Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 250 of The New Family Podcast, where we talk about what it’s like to be a dad today. For this 250th episode of the podcast we’re taking a look at the state of modern fatherhood. First we’re talking to stand-up comedian, writer and political activist Charlie Demers. He’s one of dozens of notable Canadians who, through interviews, have contributed to a great new book of essays called 40 Fathers: Men Talk About Parenting. The book was written by family counsellor and writer Tessa Lloyd, who joins us in the second part of this episode to talk ..read more

Few of us look forward to planning a funeral, either for a family member or ourselves. But with families taking so many shapes today — including those created through separation, divorce, remarriage, cohabitation and step-parenting — it’s only gotten more complicated. Here’s why open dialogue and mindful preparation can save a lot of heartache at an already difficult time. I try not to think that much about the days that followed my father’s passing. A devastating diagnosis just six months earlier had turned our lives upside down, upending the plans that my dad and stepmom had for a special va ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 249 of The New Family Podcast, where we talk to an educator about how we can make math less traumatic for both us and our kids. Today we welcome Vanessa Vakharia back to the show. Vanessa is the founder of a unique tutoring facility called The Math Guru here in Toronto. She’s a teacher with a Bachelor of Commerce, a Masters in Mathematics Education and the author of a great math workbook for kids called Math Hacks: Cool Tips + Less Stress = Better Marks. She’s been on before to discuss topics like encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 248 of The New Family Podcast, where we talk to a psychologist about looking inwards in order to be better parents. For this episode we speak to child psychologist Dr. Vanessa LaPointe. Vanessa is the author of two books, including her latest Parenting Right From the Start: Laying a Healthy Foundation in the Baby and Toddler Years. But this episode is not about the baby and toddler years. It’s about the investigation into ourselves that Dr. LaPointe argues is so necessary in order to parent the way we want to. She explains how we can work ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 247 of The New Family Podcast, where we speak with a mother and mental health advocate about the underlying connections between poor mental health and incarceration. With this episode we’re continuing our exploration into the lives of families affected by incarceration. I’m joined by Andrea Page, the founder of FitMom, one of the first providers of pre- and post-natal fitness classes in the Greater Toronto Area, and an outspoken advocate on issues like postpartum depression and mental health in general. Andrea’s eldest child has struggl ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 246 of The New Family Podcast, where we speak with a family affected by having one parent in prison. This week begins our foray into the lives of families affected by incarceration. It’s not an easy subject, but it’s one that affects many Canadian families and an even more in the United States, where one in 28 children has a parent who is incarcerated. My first guest on this topic is Rachel Mascarenas Ford. Rachel lives in North Carolina with her son, daughter and husband, Mark, who returned in April 2018 from five years in a minimum-se ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 245 of The New Family Podcast, where we talk to a sociologist about what it takes to ease the struggles solo moms face today. We’re joined this week by Dr. Marika Lindholm, a sociologist and advocate for the diverse group of women raising kids solo. She’s the editor of a new anthology about solo moms. It’s called We Got This: Solo Mom Stories of Grit, Heart and Humor. She and I are going to talk a little bit about her own journey to single motherhood, how it led her to found a social platform called Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere (ESME) a ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 244 of The New Family Podcast, where we talk to a non-binary and genderfluid activist. This week we welcome Jeffrey Marsh to the show. Jeffrey is one of the world’s foremost commentators on non-binary identity and activism. They rose to prominence with inspirational viral videos, first shared on Vine and now on Twitter and Instagram. Jeffrey is both the first non-binary activist and spokesperson to appear on national television in the U.S., and the author of a book called How to Be You. CBS once called them “the internet’s most beloved ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 243 of The New Family Podcast, where we talk to a woman who grew up with two moms. We’re back to exploring family in its many forms with this episode, where we’re joined by Emily McGranachan, who talk to us about growing up with two moms! Emily’s professional life has also been shaped by her upbringing. She’s director of family engagement for the Family Equality Council, the national organization in the U.S. dedicated to the equality of LGBTQ people and their families, as well as those who wish to form families. And she’s the host of the C ..read more

Thanks so much for coming by to check out Episode 242 of The New Family Podcast, where we explore the importance of building community as parents. We’re continuing our exploration of what it’ll take to make parenting more sustainable, this week with a focus on how critical it is to cultivate community and share our stories. I’m delighted to welcome Kerrie Lee Brown back to the show. Kerrie first came on the podcast way back on episode 108, when she shared the story of how it took having a heart attack to get her to slow down. That was also the subject of her book, My Heart, My Self: A hea ..read more