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The Ripple of a Child's Kindness: How Riley's Gentle Ways Continue to Shake the World

In this deeply moving episode, Craig sits down with Ziggy and Megan Gutensberger, founders of Riley's Ark, to share the profound story of their daughter Riley - a 12-year-old girl whose gentle acts of kindness created ripples that continue long after a tragic accident took her life.

Riley embodied the beauty paradox that small gestures can have extraordinary impact. Through notes of encouragement, spontaneous hugs, and simple acts of care, she demonstrated how "in a gentle way, you can shake the world." After spending 28 days in the hospital following a car accident, Riley's parents faced impossible decisions about life, love, and letting go.

What emerged from their grief was Riley's Ark (Acts of Random Kindness) - a organization that continues Riley's legacy through prom dress shops, Halloween costume drives, and "waves of kindness" for those in need. All events operate on a "pay what you can" basis, asking only that participants "be the ripple."

This episode explores the paradox of how beauty can emerge from tragedy, how love continues beyond physical presence, and how one child's sensitivity to others' needs created a movement of compassion that touches thousands of lives.

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Remember when your imagination had no limits? When a cardboard box became a spaceship and a backyard was an unexplored jungle? As we grow up, that magical part of our brain often takes a backseat to our logical, organized prefrontal cortex—but what if reconnecting with play could make us better parents and happier people?

In this fascinating conversation, we're joined by Jeff and Andy Crocker (known professionally as Mr. and Mischief), experts in immersive theater experiences who help adults rediscover their capacity for imagination. Through their award-winning interactive performances like the Apple Avenue Detective Agency, they create safe spaces for grown-ups to step back into childlike wonder without the pressure to "perform."

The couple shares their philosophy that "just because something is pretend doesn't mean it's not important"—a powerful approach they apply to both their artistic work and parenting their eight-year-old daughter. We explore how traditional education often diminishes creativity, why boredom can be the birthplace of imagination, and practical ways parents can nurture creative thinking without controlling it.

Beyond just fun and games, we discover how pretend play helps children process complex emotions and experiences, from everyday frustrations to profound loss. The Crockers reveal their innovative approach to parenting that balances honesty with wonder, allowing their daughter to choose which tooth fairy tradition their family would follow after studying mythology together.

Whether you're seeking to strengthen your connection with your children or simply want to recapture some of the joy and creativity that adult responsibilities have pushed aside, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on why playing pretend matters at every age. Discover how embracing your imagination can transform not just how you parent, but how you experience the world around you.

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"The universe provides us lures to beauty... if we pause long enough to notice."

When was the last time something moved you to tears? Not from sadness, but from experiencing the pure, unexpected beauty we are surrounded by?

Raised in Missouri, I saw my sensitivity as a weakness. Embarrassed by a deep empathy and tears that came easily. But when my mother whispered, "Etch this in your memory," during moments of beauty, I later discovered she was teaching me to treasure what others often miss.

"Things of Beauty Make Me Cry" is an invitation and a collection of stories from the Legit Parenting Podcast. I share the moments that have pierced through my armor while also exploring the paradoxes that make beauty so powerful: how it emerges from vulnerability, transcends tragedy, and hides in plain sight, among others.

Trust has reached historic lows in our modern world; these stories remind us that beauty exists alongside our deepest pain. The invitation is transformative yet straightforward: slow down and seek beauty daily.

Carry these moments with you. Let them remind you to see the beauty in being human.

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The modern digital world has influenced childhood in ways we could have never imagined. The days are gone when our biggest parental worry is a skinned knee or missed curfew. Today, our kids navigate a virtual world filled with sophisticated predators, AI-powered deception, and platforms designed to exploit their developing brains.

Craig Knippenberg has spent decades helping families navigate parenting challenges, but even he is stunned by what today's research reveals about online dangers. One-fourth of all internet searches globally are for pornography. Meta's AI chatbots engage children in explicit conversations while promising to keep secrets from parents. Teen boys are six times more likely to be victims of sextortion than adults. These aren't distant threats—they're happening on devices we've placed in our children's hands.

What makes this particularly challenging is the teen brain itself. With underdeveloped impulse control and natural risk-taking tendencies, adolescents are neurologically primed to make quick decisions without considering consequences. Digital natives aren't immune either; studies show 82% of young adults have fallen for suspicious links at least once—the platforms designed to connect them socially become vectors for exploitation.

In this episode, Craig explores practical strategies for protecting children online without smothering their independence. Most importantly, we discuss how to maintain open conversations about online dangers while giving kids the confidence to navigate increasingly complex virtual environments.

As parents, we provide both roots through unconditional love and wings for independence. In today's world, those wings need extra reinforcement to withstand digital headwinds.

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Craig shares the deeply personal story of his 98-year-old mother's final days and the powerful lessons her passing taught him about the true essence of parenting legacy. Through tender moments of feeding his mother her favorite St. Louis treats and witnessing what remained in her mind despite dementia, Craig reflects on how parents' love and values soak into children over decades.

Remember, just like Craig's mother would say: "Relax, you just have to be good enough. Life works out in the wash."

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When children struggle academically, the path forward can feel overwhelming for parents. This episode delves deep into the world of neuroexceptional students – those with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and other learning differences – with education specialist Abby Belasco, founder of Can Do Learners.

Abby's journey from a struggling student with learning disabilities to a passionate educator uniquely positions her to understand both sides of the learning equation. She walks us through the crucial transition that happens around third grade, when children shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" – a pivotal point where learning differences often become more apparent and impactful.

The conversation explores how comprehensive assessments can reveal specific learning gaps that school-based evaluations might miss, providing parents with clear roadmaps for support. Abby unpacks the executive functioning challenges many neuroexceptional students face – those critical skills of organization, time management, and task initiation that become increasingly important through middle and high school.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical guidance offered throughout. From specialized tutoring approaches like the Orton-Gillingham method for dyslexia to simple strategies like paper planners and visual calendars, listeners will gain tangible tools to support struggling learners. The discussion also addresses the often-overlooked importance of teaching self-advocacy, helping students understand their learning profiles and confidently communicate their needs.

The philosophy of "can-do learning" permeates the conversation – the belief that with the right support, students can transform from feeling defeated by academic challenges to embracing them as opportunities for growth. Parents and educators alike will find hope and direction in this rich discussion about helping neuroexceptional children thrive beyond the classroom walls.

To Learn More About Abby Belasco and Can Do Learners, visit her website at: candolearners.com

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Trust has transformed for today's teenagers, with location sharing apps becoming a prerequisite for dating and relationship privacy increasingly sacrificed in the name of security.

• Location tracking apps like Life360 and Find My iPhone are now considered the first step in teen dating relationships
• Parents began the surveillance trend with driving monitors and smartphone tracking apps
• Teenagers always find creative workarounds to tracking, including "phone-sitting" and pausing location apps
• COVID-19 shattered teens' existential understanding of predictability and trust in the world
• Social media, fake news, AI-generated content, and online scams have created a generation with legitimate trust issues
• Teaching healthy trust involves accepting vulnerability, understanding that everyone has imperfections, and learning forgiveness
• The most empowering parental statement is "I trust that you can handle this"
• Trust requires giving up control and accepting anxiety to build deeper, more meaningful relationships

Remember, when it comes to raising kids, you just have to be this side of good enough.

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Teachers are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress with mental health at a 50-year low and only 42% feeling their job is worth it, yet they continue showing up for students despite declining academic achievement nationwide.

• America's Education Report Card shows most 4th and 8th graders still performing below pre-pandemic levels in reading and math
• COVID severely impacted current elementary students who missed critical foundational learning in kindergarten and first grade
• Increased school absenteeism rates correlate directly with lower academic performance
• Teacher satisfaction has plummeted with only 18% reporting being very satisfied with their work
• Children with learning differences receive 10x more negative feedback than neurotypical peers
• Parents should establish open and honest relationships with teachers from day one
• Avoid defensive responses like "not my child" when receiving behavioral feedback
• Follow proper communication channels instead of jumping over teachers to administrators
• Each teacher brings unique gifts to children - some are nurturing, others push academic excellence
• Writing personalized thank-you notes expressing specific ways teachers impacted your child validates their work

Remember, when it comes to raising kids, you just have to be this side of good enough. Join us and we will show you how.