On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to Dr. Lance Izumi, senior director of the Pacific Research Institute’s Center for Education, about his new book, The Great Parent Revolt: How Parents and Grassroots Leaders Are Fighting Critical Race Theory in America’s Schools. Julie and Dr. Izumi also discuss the largely COVID-driven parent rights movement, the politicization of today’s teaching profession, the emergence of CRT and gender theory in K-12 education, and the encouraging personal stories of some of our nation’s most active parent advocates.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to APP President Terry Schilling about the importance of fathers, the cruelty of the phrase “toxic masculinity,” the need for strong and present fathers in our culture, and how his own dad taught him important lessons about life’s challenges and rewards.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to self-described “relaxed parent” Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne about being a mom and an elected official. Rep. Van Duyne explains her own interesting path from heading her city’s park planning commission, to city council member, mayor, then ultimately to her current job of representing the 24th Congressional District in Texas. Julie and Beth discuss the challenges and the rewards of parenting, the dangers kids face today, including fentanyl, and how open communication, stability at home, and having a network of family and friends are critical to a child’s wellbeing.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to professor, writer, and former IWF visiting fellow (and grandmother) Marilyn Quigley about the importance of grandparents, her experience raising kids before tech, and her own challenges as a working parent in the 70s and 80s. Marilyn also shares her observations on the changing world of parenting and how fear plays far too big a role in raising kids today.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock interviews Cathy Holman, a Wyoming mom of five, social media influencer, radio host, blogger, and marketing expert, who also runs her own website PrairieWifeInHeels.com. Julie and Cathy discuss her “joyfully chaotic” life, how faith helps her live and parent her children with “grit and grace,” and how making (sometimes difficult) choices is key to staying happy and fulfilled.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock interviews Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids’ Sports—and Why It Matters. Julie asks Linda about her book, why sports are so important to children in an age where kids spend so much time online, how youth sports became a serious business, and the consequences of putting pressure on kids and parents alike to excel in competitive sports.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock speaks to writer and mom of three Stephanie Lundquist-Arora about her decision to sue her local school district on masking, her own evolution on transgender issues, and her fight to remove radical gender ideology from schools.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, IWF Visiting Fellow Heather Hunter sat in for Julie Gunlock and spoke to Chris Stigall, co-host of the parenting podcast “Making the Leap.” They discussed his journey as a dad navigating the pandemic and how the school closures forced their family to make important life decisions regarding education choices for their three children. Heather talked to Chris about the massive migration of families leaving woke states during the pandemic so that they could have better choices for raising their children. He talked about his podcast that he co-hosts with his wife Christine, a former public school teacher, and how the overall experience has been fruitful in bonding their family more than ever.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, Independent Women’s Forum Visiting Fellow Heather Hunter sat in for Julie Gunlock and talked to an amazing mama bear in the parent movement: April Montgomery. April is a fearless Frederick County, Maryland mom with experience in teaching special education. She recently ran for school board and has been a leading voice in calling out the woke agenda in Maryland schools. Heather spoke with April about her journey of balancing her new life as both a working mom and a homeschool mom to three children of varying ages. She discussed how she and her husband alternate work hours in order to help teach their kids. You can find her latest reports on “The Truth and Transparency with April” Facebook group.

—

On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to Mary Vought, an IWF visiting fellow, public relations executive, and the only female serving as a Presidential Appointee on the National Council of Disability, where she advocates for those in the disability community, including her youngest daughter, who has cystic fibrosis.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, Heather Hunter, visiting fellow at Independent Women’s Forum, sat in for Julie Gunlock and talked to IWF’s Center for Education Freedom Director Ginny Gentles about the rising parent revolution across the country. They explored Ginny’s decades of work in education freedom on the state, federal, and international level; her reflections on how being a mom changed her view on the education system; and whether the public school system is lost or can be saved by the brave parents who are utilizing social media to practice citizen journalism and speaking up at school board meetings.

—

On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Hour, host Julie Gunlock talks to media superstar and political analyst Carrie Sheffield on how she survived a childhood of abuse, hunger, and neglect to find peace, stability, and professional success as an adult.

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to IWF visiting fellow Lindsey Stroud about the myth of a youth vaping epidemic and how the alarmism on vaping distracts parents from the real problems facing teens and young adults today.

—

On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to Vanessa Elias, founder of Thrive with a Guide. Vanessa, a mental health activist, certified parent coach, speaker, and writer, works with parents and caregivers to help them shift their lens, translate their children’s behaviors, and take actionable steps to change life in their homes — for the better!

—

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Hour Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to Jennifer Sey, mom of four, national champion gymnast, and former global president at Levi Strauss and Co. Julie and Jennifer have a spirited discussion about different parenting styles and strategies, the costs of coddling and overprotecting kids, the joy of and benefits of boredom, and how a large age gap between her kids gave her insight into how parenting has changed in recent years and how young adults are faring in the workplace.

On this episode of The Bespoke Parenting Hour Podcast, host Julie Gunlock talks to Nicole Solas, a Rhode Island mom turned activist fighting for the rights of parents all over the nation. Last year, Nicole found out she was being sued by the teachers’ union after a simple request for information from her local school. Julie and Nicole discuss how going from stay-at-home mom to nationally recognized activist mom changed her life and her mothering style, and how having a support system makes it all possible.

—

WMAL radio producer Heather Hunter started in radio before having kids. Now a mother of two young girls and the producer of one of the nation’s most popular morning drive programs, Heather explains how she balances it all and how she plans to add even more to her plate as her daughters get ready to start school.

—