Category Archives: Guests

Understanding Gender with Dr. Alex Iantaffi



A generation ago, few people thought much about understanding gender. Then, gender seemed simple and straightforward: boy or girl, male or female. Things are different today. Merriam-Webster declared they the 2019 word of the year, and there’s increasing recognition of the fact that gender is not strictly binary. What does this have to do with boys? … Continue reading Understanding Gender with Dr. Alex Iantaffi


Decoding Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson



Wouldn’t it be great if boys came with a magic decoder ring to help you decode their mysteries and moods?  Dr. Cara Natterson’s book, Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons, is the next best thing. If you have boys, you’ll want to add this one to your bookshelf (or check … Continue reading Decoding Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson


Managing Emotions



Managing emotions — our boys, & our own — is challenging in the best of times. This, most definitely is not the best of times. We’re cooped up in our houses with kids who miss their friends and activities. With boys who no longer have soccer or baseball practice to help them burn off some … Continue reading Managing Emotions


Just Don’t be an Asshole (with Kara Kinney Cartwright)



Kara Kinney Cartwright has a message for teenage boys & young men: just don’t be an asshole. The mom of two grown sons, Kara began writing Just Don’t Be an Asshole: A Surprisingly Necessary Guide to Being a Good Guy as her sons were preparing to head out into the world. The project was inspired, … Continue reading Just Don’t be an Asshole (with Kara Kinney Cartwright)


Twice Exceptional Boys (w Ramsey Hootman)



Do you know what the term “2e” means? 2e is short for “twice exceptional,” a term used to refer to people who are both highly gifted and learning disabled. As you might imagine, meeting the social, emotional and educational needs of a 2e child is quite a challenge. Ramsey Hootman is an author and mom … Continue reading Twice Exceptional Boys (w Ramsey Hootman)


Helping Boys Grow Into Healthy Men (w Ted Bunch)



How can we help our boys grow into healthy men? Ted Bunch, chief development officer of A Call to Men, says he thinks that the key is to support our boys as they become their authentic selves. “I think the biggest challenge for us is really allowing our boys to show us, say to us … Continue reading Helping Boys Grow Into Healthy Men (w Ted Bunch)


Boys and Sex with Peggy Orenstein



Talking about boys and sex can be uncomfortable. But if want our boys (and girls and non-binary children) to have healthy, safe, fulfilling sexual relationships, it’s essential. And there’s the hitch, right? A lot of us don’t even want to think about our children having sexual relationships — and when we do talk to our kids … Continue reading Boys and Sex with Peggy Orenstein


ADHD with Ryan Wexelblatt the ADHD Dude



Approximately 3-10% of children have ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Many of them — the majority, in fact — are boys. Today’s guest, Ryan Wexelblatt (aka ADHD Dude) describes ADHD as “an executive function developmental delay.” What that means: In all humans, the brain’s prefrontal cortex (or “frontal lobe”) acts as the operating system for the brain. … Continue reading ADHD with Ryan Wexelblatt the ADHD Dude


Teaching Honesty in a World That Lies (w Judi Ketteler)



Is honesty the best policy?  Not necessarily, says Judi Ketteler, author of Would I Lie to You? The Amazing Power of Being Honest in a World That Lies. If Judi’s name (and voice) sound familiar to you, it’s because she’s been on the podcast before: in Oct. 2018, she talked to us about parenting risk-taking … Continue reading Teaching Honesty in a World That Lies (w Judi Ketteler)


Supporting Black Boys’ Mental Health (w Chandra White-Cummings)



Suicide rates among black boys ages 13-19 rose 60% from 2001 to 2017. And for children ages 5-12, black males are committing suicide at higher rates than any other racial or ethnic group. Significant numbers of black boys are ending their lives before puberty. This is not OK. “There is a lot of discussion going on … Continue reading Supporting Black Boys’ Mental Health (w Chandra White-Cummings)