MIXED MODERN FAMILY

We stick a pin in the season this episode. Wrapping up a short but sweet run. Thank you to all of our guest for sharing their story. Until next time find us on IG at Mixed Modern Family

In this episode, we will speak with the mother of a transgender youth sharing some of her experiences. Her advice through any difficult parenting moment is to simply "Lean back and listen - stop getting in the way." Oftentimes, as parents, we take on the struggles of our children as our own - naturally so; however, in many cases, we make a bigger deal out of a situation than our own children do. Erin's son Cal was assigned female at birth. Erin gave Cal a female name as her first gift to her, and, as she so eloquently shared, the name simply wasn't the 'right size'. Cal's given name is no longer what he goes by, but Erin continues to love him and support him through his journey - albeit difficult, at times. The impact of society has definitely taken a toll on transgender rights and we hope that this podcast shines light on positivity and how we, as a society, can support everyone. Remember that we all have a story to tell!

Hey Fam, have you ever wondered if you’re really depressed or just feeling down. We talk about just that on this OLD episode of MMFAM. Check it out and if you’ve ever felt this way, know you’re not alone, NEVER alone and there are always people you can talk to.

Blended families aren't new, but they are definitely garnishing more attention. From fairy tales to current days, step-parenting is seen as 'evil', but shouldn't those who step in to raise another person's child be given the opportunity to show they aren't evil? Blended families exist within immediate parenting structures while grandparents and extended family are also supporting families. In this episode, we will discuss how multi-generational families, adoption, and blended families make up today's family structures. We will discuss these topics with our co-hosts, who each have their own perspective on the matter (as children of blended families and parenting within a multi-generational environment). Remember that we all have a story to tell!

We digest our sit down with Gary Ican Sparkman and share our thoughts in restorative justice.

Join us for part 2 of the Garry I Can Sparkman Episode. High Speed Chase, Drug Deal Gone Bad: Cop Got Shot - Don't Know Which Thug Pulled the Trigger Incarceration has a negative influence on families, but what happens when incarceration actually sparks positive life changes? In this episode, we have the opportunity to speak with Garry "I CAN" Sparkman, father of four who served nearly five years in prison. Since being released in 2008, Garry has founded the I CAN (Cultivate a Nation) Movement against negativity. Starting a life of drugs at the age of 13, he moved from marijuana to crack cocaine and ultimately was imprisoned for a drug deal gone bad - being falsely accused of shooting an officer. Two of his four children have Cerebral Palsy and those struggles, on top of serving time, moved him toward his faith where he learned to overcome negativity. Living through Tupac's lyrics of being the "spark that changes the nation", he has motivated many to overcome negativity and their own struggles. Listen as he shares his story and recognizes that "other people's perceptions don't have to be our reality".

High Speed Chase, Drug Deal Gone Bad: Cop Got Shot - Don't Know Which Thug Pulled the Trigger Incarceration has a negative influence on families, but what happens when incarceration actually sparks positive life changes? In this episode, we have the opportunity to speak with Garry "I CAN" Sparkman, father of four who served nearly five years in prison. Since being released in 2008, Garry has founded the I CAN (Cultivate a Nation) Movement against negativity. Starting a life of drugs at the age of 13, he moved from marijuana to crack cocaine and ultimately was imprisoned for a drug deal gone bad - being falsely accused of shooting an officer. Two of his four children have Cerebral Palsy and those struggles, on top of serving time, moved him toward his faith where he learned to overcome negativity. Living through Tupac's lyrics of being the "spark that changes the nation", he has motivated many to overcome negativity and their own struggles. Listen as he shares his story and recognizes that "other people's perceptions don't have to be our reality".

Being a single parent has become something that some of us choose. In this episode, we will discuss how different parenting can look when one of the parents are absent - either by choice or not. We will discuss the importance of co-parenting whether you are still with the other parent or not. Single fathers are often revered while single mothers are simply expected to step up. Fathers who stay at home with their children are seen as 'rare' or 'baby-sitters'. Why is this double standard still prevalent in today's society? Let's chat about this topic and others while we speak to a single parent, Megan, and a wedded co-parent, QJ. Remember that we all have a story to tell!

Welcome to Mixed Modern Family! My name is QJ and I’m the host of this podcast. MMFam is a podcast about imperfect people, having imperfect conversations, about their imperfect life. This episode we introduce Megan Fuciarelli to the Mixed Modern Family. Megan will be joining us this season as a special guest host. We will explore her story and the unique work she does with bias and “isms” Check it out and as always check us out online on IG, FB, Twitter and Venmo if you’d like to contribute $$$ lol just kidding...unless you gone do it (-_-)

It's been a slow burn but we are finally ready to cook! MMFAM is BACK. With new guests, a new co host and a new energy. Mixed Modern Family is here to explore the stories of the modern family. How it can differ greatly from the 2.5 kids and white picket fence we were all sold as kids. Most importantly to highlight the value in diverse stories. Get ready because we are about some fun. On the Mixed Modern Family.

There either some exciting things going or a bunch of random noises, either way Season 3 is turning the corner and leaving the gate. Get ready for the ride.

As Outkast once said, " Even the sun goes down...", In that same line of thought, it’s now time for us to take a long pause here at #MMFAM. We need to to create new and exciting material. To do so we must first take a good look at where we are and determine where we want to be. This season has been nothing less than amazing. Thank you for being apart of the Mixed Modern Family. The saga continues at www.mixedmodernfamily.com. You can catch us there all summer long. Until then just know that you are liked, you are loved but most importantly, know you are OK... Can't wait for season 3!

Filling the wire with good stories; that’s the goal of Ben from The Urban Dads. Tired of the negative images portrayed of Black fathers online and in social media, Ben set out to change the conversation and uplift Black fathers, highlighting and celebrating Black fatherhood through The Urban Dads movement. As a dad himself, Ben also has a son on the autistic spectrum. We talk about the cultural differences of dealing with conditions like Autism in the Black Community. Sometimes in deep denial, but in efforts to advise, we say silly things, “He’ll grow out of it”, or “I peed on the floor till I was 18, and look at me now!” These are well meaning things, but not always the most useful things…Ben and I just get honest and break it all down. All that AND what conversation would be complete about black fatherhood without discussing some of the greatest black TV fathers of all time...along with some of the not so great. Settle in for a good episode! Enjoy.

Autism; what is it? That's what we learn on this week’s episode as #MMFAM originals Matt & Beth, join Mrs K and I to walk us through their family's journey with Autism. With two incredible, autistic children, Matt and Beth know all the layers, the true trials and real triumphs of Autism. From seeing their children's brilliant minds, to embracing the way the world impacts them, Matt and Beth help to educate us on the understanding that no two experiences on the Spectrum are the same and show us just how grateful a family can be to have gotten this diagnosis. It's a jam packed episode, with laughs and love and wisdom and perspective from these two, so join us for the ride. And stick around till the end as we have some first time, special guests to close out the episode.

After a brief recharge, this week we sit down with one of my dearest friends and chop it up. Mark Staton is a pastor and a social worker but more importantly, a dad. This week we talk about the experience of the black dad, how to deal with the challenges unique to us and how people cope. Some conversations on this show are more natural than others. This week's was Fantastic! It was as real as it gets. Thanks again to Mark for opening up and sharing his story.

This week we get ready for spring break by connecting some thoughts. Thinking back on some conversations, I have a revelation of sorts. The importance of how your career should be just like your wife. Randomly I manage to bring Trump and firemen into the conversation but don’t worry there’s not too much controversy this week. Enjoy.

Spring is here, just remember spring cleaning doesn’t just apply to getting rid of excess stuff you can also take this chance to get rid of those people in your life that bring you down. Have a great week and just know that you are liked, you are loved but most importantly, you’re OK. Mrs K stops by to keep me on track. Until Mixed Modern Family takes off, we still have regular 9 to 5 J-O-B’s. Mrs K, gently reminds me that we do these recordings sometimes far past the bewitching hour. That’s sends us down this week’s rabbit hole of goodness. We also talk about some our favorite hair care products for the girls in the Mixed Chicks hair care line. These products have been more than amazing for our kids. From the detanglers, to the brush. Mrs K and I dive into what works well for us and what we think you might like Thank again to Mrs K from riding shotgun and being my partner... Love you turtle <3 Thanks to Mixed Chicks for allowing us to review you line You can find Mixed Chicks at Target and other fine retails Website www.mixedchicks.net Music provided by Assemble Sound, Producer Syblyng We want to connect with you Find us on Twitter: @mixedmodernfam Instagram: @ mixedmodernfamily www.mixedmodernfamily.com ITunes Stitcher Google Play

Amber Anderson stops by the studio to continue our talk about relationships. We love hearing origin stories of how people met, and Amber tells us about how she fell in love with her husband’s lightning bolt hair, his quirks and his chivalry (AND the legit swagger move that reeled her in). How do you know when it’s time to get married? Is fate a thing? Just how and when do we talk to our kids about race? And what's for dinner?? No, seriously. Aren’t you making dinner? All that and more as Amber breaks down life as a working mother of four, maintaining her creative side, keeping up with @OliveJuiceBlog, keeping up with that husband energy, and all while keeping it real for the Mixed Modern Family.

This week, we look at another side of the mixed modern family experience as we talk with Sam Anderson. Father of four, husband, and Pastor, Sam walks with me through the sucky parts of marriage, diversity in the church, and filling out that Nissan Envy. Sam is a truth preaching, dad life loving, down to earth dude, keepin it 100. And this episode is jam packed with #mmfam topics including loving our kids, marriage and timing, racial divides AND Sam schools us on our ‘soul care’ habits. We also dig in on the current relevance, or arguable irrelevanceof the church and how it plays out in the new political climate, wading through polarization, empathy and healthy disagreement. I also poke a little to find out if everyone really is welcome at church, like the sign says. In the end, Sam shares his perspective (brought to you by thee JC) that the goal is unity and the way is grace and forgiveness and caring for each other more than we care for ourselves. Food for thought. I’ll bite. Tell us what you think. @mixedmodernfamily on Twitter @mixedmodernfamily on Instagram and www.mixedmodernfamily.com

Check out this week’s episode as we sit down with one of L.A.P.D.’s finest, former Officer Anthony Escobar. This is a guy I’ve come to gain tremendous respect for in a short period of time. In this episode, Anthony and I are able to have an honest and open conversation, diving into Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. This week’s conversation is very important to me because the topic is the reason Mixed Modern Family exists. I set out to shine light on the back stories and the understanding that seem to get lost in oversimplification these days. There’s not really a right or wrong conclusion. We simply wanted to share different perspectives. Today I think we do just that. Once you’ve checked out today’s episode, I encourage you to have a healthy conversation with your friends or acquaintances with different points of view. And reach out to your local law enforcement officers. Let's talk to each other. Let's listen to each other. So, thanks for this listen. Have a great week and know that you are liked, you are loved and most importantly, you're okay. Big thanks to Anthony Escobar Want to support law enforcement and future law enforcement? You can donate at the link below http://www.newtoncadetscholarshipfoundation.com/ Music Provided By: Syblyng of Assemble Sound http://www.assemblesound.com/ We want to connect with you. Find us at Twitter: @mixedmodernfam Instagram: @mixedmodernfamily www.mixedmodernfamily.com