“Joanne’s parenting workshop truly ‘hit the ball out of the park’ for me. I have been to many parenting workshops, and Joanne is the first person who has gone further than parental ‘instructions’ and shared a philosophy that goes to the core of parenting. Her philosophy is easy to understand, her examples are personal and relatable, and she is an extremely engaging and genuine speaker. The benefit of her workshop is not limited to my role as a father. I can apply her teachings to all my personal relationships to be more effective and have stronger relationships in my roles as a husband, son, brother, friend, and business leader.”

David Dornseif
Active Kids, Danville, CA

“Joanne’s talk to the Feminist Luncheon was stupendous. She was willing to share her own family’s secrets and dillemmas, give sound advice in a ‘soft’ tone, and relate to moms and grand moms (and even non moms) of all ages in the audience. A great speaker for any group, and a great book for any parent!”

Dottie Lamm
Author, Daddy on Board: Parenting Roles for the 21st Century
Former First Lady of Colorado

“I want to thank you for the enormously successful presentations you gave to the parents at the American School of Puerto Vallarta. I couldn’t help but marvel at how you were able to directly address the universal vulnerability parents feel so deeply when it comes to communication with their children and then provide them the comfort of a hopeful model to follow. The clear, useful advice you gave on keeping communication with children open touched something they knew to be true in their hearts.

It was satisfying to see parents leave a workshop ready to put what they learned into action and I have seen many reading your book as they wait for their children at the end of the school day.”

Kathy Selitzer, Primary Principal
Colegio Americano | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

“Thank you SO much for doing the talk for Ironhorse Moms. It was very, very well received and the moms were quite busy talking about what a wonderful speaker you are and how amazing the night was. I think it was perfect! You are a very dynamic and captivating speaker and one that people definitely pay attention to! I could have been there all night!”

Tracie Vollgraf
Publisher, The Active Kids Tri Valley, San Ramon, CA

“I was so impressed by Dr Stern’s talk. Her inspiring insights made me believe I could be a better person, and her very specific suggestions gave me tools to work toward that goal. She helped me see how my relationship with my child can create a safety net, not to protect him from all things, but to soften the blow significantly when the time comes. The hour was very well spent and I look forward to finding even more golden parenting nuggets from her book.”

Amy Schmaderer
PTO President, Prescott Elementary, Lincoln, NE

" . . . a breath of fresh air. You have encouraged me to take a step back and analyze my parenting skills. You have given me new resources and tools to improve these skills. You have given me confidence that I too can be a great parent! What an awesome workshop. Thanks for coming to our school!”

Laura Hermann
Fullerton Elementary, Omaha, NE

“Dr. Joanne Stern is one of those people who speaks our language. We recently asked her to give a presentation for local parents and we have already begun preparations for future collaborative opportunities. She is a powerful and effective voice for common-sense parenting, and we are grateful to have her as a community resource in our work with youth and families.”

Lori Mueller
Youth Zone Program Director, Glenwood Springs, CO

“If you ever want fascinating, thought provoking ideas presented with flair, please read on. If you want to engage your greatest fears and most hopeful dreams in an exercise of integration while simultaneously being entertained, I have a suggestion:

. . . Dr. Stern's topic, "Parenting is a Contact Sport," contained vital information on how to maintain that close relationship with your children that's so easy when they are small, and get's more difficult as they grow to the point of facing hard choices and peer pressure.

We listened with rapt attention and some of us even took notes. All of us were mentally reviewing our parenting and grandparenting skills as we heard Dr. Stern artfully illustrate the information with personal stories from her life experience and from those of her clients so we understand the impact on the lives of real people. The emphasis on the parent - child relationship and the emotional bond of trust that must be built from the beginning was very refreshing. There are "how to" books that are used like recipes for parenting successfully, but they rarely honor the individuality of each parent and each child. Dr. Stern understands how to encourage that individuality, while maintaining the parental role of guiding — as opposed to controlling. . . .”

Joanne Tatham, President
The Inside Edge, Irvine, CA

“I wanted to express our team’s sincere appreciation for your presentation at our Clinical Symposium in Washington, D.C. You accomplished all that we asked in regard to giving our clinical leadership tools to go home and use. I think they say it best in a few comments that I have extracted from the evaluations:

• “… engaging, very informative, great take home message …”
• “… very knowledgeable speaker, nurses need to go beyond people pleasing and promote right from wrong … hard lessons to learn …”
• “… very personable presenter. I love the concepts…”
• “… thought provoking. It was good to go through the exercise of identifying 'bad' management style and good to know how to become congruent…”
• “… knowledgeable and motivated speaker…”

Thank you again for sharing your wisdom, confidence in positive change, and your caring.”

Barbara McCann, Chief Clinical Officer
and Chief Industry Officer, Interim Health Care, Sunrise FL

“Wow! Joanne was only talking for an hour but she had me and her audience both crying and laughing. She was an outstanding speaker — making me feel like I was having an intimate conversation while in a packed library. After her talk, people were still reluctant to leave. She graciously stayed, and in fact, walked out with the final stragglers. All of us left invigorated and inspired to be that connected parent Joanne encouraged us to be in her book and in her presentation.”

Alice Lucchesi, President
Aspen Creek K-8 PTA, Broomfield, CO

“You have a gift for speaking about difficult topics in a relaxed and non-threatening way. You engaged everyone as all parents have challenges with parenting. The easisest of children, as you kindly pointed out, make inappropriate choices that case anxiety for the family. . . Meaningful to all were the ways to stay connected to your children throughout the years. Forming as you say, ‘the unbreakable bond’ is what makes parenting so special and loving our children so rewarding.”

Jill Kessler, head of school
Pardes Jewish Day School, Phoenix, AZ

“Joanne was able to tailor her presentation for our specific audience. We are a unique half-day school for children and adolescents with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. . . Joanne was able to address our parents’ particular needs, stressing the importance of never giving up on developing mutual trust and respect. . . .By evening’s end it was clear to all of us — we needed to reflect on our current relatiosnhip with our children and begin putting Joanne’ s guidance and counsel to work! It was a powerful presentation, and we can’ t thank Joanne enough for sharing her practical advice.”

Charlotte W. Tye, M.A.
Director, The Hill Springs Learning Center
Colorado Springs

“. . . Inspiring, informative, and entertaining. I learned some very practical things I can do to make my relationships with my children and grandchildren even better. Thank you, Joanne, for baring your soul and sharing your stories so that other parents and grandparents can benefit.”

Terry Durham, parent and grandparent,
Palos Verdes Estates, California

“At a time when raising kids seems to be more complicated than ever, Dr. Stern gave our Aspen High School audience straight forward advice on being effective parents. . . Parents found her discourse intriguing, entertaining, and enlightening. It was clear by the audience’s response that her anecdotes struck a common chord with parents and that her advice made very good sense. This presentation was a huge hit with our parents! I can enthusaistically recommend Dr. Stern for parents of all age children.”

Charlie Anastas, Principal
Aspen High School, Aspen, Colorado

“. . . On target in every way, with a message that is powerful and filled with practical things parents can take home and start doing immediately. Joanne’s message would be well received by parents, administrators, and teachers — it would be a powerful evening at any school gathering.”

Patricia J. Thorpe, EdD
Lead Faculty, University of Phoenix, Education, and
former high school principal

“None of the other nationally renowned parenting experts I’ve heard have the ability to connect as deeply and passionately with parents as Joanne Stern does. I wish every parent could hear from Joanne, because she leaves you with new hope. Your heart and mind are touched in amazing ways when Joanne shares her expertise in nurturing open and trusting relationships with your children.”

Barbara C. Watson
Certified Teacher of Social and Emotional Learning and Former Director of Student Affairs at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas