Helping Families Be Happy

Familius
  • 5.0 (15)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Helping Families Be Happy

With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.

  1. 22 HR. AGO

    Navigating Holiday Gatherings: Setting Boundaries with Grace with Carla Marie Manley

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy Podcast, host Adina Oberman speaks with Dr. Carla Marie Manley, a clinical psychologist and expert in personal transformation, to discuss strategies for setting healthy boundaries during holiday gatherings. With holidays often bringing together family and friends, Dr. Manley offers practical tips for navigating potentially invasive questions with grace and respect. This conversation is perfect for those seeking to create a positive, self-respecting environment during social events, allowing families to enjoy gatherings with mutual understanding. [00:00] Host Adina Oberman introduces Dr. Carla Marie Manley, highlighting her expertise in relationships, personal growth, and boundary setting, especially relevant during the holiday season. Dr. Manley explains her holistic approach to helping others navigate relationships with a foundation of self-respect and resilience. [04:15] Dr. Manley describes common holiday challenges, such as invasive questions, and emphasizes the importance of establishing boundaries. She encourages listeners to view boundaries as emotional “fences” that protect well-being, offering examples of how to respond calmly to probing questions. [09:30] Dr. Manley discusses the impact of the word “should” on boundaries, noting that feeling obligated to answer personal questions can lead to boundary violations. She encourages families to set limits confidently and gracefully, re-framing boundaries as a means of self-care. [13:50] The conversation covers practical responses to common intrusive questions (e.g., about relationships or family planning). Dr. Manley shares polite, direct phrases for redirecting conversations and maintaining personal privacy. [18:20] Dr. Manley emphasizes the value of role-modeling boundaries for children, highlighting how parents can demonstrate self-respect in social settings. She also suggests practicing boundary-setting phrases to build confidence before gatherings. [23:30] Dr. Manley explains the “three strikes, you’re out” approach to reinforce boundaries, advising listeners on handling persistent boundary crossers by politely exiting conversations if necessary. [28:45] Dr. Manley addresses handling conversations with individuals under the influence of alcohol, explaining how to navigate these situations by disengaging if needed, to maintain emotional safety and peace. [32:15] Dr. Manley shares advice on avoiding discussions around politics or sensitive topics at family gatherings, including using “timeouts” as a graceful way to step away from uncomfortable conversations. Key Takeaways: Healthy boundaries allow you to maintain self-respect and enjoy holiday gatherings more fully. Polite, direct responses can help redirect intrusive questions without damaging relationships. Role-modeling boundaries for children reinforces the importance of self-respect. Practice boundary-setting phrases to build confidence in social settings. Using a “timeout” can provide a graceful exit from difficult conversations, especially when sensitive topics arise.

    19 min

  2. NOV 13

    Handling the Holidays after Divorce with Paul Mandelstein

    In this Helping Families Be Happy podcast episode, host Christopher Robbins speaks with Paul Mandelstein, founder of the Father Resource Network and author of The World’s Best Dad During and After Divorce. Together, they explore the challenges and joys of celebrating the holidays post-divorce, providing divorced or separated parents with advice on handling co-parenting dynamics and creating meaningful, stress-free holiday traditions for the whole family. Episode Highlights [02:15] Prioritizing Flexibility for Kids:Paul advises parents to adapt holiday plans around their children’s needs, even if it means adjusting co-parenting schedules. [06:45] Kindness and Agreement-Keeping:Practicing kindness and sticking to agreements with co-parents helps create a positive holiday experience for the entire family. [12:30] Embracing Personal Growth:Holidays post-divorce offer opportunities for self-reflection and growth, which can contribute to a happier, healthier family dynamic. [16:10] Practicing Forgiveness:Forgiveness isn’t just for others but is a healing step for oneself, easing tensions and fostering a peaceful holiday season. [21:00] Building New Traditions:Creating unique family traditions allows everyone, including new family members, to feel included and helps children adjust. [25:30] Avoiding Over-Gifting:Instead of compensating with gifts, Paul encourages parents to focus on quality time, as it creates more meaningful holiday memories for kids. Key Takeaways Prioritize Kids’ Needs with Flexibility: Be adaptable to give children the best possible holiday experience. Be Kind and Keep Agreements: Kindness and reliability strengthen co-parenting dynamics and ease holiday tensions.   Use Holidays as Growth Opportunities: Embrace self-reflection and personal growth for a fulfilling holiday season.    Create New Traditions and Avoid Over-gifting: Develop traditions that honor your new family setup without excessive gifting.

    16 min

  3. NOV 6

    The Power of Positive Influence in Families with Barry Rellaford

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy Podcast, host Christopher Robbins welcomes leadership expert Barry Relaford. With decades of experience in leadership development and trust-building, Barry shares insights on fostering a positive family environment through authentic leadership, building trust, and creating a lasting legacy. This episode is essential for families wanting to strengthen bonds, instill strong values, and positively impact future generations. [00:00] Host Christopher Robbins introduces Barry Relaford, noting his work with leaders worldwide and his current focus on mentoring emerging talent. They discuss how leadership and trust-building principles apply directly to family relationships. [05:20] Barry defines leadership as positive influence and explains that every family member can lead by setting a good example. This approach fosters trust, strengthens bonds, and encourages growth within the family. [10:30] Reflecting on his family experiences, Barry highlights the powerful role of family legacy, emphasizing how the values we pass down shape future generations. [15:45] Barry shares the quote, “It’s a greater compliment to be trusted than to be loved,” underscoring that trust is crucial in family relationships and often outweighs likability. [22:00] Barry explores the process of rebuilding broken trust, emphasizing that it requires trustworthy actions and consistent boundaries to restore family harmony. [30:15] Barry discusses the link between trust and leadership in family dynamics, stressing that parents should model integrity and accountability to foster a secure, supportive home. [35:40] Barry concludes with optimism for future generations, encouraging families to support young leaders, as they are key to creating a more positive society. Key Takeaways: Family leadership is best expressed through positive influence and setting a strong example. Trust is foundational to family relationships and should be prioritized over simply being liked. Rebuilding trust requires consistent, trustworthy actions and clear family boundaries. Family members play a critical role in nurturing future leaders and instilling strong values. Supporting young family members in leadership roles encourages a hopeful future.

    21 min

  4. OCT 30

    Books with Soul: Transforming Communities Through Stories with Alma Guzman

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Adina Oberman speaks with Alma Guzman, founder of Libros con Alma (Books with Soul), a community-driven project based in Southeast Los Angeles. Alma shares her journey of launching Libros con Alma in 2021 to address the lack of bookstores and accessible Spanish-language and BIPOC-authored books in her community. By organizing book pop-ups, engaging in cultural events, and creating the recent exhibit Cuentame, Alma fosters a love for reading and storytelling in underserved areas. Alma discusses her unique approaches to connect with her community, including collaborations with local artists, the “Spanglish Book Club,” and her aspirations to establish a bookmobile. This episode emphasizes the power of community, representation in literature, and the transformative potential of accessible stories. Episode Highlights       1. Origins of Libros con Alma: How Alma launched her initiative to increase access to Spanish-language and BIPOC literature in Southeast LA. 2.  Impact on Community: Alma’s insights into the significance of offering free, take-home books in her community and the reactions from local readers. 3. Cultural Engagement: Highlighting Cuentame, an art exhibit showcasing book recommendations and stories from Southeast LA residents. 4. Upcoming Projects: Alma’s plans for the “Spanglish Book Club” and her long-term goal of creating a bookmobile.     Key Links:Libros con Alma on Instagram – Follow Alma’s journey, pop-up events, and upcoming projects. Familius 10 Habits of Happy Families – Explore ways to foster happiness through learning and conversation.

    16 min

  5. OCT 23

    See, Support, Connect: Creating a Safe Space Through Books with Kenya Kirkman

    In this episode, Kenya Kirkman, founder of 18 August Avenue, joins host Adina Oberman to discuss her mission of empowering BIPOC families through diverse children’s books and community-building events. Kenya shares how the stillbirth of her twin sons, Aiden and Carter, inspired her to create a space where Black and brown families can see themselves represented in literature. She talks about the importance of offering resources for parents, connecting with educators, and fostering a sense of belonging for marginalized communities. Kenya also provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and shares her vision for the future of 18 August Avenue. Episode Highlights: Introduction to Kenya Kirkman and 18 August AvenueKenya shares the inspiring story behind founding 18 August Avenue, a children's bookshop that amplifies BIPOC voices, inspired by her twin sons, Aiden and Carter, who were stillborn in 2019. Turning Grief into PurposeKenya discusses how the loss of her sons led her to create a space for expectant parents and families, providing diverse books and resources that reflect their lived experiences. Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursKenya offers heartfelt advice to listeners considering starting a business: stay authentic, pursue what feels right, and ensure your passion aligns with your purpose. Breaking the Stigma Around StillbirthKenya opens up about the challenges of sharing her personal story, how it shapes her work, and how her bookshop events center on supporting parents and families in ways that are healing and inclusive. 18 August Avenue's Impact on the CommunityKenya reflects on how her pop-up events, curated books, and resources are helping families and young people feel seen, supported, and connected. Looking Ahead: Future Plans for 18 August AvenueKenya shares her hopes for expanding her business, with fingers crossed for a physical location in Brooklyn, and upcoming events designed to engage educators and young readers. How to Support and Connect with 18 August AvenueKenya provides details on where to find her online, upcoming events in the Brooklyn area, and how people can support her mission of empowering BIPOC families through books. Closing RemarksHost Adina Oberman thanks Kenya for sharing her journey, encouraging listeners to follow and support 18 August Avenue. She reminds the audience to subscribe, leave a review, and explore more family-centered books through Familius.

    18 min

  6. OCT 16

    Read What You Love with Sarah Gundell

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Adina Oberman is joined by Sarah Gundell, a passionate book blogger and advocate for children's literature. Sarah shares her journey from her early involvement with the Twilight fandom to her current focus on promoting a love of reading through her Instagram account, Novel Novice. Sarah discusses her unique approach to engaging kids with reading by connecting their interests to the books they read. She also addresses the value of audiobooks and diverse reading formats, emphasizing that the key to fostering a love for reading is to allow children to explore what they enjoy. Key Takeaways: Align Reading with Interests: Discover how connecting reading material to children's personal interests—whether it's sports, crafting, or graphic novels—can ignite a lifelong love of reading. Embrace All Forms of Reading: Audiobooks, graphic novels, and genre fiction are all valuable. The important thing is engaging with books in any format that resonates with the reader. Model Reading Behavior: Demonstrate your love for reading to your children by making time for it yourself. This models positive reading habits and emphasizes reading as a rewarding activity. Utilize Libraries and Bookstores: Take advantage of local libraries and bookstores to provide diverse reading materials, making books a regular and exciting part of family life. Read Together: Incorporate reading into daily routines and special moments with your family to build a shared love for books and create cherished memories. Resources Mentioned: Sarah Gundell’s Instagram: @novelnovice Sarah’s Blog: novelnovice.com (for archived book reviews) Quotes from the Episode: “The goal is to keep kids engaged with reading in any form.” – Sarah Gundell “Books are accessible to everyone. Go get a book and discover reading.” – Sarah Gundell “I like to say, read by example.” – Sarah Gundell Join the Conversation: We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review to let us know how we're doing. When you're ready for your next great book adventure, explore the wonderful selections at Familia to continue your reading journey.

    22 min

  7. OCT 9

    When Mental Illness Hits Home: On Faith and Resilience with Virgina Pillars

    Mental Illness and Virginia Pillars In this episode of 'Helping Families Be Happy,' host Adina Oberman engages with guest Virginia Pillars, the author of 'Broken Brain, Fortified Faith' to discuss the complexities and journey through mental illness within a family context. This episode dives into Pillars' personal experience with her daughter's schizophrenia diagnosis, the impact on family, and the power of hope, education, and faith in navigating mental illness. Contributions from both speakers shed light on vital resources, self-care for caregivers, and the importance of ongoing learning and community support.    Episode Highlights  00:00:09 - Host Adina Oberman introduces the podcast focus on family, love, and relationships and presents guest Virginia Pillars, an advocate for mental health, sharing her start as a mother and author dealing with her child's mental illness.    00:01:15 - Virginia speaks about addressing mental illness in families, emphasizing the necessity of faith, mental wellness, and education through her certification in First Aid for Mental Health and her awarded memoir.    00:02:28 - The initiation of the conversation where Virginia expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her story, setting a tone of mutual respect and eagerness for the dialogue.    00:02:30 - Pillars touches on the inception of her book 'Broken Brain, Fortified Faith', discussing the loneliness felt by families dealing with mental illness and her hope to provide solace and understanding through her writing.    00:04:16 - An intimate discussion on the persistency of hope and the importance of lifelong learning and indulging in one's craft to contribute positively to family and personal growth, despite the dark times.    00:06:00 - Virginia recounts the initial signs of her daughter's schizophrenia, the emergency that signified a major change in their lives, and the critical role this moment played in sparking a relentless quest for help and understanding.    00:08:32 - Dive into the Pillars' family's journey towards recovery, detailing their unwavering effort, exploration of resources, and the eventual success in facilitating an independent life for their daughter.    00:09:44 - Overview of valuable platforms like NAMI for support and education for families encountering mental illness, reinforcing the power of community and shared experiences in healing.    00:11:23 - Virginia shares the personal transformation from questioning faith to drawing strength from it, underlining the spiritual journey intertwined with coping with family mental health issues.    00:14:08 - Emphasis on the criticality of self-care for caregivers, using a compelling analogy with the airplane oxygen mask to highlight the necessity of caring for oneself to effectively care for others.    00:16:01 - Pillars explains how her faith was 'fortified' through adversity, detailing her morning routine of reflection and prayer that provided her with the resilience required for her challenging journey.    00:19:35 - The close of the episode, with Virginia sharing avenues through which listeners can connect with her and learn more about her work, encouraging outreach and dialogue on mental health issues.  Key Takeaways  Hope and education are crucial elements in navigating the journey of mental illness within a family.    Community support, like that offered by NAMI, plays an indispensable role in understanding and coping with mental health diagnoses.    Self-care for caregivers is not just necessary but paramount in ensuring the wellbeing of both the caregivers themselves and their loved ones. 4. Maintaining faith or personal beliefs can offer profound strength and perspective during times of adversity.  Tweetable Quotes  "Hang on to the hope, because hope is always there no matter the darkness." - Virginia Pillars  "Self-care put on our own oxygen masks so that we can continue to care for other people around us." - Virginia Pi

    22 min

  8. SEP 25

    The Power of Representation: Children’s Literature & Hispanic Heritage Month with Kid Time Storytime

    In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Adina Oberman welcomes a celebrated YouTube storyteller known for her Kid Time, Story Time channel, which is particularly popular among kids for its engaging book readings augmented by a cast of entertaining puppets. They dive into the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month, discussing the importance of cultural identity, pride, and bilingualism, particularly within the context of children's literature and upbringing. The storyteller shares her own Cuban-American background, emphasizing the value of maintaining one's heritage language and the profound impact of seeing oneself reflected in media and literature. The conversation also explores broader themes of authenticity, joy in education, and the role of children's literature in shaping a generation's understanding of themselves and their culture.    Episode Highlights  00:00:09: Adina introduces the podcast and welcomes the guest storyteller, highlighting her achievements with Kid Time, Story Time YouTube channel, and her contribution to children's literature and bilingual education.  00:01:13: The storyteller's background as a Cuban-American and her emphasis on the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month are discussed, with a nod to her role as a modern Mr. Rogers. 00:01:56: The storyteller comments on the 'messy' nature of life and the synergy between her work and the podcast's themes of reading, laughing, and learning together.  00:02:25: Discussion moves to how parents and educators can help kids develop a strong sense of self and cultural identity through modeling behavior and embracing their culture joyfully.  00:04:04: Emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's heritage language within the family to preserve culture and identity.  00:07:31: The power of children seeing themselves represented in literature and the influence of authentic experiences and characters are discussed.  00:08:34: The storyteller reflects on her own influential figures, including family members and Celia Cruz, in shaping her personal and professional life.  00:12:22: There's an exploration of the importance of authenticity in creating content and the impact of genuine connection with audiences.  00:15:22: Adina and the storyteller delve into the role of children's literature in helping kids understand and appreciate their cultural identity and the diversity of stories necessary for a comprehensive cultural representation.  00:20:40: The storyteller shares her closing thoughts on the importance of authenticity, joy, and education in shaping children's lives.  00:26:32: Information on where to find Kid Time, Story Time content online is given alongside a message of gratitude to listeners and supporters.    Key Takeaways  Embracing and preserving one's cultural heritage, especially through language, is essential for maintaining a strong sense of identity and pride among children. Children benefit significantly from seeing themselves represented in literature, which can foster a sense of belonging and self-esteem. Authenticity and joy are crucial in educational content creation, as they build genuine connections and make the learning experience enjoyable and meaningful for children. The diversity of stories in children's literature plays a vital role in shaping how kids understand and appreciate their own cultures and those of others, promoting empathy and inclusiveness. Family members and cultural figures can be influential in a child's development, serving as inspirations and role models in their journey of self-discovery and cultural appreciation.  Tweetable Quotes  "Life is messy, and embracing it together through reading, laughing, and learning is what makes us grow." - Adina Oberman  "Being bilingual is not just about speaking two languages; it's about living two cultures, enriching your identity and your world view." - Guest Storyteller  "Children are like sponges, they absorb every detail around them,

    30 min
See All (100)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.

Information

  • Creator
    Familius
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Helping Families Be Happy

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada