52 Essential Conversations to Inspire Children
by Jenny Woo
Research-backed tips and hacks straight from parents, educators and neuroscientists on raising motivated, confident, and compassionate children. Hosted by Jenny Woo, Harvard educator, mom of three, and creator of the social and emotional skills game used in families, schools, and clinics in 20+ countries. Designed for busy parents: short episodes, knowledgeable guests, and packed insights.
Episodes
-
Mastery: How to Support Social Emotional Learning
In this episode, I chat with Sarah Engle and Bene Webster, co-founders of UsPlus on the topic of mastery in the context of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). We provides insights on the following: Perfectionism vs. Mastery How to support and assess social emotional learning (SEL) SEL trends in the...
-
030: Whiteness and Niceness: How to Talk to Young People about Inequity
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with educators and professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our seventh topic of the series: Whiteness and Niceness. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Angelina Castagno, Professor of...
-
029: Model Minority: Uncovering Assumptions on Asian Americans
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Judy Wu, PhD Stanford, Professor and Chair of Asian American Studies in the School of Humanities, at the University of California, Irvine. She shares her personal experience on as an Asian immigrant and anecdotes on raising her children in California and Ohio. The...
-
028: Language: Myths in Bilingualism and Language Impairment
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our fifth topic of the 6-part series: Language. In this episode, I chat with Dr....
-
027: Special Education: How to Advocate for an Inclusive School
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our fourth topic of the 6-part series: Special Education. In this episode, I chat...
-
026: Race: How to Talk to Young People about Race
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our third topic of the 6-part series: Race. In this episode, I chat with Ivonne...
-
024: Implicit Bias: How to Talk to Young People about Gender
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our second topic of the 6-part series: Gender. Courtney shares her wealth of...
-
024: Privilege: How to Talk to Young People about Privilege
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. We kick it off today with Privilege: what it is and what it is not, and how we can...
-
023: Update on 52 Essential Conversations and How to Use
In this episode, I take the interviewee position and share with you an interview I had with KUCI 88.9FM. First, I'm happy to announce that the social and emotional learning game I've developed, 52 Essential Conversations is now used in all 50 states and 31 countries. Then, I share with you my...
-
022: Overcoming Obstacles: How to Honor Ourselves and Owning the Journey
"What do I do when my child does not fit into any box?" "How do I teach my child perseverance?" "How do I help my child process obstacles and mistakes?" Tune in to my intimate conversation with Taheera Massey, an Elementary teacher, mom of three, and Yogi. Taheera shares her personal story of how...
-
021: Collaboration: How to Raise a Leader and a Follower
"How do I groom my child to be a leader?" "Why can't my child play well with others?" "How can my students work together for the great good?" In this episode, Amanda Dunne Acevedo, an arts educator and teacher trainer, breaks down what collaboration means in classrooms and homes. We discuss why…
more -
020: Patience: How to Build Self Control in Children
I chat with Joe about his role as a High School teacher and Swim Coach on how he cultivates patience in students and athletes. He shares tips on how to navigate among conflicting emotions related to patience, reward, disappointment, effort, failure, and motivation. He shares an insightful…
more -
019: Citizenship: How To Raise World Citizens
"How do I raise a child with a worldly view?" "How do I protect my child from the harsh realities of the world?" Carolyn and I discuss the deeper meaning behind the word "citizenship." She shares her experience of finding a sense of belongingness as a world traveler and holder of multiple...
-
018: Generosity: How to Build a Shared Mission
How do I help my child to notice opportunities to be generous? How do I embed the spirit of generosity into our everyday lives? This week, I sit down with Michael to discuss the topic of Generosity. Michael shares his experience as a teacher on how to build a classroom culture that promotes...
-
017: Implicit Bias: How to Talk about Race with Your Children
"How do I talk to my children about race?" "How do I help my child become aware of gender stereotypes?" In this episode, I chat with Ivonne Ortega about how and when to talk about race and gender biases with your children. We discuss the concept of implicit bias and what it means in families,...
-
016: Compassion: How to Connect Self-Care with Caring for Others
In this episode, I chat with Andy Reimer about the concept of Compassion. We discuss the concept of "suffering with" and how it relates to empathy, generosity, and altruism. How do we become open and even seek out the discomfort of "suffering with" ourselves and others? Andy shares his thoughts...
-
015: Risk Taking: How to Get Outside of the Comfort Zone
"How do I encourage my child to try something new?" "How do I get outside of my own comfort zone as a parent?" Hear my conversation with Amelia, Harvard-trained childhood educator and former UK nanny, on how parents can empower children to build life skills through responsible risk-taking. We...
-
014: Agency: How Children Discover Purpose and Action
"How do I help my child build the inner compass for purpose and action?" "How do I get my child to be more independent and self-sufficient?" This week, I chat with Marion Geiger, the Head of School of Capucine Montessori, a French-English Bilingual Wildflower school. We discuss how to foster…
more -
013: Kindness: How to Encourage Grace and Courtesy in Children
"How do I get my preschooler to stop hitting/biting/pinching others?" "How do I teach my child to recognize others' feelings?" In this episode, I interview Amanda Hsu, a Montessori Head of School on the topic of "kindness." She shares an effective anecdote on how she learned about kindness as a...
-
012: Curiosity: How To Cultivate the Spark for Deep Inquiry
"How can I get my kid to stop going through the motions?" "How do I help my child to be more inquisitive?" This episode features my conversation with Nora Rodriguez, arts and museum educator who shares two simple yet profound questions she uses to ignite curiosity in young people. She provides…
more -
011: Standing Up: How to Find Your Voice
"How can I encourage my child to see the complexities of 'truth'?" "How do I help my child reconcile contradictory 'truths'?" "How do I inspire my child to stand up for his/her identity?" In this week's episode, Tony DelaRosa, educator and founder of Boston Pulse Poetry, shares his personal…
more -
010: Creativity: How Children Thrive in the 21st Century
"How do I get my child to be more creative?" "How will creative thinking help my child thrive in the 21st-century?" Featuring Chelsea Myers as she reflects on her experience working as a 5-12th grade teacher in project-based learning schools and as a neuroscience researcher. We discuss: "The…
more -
009: Trust: How to Build Mutual Respect and Confidence
Why is it important for my child to trust his/her teacher? And vice versa? Hear my interview with Audra Irvine, a passionate high school biology teacher discuss how effective teachers build trust with her students in the classroom starting from day one. She shares tips from her classroom that…
more -
008: Mindfulness: How to Calm Anxieties and Regulate Emotions
Featuring Tori Todd, teacher and instructional coach and Marissa, neuroscience researcher on ways to foster mindfulness for yourself and your children. As co-founders of Calm Body Active Minds providing mindful yoga to support teachers of Elementary students, Tori and Marissa provide practical…
more -
007: Media Literacy: How to Strike a Balance on Digital Usage
Featuring Susan Johnson McCabe, educator, entrepreneur, and former Director of Digital Strategy for Harvard University. Susan discusses the challenges and opportunities that children face in digital literacy and ways to build competencies in becoming responsible media consumers. She shares her...
-
006: Stress Management: How to Support Your Child's Emotional Needs
"How do I build resilience in my children?" "What kinds of stress are good and which ones are bad?" "How do I recognize when my child needs help?" "Why are my children so different?" Is your child an orchid or a dandelion? Hear my interview with Kara Mohler, Jeopardy winner, High School teacher,...
-
005: Self-Motivation: How Your Child Develops the Drive to Take Charge
"How do I get my child to voluntarily get things done?" "How do I get my child to be passionate in something?" "When can I stop dangling the carrot of reward?" Hear from Kate James, a mother of 3, a graduate of Harvard and MIT, and director of NuVu Makerspace studio on everyday things you could…
more -
004: Friendship: How to Encourage Healthy Relationships
"How can I get my shy child out of his shell?" "How do I get my child to stand up for herself?" In this episode, I chat with Kira Repici, Montessori and Yoga teacher, about ways to support your child's own process of unfolding into healthy friendships. In addition, hear how conflict resolution...
-
003: Perspective-Taking: How to Build Empathy and Executive Function Skills
Featuring Lindsay Clements reflecting on her experience as a teacher and discussing her latest projects as a researcher. Get easy parenting tips on how to encourage perspective-taking in your child to reduce sibling rivalry and build empathy. Hear about research out of Stanford University with...
-
002: Responsibility: How to Motivate Your Child to Take Ownership
Learn how to co-create responsibility to inspire agency. Host Jenny Woo chats with Jordan Harrison, who reflects on his experience working with over 2500 8th - 11th graders as the former Director of College Town at Reality Changers. In this conversation, we discuss how the role of adults' mindset...
-
001: Feedback: Why Your Child is Ignoring You and How to be Heard
How do we deliver feedback effectively to our children, and BE HEARD? Hear Jaime Kearney, a seasoned mom and teacher, discuss the biggest obstacles to getting heard when parents give feedback. Identify the reasons why your child is ignoring your feedback. Hear the important first step that most...
-
000: Why 52 Essential Conversations: What Our Children Need in Life
What are the pearls of wisdom that you want to leave with your children, and be in peace, knowing that they will be set for life? Jenny Woo, mom of 3 and founder of Mind Brain Parenting shares her response to the question. Hear how and why she created 52 Essential Conversations, and how it will...
About this show
Research-backed tips and hacks straight from parents, educators and neuroscientists on raising motivated, confident, and compassionate children. Hosted by Jenny Woo, Harvard educator, mom of three, and creator of the social and emotional skills game used in families, schools, and clinics in 20+ countries. Designed for busy parents: short episodes, knowledgeable guests, and packed insights.
Hosted by
Jenny Woo