Expert Advice From Helpmesara

I invited Amanda Cupido to connect with me on the topic of producing a powerful podcast. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her concise, informative way of sharing what she knows will help you get started or grow. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: What a podcast is The different types and genres of podcasts Whether or not there is a magic length for a podcast The essential ingredients/tools required for a powerful podcast Where podcasts are best posted/published How podcasts are best marketed and to whom  

In conversation with Katharine Love as she candidly shares her journey from self loathing to self loving. Over the course of this podcast, you will learn more about: Katharine's early beginnings and how she was shaped by her family's response being "different" What the word "crooked" means to her How her diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome changed the path she was on What else contributed towards her self loathing and how this manifested itself When and how she managed to take "control" of her life and see herself through a different lens Positive changes have taken place over the past few years Resources and inspiration so that you too can go from self loathing at the worst to self loving at the best  

  Janyce Lastman and I have previously collaborated on several podcasts. So when she approached me about this one, I was glad because, with recent news headlines related to happenings in a well private school in Toronto, this is more timely of a topic than ever. Janyce offered to help parents explain, contextualize and cope with incidents such as those in the news and to help parents learn how to reduce the chances that their children will be subject to extreme bullying, hazing and abuse in school going forward. In addition, I asked her to lend her expertise in regards to exploring different kinds of schools, how the culture of each is determined and by whom. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: How to tell the difference between a "good" versus not as "good" school Whether private always means better The difference in culture from one school to the next Who or what determines this culture Whether or not there is a difference in the culture between same sex or even same religion school

Now that marijuana has being legalized in Canada, what changes, other than the obvious, will this bring about? How can we make sure that we are as knowledgeable about the impact of weed on our bodies and our brains as possible, and how are we going to ensure that our beliefs and behaviours are modelling the responsible use of drugs, so that our children do not get the message that just because something is legal, that its safe. I invited Psychologist, Dr. Jonathan Stea, to join me to discuss this important topic. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: The physiological and psychological impact of using marijuana, in particular, on us Whether marijuana is addictive or not and whether it impacts our ability to make good, safe decisions Whether different forms of marijuana affects us differently Whether marijuana that is dispensed through legally approved centres are safer and what might happen to the black market Whether the legalization of recreational marijuana will encourage children un

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Daniella Astorino. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Different kinds of headaches and how common each is Some of the ways we can manage each of these - On our own? With the help of a health practitioner? The difference between a headache and a migraine? How migraines are treated? Some red flags that our headache may be more than one of the typical kinds, and then what to do?  

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Sheri Van Dijk. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What emotional regulation means Why some people experience problems managing emotions Why it's so important that we learn to regulate our emotions as we grow Some of the warning signs that someone has not learnt how to regulate their emotions The consequences of not being able to regulate our emotions Strategies and treatment options when learning how to better regulate our emotions  

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. David Kanawaty. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What's "normal" or healthy in regards to length and continuity of sleep for children, teens and adults What interferes with good sleep hygiene and what the potential risks associated with not getting enough sleep are Some of the indicators/symptoms that someone is in need of a sleep lab or specialist to help them determine why their sleeping habits or patterns are not typical of someone their age. For example, is snoring always an indicator that the person has apnea and in need of a sleep study? How to gain access to the services of a sleep lab or specialist What to expect at the sleep lab Some of the most common diagnoses following a sleep study Treatment options for sleep disorders such as apnea and insomnia The risks associated with not treating a sleep disorder  

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Andrea Garson. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What are some of the traits or behaviours that employers find most valuable in their employees? What are some of the traits or behaviours that employers find most worrisome in their employees? What are some of the warning signs that your employer may not be happy with your performance or that you're at risk of losing your job? How can you best handle talking to your employer if you're unhappy with the tasks you're being assigned, but want to keep your job? What are some of the most common reasons that employees lose their jobs

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Heidi Barrett. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What gender fluidity/gender non conforming means Whether a child should be a certain age or reached a certain level of maturity before listening to their beliefs about how they want to express themselves (regarding their gender) Whether gender non conforming children are born "who they are" or become non conforming as a result of being raised by non conforming parents (gender or otherwise) How we can model acceptance, sensitivity and increased tolerance towards people who are gender non conforming What happens if a parent imposes certain gender stereotypes when raising girls and boys What happens at school/in other environments where children are not encouraged to be "who they want to be" Whether being gender fluid/non conforming is just trendy or whether it has been suppressed over the years and in certain cultures until now How to advocate and educate on behalf of your gender non conforming child (a

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The difference between a quiz, test and exam and how to prepare differently for each How standardized tests (such as EQAO in Ontario) are different from "regular" tests and why they are important The amount of time and how often students need to study in order to see a successful outcome How students can make the best use of their time and what to do when preparing to study (and how parents can help too) How to avoid experiencing test anxiety and why it happens Whether cramming pre test or exam is ever a good idea How and where (in bed or at a desk, for example) to study for tests and exams Whether one can study well with music or other distractions around them How lack or disruption of sleep impacts studying effectiveness and how to manage this Things to keep in mind for the night before, day of the test or exam and afterwards What "accommodations" are, who they are given to and why  

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The best age at which to begin helping children develop successful work habits How work habits and styles develop and change over the years and why this is important How to best model "good" work habits to students How to determine what works best for your child Whether every student needs to sit at a desk or in a structured environment in order to be successful The "bad" consequences when "good" work habits are not established  

In this episode, Sara chats with Domenico Capilongo. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: The role that teachers play in preparing kids for life post secondary school Whether this is different to the role that parents play and if so, how? How students can help prepare themselves for life post secondary school What life after secondary school looks like What constitutes a successful launch into life post secondary school and what makes the difference  

In this, part 1 of 2 related to putting your best foot forward, Sara chats with Andrea Garson, Human Resources consultant on how to make a good impression at a job interview. Over the course of this episode, you will learn how to prepare for a job interview, including: Preparing your resume - tailoring/editing/layout Choosing what you'll wear/how to look Thinking about answers and examples to possible questions How to behave in an interview - do's and don'ts How to prepare for a "not in person" interview (e.g. via Skype/phone) Preparing questions for your interviewer in advance Preparing references in advance Following up after an interview Part 2 of this series coming soon.

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Laura Plant, Director of Student Banking at RBC. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: What financial literacy means and why it's so important The steps that parents can take, at various ages and stages of their children's lives, to model becoming and being financially literate The value of giving your child an allowance The ways in which parents can prepare their teenagers and young adults towards becoming more financially independent Resources to help families on their journey  

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Brenda Whiteside. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: The biggest changes or challenges students face when transitioning from high school to a post secondary school program How living away from home - on residence, for example - affects the way in which a teen manages the transition to a post secondary program How students and parents can expect to feel at first How long the transitional phase typically lasts Resources and programs most Universities and Colleges have in place to assist the student What students can look forward to once he or she is more settled into residence or in their program of choice Do's and don'ts for parents to consider - prior to, during and following the adjustment phase  

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Endre Gabori. Over the course of this episode, you will learn more about: How going on a date once you have been living together or a married couple for a while, is different to single life dating The roadblocks to organizing a date with your living together or married partner Why its so important for living together or married couples to go on dates with one another What may happen to their relationship if they don't Some points to keep in mind when planning a date with ones partner What else it might mean when married couples don't find the time to go out on dates with one another  

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Michael Gibben. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether parents' concern about their kids' brains going to mush during long breaks from school is a valid concern Ways for kids' brains to remain active during long breaks from school How parents can use every day items and toys/games that they have around the house in order to encourage thinking and learning "Essential" every day items/games to help Whether there is any value to video gaming/computer play and whether this should be restricted How parents help inject fun into learning How parents can continue with all of the above after kids return to school  

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with Sarah Lindsay. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Sarah's personal journey before and after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder How she is helping others learn from her experience Ways to monitor one's own mental health Ways to get assessed and treated How to advocate on behalf of your mental health needs  

In this podcast Sara Dimerman chats with author Robin Rinaldi. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The definition of open marriage What happens when one partner wants an open marriage and the other does not Why couples adopt this lifestyle The benefits and negative effects of an open marriage on a couple's relationship How society tends to view open marriage  

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Ann Douglas. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What inspired Ann Douglas to write Parenting Through the Storm What parenting through a storm means Ann's personal journey and where she and her family are at today The dangers of not taking care of oneself as you parent through the storm and ways in which you can be kinder to yourself How stress and difficulties within a family affect a couple and how they can work together at making things better