Coffee and Crayons: A Podcast Navigating The Highs and Lows of Back to School Time

In Episode 03, Mallory and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville discuss compassion, confidence, and, of course, Mr. Rogers. Morgan’s 2018 documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? looks back at groundbreaking the television show and how its creator’s ideas about childhood shaped generations of kids. Morgan describes how Mr. Rogers’ messages about love, feelings, community, and self-worth directly influence how he raises his two children–from helping them navigate changing social landscapes at school to the ways his family transitions from summertime to a new school year.

In Episode 01, host Mallory Kasdan talks with Amy Webb, creator of the popular blog This Little Miggy Stayed Home, about inclusivity and kindness. Amy is mother to three girls, including a daughter with special needs. Her experience helping her daughter embrace the things that make her unique inspired the formula she devised to help other parents cultivate empathy and inclusivity in their kids. This formula is the centerpiece of one of Amy’s most popular posts about back to school and has been shared by numerous parenting bloggers.

In Episode 02, Mallory talks with Joy Cho, founder and creative director of Oh Joy! –an editorial and lifestyle brand –about encouraging kids to express their creativity and individuality. Joy, who is a mom to two girls, shares craft ideas for the transition from summer to the structure of school. She also offers strategies and tips parents can use to help kids discover their own unique personal styles.

Coffee and Crayons is all about navigating the highs and lows of back-to-school time. When families get bogged down in logistics and school supply lists, parents sometimes forget the huge social and emotional piece of this time of year.  And that’s what this podcast is: a series of conversations to help families thrive during tricky transitions. Host Mallory Kasdan talks with fellow parents about inclusion, creativity, and compassion. And they offer advice and tips to set kids up for success throughout the school year. Guests include: Amy Webb of This Little Miggy Stayed Home; designer Joy Cho, creative director and founder of OhJoy.com; and filmmaker Morgan Neville, director of the Mr.Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor.