About this episode

Sissy and David discuss with Sharon McMahon how to raise informed and resilient children in today's complex world.

Sissy and David sit down with Sharon McMahon to discuss how parents can help children become informed, resilient, and capable in a complicated world. Sharon shares her journey from classroom teacher to becoming “America’s Government Teacher,” and talks about the importance of balancing protection and preparation as kids grow. Together, they explore how children can handle difficult topics when guided by trusted adults, why self-awareness is essential for modeling calm engagement, and how teaching kids to focus on “the next needed thing” helps build confidence and agency. Sharon also shares the inspiring story of civil rights leader Septima Clark and explains why her new children’s book encourages kids to believe that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. Resources mentioned: We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing by Sharon McMahon The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon @sharonsaysso . . . . . . Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sissy, David

Guest: Sharon McMahon

Topics covered

• parenting
• resilience
• education
• self-awareness
• children's literature
• cultural landscape

Keywords

• capable kids
• parenting advice
• Sharon McMahon
• civil rights
• self-awareness
• children's book

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing, The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

More episodes of Raising Boys & Girls

• Episode 394: Capable Connections: Siblings with David and Sissy · July 21, 2026 · 42 min
• Episode 393: Capable in the Classroom with Dan Carpenter (High School Teacher) and Wheat Teller (Elementary School Teacher) · July 16, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 392: Capable Connections: Teachers and Coaches with David and Sissy · July 14, 2026 · 34 min
• Episode 391: Family Dinners and the One Question Grandparents Need to Ask with Babs Costello · July 9, 2026 · 31 min
• Episode 390: The Power of Family Through Generations with Carole and John Ferguson, Julie Trapp, Ashley Waltemath, & Amy Pipes · July 7, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Episode 389: Capable Connections: Grandparents with David and Sissy · July 2, 2026 · 30 min

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