The Boy Crisis (and what parents can do about it) with Deb Blum

Dr. Dan welcomes life/parent coach and expert (and mom to two boys) Deb Blum to the podcast today for a meaningful conversation about the “Boy Crisis” and raising healthy boys.

Deb lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their 15 and 17 year old boys. She’s been a management & technology consultant for over 25 years. Ten years ago, Deb found herself at a personal crisis point – suffering the consequences of unhealed trauma, completely disconnected from herself, on the brink of divorce – bitter, blaming and hopeless. Deb learned that to be a good leader, parent and partner – she needed to show up for herself first which is aligned with the Parent Footprint mission and eventually led to her life’s work.

After reading the book The Boy Crisis, Deb’s life changed dramatically and drastically as she learned that it’s a myth that boys and men are doing fine. In fact, she discovered that all humans are facing an impending epic catastrophe if our boys continue to struggle and then grow into men who aren’t engaged and positively contributing to our society. Deb passionately tells Dr. Dan that this is not a zero sum game — she believes we’re all in this together and when any group isn’t doing well, it impacts everyone.

Dr. Dan and Deb agree that our boys need us and discuss provocative topics in today’s podcast including —

• What are some of the ways that boys are in crisis?

• Three ways parents/moms can help boys

• Why boys need dads and positive male role models

• Why it is time to wake up and listen and why they need help in all areas: schools, relationships, families, the media – even the government!

• How to have a real relationship with your son

• Deb’s compelling Parent Footprint moment and what it can teach every parent

In addition to her coaching and consulting work, Deb Blum is the co-founder of a large local parent community, Redwood Parents Connect; and a strategic advisor for the Marin County Restorative Youth Court.