Heartfelt tips & insights from experts to make everyday parenting challenges easier.

Welcome to TOOTRiS Talks, our new series that uplifts and empowers parents. Each session brings together expert insights, practical tips, and compassionate guidance to help you navigate the everyday challenges of raising a family. 

Sign up to be the first to know about new TOOTRiS Talks and get on-demand access to past sessions.

Schedule

Holiday Chaos? 5 Secrets to Being Calm, Connected & Kid-Happy

December 9th  |  10 AM EST

The holiday season often means extra schedules, extended family, gift overload, disrupted routines. We’ll walk parents through practical strategies to protect parent-child connection, maintain helpful routines, and reduce overwhelm.

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SPECIAL GUEST - Renna B. Patel:  Reena is the Founder and CEO of AutiZm & More, helping children and their families embed positive behavior support strategies across home, school and community settings. Reena is also a TV correspondent for national news and media, offering guidance on current affairs. 

December 2025

Screen Time & Snow Days: Balancing Tech, Play and Family Time

December 16th  |  10 AM EST

With extra time off school and holiday breaks, how do you set boundaries around screens, keep kids engaged with low-tech fun, and support family rhythms without burnout? 

SPECIAL GUEST - Stephanie Kakrin:  A mother of two, a published parenting author, and a mindset coach with a Masters in Psychology, Stephanie and her husband cofounded ScreenCoach, a combined hardware/software solution that helps parents manage their child's screen time, and regain balance.   

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January 2026

New Year, New Rhythms: Building Routines that Work for Your Family

January 6th  |  10 AM EST

As we usher in the new year, it’s the perfect time to revisit or build routines — for sleep, school prep, screen time, family meals — that support both parent and child wellbeing.

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SPECIAL GUEST - Julie Cole:  Julie is a recovered lawyer, mom of six and co-founder of Mabel's Labels. Julie is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling and award-winning author and media personality. Having appeared on NBC's The Today Show, CNN, HLN's Raising America, Breakfast Television, The Marilyn Denis Show, CP24, and CityLine, among many others. Her articles have appeared in The Huffington Post, Today's Parent, The Globe and Mail, Profit Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, and numerous websites.

Building a Growth Mindset: Encouraging Effort, Curiosity & Resilience

January 27th  |  10 AM EST

The new year is the perfect time to help kids reframe how they see challenges and mistakes. This session explores simple, everyday ways to nurture perseverance, curiosity, and a love of learning — especially during the cozy indoor months when family time can spark new habits.

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SPECIAL GUEST - Maika Steinborn:  Maika is a clinical and educational psychologist with 15 years of experience helping children and families build resilience, confidence, and a growth mindset. She blends science-backed psychology with practical tools to empower young minds to understand themselves, strengthen emotional skills, and unlock their inner potential. A sought-after speaker, teacher, and coach, Maika is passionate about helping kids develop the mindset, confidence, and emotional intelligence needed to be successful in life. 

February 2026

Raising Emotionally Smart Kids: Love, Friendship & Feelings

February 3rd  |  10 AM EST

We discovered Lael Stone through her powerful TEDx talk on raising emotionally intelligent kids, and her message on connection deeply resonated with us. In this episode, we explore how love is not just warmth and comfort, but also the foundation for limits, self control, and resilience. It's a conversation about discipline with heart and raising grounded, emotionally aware children. 

SPECIAL GUEST - Lael Stone: Lael Stone is a parenting educator, counselor, and sought-after speaker with over 16 years of experience helping families raise emotionally smart, resilient, and connected children. An Aware Parenting Instructor, she leads workshops and support groups that empower parents to build strong emotional intelligence, communication, and secure attachment. Lael co-hosts The Aware Parenting Podcast, contributes to leading publications, and is the co-creator and Director of Woodline Primary School, an innovative, connection-based school in Victoria, Australia. 

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Helping Parents Find Their Swagger: Confidence, Leadership & Letting Go of Guilt 

February 17th  |  10 AM EST

Modern parenting can feel overwhelming. With endless opinions, constant comparison, and pressure to get it right, many moms and dads are second guessing themselves more than ever. In this episode, Dr. Vanessa Lapointe explores what it really means to parent with confidence.  She shares how to hold firm boundaries, and what strong, calm leadership looks like at home. It is a powerful conversation about reclaiming your footing, responding to big emotions without losing your own, and finding your swagger as the leader your children need.

SPECIAL GUEST - Dr. Vanessa Lapointe: Dr. Lapointe is a registered psychologist, parenting expert, author, and mother with more than two decades of experience supporting families. Known for her compassionate, practical approach, she helps parents understand children’s behavior through a developmental lens while strengthening connection and leadership at home.

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March 2025

The Creative Power of Music: Sparking Creativity in Kids 

March 3rd  |  10 AM EST

March is Music In Our Schools Month, a time to celebrate the powerful role music plays in childhood. In this episode, we explore how music helps children unlock creativity, build confidence, and express themselves in ways that shape how they see the world. From classrooms to living rooms, music invites kids to imagine, create, and find their voice. We are joined by legendary children's musician Red Grammer, whose songs have inspired generations of families and educators. Together we discuss why music education matters, how creativity grows through musical expression, and why giving children access to music early in life can have a lasting impact.
 
SPECIAL GUEST – Red Grammer: Red Grammer is one of the most beloved voices in children’s music, known for songs that celebrate kindness, creativity, and joyful learning. His award winning music has been used in homes, schools, and classrooms around the world to help children connect with themselves and others. Red is also the father of pop artist Andy Grammer, whose global music career reflects a lifelong connection to creativity and music that began at home.

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Music Matters: Helping Your Kids Discover Confidence, Creativity & Joy Through Music 

March 17th  |  10 AM EST

Music has the power to unlock confidence, creativity, and self-expression in kids—but where do you start? In recognition of Music in Our Schools Month, this episode explores how parents can introduce music early, support their child’s interests, and create opportunities for them to grow both on and off the stage. From choosing the right first instrument to building confidence through performance, we break down simple ways to make music part of your child’s everyday life.

SPECIAL GUEST – Jason Mraz: Jason Mraz is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter known for hits like “I’m Yours” and his lifelong passion for music education. In this episode, Jason shares how his own musical journey began, why getting instruments into the hands of young students is so important, and how performing can help kids build confidence and find their voice. He also offers insight into which instruments are easiest for children to start with—giving parents a practical starting point to spark a lifelong love of music.

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April 2026

Growing Pains: Managing Big Emotions, Big Growth & Big Transitions

April 7th   |  10 AM EST

Helping your child find their voice starts with finding your own. This episode explores how parents can model confidence, encourage self-expression, and create an environment where kids feel seen, heard, and empowered to speak up. From navigating self-doubt to building authenticity, we break down practical ways to guide your child as they grow into who they are meant to be.

SPECIAL GUEST – Alan Roach:
Alan Roach is one of the most recognizable voices in sports, known for announcing more than a dozen Super Bowls, as well as serving as the voice of the Minnesota Vikings, Colorado Avalanche, and Denver International Airport train. Beyond the microphone, he’s a father of two who brings real perspective to the parenting journey. In this episode, Alan shares how mentors shaped his path, why having someone who believes in you matters, and how parents can help their children build confidence, embrace who they are, and find their voice.

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Play = Learning: The Power of Creative Time

April 21st  |  10 AM EST

Why play matters: sensory, messy, free play builds imagination, executive function and bonding. We’ll give practical tools for busy parents and how to create play-rich moments at home.

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May 2026

Summer Prep: Transitioning from School to Child Care, Camps & Chill-Out Mode

May 5th  |  10 AM EST

Summer brings change in routine. How can parents help children adjust, maintain safe but flexible structure, and make the most of downtime and growth?

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Parent Self-Care: Why ‘You’ Matter When You’re Parenting Little Ones

May 19th  |  10 AM EST

Parenting kids under 12 is a marathon. We’ll talk about parent wellness, managing overwhelm, building support networks, and modeling self-care for kids.

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June 2026

Empowering Girls & Boys: Confidence, Identity and Early Childhood

June 2nd  |  10 AM EST

Around ages 5–12 kids begin to explore identity, friendship groups, how they see themselves. We’ll cover ways to foster confidence, healthy self‐image, and inclusive mindsets early.

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Active Kids, Happy Kids: Movement, Outdoor Play & Screen Breaks

June 16th  |  10 AM EST

With more hours outdoors, less structure, and more freedom, this episode gives parents tools to keep kids moving, curious, creative and unplugged.

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July 2026

Travel, Staycations & Big Adventures: Parenting Hack for the Road (and Home)

July 7th  |  10 AM EST

Summer travel, family outings, staycations – this episode shares how to plan (and parent) for fun + learning + connection without meltdown.

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Mealtime Mayhem to Family Feast: 7 Ways to Turn the Table Around

July 21st  |  10 AM EST

Getting kids (12 and under) to eat well, try new foods, settle at the table — often a daily battle. We’ll explore appetite, behavior, family culture, and creative tips.

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August 2026

Back-to-School Confidence: Helping Kids (and You) Succeed in the New Year

August 4th  |  10 AM EST

From new teachers to new classrooms, new routines — we’ll guide parents through building confidence and smooth transitions for elementary-age kids.

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Homework, Hustle & Healthy Habits: Making After-School Time Work

August 18th  |  10 AM EST

Afternoon routines, homework vs play, screen time vs real time — we’ll provide frameworks to help parents create realistic, healthy after-school rhythms.

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September 2026

Friendships & Feelings: Social Skills, Peer Pressure & Emotional IQ for Kids

September 1st  |  10 AM EST

As kids mature socially, parents need tools to support friendship building, conflict resolution, empathy, and awareness of peer influences.

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Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds: Food, Sleep & Activity for Growing Kids

September 15th  |  10 AM EST

Nutrition, sleep hygiene, active habits — all essential during elementary years. We’ll give parents actionable steps to set a healthy lifestyle foundation.

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October 2026

Parenting Through Change: When Big Life Events Happen (Relocation, Divorce, New Sibling)”

October 6th  |  10 AM EST

From bullying to peer pressure, media influences to body safety — this episode helps parents approach hard conversations with confidence and connection.

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Halloween, Holidays & Healthy Boundaries: Celebrations Without Chaos

October 20th  |  10 AM EST

With Halloween and the upcoming holiday season, we’ll help parents plan celebrations that build memory and connection, while managing sugar, overstimulation and transitions.

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Gratitude, Giving & Togetherness: Family Practices That Last a Lifetime

November 3rd  |  10 AM EST

As the holidays approach, this episode focuses on building family traditions, instilling gratitude in kids under 12, service and connection.

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Preparing for Winter: Health, Hibernation & Keeping Kids Active Indoors

November 17th  |  10 AM EST

The winter months bring less daylight and more indoor time. We’ll talk about keeping kids physically and mentally engaged, managing winter blues, and supporting healthy habits.

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November 2026

December 2026

Less Stuff, More Magic: Creating Meaningful Holiday Memories Without the Overload

December 1st  |  10 AM EST

This uplifting session explores how to simplify the season—focusing on connection, gratitude, and experiences that spark lifelong joy. Parents will walk away with creative, low-stress ideas for making the holidays truly magical for kids.

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Fresh Starts: Helping Kids Set Goals and Dream Big for the Year Ahead

December 15th  |  10 AM EST

Turn New Year resolutions into fun, family-friendly traditions! This workshop helps parents guide kids to reflect on their growth, dream boldly, and set empowering intentions—without pressure or comparison.

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