Ground Control Parenting
with Carol Sutton Lewis
Welcome to Ground Control Parenting, a blog and now an award-winning podcast created for parents raising black and brown children.
Ground Control Parenting––because we’re not trying to be helicopter parents, but we do need to be on that tarmac, that ground control crew making sure our children have what they need for a successful takeoff.
I’m the creator and your host, Carol Sutton Lewis. I’ll be talking with some really interesting people about the job and the joy of parenting.
Click on the trailer below for more info!
Listen
We’re back with Season 6! Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder and CEO of ColorComm and author of What Do You Need: How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success, returns for the Season 6 opener. Lauren shares her experience as a new mom and busy entrepreneur, reflecting on how her upbringing has shaped her parenting style.Carol and Lauren discuss how new parents can balance the joys and challenges of family life and career, offering practical advice on time management and avoiding guilt. Learn how the skills you develop as a parent and professional can support both areas of your life.
This season will explore parenting across all stages of child development, from babies to the grown and flown. Join us on this insightful journey!
In this Bonus Episode, Carol sits down with the dynamic Lauren Wesley Wilson, Founder & CEO of ColorComm Corporation, to dive into her new book, “What Do You Need? How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success.”
Discover savvy, game-changing career tips from Lauren’s best-seller as Carol and Lauren discuss practical strategies for professional growth. And of course, they explore how these powerful insights can be applied to parenting, making this episode a treasure trove of wisdom for women balancing career and family responsibilities.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that will equip you with the tools to take control of your career and empower your children to succeed.
Known for her stellar performances in film and TV hits including Antwone Fisher, I Am Legend, and Eureka, Salli Richardson-Whitfield is more than just a celebrated actress. As an award-winning director of shows like Queen Sugar, Blackish, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, and The Gilded Age, she’s also a behind-the-camera force in the entertainment industry. And in this captivating conversation with Carol, Salli reveals a side seldom publicly seen: that of a wise and compassionate mother of two. Salli shares her invaluable parenting insights in this episode, emphasizing the importance of honesty in acknowledging our parenting strengths and limitations. Through candid anecdotes and reflections, she tells us how she has maintained the delicate balance between her thriving career and active family life. Tune in for a lively exchange filled with relatable stories and a healthy dose of wisdom that will resonate with parents everywhere.
Carol welcomes Stephanie Sparling Williams, Brooklyn Museum’s Andrew Mellon Curator of American Art, for an engaging conversation about how she and her husband are navigating the complexities and joys of raising the two children they adopted at ages 12 and 14. Carol and Stephanie discuss the journey of establishing trust and building connections, addressing past traumas and creating a new family dynamic, and the challenges and rewards along the way. Stephanie offers profound insights into the world of parenting older adopted children, and what it takes to establish a loving forever home. Through Stephanie’s story we gain valuable insights into the transformative power of chosen family.
Join Carol as she sits down with Bernard I. Lumpkin, an art collector and patron, for an enriching conversation about parenting, identity, and culture. Bernard, raised in a multicultural home with an African-American father from Watts, L.A., and a Jewish mother from Tangier, Morocco, shares how his upbringing shaped his deep appreciation for Black art. Now a father of three biracial children, Bernard is committed to instilling a sense of cultural pride in them. In this episode, he reflects on the challenges and joys of his childhood and of raising his children today, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity within families. Through his passion for collecting art that reflects his family’s heritage, Bernard illustrates how parents can help their children feel secure in their identities and develop a strong sense of self. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on parenting, identity, and the transformative power of art.
Carol talks about how we can break the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities with David R. McGhee, the Executive Director of The Steve Fund, a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing mental health support for young people of color. Carol and David discuss how poverty, the pandemic, and the media all impact the mental health of our children, and how we can prioritize and support their mental and emotional well-being. Tune in to their engaging exchange as they focus on nurturing wellness in children, parents and partners, and erasing the stigma attached to this important topic.
In this powerful episode, author and community advocate Ruth Horry talks with Carol about parenting through a child’s mental health crisis. Ruth bravely shares her journey from surviving childhood abuse to supporting a child contemplating suicide. Carol and Ruth address mental health stigma and stress the need for open conversations on this topic. Ruth offers valuable advice to parents on seeking professional help, finding resources, and building a support network. This episode sheds light on the often-taboo topic of mental health in families, and provides guidance and reassurance to parents facing similar challenges.
Carol welcomes noted scholar Dr. Karida L. Brown and award-winning artist Charly Palmer to the podcast to give us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at their creation of The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families. This book is their contemporary reimagining of W.E.B. Du Bois’ art and literary magazine, which he created for children in 1920 to share Black history and celebrate their identities. The New Brownies’ Book is a collection of contemporary essays, poems, photographs, paintings, and short stories reflecting on the joy and depth of the Black experience. Carol talks with Karida and Charly about the making of this book and how it continues the legacy of presenting Black art and culture for all to share and enjoy. For families, as well as Black art and culture enthusiasts everywhere, this is a must-listen episode about a must-have book!
Carol welcomes Crystal back to the podcast to talk about GAMEUP, the app she and her son Cole Anthony created to help parents navigate the world of youth basketball. Crystal shares how her experiences raising three basketball-playing children (including Cole, now a rising star in the NBA) led her to create this app to offer valuable resources for parents seeking the best training opportunities for their aspiring basketball stars. Crystal talks with Carol about the challenges parents face as they try to support their children’s hoop dreams and the solutions the app offers to make the journey smoother. Whether you’re a parent navigating youth sports, a basketball enthusiast or simply curious about the intersection of technology and athletics, this episode is a slam dunk you won’t want to miss!
How did your favorite teacher impact your life? Award-winning journalist Deborah Roberts returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about the transformative power of great teachers, which is the topic of Deborah’s latest book, Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life, a collection of essays from Deborah and some of her well-known friends and colleagues. In this episode Deborah and Carol offer valuable insights about the ways in which great teachers influence their students and how parents can actively support and champion teachers’ efforts and results. This is an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that you won’t want to miss.
In the Season 5 premiere, Carol sits down with acclaimed director and producer Lee Daniels for a candid conversation about his remarkable parenting journey. We hear how Lee overcame childhood abuse from his father and was able to redefine fatherhood in a transformative way when he adopted his brother’s infant twins. Lee shares his insights, triumphs and the lessons learned from his unexpected but deeply fulfilling journey as a parent. Tune in to learn, laugh, and find inspiration in Lee’s extraordinary story of resilience and love.
Carol hones in on the critically important parent-teacher relationship this week. She talks with expert educator and Co-CEO of Excellence Community Schools, Dr. Charlene Reid, about how teachers have fared over the past few years of educational tumult, and what teachers want parents to know to help children recover from the pandemic slide. They discuss the importance of having educators who represent, affirm, and uplift Black students, and the need to teach children not to view any low grades in school as an indication of their abilities, but as just useful information as they strive to master the material. Charlene draws upon her own experience as a teacher, principal, and mom to offer insights on how parents can strengthen the parent teacher relationship in order for all to work together for the best interests of the students.
Carol brings back this archived episode of her conversation with Deval Patrick, the former Massachusetts Governor and 2020 Presidential candidate. He and Carol discuss how his journey—growing up in the South Side of Chicago and making his way to the corridors of power—influenced his parenting methods and goals for his family. Deval shares his efforts to raise resilient and socially conscious children and tells Carol what it took to do this as a public figure, He and Carol discuss how his life lessons have helped him support his children unconditionally, and how he’s managed the challenges when private family matters have had to play out on a public stage.
Carol sits down with author and historian Rita Roberts to talk about the importance of preserving African-American history and passing it on to future generations. Rita shares insights from her latest book, “I Can’t Wait to Call You My Wife: African-American Letters of Love and Family in the Civil War Era”, which tells the stories of Black men and women through letters written in the mid-1800’s. She details the courage and resilience of enslaved Black people as they defied unjust laws to create families and stay close to loved ones. Rita and Carol focus on the critical role parents, teachers, and adults play in teaching children about their heritage, and provide advice on how we all can work to ensure that a full and accurate account of African-American history is preserved and passed on for generations to come.
Carol talks with Dr. Yasmin Hurd, Director of the Mount Sinai Addiction Institute, about the complex landscape of drug use today. With marijuana available recreationally or medically in most states and new synthetic drugs regularly hitting the market, parents need to know when and how to discuss drugs and drug use with their children. Dr. Hurd shares her insights on two drugs currently making headlines: cannabis and fentanyl. She walks Carol through the benefits and potential risks of cannabis and talks about why fentanyl use is rising and the toll it is taking on its users. Carol and Dr. Hurd answer listener questions and offer advice on how to create an open and supportive environment where kids can honestly discuss their thoughts and questions about drugs.
How can we help our children develop a moral compass to guide them through life? In this insightful episode from the archives, minister, professor, and former President of Morehouse College Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. explains the importance of helping children think about faith and morality and offers a framework for starting these discussions at an early age. Dr. Franklin shares his own personal stories and memories of witnessing the courage and leadership his grandmother so naturally embodied. He guides Carol through the stages of faith development which parents can follow to help children find meaning and purpose in their lives. Robert also candidly speaks about the challenges and opportunities he faced while helping young men at Morehouse College center their moral compasses in a changing world.
Carol continues the conversation with mother-son duo Angelique and Sage about parenting Black LGBTQ youth with love and support. They discuss the difference between gender and sexuality, and why this distinction is so important to make and understand. They also talk about the use of non-gendered pronouns, the need for grace when it comes to unlearning gender-specific language, and the need to work towards an inclusive, nonjudgmental, and respectful society. This concluding conversation brings even more valuable advice for parents, neighbors, and community members to better understand, support and advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Carol dives into parenting LGBTQ children with producer and radio show host Angelique Francis and her son Sage. Angelique talks with Carol about her journey to support her LGBTQ children, including Sage, who came out in his teens. Angelique explains how she focused on her love for her children and released her original expectations of them. Her son Sage recalls his coming out story and reveals the challenges he and his peers face in this process of doing so. Angelique and Sage highlight the need to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ children and the unique challenges Black LGBTQ children face. This insightful and inspiring conversation offers valuable advice for parents to better understand, support and advocate for their children.
How did the first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company manage to balance her skyrocketing career and her growing family? In this refreshingly candid and thought-provoking episode from the archives, Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation, tells Carol why this is the wrong question for young parents to ask, and explains how and why work-life balance issues should be reframed and analyzed. She shares the lessons and perspectives that helped her stay true to herself and her parenting goals during her rise to the top and takes us on a deep dive into how parents should redefine their parenting goals and practices. Ursula begins by sharing a loving recounting of her single mother’s masterful parenting, explaining how her wise counsel and great instincts guided Ursula’s own parenting journey.
For years Michelle Miller has been keeping you in the know as a national correspondent for CBS News and as a co-host of CBS Saturday Morning, and now you’ll get to hear from her about her own fascinating life story. Michelle returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about what she learned from the village that helped raise her after she was abandoned by her mother at birth, and how she came to write her memoir Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love. Michelle shares how she coped with growing up as “her mother’s secret”, and how her feelings about her mother shifted in unexpected ways over the years. She talks to Carol about how she valued the parenting lessons of her childhood enough to create a village of her own to help care for her children. Michelle candidly reflects on her decades-long search for belonging in this compelling episode that you won’t want to miss.
Author Kala Allen Omeiza joins Carol to talk about neurodiversity advocacy and her journey to being diagnosed with autism at 24. Kala shares with Carol how race and disability intersect in her life as a Black autistic woman, and how she poured her life experiences into her young adult novel, Afrotistic. Kala felt out of place and socially uncomfortable as a young Black girl growing up in predominantly white communities. She talks with Carol about how feeling so different for so many reasons impacted her childhood and may even have complicated the discovery of her neurological issues. She describes the journey to her autism diagnosis and how her family supported her along the way. In this captivating episode, Kala offers valuable advice about how parents and caretakers in the Black community can be more patient, perceptive and proactive when caring for their neurodiverse children.
Harriette Cole joins Carol to talk about the positive and affirming ways that Black parents can share their morals and values with their children. Harriette is an author, a producer, a nationally syndicated advice columnist, and host of the radio show DreamLeapers and podcast DreamLeapers Inspiration. Harriette was raised by loving parents who believed “excellence was the only option”. She tells Carol that when it comes to her own parenting style, excellence is not a demand but remains an expectation, and describes how she passes on the best of her parent’s beliefs to her daughter as well as to the audiences who follow her trusted advice. Carol and Harriette also connect over the realities of becoming a mom after having a career in full bloom, and the challenges of navigating motherhood with a demanding professional life.
In celebration of Black History Month, Carol brings back her captivating conversation with the former CEO of the pharmaceutical giant Merck, Kenneth Frazier, in which he shares his powerful story of being raised by his fiercely determined single dad. Ken’s dad Otis Frazier, a widower raising three children on his own, firmly believed in the power of tough love. He looked beyond the limits of being a janitor raising a family in an impoverished neighborhood to see his children as capable of achieving anything. He consistently set the bar high and expected his children to clear it. Ken tells Carol how tough love worked to shape him and his siblings, and Carol and Ken explore the limits of and alternatives to this approach. Ken shares plenty of his father’s words of wisdom, along with some gems of his own, in this compelling and inspiring episode.
She’s a world famous prima ballerina and the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater. Misty Copeland has a long history of overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and inspiring her many fans. Now, in her first full-length public conversation about parenting since the birth of her son Jackson, Misty joins Carol to talk about her life as a new mom: how it’s been, how it’s going, and what she hopes lies ahead for herself and her family. They discuss how mentors can play a vital parenting role and Misty shares the influential and supportive impact mentors have had on her life, which she details in her latest book, The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor Raven Wilkinson. You’ll hear from Misty Copeland as you’ve never heard before in this candid, informative, and heart-warming episode.
Carol joins forces with poet and author Amena Brown, host of the podcast HER with Amena Brown, to talk about their journeys as Black women in the world of podcasting. In this poignant, revealing, hilarious joint interview, they talk about the power of being raised by Black moms, how to parent artistic kids, the perils of performing, the importance of “play aunties” and the need for self-destructing journals. And that is just a taste of this delightful convo. Tune in for new and surprising insights on Carol and to meet the amazing Amena!
Black children in America are in a reading crisis, and it’s getting worse. In a 2022 national reading assessment, only 33% of all U.S. 4th and 8th graders tested scored at a competent reading level, and for Black students, that competency score dropped to 17%. In the face of this crisis, how can we ensure our children can beat the odds and become good readers? Carol dives into this important topic with early literacy expert Maya Smart, whose new book, Reading for Our Lives: A Literary Action Plan from Birth to Six, is a practical guide to raising confident, skilled readers. In this episode Maya explains the impact of engaging even the youngest children in conversation, and offers a detailed action plan to help young children get reading ready. She and Carol also talk about the importance of proper parent-teacher communication about your child’s reading progress, and steps to take if your child is falling behind. Listen to their conversation to gain the skills you need to raise strong readers.
Carol’s focus on college admissions continues with a favorite from the archives: her convo with Eric Furda and Jacques Steinberg, authors of The College Conversation. Eric, the former Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Jacques Steinberg, an award-winning education journalist, share their expert advice on how your teen should be applying to college from start to finish, and how you can engage and offer support. They break down “The C’s” that students should look for as they research colleges: Culture, Curriculum, Community, Conclusions, and Cost. Carol’s expansive conversation with Jacques and Eric also covers best practices for freshman success, and even what to do if your child wants to transfer. Listen to lessen the stress as your family moves through a new chapter of your teen’s life.
S4 Ep 27 The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions with Timothy Fields and Shereem Herdon-Brown
College admissions experts Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown join Carol to discuss what Black families need to know about helping their teens succeed during the college application process. Timothy, a senior admissions officer at Emory University, and Shereem, a former high school college counselor who now runs a college counseling consulting firm, are authors of The Black Family’s Guide to College Admissions, A Conversation About Education, Parenting and Race. Carol, Shereem, and Tim tell parents how early they should start focusing their kid’s attention toward college, why they must stay involved throughout the process, and what admissions officers are really looking for.
College Board CEO and Ground Control Parenting fav David Coleman returns to the podcast to talk about learning from failure, the illusion of what it takes to be successful, and the toxic side of striving for perfection. David fills us in on the College Board’s latest work to help high school students’ learning journeys become more joyous and less fraught.
Parents of high schoolers who worry that their children are never going to make it through the college application process, high schoolers themselves, and all who want to hear a deeply interesting conversation, tune into this engaging episode designed to reduce stress and reinvigorate your belief in the power of education.
As 2022 comes to a close, Carol recaps this year’s Ground Control Parenting podcast journey. She looks back on standout topics covered this past season and highlights some of this year’s most interesting and resource-filled conversations. Happy New Year from Ground Control Parenting!
Carol digs back into the archives for this poignant conversation with author and filmmaker Suzanne Kay, daughter of actress Diahann Carroll. Suzanne, who is biracial, pulls back the curtain on her life with her superstar mom to reveal the challenges of being raised by parents who did not talk with her about race or her racial identity when she was young. Suzanne shares her journey to racial awareness and discusses how she helps her children connect to their unique identities. She brings a meaningful and relevant perspective to a needed conversation around acceptance, identity, well-being, and belonging.
Carol sits down with world traveler and art historian Cheryl Finley to talk about a topic they both know well—traveling with children. Cheryl began taking her daughter on the road when she was just a few weeks old and is a reliable resource for how best to enjoy traveling with kids on work trips, family visits, and vacations. Cheryl and Carol debunk the myth that parents should wait until kids are “old enough” to travel and share tried-and-true tips for getting around with babies, toddlers, and young children. From traveling with babies on planes, entertaining kids on road trips, to finding the best child-friendly hotels, this episode offers lots of ways to feel more comfortable moving around with young ones. Cheryl will inspire you to hit the road with your kids feeling prepared and ready for a fun trip!
Carol welcomes back pediatric stress expert Dr. Victor Carrión to help families handle the stress that can arise during the Holiday season. Dr. Carrión explains how to recognize and analyze the good, bad, and ugly sides of stress. He believes that while stress can be helpful in building resilience, when you don’t introduce de-stressors, stress can become overwhelming. He speaks directly to what therapy is, what it does, and quiets concerns about how it can help parents and their children feel better. As families return to pre-Covid traditions, Carol talks with Dr. Carrión about how to approach the holiday season with a plan that will leave everyone less stressed and more prepared to enjoy a wonderful end of year.
In 2013, while Burrell Ellis was serving his second term as the CEO of DeKalb County, Georgia, he was accused by the DeKalb County District Attorney of illegally soliciting campaign contributions from a county contractor. Insisting that these charges were false and politically motivated, Burrell refused to resign as CEO and was suspended from his position. He was tried, convicted, and imprisoned, but his conviction was later reversed by the Georgia Supreme Court.
Burrell and his wife Philippa join Carol to talk about how this crisis impacted their family and how they parented their two children through the storm. They describe how they focused on maintaining their strong family unit, prioritizing honesty and openness with their children, relying on their faith and on therapy to help them make it through. In this moving and poignant episode, Burrell and Philippa reflect on how their family banded together to fight injustice and stand on the truth.
As the holiday season approaches, the New York Times best-selling author Nancy Redd returns to catch us up on what’s going on in her life. When Nancy last joined Carol on the podcast, her bestselling children’s book Bedtime Bonnet was taking off and she was helping her son August and her daughter Rupali manage school and extracurriculars online. Now, Nancy has a new book out, The Real Santa, and Rupali has landed a leading role in the Disney+ series, The Santa Clauses! Her family has a deep love for the Christmas holidays and whether or not you celebrate the holiday season, our conversation will lift your spirits and inspire you to enter the New Year with renewed focus and motivation to achieve whatever you set your sights on.
Naima Keith returns to the podcast for the second part of her conversation with Carol; this time to talk about parents posting their kids on social media, and the nuanced complications that can arise. Naima grapples with a relatable parenting struggle: enjoying regularly posting about her kids online, and worrying about the impact it may have. Naima and Carol consider the pros, the cons, and what a balanced approach can look like. Carol calls in social media expert Tali Horowitz from Common Sense Media to talk about the actions parents can take to protect their kids online. Tali offers entry points to navigating conversations of consent with your children from a young age, and helpful information to ease the anxieties that social media and potential oversharing on social media can create.
Carol talks with Naima Keith, Vice President of Education and Public Programs at the Los Angeles Museum of Art (LACMA), about how to introduce children to the wonderful world of art and art museums. Naima shares practical tips for parents on how to encourage their kids to appreciate art from an early age and how to get the most out of a museum experience, even if all the little ones want to do is run around and touch the artwork! In this lively conversation Naima and Carol also dive into the realities of balancing work demands with parenting, and how to combat the pressure to “do it all.”
This week Carol talks with Kristina Joye Lyles about a small but mighty group of educational leaders: Black men who teach in public schools. Kristina is the Vice President of Equity and Impact for DonorsChoose. In the course of this work Kristina has surveyed Black male teachers on their needs, wants and goals as educators. She shares in this episode how she is using this research to lift up and support these teachers who so significantly impact their school communities. She also talks about her own journey with her two young children, and details the road to her son’s autism diagnosis.
Carol sits down with Harvard Law School professor and author Randall Kennedy to talk about his journey as a single father. Randall raised his three (now young adult) children after losing his beloved wife Dr. Yvedt Matory when their children were young. Randall shares with Carol how he and his family coped with the grief and how vital their community was in getting them through their toughest times. He details how his parenting path as a single dad was built on a strong foundation laid by his late wife and included valuable lessons from his childhood, lessons which helped him raise his children to become confident and independent thinkers.
Helena Andrews-Dyer, author of The Mamas: What I Learned about Kids, Class and Race from Moms Not Like Me joins Carol to talk about the complexities of raising her Black children in their gentrifying D.C neighborhood, and how parent groups (including one in which she was the only Black mom) fueled her parenting and personal growth. Carol and Helena discuss the unique anxieties of Black motherhood and ways to push through the stress to focus on the joy. Helena and Carol share parent group experiences and detail how parents can benefit from these important and helpful communities in this relatable and captivating conversation.
It’s a Hayes family affair! Carol invites actress Laya DeLeon Hayes, her father Kevin Hayes, and her mother Gina DeLeon Hayes to talk about how their family has nurtured and supported Laya’s acting career. At 18, Laya is a series regular on CBS’s The Equalizer, playing the daughter of Queen Latifah’s character Robyn McCall. Laya attributes much of her success to her parents’ unwavering support and encouragement. Gina and Kevin share with Carol the realities of raising a working child actor, and how they encouraged their daughter to confidently explore her passions from an early age. Laya delves into the complex dynamics of being biracial in Hollywood, how she connects with both sides of her family, and how her parents facilitate and participate in that journey. This episode is full of inspiring and heartfelt wisdom from the Hayes family.
Petrushka Bazin Larsen is the co-founder of Harlem-based family ice cream shop, Sugar Hill Creamery. She’s an arts advocate, an educator, a life coach and the founder of a new mom’s group—all while being a mother to three young children herself. So, in comes the age old question, “How does she manage it all?” Carol and Petrushka talk about how creating multiple reliable communities that allow people to thoughtfully connect (ideally over ice cream!) allows for more freedom of choice and more opportunity to recharge and actually have the energy to go after what we want in our lives. Petrushka shares the lessons she learned being raised by an ambitious and industrious single mom, and how she has used and built upon these lessons to enrich her own home and work life.
Carol turns to Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America for guidance about how to have healthy, honest, and sometimes uncomfortable talks with our children about sexual health. Carol and Alexis discuss Planned Parenthood’s role in a post Roe v. Wade world, and Alexis offers valuable advice on how to discuss the future of reproductive rights with our children. A mom to two daughters, Alexis believes parents need to be a trusted and open resource for their children. She talks with Carol about how to empower youth to have agency over their bodies, develop positive body images, and understand consent. Alexis has been advocating for political and healthcare justice long before she stepped up to lead Planned Parenthood, and she shares timely and important advice with Carol in their lively and insightful conversation.
Wondering how to take a modern approach to parenting while retaining the values you grew up with? Want to learn new ways to help your children understand their history, develop resilience, and develop the ability to chart their paths in this brave new world? Carol sources great advice on how to parent with an open mind while holding your morals and values close in this energizing conversation with Samantha Tweedy. Samantha has been a founder of a K-8 school for boys, a senior leader of the Robin Hood Foundation and Uncommon Schools, and is currently the President of the Black Economic Alliance Foundation. Her passion for empowering Black people and communities guides how she and her husband parent their two young children. Carol talks with Samantha about how to set educational and behavioral expectations for your kids while giving them the tools to navigate the world’s complexities in their own way.
This week Carol welcomes Anna Malaika Tubbs, author of The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation. Join in on their discussion about the power of motherhood, its impact on society, and how understanding this force will help mothers (and fathers) become stronger parents. Anna and Carol discuss America’s historical mistreatment of Black mothers, and Anna shares her thoughts about how mothers can reclaim their strength and power as they shape their children’s (and their own) lives. Anna and Carol both strongly believe in the power of confident mothering, and offer relatable insights and useful suggestions for all mothers who can use a confidence boost.
Author of “The Bold World” and LGBTQIA+ advocate Jodie Patterson joins Carol to share her enlightening perspectives on gender, identity and parenting her five children, including her transgender son Penel. Carol and Jodie discuss how parents today can feel overwhelmed, confused and unprepared when it comes to discussing gender, sexuality and identity with their children. Jodie explains how she worked to expand her knowledge, perspective and language in order to become the mother that Penel–and all of her children–needed. Jodie talks with Carol about the importance of pivoting to meet your child’s needs, and learning to parent in a way that supports your children while giving yourself room to reflect and grow.
Author, producer and director Tonya Lewis Lee, our very first podcast guest, returns to the podcast! She joins Carol to talk about wellness, childbirth and maternal health for Black Women. Tonya reflects on what motivates her to empower Black women to focus on their health, and offers advice on how to meet some of the challenges of doing so. Tonya is the co-producer and director of Aftershock, the acclaimed documentary following the stories of young Black mothers who died unnecessarily due to preventable complications during childbirth. She and Carol discuss the importance of women taking control of their child-birthing decisions and how best to do this.
Carol sits down with Dr. Sharon Malone, one of the nation’s leading OB GYNs, to talk about women’s health issues and how to change how Black women experience health care. She shares invaluable advice about how to attain and maintain good health, how to understand our body’s changes and changing needs over time, and how to get the absolute most out of doctor’s visits. She also tells us what women of all ages need to know about menopause, and how her new telemedicine venture Alloy can make it easier for women to understand and treat symptoms of all stages of menopause. Dr. Malone is the trusted doctor friend we want and need!
Carol talks with Tony and Emmy award-winning actress LaChanze about her most rewarding and challenging role yet—being the mother to her two daughters, who are now young adults. LaChanze raised her two girls on her own after losing her husband Calvin Gooding in the September 11, 2001 attacks. She made this sudden parenting pivot with a steady focus on creating a bright future for her daughters and a determination to be her healthiest, best self in the process. In this lively and engaging conversation LaChanze shares why we must teach Black girls to be confident and develop their own voices, and offers ways to do this. You won’t want to miss the parenting and life insights LaChanze candidly shares with Carol in this episode!
This week Carol sits down with Windy Lopez-Aflitto, the VP of Content and Partnerships at Learning Heroes, a national organization which helps parents support their children’s learning at home. Carol and Windy get to the bottom of why there’s such a large gap between what parents think about their child’s grade level progress and how their kids are actually doing in school. They offer parents the tips they need to better understand their child’s learning experience and help improve it. This episode is a must for parents and caregivers of school-age children looking for expert advice on helping their kids thrive in school.
Carol sits down with the mother-daughter duo Edith Cooper and Jordan Taylor to explore their family dynamic and learn how they are managing their relationship as they create a business together. The two launched their company, Medley, a membership-based coaching service that harnesses the power of small groups to help people grow personally and professionally. And as you listen in, you’ll understand how personally aligned Edith and Jordan are with their company’s mission.
Edith’s values are rooted in her understanding of the power of education that uplifted three generations of her family. She shares her insights on how parents can foster healthy habits in their children from a young age, and the best ways for parents to manage work and family life without becoming overwhelmed. Carol’s intergenerational conversation with Edith and Jordan offers a unique and refreshing parent/child perspective and invites listeners to consider which parenting styles will help them create healthy and lasting family relationships.
Open and Honest Parenting with Lorraine Toussaint
Lorraine Toussaint, star of The Equalizer and Orange is the New Black, joins Carol to talk about the benefits and challenges of being open and vulnerable with your children. Lorraine and Carol discuss how to practice healthy and honest communication with your kids in an age appropriate way that meets them at their own emotional level. They talk about the best ways to get your point across while considering your child’s needs and how this can strengthen your family’s relationship.
Lorraine recounts her own life and parenting experiences with taking accountability, knowing how to apologize, and setting an example of honesty for her child to follow. She shares how vital it is to cultivate a home where children feel seen, heard, and loved, and speaks to her own transformation turning her challenges growing up in Trinidad into lessons in becoming an attentive and loving mother.
Carol sits down with power CEO and mom Roz Brewer to talk about how to do your best work at the office and at home. As the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Roz truly understands the challenges of excelling at work while maintaining an active role in her family’s life. Roz and Carol talk about the expectations levied on mothers in the workforce to do it all, and Roz offers valuable advice on how to apply the lessons she’s learned from the corporate world to parenting and vice versa.
Former Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms joins Carol to push prioritizing wellness for parents to the forefront. Keisha and Carol talk about the challenges she faced raising her children while simultaneously running a major city. Keisha shares her best parenting practices, as well as how she learned to prioritize her own mental health and wellness to show up daily as an active and present mother AND the mayor of ATL.
In this bonus episode, Carol reviews the themes and highlights of Season 3 in this bonus episode. Tune in for a quick overview of the advice, stories and resources served up by the great guests who joined Carol this season. Stay tuned for more parenting conversations about the joy and the real work of parenting Black children in Season 4, coming soon!
How did a widowed janitor living with his kids in a rough Philadelphia neighborhood raise a world class concert pianist and a Fortune 500 CEO? Kenneth Frazier, the highly respected head of pharmaceutical giant Merck, joins us for our final episode of Season 3 to share his powerful story of being raised by a fiercely determined single dad.
Kenneth C. Frazier is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the multinational pharmaceutical company Merck. He has been widely recognized for his many contributions to Merck and to society at large. In 2019 he became the first recipient of the Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award for Health Care. In 2021 he was named CEO of the Year by Chief Executive Magazine for his long time leadership at Merck and for his devotion to social justice and economic inclusion.
Ken and his wife Andrea have two adult children.
How can we help our children develop a moral compass to guide them through life? Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. explains the importance of helping children think about faith and morality and offers a framework for having these discussions with your children from an early age.
An ordained minister and theologian, Dr. Franklin is a senior adviser to the president of Emory University and the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership at Emory. He previously served as the tenth president of Morehouse College. His most recent book, Moral Leadership, Integrity, Courage and Imagination, was published in 2020. He and his wife, Dr. Cheryl Gaffney Franklin have three children.
Emerson Davis, one of the young stars of the Tony award winning Broadway show, Once Upon an Island, was 3 when she wanted to learn to play the cello, 6 when she joined the drama club at school and 10 when she began performing on Broadway. Her mother Diana, a corporate executive turned writer, found herself in unfamiliar parenting territory as she scrambled to figure out how to best help young Emerson pursue her growing passions in music and theater. Parents who want to help their children explore their talents and passions—more seriously or just for fun—will appreciate the many lessons shared in this episode.
Diana Napier is a writer and co-founder of Kimbilio, a writing community for fiction writers of the African Diaspora. She is also treasurer of the Kimbilio board. Previously Diana worked for 15 years in corporate America in the areas of consulting, strategy and corporate development. She and her husband Vaughn Davis have a daughter, Emerson (13).
With her signature candor and clarity, Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation, recalls the “masterful parenting” of her single mother and explains how her mother’s wise counsel and great parenting instincts guided Ursula’s own parenting journey. She explains how modern-day parents need to redefine parenting models and reveals how she was able to stay true to herself and her parenting goals as she climbed the corporate ladder.
Ursula M. Burns is a senior advisor to Teneo LTD, Nestlé, and Exxon Mobil among others. She was the chair and CEO of VEON from mid 2019 to early 2020. She served as CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016, and as chairwoman from 2010 to 2017. She has 2 adult children.
How are our children coping with moving out of the cocoons they’ve been in for the past year? There are likely to be some stressful moments for them (and us) for a while, whether they are inclined to rush back into their pre-Covid lives or would prefer to remain in semi solitude. Pediatric stress expert Dr. Victor Carrión returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about how to help our children through this transition period.
Dr. Victor Carrión is the John A. Turner M.D. Endowed Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University and Director of the Stanford School of Medicine Early Life Stress and Resilience Program.
How much do your children know about money? Do they know how to invest it and watch it grow? How can you help them learn more and plant the seeds of financial literacy that will serve them well for life? Carol talks with Tanya Van Court about her mission to make kids (and parents!) more financially savvy and have fun while doing it. Tanya offers advice on helping your family develop smart spending and saving habits.
Tanya Van Court is the Founder and CEO of Goal Setter, a family saving, financial literacy and smart spending app. She is the mother of three children: Gabrielle, 15, Hendrix, 11, and Maxwell, 6.
As we move towards a post-pandemic world, the parenting/tech questions loom large: how do we help our children manage and balance their tech use when they need their devices now more than ever? How can we find out more about these videos and apps that they are obsessed with? What’s the impact of all of this additional screen time? We get answers to these questions and many more from Jim Steyer, one of the nation’s most respected experts on issues related to children, education, and media and technology.
Jim Steyer is founder and chief executive officer of Common Sense, an organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. Jim and his wife Elizabeth have four children, Lily (28), Kirk (26) , Caroline (23), and Jesse (17).
As we parent through this pandemic, who has the greater challenge: parents of toddlers and little ones, trying to help them make sense of it all, or parents of older children who have to help them keep it together as their academic, personal and work lives threaten to fall apart? And what can these different generations of parents learn from each other? Carol poses these questions to three dynamic women and talks with them about their unique and shared experiences in the world of pandemic parenting, how to talk about Black Lives Matter and social justice with children little and grown, and much more.
Lady Ashley Adjaye (l) is the global head of research for Adjaye Associates, and has two children aged 6 and 3. Monique Péan (m) is an artist and designer widely known for structural work with jewelry featuring rare, sustainably gathered materials. She has two children aged 6 and 3. Anne Williams-Isom (r) holds the Dumpson Chair in Child Welfare Studies at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service and is the mother of three aged 27, 25 and 19.
We’ve all heard “It takes a village to raise a child”, but how do our parenting villages form and grow? In this captivating conversation, Elizabeth Alexander talks about the importances of villages in her parenting journey and how she was able to build them. From her vantage point as the head of one of the world’s wealthiest foundations, she also shares much-needed advice on how to talk with our children about money and philanthropy.
Elizabeth Alexander is a celebrated poet, award-winning author, distinguished educator, and President of the Mellon Foundation. She is the mother of two sons.
As we focus on so many daily parenting details, how do we make sure we are teaching our children our values and giving them a moral core? In a lively, spirited conversation filled with tips on how to evolve our parenting skills, ways to communicate our values to our children, and lots of laughs, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, sociologist and author of Parent Like it Matters teaches us how to raise critical thinkers and fearless doers.
Dr. Dias is an associate professor of sociology at John Jay College, the co-founder and President of the GrassROOTS Community Foundation and the leader of its SuperCamp for girls. She and her husband Scott have a 16-year old daughter, Marley, a social activist who is the founder of the #1000blackgirlbooks drive and the author of Marley Dias Gets it Done and So Can You.
Exposure to art builds so many skills from a very young age! In this episode we talk with Sandra Jackson-Dumont about having art and museums in our children’s lives from day one forward. Sandra tells us how to explore museums in-person and online in ways that open up new vistas for children and parents, how museums can spark and inform great (and sometimes tough) conversations with our children, and so much more.
Visionary art educator and public advocate for reimagining the role of art museums in society, Sandra Jackson-Dumont has served since January 2020 as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art currently being built in Los Angeles. She and her husband are raising their two godchildren: Valeri, 16, and Carlissa, 12.
We begin Season 3 talking about a topic that is top of mind for so many parents of teens: The College Admissions Process. You’ll hear from our experts Eric Furda and Jacques Steinberg, authors of The College Conversation, who share the latest about the process from start to finish. Listen, learn and lessen the stress as you move through this exciting chapter of your teen’s (and your family’s) life!!
Eric Furda is the former Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and is now a college counselor at William Penn Charter School. Jacques Steinberg is the NYT best-selling author of The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Office of a Premier College and co-author of The College Conversation: A Practical Companion for Parents to Guide Their Children Along the Path to Higher Education.
In this bonus episode, host Carol Sutton Lewis recaps some of the themes and highlights of the season. (Feb. 10)
Author, journalist, broadcaster, brand architect. Mother of 2. (Feb. 3)
On-air host and best-selling author of numerous books, including the award-winning children’s book Bedtime Bonnet. Mother of 2. (Jan. 27)
Director, Pérez Art Museum Miami. Father of one. (Jan.20)
CEO, The College Board. Since joining the College Board in 2012, David has spearheaded the design of a simpler SAT; forged a partnership with Khan Academy to provide personalized, free SAT practice to more than 10 million students; and expanded Advanced Placement program to serve many more students from all backgrounds. Father of 2. (Jan. 13)
As 2020 comes to a close, here’s a recap of the Ground Control Parenting podcasting journey. We cover the road to our midyear launch, explore some of the themes and lessons from our 2020 podcasts, and offer some hints of what’s ahead for 2021. (Dec. 30)
Producer, writer, political and social activist. Mother of two. (Dec. 23)
John A. Turner. M.D. Endowed Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University, Director of the Stanford School of Medicine Early Life Stress and Resilience Program.
(Dec.16)
Best-selling author, healthy living expert, Founder & CEO of nécessité, a health and wellness living platform. Mother of two. (Dec. 9)
Clarence “Clay” Armbrister is the 14th president of Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Denise McGregor Armbrister recently retired as executive director of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation and the Wells Fargo Regional Community Development Corporation. Parents of three sons and two daughters. (Dec. 2)
Emmy-award winning actress of stage and screen. From Josephine Baker to Lady Mae Greenleaf, Whitfield is known for the authenticity she brings to her portrayal of women from all walks of life. Mother of one. (Nov. 25)
LaTanya Richardson Jackson: Tony Award nominated stage and screen actress, Mother of one;
Pauletta Washington: Acclaimed stage and screen actress, Juilliard trained singer and pianist, Mother of four. (Nov. 18)
Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a nonprofit educational organization that offers free lessons in math, science and humanities, as well as free tools for parents and teachers to track student progress. Father of three. (Nov.11)
Victor G. Carrion, M.D.: John A. Turner. M.D. Endowed Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University, Director of the Stanford School of Medicine Early Life Stress and Resilience Program.
GCP Season One Rewind: Host Carol Sutton Lewis gives a recap of the inaugural season’s themes and highlights. Stay tuned for more great parenting conversations in Season 2, coming very soon!!
LisaGay Hamilton: Award-winning actor and filmmaker, Mother of two.
Victor G. Carrion, M.D.: John A. Turner. M.D. Endowed Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University, Director of the Stanford School of Medicine Early Life Stress and Resilience Program.
Deval L. Patrick: Founder & Chairman, TogetherFUND PAC, 71st Governor of Massachusetts, Father of two.
Michelle Miller & Marc Morial: Michelle is a CBS National News Correspondent, Marc is President of the National Urban League. Marc has an older daughter and he and Michelle are the parents of two.
Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell: President, Spelman College, Mother of three.
Depelsha McGruder: Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer, Ford Foundation, Founder and President of Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. and Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change, Mother of two.
Tonya Lewis Lee: Producer, Author, Attorney, Entrepreneur and Advocate for Women and Infant Health and Mother of two.
Suzanne Kay: Award winning Filmmaker, Writer, Mother of two, Daughter of actress Diahann Carroll.
Anne Williams-Isom: Dumpson Chair in Child Welfare Studies at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, Former Chief Executive Officer, Harlem Children’s Zone, Mother of three.
Deborah Roberts: Emmy Award-winning ABC News Correspondent, Mother of two.
Crystal McCrary McGuire: Filmmaker, Attorney, Mother of three, whose son Cole Anthony is entering the 2020 NBA draft.