Smart Family Podcast

If you have been around kids and schools, you'll notice that for some kids concepts around math come easy while for others it can seem like a constant uphill battle. Is it true that some of us were just not wired to learn math? Is it how math is taught? Or is there more to it? Today we talk not just about this issue but we also zoom out to the more general life lesson of "getting stuck" and we are joined by an expert in the field - teacher, speaker and author Ben Orlin. At a math teacher Ben saw how kids sometimes get stuck on trying only to get the right answer without "sitting" in the problem and perhaps seeing things from different angles. He brings to life some great examples in history where breakthroughs have emerged from smart people getting stuck and he makes a great point for why this should be something we value and teach to our kids as well. Ben, author of the upcoming Math For English Majors is a genius at making the "hard" things (like math concepts) easy to understand and you will love our conversation.

When you hit a season of disappointment in your marriage, what do you do? Do you tough it out, work it out, or move on? Our marriage experts and Christian church leaders, Ann and Dave Wilson had to face that question more than once. After 6 months, Ann wondered out loud to Dave, "I think we've made a serious mistake." After 10 years of marriage, she confessed to Dave that she no longer had feelings for him. And yet, they've found a pathway forward in their relationship that has them both in love, satisfied and enjoying each other after 44 years together. How did they face their disappointments and forge a better future? We have an honest, probing conversation today about how to make it through a season of disappointment, how to communicate about and meet each other's needs, how to improve your sex life and more.

As parents we all want what is best for our children, but how much stress should we let them experience? Or do we protect them from life's struggles? And how does this tie in with the concept of resilience - this ability for a person to manage the daily stressors in life and maintain an overall healthy mental state. In this episode we speak with scholar, author and speaker Dr Robyne Hanley-Dafoe about the topics of resilience and stress. She has an incredible personal story which she shares with us, and which motivated her llife-long journey to learn more about stress and resilience - how it develops and how we can raise kids who are resilient through the various stressors of life. There are pearls of wisdom throughout this episode you will not want to miss!

If you'd asked me (Toni) about what or who was causing our marital strife during the rough period my husband Carey and I went through, I can assure you I would not have pointed the finger back at me. For a time, I firmly believed Carey was mainly to blame. Only later did I discover how much my own lack of self-awareness and my weaknesses were also at play. In today's episode with my friend and owner of the Covey Wellness Centre, Sarah Covey, we talk about how our journeys in personal growth intersect marriage. We talk about my book, Before You Split, where I chronicle some of the personal challenges Carey and I faced, our learnings, research and perspectives from my work as a divorce attorney. Listen in for practical insights on how to overcome the obstacles that keep you from being more deeply satisfied with your married life.

Are you the parent of a child with a disability? Or do you know a parent who needs support with their child with a disability? Kelley Coleman is an expert on all things related to parenting a child with a disability. Kelley discusses her own experience as a parent but also explains how we can be an advocate, not just for individuals but also for the larger community. She suggests what we should or should not say and what we should or should not do. This conversation is filled with pearls of wisdom from someone who has experienced it all and captured in her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting A Disabled Child. Join us as we discuss this important topic.

Today's guest started having conversations with her child about avoiding drug use when he was still very young. So you can imagine the shock and denial she went through when she discovered he was using drugs as a teenager. Her story shows that it can happen to any parent. Ann is passionate about helping parents understand their own emotional reactions, and learning to regulate, and have better conversations with their teenager who may be 'going off the rails'. Most importantly, we talk about how to preserve and build stronger bonds with your child to guide them through this season in their development.

For many of you the name Max Lucado is very familiar. As a well-known Christian pastor and author of over 40 books which have sold more than 145 million copies, it is quite possible that there's a Max Lucado book on your bookshelf. On the other hand, we have a diverse audience and since Max speaks mainly about the Christian faith, maybe you've never heard of him. Regardless, this episode will be so helpful and interesting, no matter what your background. Even if you are not a spiritual person yourself, for many a faith perspective can be a vital lifeline in times of distress, bringing hope and meaning in an increasingly disconnected world. Being aware of someone's spriritual identity will help you understand not just what makes them tick and what brings them hope, but also where their resources lie. Recently Max wrote a book on loneliness for children - Just In Case You Ever Feel Alone - and we took the opportunity to speak to him not just about this book but in general about why we are so lonely, why young families need support, and why mental health and a vibrant faith perspective are so linked. You will be inspired by Max's message. 

Do you have a teen who seems to struggle with emotions? Or maybe you had a hard time self-regulating when you were a teenager and want to set your pre-teen up for success. When we read Melanie McNally's book The Emotionally Intelligent Teen we knew we wanted to interview her for the podcast. Adolescence can be so complex, and for teenagers who have big emotions they can't make sense of, or that seem to paralyze them, even a few helpful nudges can guide them to a much brighter future. Melanie speaks both from personal and clinical experience as a Gen Z Brain Coach and she was excited to share her insights with us. Listen in!

Ever feel like your collaborating or empathizing with your child isn't helping them, or you? How do you empathize with your child's feelings without giving your child more control than is healthy for them? Think about how you would feel if a plane you're flying on seems to be in trouble, but the pilot comes out and asks you what to do. You'd be terrified, right?? You need to know the pilot is in control, and has a plan. Parenting coach Mary Willcox Smith joins us on the podcast to share insights and practical, effective approaches that will help you face parenting challenges with empathy while also retaining your parenting role.

It's not uncommon to believe "I would never do...", from a posture of pride, while judging our spouse's actions. Or, "Okay. I'll lower myself to your point of view", which also finds its source in pride. Leaning into self-awareness is not an easy journey, but uncovering your blind spots is one step toward transforming your relationship. Jada Edwards, one of the teaching pastors at One Community Church in Plano, Texas shares a wealth of wisdom on marriage. She and her husband went through a rough season in their marriage, out of which Jada gleaned deep and practical insights that we discuss in this episode. "Do you think you have a PhD in your spouse? If you've been married for 5 years, you basically have a kindergarten level of that knowing." When you realize that your level of understanding of your partner is quite a bit less mature than you think, let that be motivation for you to ask more curious questions.

Certified financial planners interact daily with adults who have a relationship with money that is shaped by their experiences in childhood. Often these can be negative experiences that are tied to shame. Yet money is a part of our world and a tool for accomplishing pretty well everything and anything in life. So how do we help our kids develop a healthy relationship around money? How do we talk to our kids about earning it, spending it wisely, saving it and giving it away? What are some practical tools for teaching these valuable lessons to our children? When should we start? Ben Hockema is a certified financial planner and a dad who strongly believes that parents are the best people to talk to kids about money. In this episode he shares wisdom on this topic so that your kids (and parents!) can be wiser about money. Check it out.

'Just because it says "fruit" or "natural" on the product label doesn't mean the snack is healthy, especially for teeth.' That's just one snippet of wisdom from today's guest, Dr. Teresa Yang, professional dentist and author of the book, Nothing But the Tooth. Dr. Yang shares from her deep well of dentristy knowledge and experience to answer questions such as, "Does a baby tooth really need to be filled? Won't it just fall out?" and "It's an ordeal to get my child to see a dentist. What can I do?" and "How do I clean my baby's teeth?" and "What age should I start taking my child to a dentist?" Dr. Yang surveys a broad sweep of the questions she hears from parents over and over, to help you keep your family's smiles healthy and bright!

When we heard that the average child today spends 4-7 minutes outside per day and 4-7 hours on screens, we felt compelled to explore this further and consider what we could do about this. Ginny Yurich is a mom, author, speaker and founder of 1000 Hours Outside - an organization designed to challenge and equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to make outside time a transformative time for children and families. We were born to be outside, with friends and family, learning and playing. Ginny explains how this can be a realistic goal for any family and why it should be a priority for healthy development.

You want to instill confidence and resilience in your child, but sometimes it seems life has another agenda, doesn't it?! Today's expert William Vanderbloemen translates what he's learned through working with thousands of young adults about character traits and soft skills that set kids up for success in their chosen life pursuit. The good news is, your child doesn't need to be born with the habits and soft skills that will help them succeed. They are all learnable, and today's discussion focuses on how to influence your child to learn these skills. We also focus on how critical self-awareness is in our current culture, and how to get this message across. William Vanderbloemen's new book, Be the Unicorn, is a deep dive into the soft sklls that he, as a seasoned expert in recruiting, looks for in top talent.

Today Dr Rob Meeder shares his insights on children's mental health in an interview with Jeff Brodie. This is pretty well children's mental health in a nutshell... in 25 minutes. Dr Rob talks about everything from common mental health issues; what is stress (really); how behaviour, communication and mental health are connected; medications; how mental health starts in infancy and more. This was part of a 5 part series by Jeff Brodie at Connexus Community Church. Enjoy!

Today's marriage expert Chris Bruno knows from experience that one of the primary issues couples face over the long term is feeling disconnected. Maybe this resonates with you now, or has in the past. The question is, once you feel like the love is gone, is there still a future for your relationship? How can you rebuild your intimacy, from drifting apart to growing closer again? Chris shares invaluable advice about the power of kindness, in telling each other your stories and so much more. Find out more about Thrive Marriage Labs by checking out the shownotes on the Smart Family Podcast website.

Trauma can take on various forms and how children experience trauma will vary from child to child. Similarly, how to talk to children about this will vary. It is important to know how the brain is impacted by trauma and what that means for therapists, parents, teachers etc as they seek to help and nurture children who need to heal. Jessica Sinarski is a certified adoption therapist and now dedicates her work to helping the helpers. She creates resources for families and caregivers who seek to do this work well, informed by an ever-growing body of knowledge about how trauma impacts the developing brain. Today she shares her very practical wisdom on this topic - so helpful!

Do you have a child who shows signs of having heightened sensitivity to certain senses - bright lights, loud sounds, certain smells or tastes or textures? Will your child not only try to avoid the sensation, but even have a meltdown over the exposure? Perhaps there's a sensory processing disorder ("SPD") involved. Our guests, Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill have years of practical experience helping children and their families to not only cope with SPD, but to find creative ways to 'grow into' the needs of their own nervous system. While SPD is more common in children on the autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities, it also develops for other reasons, such as brain injury or prematurity. What's the difference between a sensory quirk and an actual sensory processing disorder? Tune into this episode for valuable info on this relevant and emerging field.

In this episode we learn how recent neuroscience meets the very practical world of parenting your baby. The early months and years of a child's life are the most important because those experiences become the foundation for an entire lifetime of mental health (and physical health). When your parent instinct tells you to reach out and nurture and connect with your baby - that is exactly what you need to do. In this episode neuroscientist and doula (aka baby expert!) Greer Kirshenbaum PhD, author of The Nurture Revolution talks with Dr Rob Meeder and explains how all of this works. No matter what stage of caregiving you are at you will feel so empowered yourself and encouraged by the nurture revolution that is moving in our communities! Enjoy! I guarantee you will never look at a baby the same way again, and your own mom or dad heart will thank you for it.

"Our world has become far more connected. The violence around us feels more personal..." says anxiety counselling expert Sissy Goff. This is only one of the reasons that parental worry has become a pressing, almost universal issue for all of us who are raising kids. How does a parent's anxiety and worry impact a child? What are some of the steps parents can take even today to bring the level of worry down? Working to gain more mastery over anxiety and worry will reap dividends in your family in the form of stronger bonds and more joy. Sissy is one of our fav's around here - third episode!!! - because she shares our heartbeat, aiming to help you to 'love being home'!!

"The magic of motherhood is in who you are, not what you do". Just one snippet of the sage, empowering advice from today's guest, Alli Worthington, author of "Remaining You While Raising Them". Ever felt like you've given the essence of yourself away, wondering where your zest for life went after you became a mom? As you pour yourself out to meet the needs of your family, what about your own desires and longings? What's your own mothering style? Just as no two humans are alike, no two mothers are exactly alike either. Alli's messages will encourage and help you to find your way back to who you are as you nurture your dear children. If you're a dad, do the mom in your life a big favour and tune in. Finding your way to emotional health is one of the surest ways to help set your kids up for an emotionally healthy future.

Ever find yourself wanting to have a good talk wtih your teen or tween and either getting nothing or an unexpected earful? How can we connect without seeoming pushy or fake? Do we avoid the deep emotions or dive in headfirst? If these questions are nagging and you feel you are just not able to connect with your child - this episode will provide some great advice. Ned Johnson co-wrote The Self-Driven Child with William Stixrud. After the success of that book they tackled some of the tougher communication problems described above in What Do You Say? Today we get to pick Ned's brain on some of the key messages he has for parents on how we can best communicate with our teens and tweens (and anyone else for that matter). It's a tricky balance sometimes  - being interested, but not pushy; being empathic, but not an anxious presence; wanting to give advice, but not be dogmatic; being logical, but not neglecting to respect the emotions....parenting is hard! This episode will help.

We got so much positive feedback on this episode and so many new listeners since it first aired in February 2021, that we felt it would be great to replay  - either to listen to again or for the first time. Enjoy! Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed or disconnected in your marriage? Worried about how this is impacting the kids? Do you wonder if maybe splitting up is better than continuing on? Then this is an episode you won't want to miss. Toni and Carey Niewuhof reflect together on how marriage can become empty, and offer practical advice on how to turn it around. As a family law mediator and former divorce attorney Toni shares her insights in her new book "Before You Split". This honest and open conversation will instil hope - no matter where your marriage is at.

When we talked with Jennifer Kolari previously on the podcast (episode 35) we got such great feedback - and no wonder! Jennifer provides such rich advice on how we can really truly connect on a meaningful level with our kids, and our partners. We are wired for relationship and born to connect. Jennifer opens the box and unpacks how our brains really do this and what to do when connections are broken. Check this episode out if you long for deeper connections with everyone in your circle.

Rob's wife Rose takes her place behind the mic as the better half in our episode today! Whether you're a mom, a dad or a partner, you know how the things you've said 'yes' to may bump up against what you're trying to accomplish at home. Ever felt guilty about that? Ever wondered how to manage outside responsibiities and family-related ones, and still care for your own needs? Rose is filled with wisdom about living well, involving others, setting boundaries and living them out, and loving her family so well. Join us, and if the spirit moves you, let Rob and I know what you feel is holding you back in your home life.

We want you to hear this episode - so we are playing it again in case you missed it the first time. It is powerful. "Most things that seem complicated are actually just hard." This is a central idea that grounds Dr. Anita Phillips' work as a trauma therapist and life coach. Marriage is a primary relationship where the impacts of trauma - often trauma that occurred prior to the relationship - show up. And when it does, labelling behaviours and laying blame may come easily for the other partner., However, untangling the deeper causes for the behaviour is hard work. Dr. Anita shares a very compelling analogy using seeds and plants to illustrate the process of getting back to the root of behaviours that are causing stress. There's probably no human alive who is untouched by the impacts of trauma in their circle of loved ones. That's why we bill this episode as one not to miss, and we're grateful to Dr. Anita for sharing her wealth of wisdom.    

Sports are part of our society and so it's no wonder that parents wonder whether they should put their kids into sports. And if so, when and what sport? These are all great questions that we explore today with Dr Katie Misener. Katie's research is devoted to sports and their benefits - not just for kids but also for parents and our communities. It turns out that getting kids involved in sports is good not just for their physical health, but also their mental health, and more. If you are a parent with kids in sports or thinking about it - you'll love this episode.

Wouldn't it be great if you had a parenting mentor at your side during those difficult parenting moments? Sometimes we are faced with conundrums - do I intervene, or let my kids figure it our on their own? When do I shift from manager to consultant role? What about sibling rivalry? How can we be real with uncomfortable emotions in front of our kids? What if one parent wants to parent differently? Well parenting expert Sue Groner helps us out today! Sue is the author of Parenting with Sanity And Joy: 101 Simple Strategies and she is a mom herself who shares honestly from her experience, backed up by research and time-tested parenting strategies that work. If you are well into the parenting journey or just starting out, this episode is for you.

Ever wondered about why it's sometimes hard to sync up your intentions for your relationships, and the ways you actually show up? Childhood trauma isn't necessarily what you think it is - we tend to think of the death of a parent or being involved in a life-threatening incident or being sexually abused when we talk about the lasting impacts of trauma (and rightfully so), but sometimes the sources of trauma are not obviously recognized. Trauma expert Dr. Kathleen Murphy joins us for an in-depth exploration of the ways developmental or complex trauma experienced before adulthood may manifest in words and behaviours in our couple relationships and parenting. If you've been treated abusively in your past, you may want to invite a friend to listen along with you and be there, for support. What Dr. Murphy shares is so honest, insightful and powerful, you won't want to miss this conversation, whether it applies to you personally or someone close to you.

The world of teenagers is vastly different from the high-school world we experienced. This generation is digitally-native, more diverse and open to talking about mental health. This might leave your head spinning - what was taboo just a few years ago is now normal. Yet many teenagers are struggling with their mental health and the adults in their lives (teachers and parents) can sometimes find it hard to connect and support them. Today we talk to clinical psychologst and teen mental health expert Deborah Offner. She speaks extensisvely with teens, parents and teachers - mainly in the school setting - and is therefore able to give us the "inside scoop" on connecting with and understanding teenagers. She shares her insight with us today - so that you can parent your teenagers better.

We found this conversation not only enlightening and super practical, but also lively and surprising. Today's expert guest, Patrick Lencioni is acclaimed worldwide for his business acumen and leadership insights. The model he's talking about in our conversation was originally conceived of through his business and team experience, but the wonderfully surprising discovery is that this model (similar to other personality typing systems) has helped many people and couples with their relationships at home. Did you know that you have working geniuses, competencies and frustrations - and yours may be completely different from your partner's? Or, they may be the same, in which case there are other hurdles to be aware of. Discover more about this model and how it can be applied to strengthen ALL your family relationships.

So pumped to have Dr Mona Delahooke back for another brand-new episode. Today we discuss how everyday practical parenting links with a new understanding of child behaviour and how brains and bodies are interlinked. Drawing on insights from her new book Brain-Body Parenting, Mona simplifies a complex theory called polyvagal theory and applies it to frustrating parenting challenges we see every day. She offers very practical advice about understanding and managing tantrums, defiance, and sensory challenges we see in our kids. Finally she asks us all to take a deep breath and look after ourselves too, so that we can all enjoy the relationship we have with our children on a deeper more intimate level. Are you ready to take your parenting to the next level?

If you're in a relationship and you value a sex life that is exciting and enduring, hear what our expert Dr. Michael Sytsma, experienced sex therapist and marriage researcher, has to say. His high-quality research findings are so encouraging for couples who look forward to a vibrant sex life for decades! Openness and honesty about physical intimacy plays a vital role. Did you know that there are different and equally legitimate types of sexual desire? The issues in your sex life that are frustrating you may be more resolvable than you think. Discover how and why with Dr. Mike, back with us for the third time to explain the results of his research from the book he co-authored, Secrets of Sex and Marriage.

Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Andy and Sandra Stanley as we dive further into the topic of parenting. Andy and Sandra explain how we need to keep our parenting focused on the relationships first and foremost, and how they intentionally built that into every aspect of their parenting years - which have now evolved into friendships with their adult children. What do you need to do to ensure your children want to be with you, and each other, even when they no longer have to? In other words, what can you do to help your children love being home?

Nobody gave you a manual when your child was born, so now what? Today we get some fantastic advice from speakers and authors Andy and Sandra Stanley. They emphasize how every family needs to have a "north star" that guides the family journey. Andy and Sandra, drawing upon their own parenting experience with candid recollections and humor, make a strong case for a "north star" that focuses on the relationship above all. Having been involved with youth and fostering as well, Andy and Sandra are able to distill these concepts for us in their new book Parenting - Getting IT Right - but our conversation was not distilled enough to squeeze it into one episode. So this is part 1! Join us next week for part 2!

Most of us parents know what it's like to be stressed out, dealing with your child telling lies. Practically every parent faces this issue at one time or another. How to handle lying in ways that don't make it worse is tricky and sometimes not intuitive. Today's guest Colleen Doyle Bryant is author of the book Common Decency and known for her character resources to equip teachers and parents with better, research-based ways of developing good character in our children and teens. In this episode, Colleen gives us the background info along with many practical examples of how to apply strategies that encourage honesty and self-respect in our kids.

Do infants have "mental health"? How important are those early weeks and months when it comes to developing secure attachments to caregivers? Well, today our own cohost Dr Rob Meeder shares recent learnings about these topics. Rob makes the point that those early relationship matter - a lot! Why? Because this is when kids develop the skill of mentalization - the ability to understand the state of mind of others as we develop trust. Furthermore, this happens most effectively in the context of a secure relationship, one where children feels safe and secure, and thus able to explore the outside world with confidence. Join us today as Rob and Toni unpack these concepts and provide some practical strategies for laying a foundation for mental wellbeing throughout the lifespan.

Listen in on what Brad Griffin, co-author of The Three Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, offers out of his depth of experience in researching and living out the approaches that build solid, healthy relationships with young people. From research he co-led, we turn our focus to the questions every teenage holds in common: what is my identity; where do I belong; and what is my purpose? Our conversation provides insight into how you can harness these questions to deepen your family ties, along with a wealth of practical advice on positioning yourself to make these connections happen naturally and authentically. We even address what to do if all you tend to get from your teenager are grunts and one-word answers! Above all, here's one thing we insist you keep in mind: you already are a GREAT parent!

Acclaimed relationship expert Dr John Delony brings it in this interview! We tackle two issues that can wreak havoc in a relationship when they're not dealt with, namely, loneliness and trauma of the past. Do you have a friend you could call in the middle of the night in an emergency? We have a hope-filled conversation about how to build authentic friendships. Dr. John has written about the diverse, often unnoticed impacts of unresolved trauma. These include broken relationships, poor mental health and chronic illnesses. "Our brains are prediction machines and threat detection systems...all the time," he explains. Join us for more of John Delony's excellent, practical advice on how deal with the wounds of your past and unpack the "bricks" you've been carrying around for a healthier you and stronger marriage.

In this episode, Rob turns the mic on Toni about what she learned in her practice as a divorce attorney about relationships and the struggles almost every couple experiences. She is transparent about the challenges in her own marriage with her husband Carey, and the transformation that they eventually experienced. Toni talks about how to fight for "we" instead of "me", the benefits of ditching your own victim story, how to grow closer in any intimate relationship.

What a thrill to talk with Dr Karyn Gordon - psychologist, Ted Talk speaker and author of The Three Chairs. Karyn has done years of research on leadership and what makes an effective leader. Using principles from her knowledge of family systems she has figured out what allows people to work together effectively. She has distilled her findings into a metaphor which she calls The Three Chairs. Together we unpack this idea and along the way talk about self-leadership, self-confidence and how to distinguish between thoughts and feelings (hint: it's super important to understand the difference!). Listen in and find out which chair you might be sitting in.....

When Jon Acuff asked kids at a camp to write down their hidden doubts and fears, it became clear to him that the soundtracks they're listening to - the negative messages they feed themselves - aren't setting them up for success. Sound familiar? Has overthinking ever been an issue for you? If you've ever caught yourself thinking I'm not _____ enough to do that or heard your child saying, "I'm the worst at ________" or your teen saying, "I'll never pass ______" or "Fat chance I'll ever get into _______", then stop right here and listen in. Jon Acuff tackles this problem head-on, backed by research in his recent book, Soundtracks. Even better, in this conversation he shares what he and his two teenaged daughters, L.E. and McRae have learned, applied and written about to help other teens replace their broken soundtracks with thoughts that launch them into a better future.

Does your child have difficulty focusing or paying attention? Are they hyperactive? Do you wonder if they (or maybe you) have ADHD? Maybe a friend or teacher has suggested the diagnosis and now you don't know what to do. Today we turn to ADHD expert and author Dr Walter Karniski for answers. He explains where ADHD comes from, why it used to be an advantage to have ADHD but how for many people it is a challenge. He explains how ADHD isn't really a disease or based in actual pathology but is better perceived as being a maldaptive way of coping in today's complicated world. He also goes into detail about medications. If you have ever wondered whether you or your child has ADHD, this episode will address common questions. Want to know more? Check out Dr Karniski's book ADHD Medication: Does It Work and Is It Safe?

Ever wonder if your kids have too few friends? Or too many? Or none? It's been a tough few years for kids and personal connection. As parents we want our kids to grow in a healthy family and community environment. We want positive peer influences - but how do we protect them from the negative influences (or should we?). What about the pull of on-line connections versus in-real-life connections? Dr Rob Meeder tackles all this and more in a super practical way that will help you as you parent your children through the ups and downs of life in a busy and often confusing world.

On the fence about whether you should sign your kids up for sports? Prior to the pandemic, lots of families were engaged in sports but recently parents have started to rethink whether to sign kids back up for sports or not. One of the reasons parents are hesitating is the toxic culture that exists in certain sports and teams - one that is often driven by coaches who bully and one that is hitting headline news on a regular basis. We learn that trying to "motivate" kids by bullying them is actually counter-productive and harmful. In this episode we talk to author and speaker Jennifer Fraser who has lived-experience with this issue and has written extensively about this in her recent books. We talk about sports, but also bullying in general, and how we can protect our kids so that sports - and every area of their life - can be enjoyable, healthy, fun and safe. Find out more at bulliedbrain.com.

Ever felt that nagging feeling you should be doing something for your kids or at home while you're at work? Or, doing something more at the office once you're at home? For the first time on our podcast, we're tackling the problem of 'mom guilt' (but for you men, we don't believe that only mothers get this feeling!). Dr Michelle Deering is a psychologist with decades of experience in helping people overcome the emotional hurdles in their lives and family relationships. She talks about the core beliefs that give rise to 'mom guilt', dispels the myth that you need to be present with your children all the time, and shines light on the often-hidden problem of mom's needs being deprioritized - by mom herself. She gives us valuable, practical advice on how to move beyond feeling guilty while building stronger bonds with your spouse and kids, and emerging with a healthier you!

This episode will inspire you. We get right into the nuts and bolts of the motto of our podcast: "Love Being Home!" with clinical psychologist Dr Lynyetta Willis. Do you feel like you are stuck in your family relationships? Do you see your spouse and kids and wonder if you are settling for mediocrity? Can there be more to your marriage and parenting? Dr Willis thinks so. She explains how we can get stuck in patterns of stable misery. More importantly, she describes how to move out of that pattern and move towards dynamic joy using the PATHS framework. We learned so much talking to Dr Wilis and believe you will be inspired to take a step in the right direction and can once again Love Being Home.Enjoy!

  The tough times we've all been through lately have been impacting our marriages. How's it going with your sex life these days? Today's guest has years of experience helping couples get to the root of problems with their sexual intimacy. In this episode, Toni and our guest Amie Latta talk about the three most common pitfalls that trip couples up in the bedroom, along with practical wisdom on potential solutions and next steps. She shares ways to move past the barriers you've been experiencing but not really discussing, including the performance pressure we too often place on ourselves. If you've been wondering how to deal with a sensitive issue impacting your sex life - that one you're afraid to raise with your partner - you'll want to hear what Amie has to say. 

Why is it that we are so often led to believe that boys and men must supress their emotions in order to be truly masculine? It is as if the terms "emotional" and "masculine" are mutually exclusive. Our guest today has a different perspective. David Thomas believes that boys are healthier if they are emotionally strong. He also makes a powerful case that emotionally strong boys become much healthier men - a profound message given the sad mental health statistics for men. David has done extensive research on this topic, and draws from decades of counselling experience. He has written about it in his new book Raising Emotionally Strong Boys. He shares his insights with us today - insights which will help you raise your son in a way that is mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Having conversations with our kids about topics of diversity, equity and inclusion can feel complicated these days. Even during periods when we're not hearing much about racial prejudice in the news, there's a lot for us to learn and much work to be done to right the wrongs of racial injustice in our societies. How can you and your family be part of ongoing antiracism efforts to put an end to racial injustice for this generation? Deanna Singh has been named by Forbes as an African American woman everyone needs to know. Educated in law and business, Deanna is both a social entrepreneur and a changemaker. She tells her story of how east met west in her family of origin, her own childhood experience of racism, and how she and her family approach other cultures with curiosity and love.

When we think about travelling we imagine going to exotic places and great weather! But while that may be true (hopefully) for part of the trip, often there are challenging times as well - both enroute and at your destination. This is especially true when you are travelling with kids, and even moreso when they are anxious, inflexible or neurodiverse. With travel plans gaining steam again, you might be wondering if it's worth the risk, and how you might mitigste the challenges of travelling with kids. Our guest is travel expert Dawn Barclay, author of Traveling Different. She has done a huge amount of work on this topic and shares it with us today. Want to see the world....wtih your kids? Then this episode is for you!