On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Hour, host Julie Gunlock speaks to professor Christina Villegas, author of an upcoming reference book on foster care, about her own foster care to adoption story. Professor Villegas and her husband Manny went unexpectedly from zero to four kids age four and under in four years through the foster-to-adoption process. Julie asks Professor Villegas about that rapid change in lifestyle, her efforts to balance motherhood with work as a professor, and why a support system is key to success in fostering and adoption.

—

Julie Gunlock talks to Jeremy Tate, Founder and CEO of the Classical Learning Test, an alternative to the SAT/ACT and PSAT. Julie and Jeremy discuss this alternative test, why it’s necessary, and why it’s challenging the powerful influence of the mainstream testing establishment. They also discuss classical education — what it is, why it’s different from mainstream education, and why classical education — unlike progressive secular education — endeavors to pass down the best of what’s been thought and said for thousands of years.

—

Julie Gunlock talks to Lindsey Stroud of the Taxpayer Protection Alliance about the myth that there’s a teen vaping epidemic. Despite recent good news from the National Youth Tobacco Survey that teen vaping has decreased, both the CDC and the FDA are further misleading parents by refusing to share this good news. Julie and Lindsey discuss this public health disaster, why it’s happening, and why keeping parents fearful is a powerful weapon against tobacco harm reduction.

—

Julie Gunlock talks to lifelong Fairfax County resident Casey Chalk about his Federalist article, in which he describes how Northern Virginia has become an unwelcome place for conservative and religious families. Chalk, who actually taught in Fairfax County schools, now homeschools his own children and is considering a move away from NOVA in order to protect them from the relentless woke and anti-Christian messages that have become ubiquitous in the region.

On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Hour, host Julie Gunlock talks to Dr. Lucy McBride about her viral Atlantic article that aimed to reassure parents about COVID and vaccines and why she takes a compassionate approach when discussing this tough issue with parents. Julie and Dr. McBride also discuss the Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds, natural immunity, the actual (and positive!) data on COVID and kids, and the ongoing debate about mask mandates in schools despite low rates of child infections. Tune in!

—

Julie Gunlock talks to Virginia congressional candidate Tina Ramirez about how Virginia has become ground zero for woke indoctrination in schools and how she plans to turn the state around. Tina and Julie also discuss their shared experience working as staffers on Capitol Hill on human rights issues and why this work made them both more aware and grateful for the unique freedoms Americans—particularly American women—enjoy in this country.

—

In this latest episode of the Bespoke Parenting Hour, host Julie Gunlock jumps behind the scenes to talk to the man who makes it all possible—Bespoke Producer Tim Burg. Julie and Tim—both parents of teens—talk about the choices (and lack of choices) parents have in tech for kids, compare the challenges they’ve each had with this issue, offer advice on tracking apps for parents, and discuss why, when it comes to your kids and phones, sometimes being a helicopter parent is the right thing to do.

—

On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Hour, host Julie Gunlock interviews Loudoun county dad and former Justice Department official Ian Prior who has exposed massive corruption and a sophisticated campaign of intimidation and harassment targeting parents within his community’s school system. Julie and Ian discuss what parents need to do to fight this government-sanctioned bullying, why mockery is an important engagement tool, and why having a good grasp of the issues and a solid organizational structure is important to fighting back. Tune in to this lively conversation!

—

Julie Gunlock talks to Christian Toto—an award-winning journalist, conservative film critic, and radio show co-host. Christian says he likes to offer the “right take on entertainment,” and he certainly does that on this week’s episode as he covers woke Hollywood, the changing viewing habits of today’s youth, and his own recommendations for parents. Tune in!

—

Julie Gunlock talks to Texas mom, lawyer, and community activist Hannah Smith, who made national headlines when she won a seat on her local city’s school board. Hannah is no stranger to politics or education policy, and she knew someone needed to stand up to stop this dangerous trend in education. Julie and Hannah chat about what made her step into the race, why more parents need to do it, and how she plans to change her town’s educational policies for the better. Tune in to hear Hannah’s inspiring story.

—

On this episode of the Bespoke Parenting Hour Podcast, host Julie Gunlock speaks with Laura Carno, IWF senior fellow and founder and executive director of FASTER Colorado—an organization that trains armed K-12 school staff—about the consequences of removing school resource officers (SROs) from public schools. Since the death of George Floyd, there has been a big push, particularly in blue cities, to defund the police. That push has now extended into the public school system, where—in light of much opposition—city councils are cutting SRO budgets and, quite literally, taking the security and safety out of schools.

On this week’s Bespoke Parenting Hour, host Julie Gunlock talks to Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers about kids and technology, her efforts to explore and expose how Big Tech is affecting children’s mental and emotional wellbeing, and the launch of her new Big Tech Accountability Platform which seeks greater transparency and accountability from Big Tech companies. Julie and the congresswoman also discuss their shared experience as mothers of special needs kids, school closures, and how Congress can (and should!) do more to help special needs kids succeed in the public school setting.

Julie Gunlock talks to PR professional and founder of Do Better FCPS (which stands for Fairfax City Public Schools) Sue Zoldak about the unwillingness of public school officials in her community to listen to parents, the slow process of fully opening public schools in her state, the anti-Asian “equity” policy changes happening in her school district, and why she and other parents have had to become activists to demand better public education. Tune in for this lively conversation!

—