Conversation Balloons

Social demographics expert Eric Kaufmann, UK professor and Manhattan Institute Fellow, talks about his new book, Taboo, and the rising generation's values.  He and Leah trade predictions on racism, bisexuality, school choice, and religion.  So just another lightweight chat on Conversation Balloons...

Single-sex prep schools in a predominantly-Black part of town? These two principals are educating and leading in groundbreaking ways. Leah relished how candid, creative, and confident they were in this refreshing conversation. Free enrollment is opening soon for next fall--just sayin'... 

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The Social Institute teaches kids in 46 states how to use their social media power for good through its program, #WinAtSocial.  Founder Laura Tierney used her social media expertise pioneering ESPN-W and representing companies like Nike, Disney, and Coca-Cola to create a gamified, student-led curriculum that empowers students to use social media wisely, in concert with their families' core values.  And Leah holds forth on related topics because Laura is such a good listener....

Demographer Eric Kaufmann lays out the causes and implications of religious people having more babies than non-religious people. A frisky and informative conversation.

Contact for Eric Kaufmann:

On Twitter / X @epkaufm

Counselor and former p*rn addict Crystal Day is here in a very honest and practical chat about dating and finding the right spouse.

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Websites:

Crystal Renaud Day was exposed to porn as a little girl, leading to a dark path of addiction.  She reveals ways of escape from the isolation and dependence created by pornography, and how she helps other women who struggle in similar ways.  Parents--be aware there is frank (though not explicit) discussion of troubling issues in this interview.

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Websites:

Allyson Schrier's husband was descending into dementia.  Here's how she grew into caregiving, eventually founding Zinnia TV, programming for those living with dementia and other challenges.  Allyson is an award-winning leader in the field of technological and human support for those with cognitive deficits and speaks to us with expertise, yet candidly from the heart as she tells her story.  Be aware that some parts of this interview may disturb youngsters.

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C.S. Lewis expert Jerry Root explains the mysterious place that Christmas holds in the beloved children's classic The Chronicles of Narnia.  Why is Lewis called a grinch by some?  What does Santa Claus have to do with Jesus, and the White Witch with Herod?  And where might you meet Mr. Tumnus the Faun on Thursdays at 4:00?  It's all here.  Merry Christmas!

Additional resources:

By C.S. Lewis (seven fiction books): 

The Chronicles of Narnia (particularly The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

Essays (available online): 

"What Christmas Means to Me"

"Xmas and Christmas"

"Delinquents in the Snow"

"A Christmas Sermon for Pagans"

An advocate for true gender equity, Bettina Arndt is an Aussie sex therapist who became a popular media personality and sex expert.  Then her years of hearing men confiding their experience in bed, police custody, courtroom, and campus changed her viewpoint.  This one's touching, amusing, and truth-filled, but probably not for little ones to hear. 

Additional resources:

Books by Bettina Arndt

--The Sex Diaries

What Men Want

#MenToo

Linda Shrewsbury--Harvard graduate, entrepreneur, educator, and dear friend of Leah--explains why handwriting is important, and recounts her breakthrough in how to teach cursive to a special-needs adult who wanted to be able to sign his name.  Linda's discovery, Cursive Logic, has become a popular series endorsed by educators and parents alike.  

Additional resources:

--Cursivelogic.com

--Campaignforcursive.com

Parenting coach and communication expert Julie King gets specific and practical on effective talking with squirming, distracted, disgruntled young children.  Leah has questions on apologizing, getting kids out the door in the morning, moral vocabulary, and socks that can talk. 

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Physician Julia Mason describes the medical steps of gender transition for children, explaining to your astonished host why she opposes each one.  Puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex change surgery all have unintended consequences yet are steamrolling through American society without empirical basis, even while being second-guessed in most European nations.  

Additional resources: 

SEGM.org

Genspect.org

A day (and evening) in the life of a school principal
and insights into how to relate to your child's principal. Teachers
too will benefit from this freewheeling chat about "rubrics,"
"emotional snacks," and getting sued.  William D. Parker is an
award-winning school administrator and just finished 6 years as
executive director of our state Association of Secondary Principals
and Middle Level Association.  He consults and speaks around the
country now as an author and podcaster, and director of Principal
Matters, LLC.

Jeremy Tate of the Classic Learning Test expounds upon the virtues of classical education and the new college entrance exam that is shouldering out the SAT and ACT.  He parries questions about bullying, Cinderella, and why Latin grammar is good character education.

When you get a young philosopher on your show to talk about education, you just might discuss Rousseau, TV advertising, the panopticon effect, Nazis, Aristotle, and tech lash.  

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Our kids and grandkids will be shaped by urban plans. What will their cities and neighborhoods look like?  Who will decide?  Are 15-minute cities and smart cities brilliant and humane, or the latest form of corporate cronyism? Where do churches fit in? Julianne Romanello, philosopher, and consultant on city planning, discusses people who think locally and act globally.  

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Lauren Williams, a certified professional organizer, sorts it all out for Leah: how hoarding relates to OCD, depression, and dementia, how it begins, and how declutterers help hoarders and their families.  She even leaves space for hope and humor!

Additional resources:

Casualuncluttering.com

NAPO.net
Childrenofhoarders.com

It's time we discuss how boys are stigmatized, ignored, and villainized in schools and workplaces.Michael Gurian heads the Gurian Institute, writes best-selling books, and consults and counsels as an expert on the brain science and behavior of males and females. We caught up with him for this interview which is so stimulating, you'll probably want to listen twice.

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Parenting coach and author Ruchi Koval expounds on fostering character in youngsters, while Leah eggs her on.  They discuss the deep principles of ancient Jewish wisdom as applied to kids having tantrums, saying "sorry," and discovering silence.

Additional resources:

Podcast:

The Book of Life: Weekly Wisdom with Ruchi Koval

Help for women facing unwanted pregnancy is a hot political topic; some nonprofits combating abortion have been the focus of criticism and controversy.  Colin LeCroy, co-founder of Life on Belay, has mobilized his legal acumen and advocacy experience to help address the root causes of the abortion choice in smarter ways.  No matter your take on abortion, Colin's critique of nonprofits' tendency toward God complexes, territoriality, and subjectivity makes for a bracing listen.

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Best-selling author Dr. Robert Petterson describes his daughter's faith journey, from Peace Corps to Presbyterian, and Leah suggests that asking for grace from others is the key in fraught relationships.  Both have more suggestions for building bridges from one generation to another in this authentic interchange.

16-year-old Jordan Davidson got wisdom beyond his years the hard way: fighting his marijuana addiction. Now age 22, Legislative Affairs and Youth Outreach Coordinator working on Capitol Hill for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Jordan details his journey out of the smoke, where denial and isolation nearly destroyed him.

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Our guest began activism with fighting abortion--now he confronts root causes such as poverty, "marriage deserts," and housing problems.  Colin LeCroy, co-Founder of Life on Belay, pours the intellectual foundation for better outcomes for moms in crisis, and their children. 

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Sleep expert Dr. David Gozal gives us a good-natured look at sleep in the stages of infancy, childhood, and adolescence.  He enlightens us on topics like sleep apnea, co-sleeping, swaddling, and the connection between sleep disorders to nightmares and attention problems in youngsters.  Teaser: We are having him back in a few weeks to survey the features of and problems with sleep in young adults, midlife, and the elderly.

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How can grandparents stay close and connected to grandchildren who are being raised with different values?  Legacy Imperative, headed by Dr. Robert Petterson,

inspires and guides grandparents in maintaining warm relationships with chilly adult children.  In this first of 2 episodes we did with him, Dr. Petterson mentions that 5 million kids in the U.S. are not in touch with their grandparents, and what humility, good listening, and vacations together do to help build bridges.

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Tom Lutz hangs with Leah to talk about Millennials in the workplace, why people of no faith should listen to him, burnout and vision, why Pope John Paul II decided to keep his job, "marketplace chaplains," and what's wrong with the film version of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

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It's estimated that $4 trillion of church real estate will be distressed in the next 40 years.  About 70 churches close every week. But Blake Schwarz, a former Presbyterian church staffer, sees rich opportunity to benefit the church and the needy world in this environment: his doctoral work at the intersection of faith and economics is helping him reimagine church.  Leah talks with him about the loss of "third spaces," the rosary, how he inspires young professionals, systemic blindness in Dallas, and why he keeps a "rusty, gnarly pipe" on his shelf.

A megachurch pastor shares practical wisdom about visiting the elderly and ill, deriving joy and benefit from times that many people find uncomfortable.  Skills for such times with the aging, infirm, or dying can be learned, and the time is now!

Additional resources:

Dymer, C. S. Lewis

Dr. Peirong Lin is Deputy Secretary General for the World Evangelical Alliance.  Fortunately for our show, she's also a humble and wise conversationalist.  Peirong talks about her upbringing in Buddhism, her view of global Christian age groups, and the life stages of organizations like World Vision.

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Tami Peterson evolved from high school guidance counselor to a life architect.  From her deep experience in charting college plans and beyond, Tami gives us compassionate portrayals of Gen Z and Millennials and their dreams.  Leah talks about folk dance, being a slob, and intercepting report cards.  Believe it or not, this was the same conversation.  Whether you or someone you love is contemplating a big career change, starting a family, or applying to community college, Tami has practical wisdom for you.

An award-winning chef and kitchen designer gets personal with Leah about food, family, and table manners.  In this episode, Callie Fowler Farish of Fowler Culinary Concepts gives us a place at her table with her toddler and a "special-special."  Family memories, child nutrition training, and biblical ethics have shaped this young mother / renowned professional, and we get a taste of it all.  She's promised to come back next time with a macro view of child nutrition and the school lunch industry.