Balance, being the default parent to teenagers and being married to a parenting PhD | Josh Herzig-Marx and Carla Naumburg (parents of 2, Tech Exec and Best-selling Parenting Author)

In this special, 10th episode I interviewed husband and wife team Josh Herzig-Marx and Carla Naumburg, PhD. Josh is a product executive and coach, a former VP of Product, founder and ex-Googler. He is also the "default" parent to two teenagers having chosen to step back as Carla leaned more into the workforce as a best-selling parenting book author.

Carla is a clinical social worker and mother. She’s the author of four non-fiction books, including her international bestseller, How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids (Workman, 2019), as well as You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent, and the forthcoming How to Stop Freaking Out, the (completely swear-free) middle-grade adaptation of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Transition stages for kids and puberty during the pandemic


• The argument that led to their decision to start a family


• IVF and fertility


• How you can't learn to be a parent from a pamphlet


• Understanding privilege and balance as a parent


• Their decision for Josh to be the default parent


• Whether you're in Teen or Tween mode and what to do


• Parenting Frameworks


• What it means to be a good parent


• Rapid fire!

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Where to find Josh Herzig-Marx

- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/herzigma

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaherzigmarx/

Where to find Carla Naumburg

- Carla's Website: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/

- Carla's Books: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/

Where to find Adam Fishman

- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/fishmanaf

- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fishmanaf

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In this episode, we cover:

[2:10] Personal background

[4:36] How did you meet?

[6:54] Family/kids

[8:12] Kid’s transition stages/puberty

[11:46] Decision to start a family

[15:30] IVF

[19:04] Earliest memories of becoming a parent

[24:04] Work/life balance

[26:05] Privilege

[31:50] Being the default parent

[38:28] Teen vs. Tween mode

[39:18] Parenting frameworks

[48:20] What is a good parent/unconditional love

[52:52] Rapid fire round

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Show references:

You're Not a Sh*tty Parent: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/youre-not-a-shtty-parent/

How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/how-to-stop-losing-your-sht-with-your-kids/

Ready, Set, Breathe: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/ready-set-breathe/

All of Carla's Books: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/

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Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/