I can’t believe I am saying this but I agree with Rick Santorum. His 2005 book, “It Takes a Family” is an important read that can lead to some great family discussions. However, he also misses the boat a great deal, and I make sure to point those out as well. I have to be Fair & Balanced. I touched on whether Feminists or Politicians are responsible for the struggles our children are going through.

Ultimately this lead to the discussion of Tommy Jordan’s video in response to his daughter’s very mean Facebook post. He shot her laptop 7 times. His reaction has been praised and lauded all over the country but from our small broadcast booth, I felt it wasn’t our job to judge him, too much, but it was our job to ask whether or not he is willing to take responsibility for putting himself in this position with his daughter. Too many parents don’t want the blame, they only want the accolades. Why? We discuss.

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The result of Whitney Houston dying can be used for good. It can create a conversation about drugs in your family. Have her music playing in the background, but have that talk. Maybe you tried drugs once and didn’t have an issue, but maybe your child is more like Whitney Houston than you. Todd and Laura discuss what will some day be a difficult discussion with their kids.

They also rehash a Valentine’s Day without chocolate, Roses or sex. Then why was it such a great night? Something magical did happen.

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Valentine’s Day is coming up quick! Are you getting that special someone flowers this year? I would suggest you think about where you buy your flowers first before you plop down $20-$50 bucks on a bunch. They may look nice, smell great and appear beautiful, but they are leaving a brutal carbon footprint and they are actually full of deadly chemicals.

Do you want a Rose that has been dipped is pesticide or one that is naturally beautiful and grown in your own state? We interviewed Josef Reiter, the owner of Botanica Floral Design and talked about the difference between flowers grown in Portland or in your home town vs the ones that are imported into our country, which most are.

Do you actually know the process that flowers go through before you buy them at a supermarket and at many Floral shops? You will after this show and you will not want to buy certain types of flowers again.

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Trudy Ludwig is a children’s author and focus on Bullying. She has written 7 books, including the award winning, “Confessions of a Former Bully”

Whether it was Relational Aggression, Cyberbullying or what is working in schools to combat Bullying and what is not, we talked about it. The State of Oregon has their policies in place but are they really helping? Bullying is a problem in our schools, but you will find out it’s not the only place to fix it. We leave you with tools and resources to help your children what can be a very difficult time.

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Laura and I had one of those shows, where we didn’t agree. She was wrong. I was right. It got as heated as we often get on the show. She made her points, of which I totally sliced right through. However, the longer we talked, and I think that was always her plan, the more I began to see what she was talking about. But I am a stubborn man. At one point, I told her out loud, “I hate you.” Now that was not part of our vows 14 years ago, but it was part of this show. Find out why I said it and her reaction to it on this episode. You may find out that you want to say it to your spouse too.

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You have a brand new beautiful baby. Changes are in store. Not just in the first year, but in the years to come. You will enjoy all the beautiful moments, but you might get frustrated by the lack of intellectual stimulation.

Jennifer Niesslein, co-founder of Brain, Child Magazine joined us to talk about some of the great stories they have put out over the last 12 years. Whether they are light and fun pieces or others dealing with Anorexia, Brain, Child Magazine creates a stimulating magazine every month that is worth it’s weight in gold to all parents. There is a reason that they call it the magazine for thinking mothers.

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So, this was one of the tougher holidays Laura and I have ever encountered. You know about the death of Laura’s sister. But you don’t know the rest of the story. Today we tell it to you.

Drew, Connor and I gave Laura some space, and got out of town for 5 days. Our 12 hour car rides gave us time to think and fight as well. What came out of it? Maybe a parenting gem and maybe not. The Anger Jar has now set up camp in our house and while it had a lot of momentum early, it has slowed down a little.

What is it? What was the purpose behind it? Who is it really for? All of the answers await you in this episode. By the way, operators are standing by at our house ready to take your orders.

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Goodbye Sweet Caroline.

The death of a family member is never easy. It can be especially difficult if it is your younger sister. Laura recently lost her sister Caroline, a young woman who had been battling with Bi-Polarism for almost half her life.

Everyone deals with grief differently and this episode is about the personal struggle that Laura has been dealing with and also the perspective of Todd, who has tried his best to be supportive.

Would you have handled this delicate situation the same way? Have you ever experienced anything like this? What are your tips for grief?

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Laura and I are not Jewish. We are not particularly religious, though we have our own relationships with Spirit. We have never shied away from learning from other religions and from other people. Today, we wanted to share something that we think all families should read together. Much of it may seem obvious, but if it was, then everyone would be doing it and they are not.

Linda Cohen is a Portlander, who lost her father a few years ago and being true to her faith of Judaism, she wanted to begin a mitzvah in his honor. So began a journey that took over two years to complete and 1000 Mitzvot later, Linda put together a beautiful book, 1000 Mitzvahs: How small acts of kindness can heal, inspire and change your life.

I have always thought that at the heart of Judaism, a beautiful community exists. Maybe people struggle with this religion because they feel excluded. If so, then here is your opportunity to put on your Yarmulke or Kipah.

Talk about the perfect holiday gift. This is something that will unite your family and could live on for generations as it speaks to the real person in all of us. Thank you Linda for travelling this path and sharing it all with us.

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Laura was out with a sick child, so Todd took the helm and it’s up to you to decide if he crashed the ship.

Do you remember watching MASH as a kid? What a great show and Col. Potter was fabulous. Harry Morgan has died, he was 96. Todd gave him props. Also, earlier today there was barely any mention of it being Pearl Harbor Day. Is America forgetting about its heritage and what so many did on that fateful day? Plus a father wants his son to have Pot. The reason makes sense, some people’s reaction doesn’t. And should doctors be allowed to check a 9 year old cholesterol? Isn’t that a little young?

They were certainly topics that you can take to the water cooler tomorrow and as always, Todd was not short on opinions. It’s nice to be back.

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