Conversation Balloons

Herzog Foundation
Herzog Foundation
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Host Leah Farish interviews experts and friends about all things generational. No matter your age or stage, whether you're growing or growing old, you wonder at, fume at, or love someone in another generation. It might be workplace issues, raising kids, or caring for an elder--We're here to bring understanding, solutions, empathy, and a little fun to intergenerational relationships. Our conversation balloons hover over thorny social problems and pop with insight about how to handle them. Some of our guests are scholarly, some faith-based, some rich only in lived experience.

  1. 3d ago

    124. Parental Rights Right Now w/ Kate Anderson

    Kate Anderson, senior counsel and Director of the Center for Parental Rights at Alliance Defending Freedom, outlines what parental rights are, where they come from, and how you can assert and protect your rights to raise and educate your child as you choose. School, gender issues, privacy, adoption/ foster care eligibility, and more are covered, and Leah speaks from her own experience as an attorney partnering with ADF. Additional resources: Free booklets from Alliance Defending Freedom-- Parents in Control--https://adflegal.org/resource/parents-in-control-usa-curriculum-surveys-opt-out-rights/ Confronting Religious Discrimination: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents--https://adflegal.org/resource/religious-discrimination-foster-adoptive-parents/Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)--268 U.S. 510--https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/268us510Mirabelli v. Bonta, emergency order (2026)--https://www.thomasmoresociety.org/case/mirabelli-v-olsonMahmoud v. Taylor (2025)--606 U.S __ --https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo (2002)--534 U.S. 426-- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2001/00-1073FERPA (34 CFR Part 99--Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act--https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ferpaEqual Access Act--98 Stat. 1302, 20 U.S.C. §§ 4071-4074--Bd. of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990)--https://www.oyez.org/cases/1989/88-1597Oregon foster adoption--Jessica BatesKallie Keeler case--Washington state 2026--https://adflegal.org/press-release/high-school-female-athlete-sues-after-unknowingly-wrestling-male-who-sexually-assaulted-her-during-match/?reference_code=11041076&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_content=%7E20248933359_150742826875_alliance+defending+freedom%5E814946495493&utm_campaign=brand-searchTF and BF v. Kettle Moraine School District (2021)--https://adflegal.org/press-release/wisconsin-court-rules-protect-parents-rights/ Jennifer DeGross and Shane DeGross v. Tana Senn in her official capacity as Sec. of Washington State Dept Children,Youth, and Families, et al. (2026)--https://adflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/degross-v-hunter-2026-05-20-permanent-injunction.pdfMead v. Rockford Public School District--https://adflegal.org/case/mead-v-rockford-public-school-district/Jessica Bates (2026)--https://adflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bates-v-wendt-2026-09-09-stipulated-order-judgment.pdf

  2. Sep 23

    123. The Great Intergenerational Wealth Transfer w/ Russ Crosson

    Should I give much of my kids' inheritance to them while I'm alive? Can I give differing amounts to different kids? Should I reveal my estate plan to my heirs? Financial advisor Russ Crosson gives sage and surprising answers to these and more questions.Additional resources:Books by Russ Crosson--Your Life Well SpentLeverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain (Russ Crosson and Kenneth Boa)Your Money Made Simple: The Key to Financial Freedom

  3. Sep 9

    122. Founding Fathers' Document: Does the Constitution Still Serve Us Well? w/ Mark Hall

    Scholar Mark Hall on Gen Z and patriotism, Christian nationalism, capitalism and socialism, and how the Constitution looks after 250 years. Constitution Day is Sept.17, 2026--give it a read that day! Additional resources: Books by Mark David Hall: Did America Have a Christian Founding? Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth The Political and Legal Philosophy of James Wilson Faith and the Founders of the American Republic Who's Afraid of Christian Nationalism? (Spoiler alert: Not an endorsement of Christian Nationalism) George Washington, William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman, et al.: :) The Constitution of the United States of America https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/constitution.htm

  4. Aug 26

    121. Playful Parenting w/ Mia Wisinski

    Moms and dads (and teachers, grandparents, and babysitters): Mia Wisinski has endless great suggestions for screen-free silliness with kiddos--because you could use a laugh yourself.. When you can't think of one more game or knock-knock joke, she's in your corner with loads of ideas gleaned from her years in theater, improv, and mothering. Additional resources:--Instagram @Playfulheartparenting--www.playfulheartparenting.com--with resources like FamProv, the Silly Moments app, and Active Play Mode course and community--Conversation Balloons Episode 64--"Onstage at This Stage" https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SxLFyYVSj87s07ATxvi1w--Conversation Balloons Episode 41--"How to Talk to Little Kids" https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mu6f9mX32p5M2kbWffOj5

  5. Aug 12

    120. A Legacy to a Grandchild w/ Josh Mulvihill

    How do we pass on our spiritual legacy to grandchildren?  We host Christian grandparenting expert Dr. Josh Mulvihill for practical tips and biblical motivation to share our faith and stories with grandkids.  Family estrangement, a sense of inadequacy, and lack of intentionality can hold us back--listen for help in overcoming these issues.  Even those not part of a Christian tradition will be encouraged by Dr. Mulvihill's gracious vision of grandparenting. Additional resources: Renewanation.org Christiangrandparenting.org Legacycoalition.com Books by Dr. Mulvihill: Grandparenting: Strengthening Your Family and Passing on Your FaithBiblical Grandparenting

  6. Jul 29

    119. Your Home = Your Emotional Environment w/ Laura McCall

    Interior designer Laura McCall of Collected Interiors donates time to create spaces for women coming out of incarceration using "trauma-informed design."  Could her insights help calm an overstimulated child, or traumatized adult?  Does she have practical tips for your living space? Yes and yes! Additional resources: www.Collectedinteriors.org Instagram: Collectedinteriors918 Conversation Balloons Podcast, Episode 113, "A Child's Environment Making Her Sick" with Laura McCall

  7. Jul 15

    118. When Our Parents Need Us w/ Bill Davis

    Medical ethicist Bill Davis discusses aspects of caring for dependent parents--such as their times of impaired judgement, their demands that can't be fulfilled, and the possibility of avatars and robots to meet companionship needs. This is the practical sequel to Dr. Davis's previous episode with us at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaLFX0Rh9cI , "Honor My Father and Mother? Really?" Additional resources: Books by Bill Davis: --Honoring Dependent Parents: Biblical Decision-Making for Adult Children --Departing in Peace: Biblical Decision-Making at the End of Life Previous Conversation Balloons podcast: Honor My Father and Mother? Really? with Bill Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaLFX0Rh9cI

  8. Jul 1

    116. The Fathers of Our Country--Their Faith, Their Motives w/ Mark Hall

    History scholar and author of 15 books about religion and politics Dr. Mark David Hall schools Leah on the varying degrees of religious fervor of the founders of the USA, as we get ready to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Additional resources: By Mark David Hall-- --Did America Have a Christian Founding? Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth --The Sacred Rights of Conscience --Faith and the Founders of the American Republic

See All (123)

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Host Leah Farish interviews experts and friends about all things generational. No matter your age or stage, whether you're growing or growing old, you wonder at, fume at, or love someone in another generation. It might be workplace issues, raising kids, or caring for an elder--We're here to bring understanding, solutions, empathy, and a little fun to intergenerational relationships. Our conversation balloons hover over thorny social problems and pop with insight about how to handle them. Some of our guests are scholarly, some faith-based, some rich only in lived experience.

Information

More From Herzog Foundation

You Might Also Like