Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis (Carol Sutton Lewis)

Carol talks with Naima Keith, Vice President of Education and Public Programs at the Los Angeles Museum of Art (LACMA), about how to introduce children to the wonderful world of art and art museums. Naima shares practical tips for parents on how to encourage their kids to appreciate art from an early age and how to get the most out of a museum experience, even if all the little ones want to do is run around and touch the artwork!  In this lively conversation Naima and Carol also dive into the realities of balancing work demands with parenting, and how to combat the pressure to “do it all.” Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The back-to-school season has begun: are your kids ready for a new school year? When our children hit academic bumps in the road (and they will), it’s hard for parents to figure out the best ways to help redirect them toward success.  This week Carol sits down with Windy Lopez-Aflitto, the VP of Content and Partnerships at Learning Heroes, a national organization which helps parents support their children’s learning at home. Carol and Windy get to the bottom of why there’s such a large gap between what parents think about their child’s grade level progress and how their kids are actually doing in school. They offer parents the tips they need to better understand their child’s learning experience and help improve it. Carol and Windy examine the complex relationship teachers and parents can have and share specific ways parents can work with teachers to make sure their children are engaged in their schoolwork and getting as much as possible out of it.  This episode is a must for parents and caregivers of school-age children looking for expert advice on helping their kids thrive in school. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Carol sits down with Petrushka Bazin Larsen to discuss the benefits of having a strong and supportive community, especially as a new parent. Petrushka is the co-founder of a Harlem-based family ice cream shop, an arts educator, life coach, parenting advisor and the mom of three young children. In 2018 she founded a mom’s group aimed at helping new moms navigate the first few months with their babies. Carol and Petrushka offer lessons from their parent group experiences, and Petrushka shares helpful parenting tools, some of which she learned from being raised by a single mother and her mom’s community of friends. This lively and advice-filled conversation is the perfect reminder that as parents, we are stronger together. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

College admissions experts Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown join Carol to discuss what Black families need to know about helping their teens succeed during the college application process. Timothy, a senior admissions officer at Emory University, and Shereem, a former high school college counselor who now runs a college counseling consulting firm, are authors of The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions, A Conversation About Education, Parenting and Race. Carol, Shereem, and Tim tell parents how early they should start focusing their kid’s attention toward college, why they must stay involved throughout the process, and what admissions officers are really looking for.    Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com 

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As 2022 comes to a close, Carol recaps this year’s Ground Control Parenting podcast journey. She looks back on standout topics covered this past season and highlights some of this year’s most interesting and resource-filled conversations. Happy New Year from Ground Control Parenting!
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Carol turns to Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America for guidance about how to have healthy, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable talks with our children about sexual health. Carol and Alexis discuss Planned Parenthood’s role in a post Roe v. Wade world, and Alexis offers valuable advice on how to discuss the future of reproductive rights with our children. A mom to two daughters, Alexis believes parents need to be a trusted and open resource for their children. She talks with Carol about how to empower youth to have agency over their bodies, develop positive body images, and understand consent. Alexis has been advocating for political and healthcare justice long before she stepped up to lead Planned Parenthood, and she shares timely and important advice with Carol in their lively and insightful conversation.     Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol sits down with the mother-daughter duo Edith Cooper and Jordan Taylor to explore how they manage their relationship while creating a business together. Medley is a membership-based coaching service that harnesses the power of small groups to help people grow personally and professionally. And as you listen in, you’ll understand how personally aligned Edith and Jordan are with their company’s mission. Edith built her 30+ year career as one of the nation’s leading business executives creating environments where people can perform to their full potential. Jordan appreciates the power of supportive spaces and finished business school with the goal of sharing this power with as many people as possible. Edith and Jordan talk about how impactful teamwork can be not only in helping people succeed, but in helping them feel seen and supported by others as they work towards their goals.  Edith’s values are rooted in her understanding of the power of education that uplifted three generations of her family. She shares her insights on how parents can foster healthy habits in their children from a young age, and the best ways for parents to manage work and family life without becoming overwhelmed. Carol’s intergenerational conversation with Edith and Jordan offers a unique and refreshing parent/child perspective and invites listeners to consider which parenting styles will help them create healthy and lasting family relationships.  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years Michelle Miller has been keeping you in the know as a national correspondent for CBS News and as a co-host of CBS Saturday Morning, and now you’ll get to hear from her about her own fascinating life story. Michelle returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about what she learned from the village that helped raise her after she was abandoned by her mother at birth, and how she came to write her memoir “Belonging: A Daughter's Search for Identity Through Loss and Love”. Michelle shares how she coped with growing up as “her mother’s secret”, and how her feelings about her mother shifted in unexpected ways over the years. She talks to Carol about how she valued the parenting lessons of her childhood enough to create a village of her own to help care for her children.  Michelle candidly reflects on her decades-long search for belonging in this compelling episode that you won’t want to miss.    Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol sits down with power CEO and mom Roz Brewer to talk about how to do your best work at the office and at home. As the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Roz truly understands the challenges of excelling at work while maintaining an active role in her family’s life. Roz and Carol talk about the expectations levied on mothers in the workforce to do it all, and Roz offers valuable advice on how to apply the lessons she’s learned from the corporate world to parenting and vice versa. You won’t want to miss when Roz explains why she keeps “facts up, emotions down” in a crisis and why parents should too! Listen today and stay in touch at @GroundControlParenting and www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ground Control Parenting is joining iHeart and the Seneca Women Podcast Network! Join host Carol Sutton Lewis for this special preview episode featuring some of her guests from the upcoming season, including former mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms, actress Lorraine Toussaint & Walgreens/Boots Alliance CEO Roz Brewer, all sharing stories, tips and advice on raising smart & confident Black boys and girls. Check out this special episode for a preview of what’s to come!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s a world famous prima ballerina and the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater. Misty Copeland has a long history of overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and inspiring her many fans. Now, in her first full-length public conversation about parenting since the birth of her son Jackson, Misty joins Carol to talk about her life as a new mom: how it’s been, how it’s going, and what she hopes lies ahead for herself and her family. They discuss how mentors can play a vital parenting role and Misty shares the influential and supportive impact mentors have had on her life, which she details in her latest book, The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor Raven Wilkinson.  You’ll hear from Misty Copeland as you’ve never heard before in this candid, informative, and heart-warming episode. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we help our children develop a moral compass to guide them through life? In this insightful episode from the archives, minister, professor,  and former President of Morehouse College Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. explains the importance of helping children think about faith and morality and offers a framework for starting these discussions at an early age. Dr. Franklin shares his own personal stories and memories of witnessing the courage and leadership his grandmother so naturally embodied. He guides Carol through the stages of faith development which parents can follow to help children find meaning and purpose in their lives. Robert also candidly speaks about the challenges and opportunities he faced while helping young men at Morehouse College center their moral compasses in a changing world.   Follow us:  @GroundControlParenting and groundcontrolparenting.com


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It’s a Hayes family affair! Carol invites actress Laya DeLeon Hayes, her father Kevin Hayes, and her mother Gina DeLeon Hayes to talk about how their family has nurtured and supported Laya’s acting career. At 18, Laya is a series regular on CBS’s The Equalizer, playing the daughter of Queen Latifah’s character Robyn McCall. Laya attributes much of her success to her parents’ unwavering support and encouragement. Gina and Kevin share with Carol the realities of raising a working child actor, and how they encouraged their daughter to confidently explore her passions from an early age.  Laya delves into the complex dynamics of being biracial in Hollywood, how she connects with both sides of her family, and how her parents facilitate and participate in that journey. This episode is full of inspiring and heartfelt wisdom from the Hayes family, who are truly each other’s biggest fans. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com!

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Helena Andrews-Dyer, author of The Mamas: What I Learned about Kids, Class and Race from Moms Not Like Me joins Carol to talk about the complexities of raising her Black children in their gentrifying D.C neighborhood, and how parent groups (including one in which she was the only Black mom) fueled her parenting and personal growth.  Carol and Helena discuss the unique anxieties of Black motherhood and ways to push through the stress to focus on the joy.  Helena and Carol share parent group experiences and detail how parents can benefit from these important and helpful communities in this relatable and captivating conversation.     Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lorraine Toussaint, star of The Equalizer and Orange is the New Black, joins Carol to talk about the benefits and challenges of being open and vulnerable with your children.  Lorraine and Carol discuss how to practice healthy and honest communication with your kids in an age appropriate way that meets them at their own emotional level. They talk about the best ways to get your point across while considering your child’s needs and how this can strengthen your family’s relationship.  Lorraine recounts her own life and parenting experiences with taking accountability, knowing how to apologize, and setting an example of honesty for her child to follow. She shares how vital it is to cultivate a home where children feel seen, heard, and loved, and speaks to her own transformation turning her challenges growing up in Trinidad into lessons in becoming an attentive and loving mother.    Follow the show on Instagram @GroundControlParenting and follow the blog, www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Black mothers tend to put the health care needs of their loved ones ahead of their own. And when they finally get to the doctor, they don’t always get all of the answers they seek. Carol sits down with Dr. Sharon Malone, one of the nation's leading OB GYNs, to talk about women’s health issues and how to change how Black women experience health care.  Dr. Malone is on a mission to help women know more about how to take care of themselves, as she believes that “women shouldn't feel guilty about feeling better”. She shares invaluable advice about how to attain and maintain good health, how to understand our body’s changes and changing needs over time, and how to get the absolute most out of doctor’s visits. She also tells us what women of all ages need to know about menopause, and how her new telemedicine venture Alloy can make it easier for women to understand and treat symptoms of all stages of menopause. Dr. Malone is the trusted doctor friend we want and need!  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Kala Allen Omeiza joins Carol to talk about neurodiversity advocacy and her journey to being diagnosed with autism at 24. Kala shares with Carol how race and disability intersect in her life as a Black autistic woman, and how she poured her life experiences into her young adult novel, "Afrotistic".   Kala felt out of place and socially uncomfortable as a young Black girl growing up in predominantly white communities.  She talks with Carol about how feeling so different for so many reasons impacted her childhood and may even have complicated the discovery of her neurological issues.   She describes the journey to her autism diagnosis and how her family supported her along the way. In this captivating episode, Kala offers valuable advice about how parents and caretakers in the Black community can be more patient, perceptive and proactive when caring for their neurodiverse children.   Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol hones in on the critically important parent-teacher relationship this week. She talks with expert educator and Co-CEO of Excellence Community Schools, Dr. Charlene Reid, about how teachers have fared over the past few years of educational tumult, and what teachers want parents to know to help children recover from the pandemic slide. They discuss the importance of having educators who represent, affirm, and uplift Black students, and the need to teach children not to view any low grades in school as an indication of their abilities, but as just useful information as they strive to master the material.   Charlene draws upon her own experience as a teacher, principal, and mom to offer insights on how parents can strengthen the parent teacher relationship in order for all to work together for the best interests of the students.   Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms joins Carol to push prioritizing wellness for parents to the forefront. Keisha and Carol talk about the challenges she faced raising her children while simultaneously running a major city. Keisha shares her best parenting practices as well as how she learned to prioritize her own mental health and wellness to show up daily as an active and present mother AND the mayor of ATL. As parents we can get so caught up in our children’s lives that we forget to check in with ourselves. Today, we’re talking about how to change that.  Follow us and stay in touch at @GroundControlParenting and www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol brings back this archived episode of her conversation with Deval Patrick, the former Massachusetts Governor and 2020 Presidential candidate. He and Carol discuss how his journey—growing up in the South Side of Chicago and making his way to the corridors of power—influenced his parenting methods and goals for his family. Deval shares his efforts to raise resilient and socially conscious children and tells Carol what it took to do this as a public figure, He and Carol discuss how his life lessons have helped him support his children unconditionally, and how he’s managed the challenges when private family matters have had to play out on a public stage. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol welcomes back pediatric stress expert Dr. Victor Carrión to help families handle the stress that can arise during the Holiday season. The holidays are a time for traditions,  reunions, love, and gratitude. But for many, anxiety can build due to the financial and emotional burdens that can accompany celebrations—gifting, organizing extended family gatherings, childcare for the extended holiday, and more. Dr. Carrión explains how to recognize and analyze the good, bad, and ugly sides of stress. He believes that while stress can be helpful in building resilience, when you don’t introduce de-stressors, stress can become overwhelming. He speaks directly to what therapy is, what it does, and quiets concerns about how it can help parents and their children feel better.  As families return to pre-Covid traditions, Carol talks with Dr. Carrión about how to approach the holiday season with a plan that will leave everyone less stressed and more prepared to enjoy a wonderful end of year. 
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In celebration of Black History Month, Carol brings back her captivating conversation with the former CEO of the pharmaceutical giant Merck, Kenneth Frazier, in which he shares his powerful story of being raised by his fiercely determined single dad.  Ken’s dad Otis Frazier, a widower raising three children on his own, firmly believed in the power of tough love. He looked beyond the limits of being a janitor raising a family in an impoverished neighborhood to see his children as capable of achieving anything.  He consistently set the bar high and expected his children to clear it.  Ken tells Carol how tough love worked to shape him and his siblings, and Carol and Ken explore the limits of and alternatives to this approach.  Ken shares plenty of his father's words of wisdom, along with some gems of his own, in this compelling and inspiring episode.  Follow us on IG @groundcontrolparenting and at groundcontrolparenting.com

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Author of “The Bold World” and LGBTQIA+ advocate Jodie Patterson joins Carol to share her enlightening perspectives on gender, identity and parenting her five children, including her transgender son Penel. Carol and Jodie discuss how parents today can feel overwhelmed, confused and unprepared when it comes to discussing gender, sexuality and identity with their children. Jodie explains how she worked to expand her knowledge, perspective and language in order to become the mother that Penel–and all of her children–needed. Jodie talks with Carol about the importance of pivoting to meet your child’s needs, and learning to parent in a way that supports your children while giving yourself room to reflect and grow. If your child’s identity or perspective takes you out of your comfort zone it can be tough to find trusted resources and useful guidance. In this episode Jodie explains how she created the tools she needed, and how you can, too. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Carol welcomes Anna Malaika Tubbs, author of The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation.   Join them for this great discussion about the power of motherhood, its impact on society, and how understanding this power will help mothers (and fathers) become stronger parents.   Anna and Carol discuss the historical mistreatment of Black mothers in particular, and Anna shares her thoughts about how mothers can reclaim their strength and power as they shape their children’s (and their own) lives. Anna has been researching and writing about motherhood for years before she had children.  She is now the mother of two, and talks with Carol about how actually experiencing motherhood has impacted her perspective.  Anna and Carol both strongly believe in the power of confident mothering, and offer helpful insights and suggestions for all mothers who can use a confidence boost. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black children in America are in a reading crisis, and it’s getting worse.  In a 2022 national reading assessment, only 33% of all U.S. 4th and 8th graders scored at a competent reading level, and for Black students, that competency score dropped to 17%. These scores are lower than the last national reading assessment in 2019.   In the face of this crisis, how do we ensure our children can beat the odds and become good readers?  Carol dives into this important topic with early literacy expert Maya Smart. Maya’s new book, Reading for Our Lives: A Literary Action Plan from Birth to Six, is a practical guide to raising skilled, confident readers. In this episode Maya talks with Carol about how and why parents need to focus on reading from day one.   She explains the impact of engaging even the youngest children in conversation, and offers a detailed action plan to help young children get reading ready.  She and Carol also talk about the importance of proper parent-teacher communication about your child’s reading progress, and steps to take if your child is falling behind. Listen to this conversation to gain the skills you need to raise strong readers.    Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com 

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How did the first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company manage to balance her skyrocketing career and her growing family? In this refreshingly candid and thought-provoking episode from the archives, Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation, tells Carol why this is the wrong question for young parents to ask, and explains how and why work-life balance issues should be reframed and analyzed. She shares the lessons and perspectives that helped her stay true to herself and her parenting goals during her rise to the top and takes us on a deep dive into how parents should redefine their parenting goals and practices. Ursula begins by sharing a loving recounting of her single mother’s masterful parenting, explaining how her wise counsel and great instincts guided Ursula’s own parenting journey.   Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com

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Producer, director and author Tonya Lewis Lee returns to the podcast for the first time since our very first episode! She joins Carol to talk about wellness, childbirth and maternal health for Black women. Tonya reflects on what motivates her to empower Black women to focus on their health, and offers advice on how to meet some of the challenges of doing so.  Tonya is the co-producer and director of Aftershock, the acclaimed documentary following the stories of young Black mothers who died unnecessarily due to preventable complications during childbirth. She and Carol discuss the importance of women taking control of their child-birthing decisions and how best to do this. They examine the biases against Black women and natural childbirth in America’s healthcare system which have contributed to the Black maternal death rate, and Tonya explains the importance and value of including midwives and doulas in the birthing experience.  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wondering how to take a modern approach to parenting while retaining the values you grew up with? Want to learn new ways to help your children understand their history, develop resilience, and develop the ability to chart their paths in this brave new world? Carol sources great advice on how to parent with an open mind while holding your morals and values close in this energizing conversation with Samantha Tweedy.  Samantha has been a founder of a K-8 school for boys, a senior leader of the Robin Hood Foundation and Uncommon Schools, and is currently the President of the Black Economic Alliance Foundation­­­­.  Her passion for empowering Black people and communities guides how she and her husband parent their two young children. Carol talks with Samantha about how to set educational and behavioral expectations for your kids while giving them the tools to navigate the world’s complexities in their own way.    Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Carol talks with Kristina Joye Lyles about a small but mighty group of educational leaders: Black men who teach in public schools. Kristina is the Vice President of Equity and Impact for DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit organization that enables public school teachers to share wishlists for their classrooms to interested donors around the country. In the course of this work Kristina has surveyed Black male teachers on their needs, wants and goals as educators. She shares in this episode how she is using this research to lift up and support these teachers who so significantly impact their school communities.  She also talks about her own journey with her two young children, and details the road to her son’s autism diagnosis.  This episode pairs insights on an important educational issue with moving parenting stories.  You won’t want to miss it!  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013, while Burrell Ellis was serving his second term as the CEO of DeKalb County, Georgia, he was accused by the DeKalb County District Attorney of illegally soliciting campaign contributions from a county contractor.  Insisting that these charges were false and politically motivated, Burrell refused to resign as CEO and was suspended from his position.  After an initial mistrial, in 2015 Burrell was found guilty of perjury and attempted theft by extortion.  He was sentenced to eighteen months in prison, and was taken off to prison immediately after the sentencing. In late 2016, The Georgia Supreme Court reversed his conviction, ruling that he did not receive a fair trial. He was reinstated to his CEO position with back pay, and was reimbursed for his defense costs.    Burrell and his wife Philippa join Carol to talk about how this crisis impacted their family and how they parented their two children through the storm.  They describe how they focused on maintaining their strong family unit, prioritizing honesty and openness with their children, relying on their faith and on therapy to help them make it through.  They used this family crisis to teach their kids integrity, resilience, and how to advocate for themselves. In this moving and poignant episode, Burrell and Philippa reflect on how their family banded together to fight injustice and stand on the truth.    Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol dives into parenting LGBTQ children with producer and radio show host Angelique Francis and her son Sage. Angelique talks with Carol about her journey to support her LGBTQ children, including Sage, who came out in his teens. Angelique explains how she focused on her love for her children and released her original expectations of them. Her son Sage recalls his coming out story and reveals the challenges he and his peers face in this process of doing so. Angelique and Sage highlight the need to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ children and the unique challenges Black LGBTQ children face. This insightful and inspiring conversation offers valuable advice for parents to better understand, support and advocate for their children. Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol digs back into the archives for this poignant conversation with author and filmmaker Suzanne Kay, daughter of actress Diahann Carroll. Suzanne, who is biracial, pulls back the curtain on her life with her superstar mom to reveal the challenges of being raised by parents who did not talk with her about race or her racial identity when she was young.  Suzanne shares her journey to racial awareness and discusses how she helps her children connect to their unique identities. She brings a meaningful and relevant perspective to a needed conversation around acceptance, identity, well-being, and belonging.  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week host Carol Sutton Lewis brings you stories, tips and advice from fascinating folks about raising smart and confident Black children.  Join us!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Producer, author, wellness expert, maternal activist and mom Tonya Lewis Lee joins Carol for the premiere episode of this podcast focusing on parenting Black children.  Tonya shares stories about how she was parented and how this impacted her parenting philosophies, her thoughts and advice on raising confident children, and much more.  Don't miss her answers to the "GCP Bonus Round" at the end of the chat! 

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Filmmaker Crystal McCrary McGuire is the mom of 3, including Cole Anthony, a 2020 NBA top draft prospect.  Crystal shares how she supports her children’s pursuit of their passions, how to create a happily blended family, and much more.  

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Award winning ABC News Correspondent Deborah Roberts talks about raising children in today’s world, shedding the weight of parenting expectations, and much more.
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Anne Williams-Isom has been passionate about keeping children safe, cared for and well-educated throughout her career.  In this podcast, recorded shortly before her recent transition from the role of CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone,  Anne talks about how to build a community of support around parents and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer and award-winning filmmaker Suzanne Kay, daughter of celebrated actress Diahann Carroll, shares her journey to racial awareness and reveals how it helped her parent her biracial children.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Depelsha McGruder, Ford Foundation Chief Operating Officer and Founder of Moms of Black Boys United, Inc., shares how she leads a powerful community of moms working to improve how Black boys and men are perceived and treated by the police and society.  Hear how one of her sons inspired her to create this movement, why she is tired of “The Talk”, and much more.

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Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, President of Spelman College, shares how she encouraged  her sons to pursue their unique paths, the importance of “parental pivoting”, some common sense rules of social media engagement, and much more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power couple Michelle Miller, CBS News National Correspondent, and Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, share the impact of growing up in politically active families, how to help children establish independence, and much more. 

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Former Massachusetts Governor and 2020 Presidential candidate Deval Patrick shares how his journey from Chicago’s South Side to the corridors of power shaped his parenting skills, how to raise resilient and socially conscious children, and much more.  

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Dr. Victor Carrion, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University and Director of its Early Life Stress and Resilience Program, offers advice and resources to help parents manage their concerns and expectations as children return to school in the time of COVID-19.  

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Award winning television show runner, author and arts advocate Susan Fales-Hill talks about culture, race, the importance of sharing family histories with our children, and much more.

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Host Carol Sutton Lewis gives a recap of the inaugural season's themes and highlights.  Stay tuned for more great parenting conversations in Season 2, coming very soon!!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checking in with Stanford University psychiatrist Dr. Victor Carrion for advice about how to deal with the stress so many parents and children are feeling about next week's election.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back with Season 2!  Sal Khan, founder of online education powerhouse Khan Academy, tells us how parents can help their children learn during this pandemic. Khan’s tips for learning success are not to be missed!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a conversation rich with wise advice and a lot of laughter, good friends and fellow actors LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Pauletta Washington share how they managed to raise their children away from the glare of the Hollywood spotlight that shines so brightly on their husbands Samuel L. Jackson and Denzel Washington.  Hear these long-time friends explain how their Southern roots, self-awareness and good common sense informed their parenting, and much more.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Emmy award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield reflects on the wonderful, nurturing, complex bonds between mothers and daughters, the revelations of quarantine, and much more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnson C. Smith University President Clarence “Clay” Armbrister and his wife, former banking executive Denise McGregor Armbrister, share their triumphs and challenges raising a family of five which includes children with special needs and two adopted siblings.  Hear the inspirational story of how this family came together with determination and love.  This is superhero parenting at its best.
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Erica Reid is a best-selling author, healthy living expert, and founder & CEO of nécessité, a health and wellness living platform.  In this fascinating and fun conversation Erica shares how her passion for parenting, combined with her determination to improve her children’s health, paved her way to becoming a best-selling author and entrepreneur.  Discover how she is generously helping women focus on caring for their children and themselves.



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Excited for the holidays?  Not Really?  Stanford University’s Dr. Victor Carrion, our resident stress expert, tells us how to help our families (and ourselves) get through this pandemic holiday season.  Hear why we need to take our temperatures, and it’s not for a Covid check! 


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Producer and political & social activist Keisha Sutton-James talks about the important lessons she learned growing up with her grandfather, civil rights leader, politician and businessman Percy E. Sutton.  Keisha shares how these lessons shaped her life and how she shares them  with her daughters.  We cover a lot of great parenting ground in this conversation, including talking with our children about our history, religion and spirituality, and much more. 
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As 2020 comes to a close, here's a recap of the Ground Control Parenting  podcasting journey.  We cover the road to our midyear launch, explore some of the themes and lessons from our 2020 podcasts, and offer some hints of what's ahead for 2021.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion, College Board CEO David Coleman provides the latest information and valuable perspective on the SAT & AP testing in the coming year, and much more.  Parents won’t want to miss his great advice on how to help students of all ages combat test anxiety and improve test performance.  
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Why show art to an infant?  Why should we encourage our children to “get lost” in paintings? What’s the art and social justice connection? Who are some of the African-American artists whose work we and our children should get to know?  Franklin Sirmans, director of Miami’s Perez Art Museum, answers these questions and many more in this lively discussion about art and art education.  
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Best-selling author and on-air host Nancy Redd talks about the values that stem from her Southern roots and shares some of the unexpected silver linings which have emerged from quarantining with her husband and their 9 & 6 year olds over the past ten months.  You’ll also hear about the making of Bedtime Bonnet,  her sensational new children’s book that celebrates Black night time hair care rituals.  A fascinating conversation that you won’t want to miss.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author &  journalist Caroline Clarke discusses her accidental discovery of and reunion with her birth mother–Cookie Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole–and its impact on her existing and newly expanded family. Caroline told this story in her memoir Postcards from Cookie,  and here she reveals additional details not captured in the book, including an incredible update.  You won’t want to miss our discussion of adoption, parenting, family, and the healing power of love.  
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It’s a wrap!  Our second season of talking about the joy and the real work of parenting Black children has featured great guests offering lots of helpful advice.   In this bonus episode, host Carol Sutton Lewis recaps some of the themes and highlights of the season.  Stay tuned for more great parenting conversations in Season Three, coming soon!
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In this season opener, Carol talks with college admissions experts and authors of The College Conversation , Eric Furda (former Dean of Admissions at UPenn)  and Jacques Steinberg (award-winning education journalist and author).  Eric and Jacques discuss their latest tips and insights on how your teen should be applying to college from start to finish, and how you can help. They reveal  “The Four C’s” that students should be looking for as they research colleges: Culture, Curriculum, Community and Conclusions. They also talk about the impact of two additional “C’s”: Cost and Coronavirus. While applying for college is more than half the battle, Eric and Jacques also suggest staying focused once the acceptances come. They talk with Carol about what happens after your teen gets in: how to make sure the colleges don’t change their minds, best practices for freshman success, and even what to do if your child wants to transfer. Listen, learn and lessen the stress as your family moves through this exciting chapter of your teen’s life. 


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Carol talks with  Sandra Jackson-Dumont, visionary arts educator and Director & CEO of the  Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, about why and how we need to have art and museums in our children’s lives from day one.  Exposure to art builds so many skills from a very young age!  Sandra tells us how to explore museums in-person and online in ways that open up new vistas for children and  parents,  how museums can spark and inform great (and sometimes tough) conversations with our children, and so much more.  


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As we focus on (so many!) daily parenting details, how do we make sure we are teaching our children our values and giving them a moral core?  What do we have to resolve in ourselves to be able to parent with joy, a key to raising joyful, confident children? How do we turn those hard lessons from how we were parented into a roadmap for better parenting? In a lively, spirited conversation filled with tips on how to evolve our parenting skills, ways to communicate our values to our children, and lots of laughs, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, sociologist and author of Parent Like it Matters teaches us how to raise critical thinkers and fearless doers.
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Carol talks with celebrated poet, award winning author, distinguished educator, and President of the Mellon Foundation Elizabeth Alexander about her parenting journey, her theories on education, and the importance of financial literacy and philanthropy. Elizabeth is a resilient mother of two sons who had to reconstruct her life and parenting village after the sudden death of her husband, Ficre Gheybreyesus. In this episode she shares the parenting lessons she learned with her husband that continue to guide her, and the importance of creating a “village”, especially as she found herself building a new one to help her raise her sons. From her vantage point as the head of one of the world’s wealthiest foundations that supports arts, humanities and social justice, she shares advice on how to talk with our children about money and philanthropy—teaching them to take care of both our local and global villages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we parent through this pandemic, who has the greater challenge: parents of toddlers and little ones, trying to help them make sense of it all, or parents of older children who have to help them keep it together as their academic, personal and work lives threaten to fall apart? And what can these different generations of parents learn from each other?  Carol poses these questions to three dynamic women––Monique Péan, who is raising her young children in NYC, Lady Ashley Adjaye, a native Californian who moved her young son and daughter from London to Accra, Ghana to raise them in a more supportive racial environment, and Anne Williams-Isom, who, like Carol, has children in college and beyond. You’ll hear them talk about their unique and shared experiences in the world of pandemic parenting, what a family move to “the continent” is like, how to talk about Black Lives Matter and social justice with children little and grown, and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the pandemic requiring our children to rely heavily on tech these days, it feels as if we are losing the battle to manage their device usage. As we move towards a post-pandemic world, the question looms large: how do we help our children balance their tech use when they need their devices now more than ever?  In this week’s episode, Carol talks with top kids and tech expert Jim Steyer, the Founder and CEO of Common Sense, the nationwide organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. Jim offers lots of helpful ways for parents to address this urgent question.   

Jim also candidly talks about the challenges he faces as a white father raising a Black son in the era of Black Lives Matter and the fight for social justice in our country.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much do your children know about money?  Sure, they may know how to spend it, but what about how to invest it and watch it grow? How can you help them learn more and plant the seeds of financial literacy that will serve them well for life?  Carol talks with Tanya Van Court, Founder and CEO of Goalsetter, a family saving and smart spending app, about her mission to make kids (and parents!) more financially savvy and have fun while doing it. Tanya offers advice on helping your family develop smart spending and saving habits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With COVID restrictions lifting we can finally begin our return to life as we knew it. How are our children coping with moving out of the cocoons they’ve been in for the past year? There are likely to be some stressful moments for them (and us) for a while, whether they are inclined to rush back into their pre-Covid lives or would prefer to remain in semi solitude.   Pediatric stress expert Dr. Victor Carrión returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about how to help our children through this transition period. He offers an age-specific guide to recognizing signs of stress overload, and advice on how to manage it.  
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How did the first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company manage to balance her skyrocketing career and her growing family? In this refreshingly candid and thought-provoking conversation, Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation, tells us why this is NOT the question on which young women  should be focused.  She reveals how she was able to stay true to herself and her parenting goals, and explains how modern-day parents need to redefine parenting models.  But first, Ursula recalls the “masterful parenting” of her single mother and explains how her mother’s wise counsel and great parenting instincts guided Ursula’s own parenting journey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diana Napier shares her journey with her daughter Emerson Davis, one of the young stars of the Tony award winning Broadway show, Once Upon an Island.  Diana, a corporate executive turned writer, found herself in unfamiliar parenting territory as she put her writing career on pause in order to figure out how to best help young Emerson pursue her growing passions in music and theater.  When Emerson joins the conversation at the end of the episode, she talks about the importance of her parents’ support, which includes following her lead as she pursued her various interests, helping her deal with the inevitable rejection that comes with auditioning, and so much more.    Also in this episode, Diana and Carol engage in a candid and revealing discussion of postpartum depression, a topic not discussed often enough among young parents.   Diana shares her struggle with this illness in Emerson’s infancy, and how with help she was able to move through and beyond it. And, for the first time, a mother/daughter team plays the #GCP Bonus Round! Parents who want to help their children explore their talents and passions—more seriously or just for fun—will appreciate the many lessons shared in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we help our children develop a moral compass to guide them through life? Minister, professor, author and former President of Morehouse College Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. explains the importance of helping children think about faith and morality and offers a framework for having these discussions with your children from an early age. Our discussion begins with Dr. Franklin’s  memories of witnessing the moral courage and leadership of his grandmother, whose faith was strongly rooted in her church.  He thoughtfully walks us through the stages of faith development which parents can follow to help their children make meaning and find purpose in life.  We also learn about the challenges and opportunities he faced in trying to help the young men of Morehouse college develop and center their moral compasses in a changing world.  

 



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How did a Black janitor, a widower living with his kids in a rough neighborhood, raise a world class concert pianist and a Fortune 500 CEO? Kenneth C. Frazier, the highly respected Chairman and CEO of pharmaceutical giant Merck, joins us for our final episode of Season 3 to share his powerful story of being raised by a fiercely determined single dad.

Ken’s father Otis Frazier firmly believed in the power of tough love. He saw his children as capable of anything, so he consistently set the bar high and expected them to clear it.  He had little use for sentimentality.  As Ken recalls, his father had no interest in being his children’s friend, saying “I want to be respected and feared [by my children], but not necessarily in that order.” We hear from Ken how tough love worked for him,  and together we explore the limits of and alternatives to this approach.  In this fascinating episode Ken shares plenty of his father's words of wisdom, and offers up some gems of his own.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 3 is a wrap!  Host Carol Sutton Lewis reviews the themes and highlights of Season 3 in this bonus episode. Tune in for a quick overview of the advice, stories and resources served up by the great guests who joined Carol this season.  Stay tuned for more parenting conversations about the joy and the real work of parenting Black children in Season 4, coming soon!

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Carol sits down with author and historian Rita Roberts to talk about the importance of preserving African-American history and passing it on to future generations. Rita shares insights from her latest book, "I Can't Wait to Call You My Wife: African-American Letters of Love and Family in the Civil War Era", which tells the stories of Black men and women through letters written in the mid-1800’s. She details the courage and resilience of enslaved Black people as they defied unjust laws to create families and stay close to loved ones. Rita and Carol focus on the critical role parents, teachers, and adults play in teaching children about their heritage, and provide advice on how we all can work to ensure that a full and accurate account of African-American history is preserved and passed on for generations to come.   Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol talks with Tony and Emmy award-winning actress LaChanze about her most rewarding and challenging role yet—being the mother to her two daughters, who are now young adults. LaChanze raised her two girls on her own after losing her husband Calvin Gooding in the September 11, 2001 attacks.  She made this sudden parenting pivot with a steady focus on creating a bright future for her daughters and a determination to be her healthiest, best self in the process. In this lively and engaging conversation LaChanze shares why we must teach Black girls to be confident and develop their own voices, and offers ways to do this. You won’t want to miss the parenting and life insights LaChanze candidly shares with Carol in this episode! Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the holiday season approaches, the New York Times best-selling author Nancy Redd returns to catch us up on what’s going on in her life. When Nancy last joined Carol on the podcast, her bestselling children’s book Bedtime Bonnet was taking off and she was helping her son August and her daughter Rupali manage school and extracurriculars online. Now, Nancy has a new book out, The Real Santa, which takes readers on an adventure with a young Black boy eager to find out what Santa really looks like, and Rupali has landed a leading role in the Disney+ series, “The Santa Clauses”. Nancy describes how she has supported both of her children’s newfound love for acting while not dimming her own light as a writer, journalist, and host. Her family has a deep love for the Christmas holidays and whether or not you celebrate the holiday season, our conversation will lift your spirits and inspire you to enter the New Year with renewed focus and motivation to achieve whatever you set your sights on.  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com

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Welcome to the latest season of Ground Control Parenting!  Each week host Carol Sutton Lewis brings you stories, tips and advice from parents and parenting experts about raising smart and confident Black children.  Join us!!     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol sits down with world traveler and art historian Cheryl Finley to talk about a topic they both know well—traveling with children. Cheryl began taking her daughter on the road when she was just a few weeks old and is a reliable resource for how best to enjoy traveling with kids on work trips, family visits, and vacations. Cheryl and Carol debunk the myth that parents should wait until kids are “old enough” to travel and share tried-and-true tips for getting around with babies, toddlers, and young children. From traveling with babies on planes, entertaining kids on road trips, to finding the best child-friendly hotels, this episode offers lots of ways to feel more comfortable moving around with young ones. Cheryl will inspire you to hit the road with your kids feeling prepared and ready for a fun trip!  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And that’s a wrap for Season 4—and what a season it has been! This season was packed with helpful ideas, thoughtful reflections, and trustworthy advice across all stages of child development, helping parents to fully realize their potential for parenting with effectiveness and joy.  In this episode Carol talks about some of the  memorable moments of the season and shares clips from some of the amazing guests–experts in education, healthcare, and the arts.  Tune in for an overview of some of the advice, stories and resources Carol and her guests shared this season.  Be sure to catch up on any shows you’ve missed, and stay tuned for Season 5!    Follow us @GroundControlparenting or at groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol’s focus on college admissions continues with a favorite from the archives: her convo with Eric Furda and Jacques Steinberg, authors of The College Conversation. Eric, the former Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Jacques Steinberg, an award-winning education journalist, share their expert advice on how your teen should be applying to college from start to finish, and how you can engage and offer support. They break down “The C’s” that students should look for as they research colleges: Culture, Curriculum, Community, Conclusions, and Cost. Carol’s expansive conversation with Jacques and Eric also covers best practices for freshman success, and even what to do if your child wants to transfer. Listen to lessen the stress as your family moves through a new chapter of your teen’s life. Follow @GroundControlParenting and visit www.groundcontrolparenting.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol talks with Dr. Yasmin Hurd, Director of the Mount Sinai Addiction Institute, about the complex landscape of drug use today. With marijuana available recreationally or medically in most states and new synthetic drugs regularly hitting the market, parents need to know when and how to discuss drugs and drug use with their children.  Dr. Hurd shares her insights on two drugs currently making headlines: cannabis and fentanyl. She walks Carol through the benefits and potential risks of cannabis and talks about why fentanyl use is rising and the toll it is taking on its users. Carol and Dr. Hurd answer listener questions and offer advice on how to create an open and supportive environment where kids can honestly discuss their thoughts and questions about drugs. 

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College Board CEO and Ground Control Parenting fav David Coleman returns to the podcast to talk about learning from failure, the illusion of what it takes to be successful, and the toxic side of striving for perfection. David is a thoughtful, intriguing guest who seamlessly wraps life lessons around his expert insider knowledge of how high school kids  can turn their struggles into triumphs. He shares how children should be taught that greatness comes from trying but not succeeding, and then trying again. David fills us in on the College Board’s latest work to help high school students’ learning journeys become more joyous and less fraught. Parents of high schoolers who worry that their children are never going to make it through the college application process, high schoolers themselves, and all who want to hear a deeply interesting conversation, tune into this engaging episode designed to reduce stress and reinvigorate your belief in the power of education.   Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com 

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Carol continues the conversation with mother-son duo Angelique and Sage about parenting Black LGBTQ youth with love and support. They discuss the difference between gender and sexuality, and why this distinction is so important to make and understand. They also talk about the use of non-gendered pronouns, the need for grace when it comes to unlearning gender-specific language, and the need to work towards an inclusive, nonjudgmental, and respectful society. This concluding conversation brings even more valuable advice for parents, neighbors, and community members to better understand, support and advocate for the LGBTQ community.   Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol sits down with Harvard Law School professor and author Randall Kennedy to talk about his journey as a single father. Randall raised his three (now young adult) children after losing his beloved wife Dr. Yvedt Matory when their children were young.  Randall shares with Carol how he and his family coped with the grief and how vital their community was in getting them through their toughest times.   He details how his parenting path as a single dad was built on a strong foundation laid by his late wife and included valuable lessons from his childhood, lessons which helped him raise his children to become confident and independent thinkers.  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carol joins forces with poet and author Amena Brown, host of the podcast HER with Amena Brown, to talk about their journeys as Black women in the world of podcasting. In this poignant, revealing, hilarious joint interview, they talk about the power of being raised by Black moms, how to parent artistic kids, the perils of performing, the importance of “play aunties” and the need for self-destructing journals. And that is just a taste of this delightful convo. Tune in for new and surprising insights on Carol and to meet the amazing Amena!  Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on www.groundcontrolparenting.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harriette Cole joins Carol to talk about the positive and affirming ways that Black parents can share their morals and values with their children. Harriette, the former lifestyle editor and fashion director at Essence Magazine, is also an author, a nationally syndicated advice columnist, a multimedia producer, and host of the radio show DreamLeapers and podcast DreamLeapers Inspiration. Harriette was raised by loving parents who believed “excellence was the only option”. She tells Carol that when it comes to her own parenting style, excellence is not a demand but remains an expectation, and describes how she passes on the best of her parent's beliefs to her daughter as well as to the audiences who follow her trusted advice. Carol and Harriette also connect over the realities of becoming a mom after having a career in full bloom, and the challenges of navigating motherhood with a demanding professional life. Follow us on IG @groundcontrolparenting and at groundcontrolparenting.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naima Keith returns to the podcast for the second part of her conversation with Carol; this time to talk about parents posting their kids on social media, and the nuanced complications that can arise. Naima is the VP of Education and Public Programs at LACMA and is the mother of two young children. She grapples with a relatable parenting struggle: enjoying regularly posting about her kids online, and worrying about the impact it may have. Social media offers a true sense of community, but it also invites genuine concern around privacy, consent, and the lack thereof. Naima and Carol consider the pros, the cons, and what a balanced approach can look like. Carol calls in social media expert Tali Horowitz from Common Sense Media to talk about the actions parents can take to protect their kids online. Tali offers entry points to navigating conversations of consent with your children from a young age, and helpful information to ease the anxieties that social media and potential oversharing on social media can create.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 5 of Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis!! Starting January 10th, Carol will bring you a new season of weekly stories, tips and advice from fascinating folks to help you raise curious and confident Black children. Join us!!

In the Season 5 premiere, Carol sits down with acclaimed director and producer Lee Daniels for a candid conversation about his remarkable parenting journey. We hear how Lee overcame childhood abuse from his father and was able to redefine fatherhood in a transformative way when he adopted his brother’s infant twins. Lee shares his insights, triumphs and the lessons learned from his unexpected but deeply fulfilling journey as a parent. Tune in to learn, laugh, and find inspiration in Lee’s extraordinary story of resilience and love.

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How did your favorite teacher impact your life? Award winning journalist Deborah Roberts returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about the transformative power of great teachers, the topic of Deborah's latest book, “Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life”, a collection of essays from Deborah and some of her well-known friends and colleagues. In this episode Deborah and Carol offer valuable insights about the ways in which great teachers influence their students and how parents can actively support and champion teachers' efforts and results. This is an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that you won’t want to miss.


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Carol welcomes Crystal back to the podcast to talk about “Game Up”, the app she and her son Cole Anthony created to help parents navigate the world of youth basketball. Crystal shares how her experiences raising three basketball-playing children (including Cole, now a rising star in the NBA) led her to create this app to offer valuable resources for parents seeking the best training opportunities for their aspiring basketball stars. Crystal talks with Carol about the challenges parents face as they try to support their children’s hoop dreams and the solutions the app offers to make the journey smoother. Whether you're a parent navigating youth sports, a basketball enthusiast or simply curious about the intersection of technology and athletics, this episode is a slam dunk you won't want to miss!

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Carol welcomes noted scholar Dr. Karida L. Brown and award-winning artist Charly Palmer to the podcast to give us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at their creation of The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families. This book is their contemporary reimagining of W.E.B. Du Bois’ art and literary magazine, which he created for children in 1920 to share Black history and celebrate their identities. The New Brownies’ Book is a collection of contemporary essays, poems, photographs, paintings, and short stories reflecting on the joy and depth of the Black experience. Carol talks with Karida and Charly about the making of this book and how it continues the legacy of presenting Black art and culture for all to share and enjoy. For families, as well as Black art and culture enthusiasts everywhere, this is a must-listen episode about a must-have book!



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In this powerful episode, author and community advocate Ruth Horry talks with Carol about parenting through a child's mental health crisis. Ruth bravely shares her journey from surviving childhood abuse to supporting a child contemplating suicide. Carol and Ruth address mental health stigma and stress the need for open conversations on this topic. Ruth offers valuable advice to parents on seeking professional help, finding resources, and building a support network. This episode sheds light on the often-taboo topic of mental health in families, and provides guidance and reassurance to parents facing similar challenges.

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Carol talks about how we can break the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities with David R. McGhee, the Executive Director of The Steve Fund, a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing mental health support for young people of color. Carol and David discuss how poverty, the pandemic, and the media all impact the mental health of our children, and how we can prioritize and support their mental and emotional well-being. Tune in to their engaging exchange as they focus on nurturing wellness in children, parents and partners, and erasing the stigma attached to this important topic.

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Join Carol as she sits down with Bernard I. Lumpkin, an art collector and patron, for an enriching conversation about parenting, identity, and culture. Bernard, raised in a multicultural home with an African-American father from Watts, L.A., and a Jewish mother from Tangier, Morocco, shares how his upbringing shaped his deep appreciation for Black art. Now a father of three biracial children, Bernard is committed to instilling a sense of cultural pride in them. In this episode, he reflects on the challenges and joys of his childhood and of raising his children today, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity within families. Through his passion for collecting art that reflects his family's heritage, Bernard illustrates how parents can help their children feel secure in their identities and develop a strong sense of self. Don't miss this insightful discussion on parenting, identity, and the transformative power of art.

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Carol welcomes art curator Stephanie Sparling Williams for an engaging conversation about how she and her husband are navigating the complexities and joys of raising the two children they adopted at ages 12 and 14. Stephanie, who was raised by her African-American mother and white father, shares why she and her husband opted to adopt older children, how they found their (also biracial) children and prepared to bring them into their home. Carol and Stephanie discuss the journey of establishing trust and building connections, addressing past traumas and creating a new family dynamic, and the challenges and rewards along the way. Stephanie offers profound insights into the world of parenting older adopted children, and what it takes to establish a loving forever home. Through Stephanie’s story we gain valuable insights into the transformative power of chosen family.

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Known for her stellar performances in film and TV hits including Antwone Fisher, I Am Legend, and Eureka, Salli Richardson-Whitfield is more than just a celebrated actress. As an award-winning director of shows like Queen Sugar, Blackish, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, and The Gilded Age, she's also a behind-the-camera force in the entertainment industry. And in this captivating conversation with Carol, Salli reveals a side seldom publicly seen: that of a wise and compassionate mother of two. Salli shares her invaluable parenting insights in this episode, emphasizing the importance of honesty in acknowledging our parenting strengths and limitations. Through candid anecdotes and reflections, she tells us how she has maintained the delicate balance between her thriving career and active family life. Tune in for a lively exchange filled with relatable stories and a healthy dose of wisdom that will resonate with parents everywhere.


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And that’s a wrap!  In this Season 5 rewind Carol shares some of the highlights of the season and reveals some parenting principles–practical, helpful, parenting concepts–that came out of these conversations.  Tune in for a sampling of some of the great stories, advice and resources Carol and her guests shared this season. And stay tuned for more parenting conversations about the joy and the real work of parenting Black children in our next season, coming soon! 

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In this bonus episode, Carol sits down with the dynamic Lauren Wesley Wilson, Founder & CEO of ColorComm Corporation, to dive into her new book, What Do You Need?  How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success.

Discover savvy, game-changing career tips from Lauren's best-seller as Carol and Lauren discuss practical strategies for professional growth. And of course, they explore how these powerful insights can be applied to parenting, making this episode a treasure trove of wisdom for women balancing career and family responsibilities.  

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that will equip you with the tools to take control of your career and empower your children to succeed.

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Welcome to Season 6 of Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis! Starting September 11th, Carol is back with a new season packed with stories, resources, and expert advice to help you raise curious, confident Black and Brown children. This trailer gives you a taste of the powerful conversations and expert insights coming your way as we explore the journey of raising our children across all five stages of development. Tune in each week and join us on this journey!

We're back with Season 6! Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder and CEO of ColorComm and author of What Do You Need: How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success, returns for the Season 6 opener. Lauren shares her experience as a new mom and busy entrepreneur, reflecting on how her upbringing has shaped her parenting style.

Carol and Lauren discuss how new parents can balance the joys and challenges of family life and career, offering practical advice on time management and avoiding guilt. Learn how the skills you develop as a parent and professional can support both areas of your life. 

This season will explore parenting across all stages of child development, from babies to the grown and flown. Join us on this insightful journey!

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