Dr. Deb Shropsire, director of Child Welfare Services of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and Sharon Guilbeaux, local therapeutic foster mom, join us to discuss Oklahoma's current need for therapeutic foster families. They share both the challenges and blessings of playing a part in helping children and families heal, plus how everyone in the community can get involved in supporting foster families. Learn more about therapeutic foster care and becoming a therapeutic foster parent at BeANeighbor.org.

Metro moms and community leaders Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, and Kylee Holland, program director at SISU Youth Services, join us to talk about resources in the metro for LGBTQ youth and their families and friends and how to normalize same-sex couples and transgender individuals with children.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, Miss Oklahoma & public school teacher Ashleigh Robinson joins us to talk about her platform of inclusion for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She shares how parents can model and discuss inclusion in our homes, the importance of representation in education and our communities, how the community can support our educators and what is giving her hope as she travels to every corner of the state.

Season 3, episode 20

Western Gateway, and Dean Ketchum, head of school for John Rex, join us to clear up misconceptions about charter schools, share the unique opportunities their schools offer to both students and staff and remind us all of all the good happening in our public schools in Oklahoma City. Learn more about whether a charter school could be a good fit for your child, what questions to ask and how the application process works.

Spark Creative Lab is a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary concept featuring a diverse ensemble of acclaimed artists. The mission of the nonprofit organization is to rethink public engagement with the arts, expand the creative capacity of Oklahoma City, explore cultural creative expression and value artists and cultural workers. The organization launched in 2021 as a pilot in Oklahoma City, paying living wages for artists to innovate for the common good and continuing that mission today. Check out their upcoming experience in creating YIELD: WE BELONG TO THE LAND, a 10-week creative investigation into our collective presence as Oklahomans. Workshops will be held March 20 through May 26 at Oklahoma Contemporary, culminating in an immersive, interactive public performance on May 26. Find out more at www.sparklahoma.org.

Did you know postpartum anxiety is actually more common than depression, and that the two are often experienced in tandem?

Postpartum therapist and local mom Thai-An Truong, LPC, shares common signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety and less-understood ways they can manifest for moms. Truong talks about coping strategies that were helpful for her in her own journey with postpartum depression and anxiety, free resources for local moms, how to know when to seek professional help and encouragement for moms working toward healing.

Jenna Worthen, founder and CEO of the James Martin Company and founder of @MomWhoWorks online community, joins us to provide an empowering, refreshing take on how women can redefine what it means to be a working mom in a world without working dads. She shares tips for moms to advocate for themselves in the workplace, creative ways business owners can support working moms, why this is the perfect time for moms to reenter the workforce (plus how to address resume gaps) and why work-life balance is a myth.

Madison Whitekiller, who holds the title of 2022 Miss Indian Oklahoma, joins us to talk about her platform: guiding Native American youth to discover success through STEM. She discusses her own journey to a STEM field, advice for parents on helping children discover the fun of STEM and the power of representation when kids see people who look like them succeeding in a field they love. Whitekiller also addresses her vision to combat the healthcare disparities faced by Indigenous communities. Plus, she shares what she's most looking forward to about joining us for Geekapalooza on March 12!

Even though this year already looks a little different than “normal,” January is always a great time to refresh and focus on health. Today we’re talking with Umo Callins, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and owner of Well Rooted Health and Nutrition, about a healthy mindset and healthy living. Hear from Umo about how she makes quick and easy dinners, tips for avoiding “hangry” households and how she gets her kids involved in the kitchen too!

She also shares her advice on how to support a healthy immune system with practical tips for the whole family.

MetroFamily is dedicated to being part of the solution in helping parents through this tough time. On March 26 at 7pm we are releasing a virtual one-hour program is designed to help moms refresh with an enneagram personality pattern review with Marcy McConnel of The Reclaimed Soul, refuel with a goal-setting exercise with Simi John, and renew with meditation and yoga from our pals at This Land Yoga. Sign up for just $10, or become a MetroFamily Insider and receive this content for free!

For just $25 annually, MetroFamily Insiders receive a mailed subscription to MetroFamily Magazine, discounted and early bird tickets to annual MetroFamily events, special downloads and activities and be the “first to know” about new openings and events around the metro.

We hope you'll join us in taking a breath, a moment of stillness and an opportunity to fill up your cup so the demands of parenthood can feel a little lighter this year.