Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

Raising Boys to Be Good Men: Character, Courage & Purpose with Boad Swanson

How do we raise boys to become good men—men with courage, character, purpose, and compassion? And how do we teach them to be brave without being reckless, independent without losing their connections, and strong without sacrificing kindness?

In this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, Suzy Shaw welcomes Boad Swanson, author of Great Souled Men: Reclaiming Aristotle's Vision for Building Character and Virtue. Drawing on Aristotle's 12 virtues and his experiences as a father of four, Boad shares insights into helping boys develop the values and habits that will guide them into adulthood.

Together, Suzy and Boad explore the importance of positive role models, the challenges of modern masculinity, and why parents sometimes need to practice a little “catch and release”—giving their sons room to make mistakes, learn, and grow.

They also discuss practical ways to build character through celebration, correction, and curiosity. And Boad shares a lesson from his father about what it means to be a good man: protect, provide, and preserve—especially the relationships that matter most.

Along the way, Suzy shares stories from raising her two now-adult sons, including a memorable cliff-jumping adventure that she discovered on Instagram!

Whether you're raising a young boy, navigating the teenage man-cub years, or watching your adult son find his way, this conversation offers practical advice, perspective, and encouragement for raising good humans.

Learn more about Boad Swanson and his book: https://greatsouledmen.com

Explore the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, book, and resources: https://mothersofboys.life

If this episode resonates with you, share it with another boy mom who could use a little camaraderie!

When our boys are struggling, what’s our first instinct as moms? Fix it. But sometimes what they need most isn’t an answer. They need us to walk alongside them while they figure it out.

On this episode of the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast, educator, coach, and leader Jason Larocque shares practical insight from more than two decades of working with boys and young men.

We talk about:
• Why connection should come before correction
• Why boys often open up more during side-by-side conversations
• How boys signal they’re struggling—even when they don’t say it
• When parents need to step in
• How to create space for honest conversations without judgment
• Why our own emotional and physical wellness matters, too

Jason leaves us with a great reminder: “Walk with them, don’t push them, and don’t pull them.”

🎧 Listen to How to Support Boys Without Trying to Fix Everything on the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide podcast.

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From picky eaters surviving on three beige foods to teenagers who seem capable of emptying the refrigerator overnight, feeding boys can be an adventure. But eventually, we need to teach them how to feed themselves.

Nutritionist, cookbook author, TV personality, and mom of two sons Robin Miller joins Suzy to talk about raising boys who are comfortable and capable in the kitchen. They discuss handling picky eating without food battles, feeding hungry teenage boys, getting kids involved in cooking, and the essential kitchen skills boys should know before leaving home.

Robin also shares practical strategies for busy families, including prepping ahead and her favorite approach: “cook once, eat twice.”

Because the goal isn’t just feeding our boys today—it’s raising young men who can someday make their own dinner.

🎧 Raising Boys Who Feed Themselves

Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit mothersofboys.life.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide  book

🔗  Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys!

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They say it takes a village to raise a child—and when you’re raising boys, having other moms in your corner can make all the difference. In this episode, Suzy talks with Laurie Ann Steinmetz, mom of three adult sons, host of The MOOBment Podcast, and founder of a community for MOOBs—Mothers Of Only Boys.

Suzy and Laurie Ann share how mom friendships helped them navigate the chaos of raising boys, from carpools and sports fields to the moments when life simply became too much to handle alone. They talk about asking for help, Laurie Ann’s A-B-C-D theory of friendship, holding onto your own identity through motherhood, finding your village, and trusting that your boys really are listening—even when you’re pretty sure they aren’t.

🎧 Raising Boys Takes a Village: Why Mom Friends Matter

Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit mothersofboys.life.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide  book

🔗  Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys!

⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐

👉 Follow for more parenting insights:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mothers-of-boys-survival-guide

Raising boys into confident, responsible young men means learning when to step in—and when to let them figure it out.

Author and mom of four sons Jennifer L. W. Fink returns to the MOBcast to talk about parenting boys through the middle and high school years. We discuss puberty, independence, school responsibilities, letting boys experience consequences, and why our role needs to shift from managing to coaching as they grow.

Plus, a reassuring reminder for anyone currently living with a “man cub”: all that love, guidance, and teaching you poured into him when he was little? It’s still in there.

🎧 Building Boys: Raising Confident, Responsible Young Men

 

Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit mothersofboys.life.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

🔗 Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys!

⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐ https://mothersofboys.life/podcasts

👉 Follow for more parenting insights:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mothers-of-boys-survival-guide

Divorce is one of the biggest life changes a child can experience, but boys don't always show they're struggling in obvious ways. In this episode, counselor Jarrod Hoffman shares how trauma can affect boys differently, the warning signs parents should watch for, and a simple framework—intensity, frequency, and recency—to help determine when a behavior may be more than a normal reaction to stress. He also explains why feelings of isolation can make trauma more difficult, how to introduce counseling in a positive way, and one powerful communication tool that encourages boys to open up: "Tell me more." Whether you're navigating divorce or supporting your son through another challenging season, this conversation offers practical guidance, reassurance, and hope.

Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit mothersofboys.life.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

🔗 Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys!

⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐ https://mothersofboys.life/podcasts

👉 Follow for more parenting insights:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mothers-of-boys-survival-guide

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In Part 2 of this conversation, Suzy Shaw sits down with college admissions expert Shellee Howard, founder of College Ready, to break down practical strategies for making higher education more affordable. Shellee explains the four ways families can pay for college, how scholarships and financial aid really work, common FAFSA mistakes to avoid, and why it's never too early to start planning.

The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping careers and what today's students need to do to prepare for an uncertain future. Whether your teen is headed to a four-year university, community college, trade school, or another path, this episode offers practical guidance to help families reduce college costs, avoid expensive mistakes, and confidently plan for what comes next.

Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit mothersofboys.life.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

🔗 Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys!

⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐ https://mothersofboys.life/podcasts

👉 Follow for more parenting insights:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mothers-of-boys-survival-guide

What comes after high school? Four-year college, community college, trade school, entrepreneurship, a gap year, or the workforce? With more options—and higher college costs—helping your son choose the right path can feel overwhelming.

In Part 1, Suzy talks with Shellee Howard, founder of College Ready, about helping teens discover their strengths, find their “why,” and make thoughtful decisions about their future. They discuss college and career planning, financial literacy, the value of letting kids fail, and how parents can guide their children toward independence without choosing the path for them.

Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit mothersofboys.life.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom.

📚 Grab Suzy Shaw’s Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

🔗 Visit http://motherofboys.life for resources, links, and more.

📌 Subscribe for more parenting tips and support for raising boys!

⭐⭐⭐ Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast ⭐⭐⭐ https://mothersofboys.life/podcasts

👉 Follow for more parenting insights:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothers.of.boys.survival.guide
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mothers-of-boys-survival-guide