Women's Empowerment Month - Interview with Stephanie Lee

March is Women’s Empowerment Month, and I had the chance to interview Stephanie Lee, founder of Global Street Partners, who is redefining commercial real estate strategy in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Lee brings Fortune 50 executive experience, hands-on portfolio leadership and a strong commitment to mentoring other women entrepreneurs, offering a compelling lens on how women are driving enterprise value, scaling organizations and transforming leadership narratives.

What has been the biggest surprise about transitioning into a focus on commercial real estate?

I was surprised to discover there is no real technical training for commercial real estate. I was fortunate to have mentors who helped me pivot from a business career to a real estate career, combining my areas of expertise to fill a gap in the marketplace. This was also the impetus to developing the Global Street Partners internship program so new professionals and entrepreneurs will not have to find themselves in my position. 

I also quickly confirmed what I suspected: that commercial real estate was mostly transactional. I knew I could provide more value if my role was relationship-driven. As a mother of two adult children, it’s important to me that I demonstrate how to use my talents to create fresh opportunities, always with humanity and a lot of heart. 

Why is it important for people to have a sense of flexibility regarding their career trajectory?

Careers are no longer defined by linear progressions. There’s tremendous change and volatility. Resilience and agility are essential if you want to stay relevant. Being agile has enabled me to adapt to the rapid industry changes and read the room so I can provide solutions that are unique and valuable to my clients. 

Flexibility also means ongoing learning. Because I am prepared for whatever comes my  way, I can help my clients pivot without losing momentum. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to take a risk by starting a business or moving in a new career direction?

Understand who is in your support network.. Be bold about seeking their guidance and learning from their experience. Be kind and respectful of their input. Keep your focus on your ‘why’. Obstacles will arise. While you will have to adjust your strategies, your compass should always point to your ultimate goal. And accept that missteps happen. When they do, be kind to yourself and everyone else involved. People will be more willing to help you in the future if you handle mistakes with grace. 

Commercial real estate remains one of the most volatile and capital-intensive areas of business operations, shaped by shifting workforce patterns, fluctuating interest rates and evolving market demand. By focusing on real estate as a cost center, even multi-million-dollar companies often overlook how property decisions affect broader business objectives, leaving billions of potential value untapped.  

Global Street Partners was founded to address this historically unmet need. Over the past decade, the firm has completed more than $3 billion in transactions, guiding corporate clients in using real estate as a purposeful driver of enterprise value.

Why this niche market is not easily addressed 

While many colleges offer real estate degrees, the education is largely focused on finance and transactional mechanics. All real estate licenses are residential. It is exceptionally difficult to find individuals who combine deep strategic business insight with real estate expertise, even at larger established commercial real estate firms. It is a persistent gap that education alone cannot fill.

For Lee, this challenge became an opportunity to redefine what value looks like in the industry. Unlike others in her field, her real-world credibility comes from owning businesses and managing real estate portfolios at scale. She has held executive roles within Fortune 50 companies and built a global track record of buying, selling, growing and consolidating companies, and their real estate. 

That combination of strategic leadership and hands-on execution is rare, and it is precisely what enables her to bridge a gap that corporations struggle to close.

Mentoring enables Lee to help prepare the next generation of leaders 

In addition to mentoring college students and offering internships, Lee currently serves as President for the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-MN). She views her NAWBO-MN presidency as an opportunity to help other women in business step more fully into their value. “Women still tend to undersell their services,” she reflects. “During my tenure, I want to encourage members not to undervalue themselves and their businesses. Don’t be afraid to stand out. Learn the strategic way to take smart risks.”

She continues, “I’m grateful that Global Street Partners has become my voice. It’s enabled me to go beyond the transactions and put my heart into my work. I’m proudest of the depth of relationships with my clients. It goes beyond the numbers. Together, we are building a mutually beneficial ecosystem. We talk daily. They even attend my birthday celebrations. How do you quantify that?” 

Learn more at GlobalStreetPartners.com. 

With more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in corporate America at Cargill and Courage Center, Stephanie’s work has involved all aspects of global mergers and acquisitions, including pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration, with broad responsibilities for human resource alignment and organizational development Through this work, Stephanie developed deep expertise in strategic planning, business growth and consolidations, and what is required to source, select and lead a turnaround acquisition and position an organization for growth. 

Caring Connections - Junia™

 For centuries, Black women have held families together, led through faith, strength, and resilience — yet culturally, we still lack a naming tradition that honors their legacy.

Junia™, founded by Dr. Tamara Nall, is changing that. It's a new movement that gives daughters the right to carry their mother’s full name, just like sons do with “Junior.”

Named after the biblical apostle Junia — “outstanding among the apostles” — this tradition empowers mothers to formally pass down identity, strength, and purpose across generations. It’s a cultural reset that resonates deeply in Black families where matriarchs are often the heartbeat of legacy.

Junia™ invites us to rethink how we celebrate women’s contributions — not just through stories and photos, but through the names our daughters carry.

I had a chance to interview Dr. Nall to learn more.

1. Why is it less common to have naming traditions based on the mother's name?

For most of recorded history, family identity, property rights, and lineage were structured around paternal lines. Last names were passed from fathers. Sons named after fathers were marked as 'Junior.' Legal inheritance systems reinforced that structure.

Naming traditions did not emerge in a vacuum; they reflected power structures.

It is not that mothers did not matter. It is that culture did not formalize maternal succession in the same visible way.

When daughters were named after their mothers, there simply was not a generational marker created to acknowledge it.

Junia fills that gap.

2. Why is it important to recognize the contributions mothers make to the family through naming traditions?

Because naming is identity architecture.

A name tells a child: you belong somewhere. You come from somewhere. You carry something forward.

Mothers are often the emotional center, cultural historians, spiritual anchors, and primary nurturers within families. But those contributions are rarely codified in formal traditions.

When we formalize a maternal naming tradition, we are saying: the work of mothering is not invisible. The lineage of women is not secondary. Legacy flows through her, too.

Recognition shapes confidence. And confidence shapes generations.

3. Why is this particularly important for Black families?

In Black communities, names have always carried resilience, creativity, and cultural restoration.

Because of slavery, many Black families lost original surnames, tribal identities, and lineage records. Naming became one of the most powerful tools of reclamation — a way to declare identity when history attempted to erase it.

For Black families, this absence carries particular meaning.

Ours is a culture shaped by strong fathers and strong mothers alike. Black patriarchs have passed down their names with pride for generations, creating visible lines of honor and continuity. That tradition deserves respect.

At the same time, Black matriarchs have carried spiritual authority, economic resilience, and cultural memory in ways that have sustained entire communities often quietly, but powerfully.

Recognizing maternal legacy does not compete with paternal legacy it complements it. It does not diminish sons. It does not replace fathers. It simply ensures that daughters stand on equal ceremonial ground.

Junia creates a visible structure for what has always been true: legacy flows through both parents.

Our sons have long been publicly marked as heirs. Junia ensures our daughters are honored as heirs, too.

4. Can you share a little bit about Junia™ and why it's important for families to celebrate a naming tradition?

Junia™ is the first formal feminine equivalent of 'Junior.'

If a daughter carries her mother’s name — first and last, or first, middle, and last — she may carry the suffix Junia, abbreviated Jn.

It is inspired by the biblical Junia, described as 'outstanding among the apostles.' The name represents strength, spiritual authority, and generational continuity.

But more than a suffix, Junia is a ceremony.

It invites families to gather, to speak identity aloud, and to mark the moment intentionally.

Because when something is witnessed, it becomes tradition.

Celebrating a naming tradition tells a daughter: you are not accidental. You are continuation. You are legacy.

Caring Causes - Salvation Army Food Drive

The Twin Cities Salvation Army launched its annual Meals4Minnesota Food Drive on Friday, February 27, aiming to replenish supplies at its nine metro-area food shelves as demand for food assistance remains elevated across the region.

The food drive runs now through March 27, with 50 convenient donation drop-off locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Community members may donate unexpired, non-perishable food items at participating Blaze Credit Union locations, Warners’ Stellian stores, and all Twin Cities Salvation Army Family Stores and service centers. Visit Meals4MN.org for a complete list of drop-off centers.

Helping kick off this year’s campaign is a $25,000 matching gift from a generous Twin Cities family foundation, doubling the impact of early financial donations and allowing food shelves to restock critical items more quickly.

Food drive presenting partner Cub Foods will also invite customers to round up their purchases throughout March at all Minnesota Cub locations, with proceeds supporting Salvation Army food shelves.

Community Support Needed as Demand for Food Assistance Remains High
Food insecurity continues to affect many Minnesota households as elevated costs for groceries, housing, and utilities strain family budgets. Visits to Minnesota food shelves have nearly tripled since before the pandemic, as prices for food, rent, and utilities remain at all-time highs.

“Many families are working hard but still struggling to keep up with higher everyday expenses,” said Lt. Colonel Randall Polsley, Salvation Army Northern Division commander. “Demand at our food shelves remains high, and community support during this food drive helps ensure our neighbors have reliable access to nutritious food.”

Rising food prices have also reduced purchasing power for hunger relief organizations like The Salvation Army, making donated food especially important.

“Our priority is making sure families don’t have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table,” said Captain Josh Polanco, Twin Cities area commander. “A donation to The Salvation Army of just $25 is enough to feed a family of three for a week.”

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to host their own food drives using a downloadable starter kit available on The Salvation Army food drive website at Meals4MN.org.

The campaign will culminate in a final community-wide drop-off collection on Friday, March 27. For suggested donation items, volunteer opportunities, or to make a financial gift, visit the Meals4MN.org for more information.

The Salvation Army Northern Division last year helped 387,000 people overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardship through a range of social services, meeting human needs without discrimination. This year, continued struggles caused by food shortages, inflation, increased energy costs and the threat of eviction have elevated the numbers of those seeking assistance.

By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army Northern Division is #DoingTheMostGood at over 85 operation centers in Minnesota and North Dakota. For more information about The Salvation Army Northern Division, please visit SalvationArmyNorth.org.

Music Minute - Darin & Brooke Aldridge: You Don't Knock

 Multi-award-winning bluegrass favorites Darin & Brooke Aldridge release their uplifting new single, “You Don’t Knock,” from their forthcoming gospel album ‘Soul Condition’ (April 17) on Billy Blue Records. The project marks the duo’s second full gospel release and features their first collaboration with acclaimed vocalist John Cowan (New Grass Revival and The Doobie Brothers), whose unmistakable voice adds a special touch to the track. A joyful, stand-up-and-sing-along gospel anthem, “You Don’t Knock” is already building buzz following its premiere with GodTube and across all streaming platforms.

To purchase/stream: https://billyblue.ffm.to/dba_ydk 

To see the premiere with GodTube, visit HERE.

“You Don’t Knock” is the kind of song you turn up the moment it hits the radio. Upbeat, soulful, and impossible to sit still to, our voices paired together once again with John Cowan, we wanted to deliver a track that begs to be felt, whether you’re in the crowd or cruising down the road, drumming along on the steering wheel.” - Darin and Brooke Aldridge 

Their upcoming album ‘Soul Condition,’ is an 11-track collection that continues to showcase the heartfelt faith and soaring harmonies fans have come to expect from Darin & Brooke Aldridge. The project — the duo’s 11th studio album — also features special appearances from Sonya Isaacs and Becky Isaacs of The Isaacs, both members of the Grand Ole Opry, along with GRAMMY-winning gospel standout, Jason Crabb. Blending powerful collaborations with their signature bluegrass-and-gospel sound, the album highlights the duo’s continued commitment to inspirational music rooted in tradition while reaching listeners across generations.

Darin & Brooke Adridge Tour Schedule:
MAR 05 - Musical Instrument Museum / Phoenix, Ariz.
MAR 07 - Bluegrass On The Beach / Lake Havasu, Ariz.
MAR 08 - Bluegrass On The Beach / Lake Havasu, Ariz.
MAR 21 - Blueridge Music Hall of Fame / Wilkesboro, N.C.
MAR 29 - Hollow Point Farms / Bushnell, Fla.
APR 11 - Lucketts Bluegrass Series / Leesburg, Va.
APR 18 - Crest High School / Shelby, N.C.
MAY 14 - Silver Dollar City / Branson, Mo.
MAY 30 - NEPA Bluegrass Festival / Tunkhannock, Pa.
JUN 13 - Pammy Fest / Moore County, N.C.
JUN 19 - Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival / Morgantown, Ind.
JUN 20 - Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival / Roxboro, N.C.
JUN 28 - Grandfather Mountain State Park / Banner Elk, N.C.

For additional information, visit HERE.

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About Darin & Brooke Aldridge:

Darin and Brooke Aldridge continue to ascend to new heights in the music industry while keeping their easy-going, down-to-earth connection with audiences everywhere. Brooke is a four-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Female Vocalist of the Year, while Darin, a former member of The Country Gentlemen, is a former IBMA Mentor of the Year and a truly gifted singer and multi-instrumentalist. They have had numerous nominations over the years from the IBMA, the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA), the Gospel Music Association (GMA Dove Awards) and the Inspirational Country Music Association. In April 2023, they were named “Bluegrass Artist of the Year” at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. Also in 2023, the IBMA nominated the smash hit collaboration “Jordan” featuring Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney and Mark Fain, in the Gospel Recording of the Year category while the GMA nominated the song for its Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year award.  

The North Carolina natives have enjoyed top spots on the Billboard Bluegrass Album, SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, Bluegrass Today, Bluegrass Unlimited, Americana/Roots, and Gospel charts. Their music videos have been featured on CMT, CMT Edge, GAC, Bluegrass Ridge TV, and The Bluegrass Situation. Their television appearances include PBS’ Mountain Stage, Songs of the Mountain and Music City Roots; RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, Country’s Family Reunion and The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour; Great American Gospel; The Bluegrass Road and Blue Highways TV. They have graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry more than 50 times.   

A career highlight came on the group’s 2021 release This Life We’re Livin’ as the Gospel single “He’s Getting Me Ready,” featured Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys. The song spent an incredible, record-setting five months atop The Singing News Bluegrass Gospel chart.

About Billy Blue Records:

Billy Blue Records is a boutique bluegrass label, home to an award-winning roster of artists including Adam McIntosh, Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Bob Minner, Caroline Owens, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, Chris Davis Band, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Dave Adkins, Grascals, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Kristy Cox, Marty Raybon, NewFound Road, the multi-artist projects Blue Collar Gospel, Country Faith Bluegrass, and the Grammy-nominated recording Gonna Sing Gonna Shout. Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.

Parenting Pointers - Teaching Ear Care to Kids

 From dental hygiene to healthy eating and exercise, families teach children essential lessons in how to take care of their bodies from an early age.

But ear care is just as important yet often overlooked. The variety of sound and noise kids are exposed to daily can cause irreversible hearing damage, much of which is preventable with the right habits.

Dr Jenn Schumacher, audiologist at ReSound, explains why teaching kids about healthy hearing early on is essential and what parents can do to help make ear care a lifelong habit.

Hearing health is a growing global concern

The reason why it’s so important that kids are taught about hearing health from a young age first and foremost, is because hearing health is a growing global health concern.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 430 million people globally require treatment for disabling hearing loss, which includes 34 million children. A figure that is likely to continue to grow. 

Children are much more prone to ear infections

Children’s ears are more prone to middle ear infections. Their bodies aren’t as good at fighting off respiratory illnesses, such as colds, because their immune systems are still developing.

These types of illness can cause fluid to fill up inside the middle ear cavity, behind the eardrum.

For most adults, a small tube called the eustachian tube prevents the buildup of fluid in the ear, but in children, the eustachian tube doesn’t work as efficiently and fluid commonly builds up inside the ear.

This makes them more susceptible to infections, as well as hearing loss and speech and language delays, in cases where the infections are chronic.

Teaching simple habits like keeping ears clean and dry and avoiding inserting objects can significantly reduce the risk of painful or recurring infections.

Children’s hearing supports speech and learning 

Healthy hearing plays a vital role in speech development and learning. Children absorb language by listening to sounds and words. If they cannot hear clearly, they miss out on key auditory cues needed for communication.

A recent study in the Healer Journal found that untreated hearing loss can delay speech and language development, affecting education and overall quality of life. Encouraging good ear health from a young age helps build communication skills and confidence.

Practical tips for parents to help teach their children about ear care 

Below, Dr Jenn has given her top tips to help encourage ear care in children from a young age: 

Teach them the “no objects in ears” rule

From a young age, make sure children understand that nothing should be inserted into their ears. This includes toys, pencils, and even cotton swabs. Inserting objects can damage the ear canal or eardrum, which may lead to pain, infections or long-term hearing problems.

Monitor and teach safe listening levels when using earphones

Depending on their age, either monitor the sound levels children are exposed to through earphones or teach them how to manage these levels themselves. Kids should understand that loud volumes can damage hearing over time.

As a rule of thumb, the WHO recommends keeping volume at 60%  or less of the device’s maximum to maintain healthy hearing.

Encourage gentle drying after swimming or bathing

Moisture can easily become trapped in the ear, especially after swimming or bathing. This can lead to infections such as swimmer’s ear.

Teach children to gently pat their ears dry with a towel to help reduce the risk of moisture-related infections and keep their ears healthy.

Introduce good hygiene habits

When children are old enough, teach them proper hygiene for their ears. This includes how to clean around the ears safely, without digging or inserting anything inside.

Show them that ears, like the rest of the body, should be kept clean, but also explain that ears are delicate and should be treated with care.

Schedule regular hearing check-ups

Routine hearing check-ups are just as important as dental or eye exams. These help catch any potential issues early. Explain to children why regular check-ups matter.

Early detection can prevent delays in speech, communication, and learning. If a parent has any concerns about their child’s hearing abilities, or if their speech or language development seems off, it’s important to schedule a hearing test with an audiologist.

Encourage them to speak up if something feels wrong

Children may not always recognize when something is off with their hearing. Encourage them to say something if they experience pain, discomfort, or if their hearing seems muffled or strange. The earlier you’re aware of a problem, the easier it is to address.

Post courtesy ReSound: https://www.resound.com/en-us/

Caring Connections - Fostering as a Young Adult

 As the Government renews its push to recruit more foster carers, the role is still commonly treated as something people take on later in life, or purely out of goodwill. That assumption masks the reality of what the work involves - and quietly shuts younger people out of a decision that could shape their lives in profound ways.

Trevor Elliott MBE, a children’s advocate and Founder and Chief Executive of Kennedy Elliott, began fostering at the age of 24 and fostered three boys over five years. He speaks candidly about why starting young mattered, how the experience became a defining and deeply fulfilling part of his life, and why recognising this work as a real career path does not strip it of compassion or meaning.

Trevor is clear-eyed about the intensity of caring day in, day out, and about what it asks of you emotionally, practically, and over time. At the same time, he argues that honesty about those demands is what makes long-term commitment possible. Framing this work as something people can plan for - rather than something sustained by silent sacrifice - allows more people to step forward earlier in life, commit fully, and stay.

He also speaks to what younger carers can bring to the role, what he learned through fostering, and why being open about the realities of the role does not diminish its value, but makes it accessible to those who might otherwise never consider it - alongside practical advice for young people considering fostering themselves.

Why do so many people think fostering is only for older adults?

When we hear about fostering, it’s usually framed as “my mum fostered” or “my aunty was a foster carer.” It’s rarely presented as something young adults can actively choose as a life path.

We’re not told in school that fostering is a care choice or a career choice. It’s often seen as something you do later in life, or when you retire.

There’s also the belief that age automatically equals wisdom and stability, but maturity isn’t defined by age - it’s defined by life experience, emotional intelligence and resilience.

I started young; I didn’t have decades behind me, but I had drive, empathy, and a real commitment to showing up for children who needed someone consistent.

What are some strengths that younger adults can bring to the role of foster care?

Younger carers can often relate closely to what children are experiencing, whether that’s school pressures, social media, friendships, or identity struggles. That relatability helps build trust. 

We can sometimes build relationships differently, with energy, openness and adaptability. I also believe that having less ‘fixed’ or learned behaviour can mean being more flexible, less stubborn, and more willing to grow alongside the child. Age doesn’t determine connection - presence does.

What are some of the struggles you faced as a younger adult in fostering?

Being taken seriously was one of the biggest challenges. I had birth parents question whether I was mature enough to care for their child, and situations where parents almost tried to parent me. 

I’ve walked into professional meetings and been asked, “Are you his key worker?”, not the foster carer. At first, that was difficult, but over time I realised I didn’t need to argue my position - I just needed to demonstrate it consistently. Respect followed results.

What do young adults need to know if they're considering fostering?

Children don’t need perfection. They need love, kindness, warmth and someone emotionally available. 

Fostering is hard, I won’t pretend it isn’t. There are difficult days and moments that test you, but the reward of seeing a child feel safe, grow in confidence, and smile freely outweighs the hard parts.

If your heart is in the right place and you’re willing to commit fully, it can be one of the most meaningful decisions you ever make.

Book Nook - A Kid's Guide to Backyard Animals

 Packed with captivating facts about the most common animals in North America, this brightly illustrated guide is perfect for young nature lovers.

Learn all about the amazing animals right outside your door in A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Animals—a handy, easy-to carry guidebook for explorers ages 6 to 8 that shows you how to identify 40 animals that are commonly found in the United States. The book covers five animal types: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Kids learn all about these amazing creatures with fascinating facts, how to identify each animal (what it looks like and size), what it eats, whether it’s nocturnal or diurnal, and its habitat and range (including maps). Check the glossary for animal-related terms you might not know, keep track of the animals you’ve seen in a handy log, and try out a fun DIY project that helps you build a comfortable frog pond.

I had a chance to see a copy of this book. Although it's designed for younger kids, it can be enjoyed by kids as old as the middle grades as well. There's a lot of information there - even as an adult, I learned some things in the book! It has a great collection of animals that many people are able to see in their area, even if they live in an urban area. It's a great way to encourage curiosity and observation in kids of all ages.

Parenting Pointers - Baby Sleep

 The U.S. maternal mental health national grade this year is a C- even though 13 states (including California and New York) passed legislation to create state-mandated paid family leave programs. It’s not enough. What moms really need is for their babies to sleep well—so they can, too, according to Chrissy Lawler, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 15 years of experience and 467K Instagram followers. She has helped over 400k families worldwide (including celebrity and pro-athlete clients) who have turned to her for real-talk sleep tips that actually work.

“I grew up with a mom who struggled deeply with mental health and sleep,” says Lawler. “Years later, I became a therapist drawn to helping people untangle the pain I had seen up close. As a professional, I started noticing a pattern: my clients who felt the most ‘stuck’ in depression, anxiety, resentment, or strained relationships, almost always struggled with sleep. No matter how much progress we made in therapy, if they weren’t sleeping well, everything else seemed to stall.”

Her forthcoming book, The Peaceful Sleeper: An Intuitive Approach to Baby Sleep (March 24, 2026) offers an attachment-based, research-backed approach to baby sleep, ending the heated online debate of “sleep-training.” With the understanding that knowing how to help your baby get good sleep can be overwhelming given the loud, contradictory voices doling out advice, Lawler relies on a flexible and personalized approach to share solutions that work for you and your family.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

Why is it essential to optimize baby's sleep?

Good sleep matters. Babies that have the skill of independent sleep initiation and maintenance get better sleep than babies who need support to fall asleep and stay asleep. Parents with sleep trained babies also benefit from significantly better sleep. Good sleep is directly linked to better physical and mental health outcomes for the entire family system.

What are some common sleep training myths and what are the facts?

One of the most common sleep training myths is that babies are not capable of self-soothing. The truth is that as babies grow (especially around the 4 month mark) they start to show signs of self-soothing. Common self-soothing behaviors might be: rolling their head from side to side, rocking their head from side to side, chewing on their hands or sucking a thumb or fingers, playing with their sleep sack, touching the sheets or playing with their ears, trying to roll, dozing eyes.

What do most parents get wrong about baby sleep?

The biggest mistake parents make when it comes to sleep for their baby is underestimating how much they actually need and when they need it. Or thinking that if we keep them awake for longer, they’ll sleep better. This may be true for toddlers and adults, but it is the opposite for young babies. Especially newborns. It may seem counterintuitive, but the more your baby sleeps, the more they will sleep.

What are the key elements of optimizing sleep?

For optimal newborn sleep we need to build on four main pillars: Getting full feedings: prevent dozing and getting a good latch. Timing: preventing overtiredness, awake windows, sleepy cues. Calming strategies. Identifying and treating sources of discomfort. If you can navigate these four main pillars effectively, you will build a great sleep foundation. The first 4 months of your baby’s life, you are fully supporting their good sleep foundation. If you can get the timing right, soothing your newborn to sleep is 1,000 times easier.

Book Nook - The Fly Who Flew Under the Sea

The Collective Book Studio, a woman-owned independent publisher, is pleased to announce the second children’s book from New York Times bestselling author, pilot, and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez Bezos - The Fly Who Flew Under the Sea, publishing March 3, 2026 in English and Spanish.

The next book in the Flynn the Fly series takes young readers on a new adventure, spotlighting overcoming learning differences, and caring for our planet through exploration and conservation. With illustrations brought to life by Raleigh Stewart, readers will follow along as Flynn embarks on a new journey under the sea. The educational children’s book is filled with breathtaking biodiversity and natural wonders, revealing how much there is to learn about our precious planet and teaching the power of self-acceptance along the way.

Flynn takes a wrong turn on the way to Cape Canaveral in the upcoming book, but what starts as a misstep soon becomes a grand voyage of discovery. From coral reefs and mangrove forests to undersea mountain ranges and giant squid — Flynn’s adventures are shown through an unforgettable glow-in-the-dark journey under the sea in this beautifully illustrated picture book that explores the ocean’s wonders while encouraging youngsters to embrace their uniqueness—wherever life takes them. The Fly Who Flew Under the Sea will be a must read for young readers everywhere.

Lauren Sánchez Bezos was recently named Literacy Champion for Impact Reading’s United States of Readers Program, a proven literacy initiative that provides free books to students in high-needs schools with limited access to reading materials. Her beloved character Flynn the Fly will serve as the official “Spokesfly/Portavoz” for the program, inspiring children nationwide to discover the joy of reading. Through United States of Readers, every participating student will choose ten brand-new books of their own throughout the school year, while each teacher will receive 25 free books to build their classroom library. Program flyers will feature Flynn titles among the book selections and introduce a year-long “Dear Flynn” classroom project, inviting students to write letters to Flynn about their dreams, goals, and love of stories.

About the Author
Lauren Sánchez Bezos is a pilot, author, and philanthropist. As Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, she works alongside scientists, community leaders, and innovators to protect nature and accelerate climate solutions. She also supports efforts for families and early learning through the Day 1 Families Fund and Bezos Academy. In 2025, Lauren joined an all-female crew on Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission. Her debut picture book, The Fly Who Flew to Space, inspired by her experience with dyslexia, became a New York Times bestseller. Earlier in her career, she worked in television news as part of an Emmy Award–winning newsroom. She is most proud to be a mom of three, a mentor to young pilots, and a believer in what curiosity can spark.

About The Collective Book Studio
With a focus on innovative content and striking design, The Collective Book Studio, a woman-owned independent publisher based in the Bay Area, offers a unique approach to the publishing process, providing clients with expertise and collaborative support from concept to creation. The Collective Book Studio books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit http://www.TheCollectiveBook.Studio