcast for Parents

Danielle Freilich and Jordana Fruchter
  • 4.9 (32)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to No Silly Questions, with your hosts Danielle Freilich and Jordana Fruchter, two New York City educators, school leaders and friends. We were inspired to develop No Silly Questions, after noticing how often our friends were calling us with education-related questions for their kids! Asking us for our insight on everything from the different pedagogical approaches, to developmental milestones in the first few years of life, to navigating how to support their child’s learning needs - you name it! We could see there was a need to provide parents with relatable, research-based answers from true experts in the field. On this podcast, you’ll hear from pediatric neuropsychologists, elected school officials, ed. tech entrepreneurs, play advocates, professors of multiple intelligence theory and more to bridge the gap of information and strengthen your parent tool kit. We want all parents to know that there is no such thing as a silly question.

  1. 1d ago

    What is “Mean Mom” culture? with Dr. Noëlle Santorelli

    You’ve heard of “mean girl” culture, but what is “mean mom” culture? Well, the reality is that the social ecosystem at a school involves both children and parents. And with back to school this fall, we wanted to end our season with an episode that will register for listeners on multiple levels. Social engineering, social literacy, relational aggression, yes even mahjong, and what the parent’s role should be in our children's friendships- these are some of the topics we cover with our tremendous guest today Dr. Noëlle Santorelli. This was a fascinating conversation about friendship and community. Dr. Noëlle Santorelli is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and adjunct faculty member at Emory University School of Medicine. Her work centers on women's mental health and relationships, with particular expertise in relational aggression, the social pressures of modern motherhood  including what she calls "Mean Girl Mom" culture — and maternal mental health. She regularly offers clinical perspective in the media on the stories, trends, and social dynamics shaping women's lives today. Through her clinical expertise and media work, she helps women understand complex relationship dynamics, protect their mental health, and feel less alone in the hidden pressures of modern parenting and motherhood. She has appeared on CNN, The Tamron Hall Show, and Fox News stations, and her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and other national media outlets.

  2. Sep 6

    What is maternal ambivalence? With Margo Lowy, PhD

    You’ve maybe heard the quote “When a child is born, the mother also is born again.” These words help us to appreciate the complicated identity shifts inherent in motherhood. Our guest today, Margo Lowy, writes and speaks about what can feel like taboo for mothers to admit: not all feelings in motherhood are positive. And that actually accepting this reality is paramount. Margo Lowy, PhD, is a psychotherapist specializing in mothering. She is the author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood and holds a doctorate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Lowy is the author of a previous academic book, The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love, and has spoken about maternal ambivalence at universities and in media interviews worldwide.

  3. Aug 30

    How do we raise healthy, smart, and kind kids in a screen-saturated world? With “The Mediatrician” Dr. Michael Rich

    We spend so much time talking about the dangers of technology. But can digital experiences genuinely contribute to a child’s development, creativity, and relationships? Our guest today leverages his unique background, as both a pediatrician and filmmaker, to explore how media may be affecting our kids. Dr. Michael Rich practices adolescent medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Rich is the founder and director of the Digital Wellness Lab and the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), the first evidence-based medical program addressing physical, mental, and social health issues associated with digital technology use. Known as “The Mediatrician, ” Dr. Rich offers research-based, actionable, and practical answers to parents’, educators’, and clinicians’ questions about children’s and adolescents’ media use and the positive and negative implications for their health and development. Dr. Rich is recognized for his acclaimed work as a pediatrician, child health researcher, and children’s media specialist and is the author of The Mediatrician’s Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World.

  4. Aug 23

    What is Selective Mutism? With Dr. Rachel Busman

    Many children may be shy or slow to warm—someone who hangs back in a new setting, takes a little longer to join in, or needs time before feeling comfortable speaking up. But how do we know when that’s simply a child’s temperament, and when there may be something more complex at play? That’s what we’re exploring in today’s episode: how to distinguish between a child who needs a little more time to warm up and a child whose difficulty speaking may be rooted in anxiety. In some cases, that anxiety can take the form of Selective Mutism—an often misunderstood anxiety disorder in which a child who speaks comfortably in some settings struggles to speak in others. We’re so grateful to be joined by Dr. Rachel Busman, a leading expert in Selective Mutism, who helps us understand what parents should look for, when to seek support, and—perhaps most importantly—how to respond in ways that actually help. Dr. Busman is a Senior Director of the child and adolescent anxiety and related disorders program at Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants. She works with children, teens, and families with a wide range of mental health concerns and has a specific expertise in the evaluation and treatment of selective mutism. Dr. Busman is the past president of the Selective Mutism Association and is the author of Being Brave with Selective Mutism- a step-by-step guide for children and their caregivers.

  5. Aug 16

    What is a Classical Education? With Rabbi Abraham Unger, Ph.D.

    As AI and EdTech infiltrate our schools, a paradoxical trend is also emerging- a resurgence of classical education. But don’t be fooled. These philosophies are not necessarily in conflict with each other, as today's guest helps us understand. As he puts it , by mastering the classical arts of grammar, rhetoric and logic, students will have the habits of mind necessary for clear reasoning, strong writing, public speaking, and close analysis of texts and ideas. And who can argue with that? Bio: Rabbi Abraham Unger, Ph.D., is the founder and leader of Tikvah’s Millstone Scholars program and the founding head of school of Emet Classical Academy. Rabbi Unger possesses a unique background in the world of education, having served as a tenured university professor, a research scholar, a Hebrew school principal, a campus rabbi, a middle school teacher, and the creator of various Jewish youth and outreach programs. Rabbi Unger was formerly a Professor at Wagner College in urban policy and public administration, where he also served as the campus Hillel Rabbi and established the Chai Society. He has held senior research appointments at NYU and Fordham University and is the author of three peer reviewed books and numerous articles. Prior to completing his Ph.D., Rabbi Unger was Executive Director of the American Friends of Rambam Medical Center. He founded the Mosaic Colony for the Arts, a non-profit education organization which trained Jewish students in the arts. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Fordham University and his certificate of Rabbinical ordination from Telz-Stone Kollel in Israel. Rabbi Unger was deeply influenced by his undergraduate experience at the Manhattan School of Music and its conservatory model of education.

  6. Aug 9

    Just ask Brooke! With Brooke Parker, Education and Parenting Consultant

    Today we’ve compiled all of your quick-hit “No Silly Questions” and brought on an expert known for having the answers in a pinch. We’re talking about Brooke Parker from “Just Ask Brooke.” This wide-ranging conversation covers common questions - from routines, to reading, and more- and we’re confident Brooke’s signature combination of research and reliability will benefit all of you tuning in. Brooke Parker is a native New Yorker with deep ties to the independent school community. She holds a BA in Child Development and Spanish from Tufts University and an MA in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Brooke has experience as an early childhood educator and lower school teacher, and as a learning specialist. Brooke also brings a comprehensive understanding of the early childhood and Kindergarten admissions process as she worked as an admissions coordinator, designing assessments, conducting interviews, and writing evaluations—in so doing, she gained insight into what schools truly seek in applicants. For over a decade, Brooke has guided families with a personalized, collaborative approach that highlights each child’s strengths and learning style. She also advises organizations on developmentally appropriate offerings for children and parents, and is known for her thoughtful, limited-client practice and commitment to nurturing confidence, joy, and a lifelong love of learning.

  7. Aug 2

    What does it mean for a child to be gifted? With Samantha Gabrielli, Lower School Head of the Speyer Legacy School, and Dr. Jordan Zelinger, School Psychologist

    All children are special and excel in different ways. But today, we are seeking to gain a precise understanding of what exactly “giftedness” means as a designation in a school context. We are so grateful to be joined by two prominent educators from the Speyer Legacy School to break it down for us. BIO Dr. Jordan Zelinger is a Licensed Psychologist and practices as a School Psychologist at The Speyer Legacy School, an independent school for gifted learners in New York City. In addition to working in schools, for the past decade Dr. Zelinger has been performing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and providing psychotherapy and he’s also the co-author of a children's book titled, "Please Explain Anxiety to Me: Simple Biology for Children and Parents". Samantha Gabrielli is an educator with more than 15 years of experience in classroom teaching and school leadership across charter, public, and private schools. She holds a B.A. in History, a B.A. in Secondary Education, and a certificate in Reading Education, all from Rowan University, and is currently completing her M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted Education at the University of Virginia.

  8. Jul 26

    What is Russian Math? With Russian School of Mathematics founder Inessa Rifkin, and Masha Gershman, VP of Outreach

    If there’s any enrichment program we get asked about the most- it’s got to be Russian Math. And if you have school-aged children, it’s likely you’ve heard of the Russian School of Math program too and may even be wondering if it’s worth it to you to sign your child up. On today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have a rare interview with the founder of RSM, where we break it all down for you. Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.com

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About

Welcome to No Silly Questions, with your hosts Danielle Freilich and Jordana Fruchter, two New York City educators, school leaders and friends. We were inspired to develop No Silly Questions, after noticing how often our friends were calling us with education-related questions for their kids! Asking us for our insight on everything from the different pedagogical approaches, to developmental milestones in the first few years of life, to navigating how to support their child’s learning needs - you name it! We could see there was a need to provide parents with relatable, research-based answers from true experts in the field. On this podcast, you’ll hear from pediatric neuropsychologists, elected school officials, ed. tech entrepreneurs, play advocates, professors of multiple intelligence theory and more to bridge the gap of information and strengthen your parent tool kit. We want all parents to know that there is no such thing as a silly question.

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