The Parentcast

In our season finale, “The Mayor,” and former MLB All-Star, Sean Casey, gets us rolling with laughter as a father of four who has flubbed on giving “the talk,” and isn’t quite sure if his kids think he’s a big deal or not. (We do!) Sean shares the incredible inspiration his Dad provided that changed the course of his life forever, and teaches us the value of “getting grateful.”

This week we sit down with Emmy award winning journalist and KDKA anchor Susan Koeppen! She takes us back to her time working at CBS in New York City and explains how raising her family changed forever after a run through Shadyside with friends nearly ended her life. Her parenting philosophy since recovery is all about packing everyday to the brim and living life to the fullest, but she’s learning to be flexible enough to chillax with the kids every once and awhile. Come for the stories about her dare devil sons and how she lost her daughter in the mountains of Colorado, stay for the tales about being raised by a tough Italian mom who ruled with a brown belt! Please sit back and enjoy this week’s episode.

It’s time to go the “F” to sleep with Intervention Fundamentals. Our guests Randy Keech and Zach Benkovitz specialize in coming into the home to help families struggling with the bedtime routine, potty training, communication, and food interventions with high intensity outcome-based training. (For this episode we only focus on sleep but please visit interventionfundamentals.com for more resources). We learn how our own anxieties as parents can amplify bedtime issues, how to use a behaviorism approach to get kids into a routine they’ll enjoy, and how to say goodbye to the bedtime negotiations.

This week we chat with the filmmaker behind Pittsburgh Dad, Streetlight Stories, The Mercury Men, and Echo Torch, Chris Preksta. As a stay at home Dad who is passionate about film, Chris’ young daughters have a front row seat to movie (and youtube) magic; but where does one set the limits with pop-culture and limit the screen time? When should kids be free to explore and when should Mom and Dad set the parental controls? Plus, how do stay at home parents ever get anything done? Grab yourself a life-size E.T. and a bowl of reese’s pieces and enjoy this week’s episode.

How can the happiest time of your life also be the most difficult? We go to therapy this week with Gretchen Hoeffner, Licensed Professional Counselor as we discuss the emotional and mental challenges we face as parents. Also, she teaches us about Music Together helps our kids communicate and express themselves.

In what are often stressful circumstances, how does one parent with compassion? Singer/Songwriter and member of The Clarks, Scott Blasey joins us to talk about learning to accept our own flaws as parents, better communication with our partners, and the joys and challenges of raising daughters.

If you've ever heard yourself threatening to "count to three" or "turn this car around," this episode is for you. Learn about positive reinforcement and gain strategies that could change the behavior game with our guest, Rachel Kittenbrink, Ph.D. BCBA-D, Director of Pittsburgh Behavioral Services.

Dads have a whole different set of challenges they’ll face in becoming fathers. Comedian Jeff Konkle joins us to compare notes in an episode dedicated to the Dads.

Synopsis: The birth of a child can be equal parts transformation and confusion for Mom and Dad. Having a plan is crucial, but what if the plan goes out the window? Who advocates for Mom and Dad in the delivery room? Abby and Bill talk with Childbirth Maven, Deena Blumenfeld of Shining Light Prenatal about the role of a Doula in the labor room as well as the emotional preparation of having a child.

Welcome to The Parentcast, hosted by Abby Krizner of 105.9 The X and Bill Crawford of 102.5 DVE. In our inaugural episode, we sit down with Heather Abraham of KDKA.