This episode is sponsored by Renee Swindle, author of Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn, a beautiful book about a woman named Francine Stevenson, who gets more than she bargained for when she rescues a ten year old foster child named Davie from a pack of bullies attempting to steal his iPad. As Davie continues to show up on her doorstep, their unconventional friendship grows, and Francine learns that Davie’s foster mother is her high school crush, Jeanette. Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn by Renee Swindle is a novel about finding yourself and finding your true chosen family. Look for this novel wherever books are sold, or even better, ask your local bookstore to order a copy for you.
In this episode, number 50!!! Allison and I welcome Catherine’s Kindergarten teachers, and hosts of the beautiful podcast Big Little Lessons, Kristine Annunziata and Jenny Goodenough about the influence of screens on children’s development, parental modeling, and mindful use of technology. We explore how technology shapes our brain, social connections, and daily routines, offering practical and valuable insights for parents, educators, and caregivers.
We talked about the changing landscape of screen technology from the 90s to today, about what children miss out on when immersed in screens, and the importance of boredom and real-world engagement. Kristine and Jenny also share stories of their early teaching experiences, and how the integration of technology has evolved.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or adult navigating the digital world, the insights shared here aim to foster healthier relationships with technology and nurture the natural curiosity and creativity inherent in childhood.
Resources & Links:
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Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn by Renée Swindle — Explore a novel about found family and self-discovery amidst life’s chaos.
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Big Little Lessons Podcast — A heartfelt conversation on early childhood, education, and technology.
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Arthur Brooks: The Meaning of Your Life, Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness — Insight into boredom, purpose, and mental health.
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The Default Mode Network Explained — Understand how boredom fuels creativity and well-being.
Thanks again to Renee Swindle, Author of Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn for sponsoring this episode. If you have a book coming out, a Substack essay or a newsletter, an album or a creative project you’d like to promote, and you are interested in sponsoring an episode of Now That We Think About It, please email us at
NowThatWeThinkAboutIt@gmail.com for more information.
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