Podcasts about big feelings

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, OR— BRAND NEW: we've included a fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I speak with Shireen Rizvi, PhD and Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD, about their book Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships. We discuss what Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is, how it can help both ourselves and our kids with big feelings, and get into some of the skills it teaches including distress tolerance, check the facts, and mindfulness.**If you'd like an ad-free version of the podcast, consider becoming a supporter on Substack! > > If you already ARE a supporter, the ad-free version is waiting for you in the Substack app or you can enter the private feed URL in the podcast player of your choice.Know someone who might appreciate this post? Share it with them!We talk about:* 6:00 What is DBT?* 11:00 The importance of validation* 13:00 How do parents manage their own big feelings?* 16:00 How do you support a kid with big feelings, and where is the place for problem solving?* 23:00 Managing the urge to fix things for our kids!* 26:00 What is distress tolerance?* 28:50 “Check the facts” is a foundational skill* 34:00 Mindfulness is a foundation of DBT* 36:45 How the skills taught through DBT are universalResources mentioned in this episode:* Yoto Player-Screen Free Audio Book Player* The Peaceful Parenting Membership* Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships by Shireen Rizvi and Jesse Finkelstein * Shireen Rizvi's website * Jesse Finkelstein's websites axiscbt and therahive Connect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the spring for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Our sponsors:YOTO is a screen free audio book player that lets your kids listen to audiobooks, music, podcasts and more without screens, and without being connected to the internet. No one listening or watching and they can't go where you don't want them to go and they aren't watching screens. BUT they are being entertained or kept company with audio that you can buy from YOTO or create yourself on one of their blank cards. Check them out HEREPodcast transcript:Sarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast. Today we have two guests who co-authored a book called Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships.And you may be wondering why we're talking about that on a parenting podcast. This was a really great conversation with Shireen Rizvi and Jesse Finkelstein, the co-authors of the book, about all of the skills of DBT, which is a modality of therapy. We talked about the skills they teach in DBT and how we can apply them to parenting.They talk about how emotional dysregulation is the cause of so much of the pain and suffering in our lives. And I think as a parent, you will recognize that either your own emotional dysregulation or your child's is often where a lot of issues and conflict come from.So what they've really provided in this book—and given us a window into in this conversation—is how we can apply some of those skills toward helping ourselves and helping our children with big feelings, a.k.a. emotional dysregulation. It was a really wonderful conversation, and their book is wonderful too. We'll put a link to it in the show notes and encourage you to check it out.There are things you can listen to in this podcast today and then walk away and use right away. One note: you'll notice that a lot of what they talk about really overlaps with the things we teach and practice inside of Peaceful Parenting.If this episode is helpful for you, please share it with a friend. Screenshot it and send it to someone who could use some more skill-building around big emotions—whether they're our own big emotions or our child's. Sharing with a friend or word of mouth is a wonderful way for us to reach more people and more families and help them learn about peaceful parenting.It is a slow process, but I really believe it is the way we change the world. Let's meet Shireen and Jesse.Hi, Jesse. Hi, Shireen. Welcome to the podcast.Jesse: Thank you so much for having us.Sarah: Yeah. I'm so excited about your book, which I understand is out now—Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships. First of all, I love the format of your book. It's super easy to read and easy to use. I already thought about tearing out the pages with the flow charts, which are such great references—really helpful for anyone who has emotions. Basically anyone who has feelings.Jesse: Oh, yes.Sarah: Yeah. I thought they were great, and I think this is going to be a helpful conversation for parents. You've written from a DBT framework. Can you explain what DBT is and maybe how it's different from CBT? A lot of people have heard more about cognitive behavior therapy than dialectical behavior therapy.Shireen: Sure. I would first say that DBT—Dialectical Behavior Therapy—is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. So they're in the same category. Sometimes we hear therapists say, “I do DBT, but I don't do CBT,” and from my perspective, that's not really possible, because the essence of dialectical behavior therapy is CBT. CBT focuses on how our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions all go together, and how changing any one of those affects the others.That's really the core of DBT—the foundation of CBT. But what happened was the person who developed DBT, Marsha Linehan—she was actually my grad school advisor at the University of Washington—developed this treatment because she was finding that standard CBT was not working as well as she wanted it to for a particular population. The group she was working with were women, primarily, who had significant problems with emotion regulation and were chronically suicidal or self-injuring.With that group, she found they needed a lot more validation—validation that things were really rough, that it was hard to change what was going on, that they needed support and comfort. But if she leaned too much on validation, patients got frustrated that there wasn't enough change happening.So what she added to standard CBT was first a focus on validation and acceptance, and then what she refers to as the dialectical piece: balancing between change and acceptance. The idea is: You're doing the best you can—and you need to do better.Jesse: Mm-hmm.Shireen: And even though DBT was developed for that very severe group that needed a lot of treatment, one of the aspects of DBT is skills training—teaching people skills to manage their emotions, regulate distress, engage interpersonally in a more effective way.Those skills became so popular that people started using them with everyone they were treating, not just people who engaged in chronic suicidal behavior.Sarah: Very cool. And I think the population you're referring to is people who might be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I bring that up only because I work with parents, not kids, and parents report to me what their children are like. I've had many parents worry, “Do you think my child has borderline personality disorder?” because they've heard of it and associate it with extreme sensitivity and big feelings.A lot of that is just typical of someone who's 13 or 14, right? Or of a sensitive child—not diagnosable or something you'd necessarily find in the DSM. I've heard it so many times. I say, “No, I don't think your child has borderline personality disorder. I think they're just really sensitive and haven't learned how to manage their big feelings yet. And that's something you can help them with.”With that similar level of emotional intensity—in a preteen or early teen who's still developing the brain structures that make self-regulation possible—how can we use DBT skills? What are a couple of ideas you might recommend when you have a 13-year-old who feels like life is ruined because the jeans they wanted to wear are soaking wet in the wash? And I'm not making fun—at 13, belonging is tied to how you look, what jeans you're wearing, how your hair is. It feels very real.So how might we use the skills you write about for that kind of situation?Jesse: Well, Sarah, I actually think you just practiced one of the skills: validation. When someone feels like their day is ruined because of their jeans, often a parent will say, “Get over it. It's not a big deal.” And now, in addition to fear or anxiety, there's a layer of shame or resentment. So the emotion amplifies and becomes even harder to get out of.Validation is a skill we talk about where you recognize the kernel of truth—how this experience makes sense. “The jeans you're wearing are clearly important to you. This is about connection. I understand why you feel this way.” That simple act of communicating that someone's thoughts and feelings make sense can be very powerful.Alongside that—back to what Shireen was saying—there are two tracks. One is the skills you help your teen practice. The other is the skills you practice yourself to be effective. In that moment, your teen might be dysregulated. What is the parent's emotion? Their urge? What skills can they practice to be effective?Sarah: I love that you already went to the next question I was going to ask, which is: when that kid is screaming, “You don't understand, I can't go to school because of the jeans,” what can parents do for themselves using the skills you describe?Shireen: I often think of the oxygen-mask analogy: put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. That was certainly true for me when I had fussy infants—how do you manage that stress when you are already heightened?What do you need to do to regulate yourself so you can be effective in the moment? Sometimes that's literally taking a time-out—leaving the room for a minute. The kid comes after you about the jeans, and you say, “Hold on, I need a minute.” You sequester yourself in the bathroom. You do paced breathing—a DBT skill that helps regulate your nervous system. You do that for a minute, get centered, and then return to the situation.If you're not regulated and your child is dysregulated, you'll ping-pong off each other and it becomes messier and messier. But if you can regulate yourself and approach calmly, the whole interaction changes.Sarah: It's so interesting because people who've been listening to my podcast or know my work will think, “Oh yeah, these are the things Sarah talks about all the time.” Our first principle of peaceful parenting is parental self-regulation. It doesn't mean you never get upset, but you recognize it and have strategies to get back to calm.And I always say, if you forget everything else I teach about dealing with upset kids, just remember empathy—which is another way of saying validation. I tell parents: you don't have to agree to empathize. Especially with situations like the jeans.I love the crossover between the skills parents are practicing in my community and what you've written about. And again: those flow charts! I'm going to mark up my book with Post-its for all the exercises.One of the things you talk about in the book is problem solving. As parents, we can find ourselves in these intense situations. I'll give an example: a client's daughter, at 11 p.m., was spiraling about needing a particular pair of boots for her Halloween costume, and they wouldn't arrive in time. No matter what the mom said, the daughter spiraled.This is a two-part question: If you've validated and they're still really upset, how do you support a kid who is deep in those intense feelings? And when is the place for teaching problem solving—especially when there is a real logistical problem to solve?Jesse: I'm going to say the annoying therapist thing: it depends. If we think about how emotions impact our thinking on a scale from 0 to 10, it's very hard to engage in wise-minded problem solving when someone is at an 8, 9, or 10. At that point, the urge is to act on crisis behaviors—yell, fight, ruminate.So engaging your child in problem solving when they're at a 9 isn't effective.Often, I suggest parents model and coach distress-tolerance skills. Shireen mentioned paced breathing. Maybe distraction. Anything to lower the emotional volume.Once we're in the six-ish range? Now we can problem solve. DBT has a very prescribed step-by-step process.But it's really hard if someone is so dysregulated. That's often where parents and kids end up in conflict: parent wants to solve; kid is at a 9 and can't even see straight.Sarah: Right. So walk us through what that might look like using the boots example. Play the parent for a moment.Jesse: Of course. I'd potentially do a couple of things. I might say, “Okay, let's do a little ‘tipping the temperature' together.” I'd bring out two bowls of ice and say, “We'll bend over, hold our breath for 30 seconds…”Shireen: And put your face in the bowl of ice water. You left out that part.Jesse: Crucial part of the step.Sarah: You just look at the ice water?Jesse: No, you submerge your face. And something happens—it's magical. There's actually a profound physiological effect: lowering blood pressure, calming the sympathetic nervous system.I highlight for parents: do this with your child, not didactically. Make it collaborative.And then: validate, validate, validate. Validation is not approval. It's not saying the reaction is right. It's simply communicating that their distress makes sense. Validation is incredibly regulating.Then you check in: “Do you feel like we can access Wise Mind?” If yes: “Great. Let's bring out a problem-solving worksheet—maybe from Real Skills for Real Life or the DBT manual. Let's walk through it step by step.”Sarah: And if you have a kid screaming, “Get that ice water away from me, that has nothing to do with the boots!”—is there anything to add beyond taking a break?Shireen: I'd say this probably comes up a lot for you, Sarah. As parents—especially high-functioning, maybe perfectionistic types (I put myself in that category)—if my kid is upset, I feel so many urges to fix it right away. Sometimes that's helpful, but often it's not. They either don't want to be fixed, or they're too dysregulated, or fixing isn't actually their goal—they just want to tell you how upset they are.I have to practice acceptance: “My kid is upset right now. That's it.” I remind myself: kids being upset is part of life. It's important for them to learn they can be upset and the world doesn't fall apart.If they're willing to do skills alongside you, great. But there will be times where you say, “I accept that you're upset. I'm sorry you feel this way. It sounds terrible. Let's reconnect in an hour.” And wait for the storm to pass.Sarah: Wait for the storm to pass.Jesse: I'll say—I haven't been a therapist that long, and I've been having this conversation with my own parents. Yesterday I called my mom about something stressful, and she said, “Jesse, do you want validation or problem solving right now?”Shireen: Love it.Jesse: I thought, “You taught her well.” I was like: okay, therapy works. And even having that prompt—“What would you like right now? Problem solving? Validation? Do you want me to just sit with you?”—that's so useful.Sarah: Yeah. I have to remind myself of that with my daughter, especially when the solution seems obvious to me but she's too upset to take it in. Just sitting there is the hardest thing in the world.And you've both anticipated my next question. A big part of your book is distress tolerance—one of the four areas. Can you talk about what distress tolerance is specifically? And as you mentioned, Shireen, it is excruciating when your kid is in pain or upset.I learned from my friend Ned Johnson—his wonderful book The Self-Driven Child—that there's something called the “righting instinct.” When your child falls over, you have the instinct to right them—pick them up, dust them off, stand them up. That instinct kicks in whenever they're distressed. And I think it's important for them to learn skills so we don't do that every time.Give us some thoughts about that.Shireen: Well, again, I think distress tolerance is so important for parents and for kids. The way we define it in DBT is: distress tolerance is learning how to tolerate stressful, difficult, complicated situations without doing anything to make it worse. That's the critical part, because distress tolerance is not about solving problems. It's about getting through without making things worse.So in the context of an interaction with your kid, “not making it worse” might mean biting your tongue and not lashing out, not arguing, not rolling your eyes, or whatever it is. And then tolerating the stress of the moment.As parents, we absolutely need this probably a thousand times a day. “How do I tolerate the distress of this moment with my kid?” And then kids, as humans, need to learn distress tolerance too—how to tolerate a difficult situation without doing anything to make it worse.If we swoop in too quickly to solve the problem for them—as you said, if we move in too quickly to right them—they don't learn that they can get through it themselves. They don't learn that they can right themselves.And I think there's been a lot written about generations and how parenting has affected different generations. We want our kids to learn how to problem solve, but also how to manage stress and difficulty in effective ways.Sarah: I think you're probably referring to the “helicopter parents,” how people are always talking about helicopter parents who are trying to remove any obstacles or remove the distress, basically.I think the answer isn't that we just say, “Okay, well, you're distressed, deal with it,” but that we're there with them emotionally while they're learning. We're next to them, right? With that co-regulation piece, while they're learning that they can handle those big feelings.Shireen: Yes. Yeah. Yeah.Sarah: I thought it might be fun, before we close out, to do a deep dive on maybe one or two of the skills you have in the book. I was thinking about maybe “Check the Facts.” It would be a cool one to do a deep dive on. You have so many awesome skills and I encourage anyone to pick up your book. “Check the Facts” is one of the emotion regulation skills.Do you mind going over when you would use Check the Facts, what it is, and how to use it?Jesse: Not at all. Check the Facts is, in many ways, a foundational skill, because it's so easy for us to get lost in our interpretation of a situation. So the classic example is: you're walking down the street and you wave to a friend, and they don't wave back. And I don't know about you, but it's easy for me to go to, “Oh, they must be mad at me.”Sarah: Right, yeah.Jesse: And all of a sudden, I'm spinning out, thinking about all the things I could have done to hurt their feelings, and yada yada yada. Then I'm feeling lots of upset, and I may have the urge to apologize, etc.What we're doing with Check the Facts is returning our attention back to the facts themselves—the things we can take in with our senses. We're observing and describing, which are two foundational mindfulness skills in DBT. And then from that, we ask ourselves: “Does the emotion I'm feeling—the intensity and duration of that emotion—fit the facts as I'm experiencing them?”So in many ways, this is one of those cognitive interventions. DBT rests on all these cognitive-behavioral principles; it's part of that broader umbrella. Here we're asking: “Do the facts as I see them align with my emotional experience?”From there, we ask: if yes, then there are certain options or skills we can practice—for instance, we can change the problem. If no, that begs the question: “Should I act opposite to this emotion urge that I have?”So it's a very grounding, centering type of skill. Shireen, is there anything I'm missing?Shireen: No. I would just give a parenting example that happens for me a lot. My kid has a test the next day. He says he knows everything. He doesn't open the book or want to review the study guide. And I start to think things like, “Oh my gosh, he has no grit. He's going to fail this test. He's not going to do well in high school. He's not going to get into a good college. But most importantly, he doesn't care. And what does that say about him? And what does it say about me as a parent?”I hope people listening can relate to these sorts of thoughts and I'm not alone.Sarah: A hundred percent. I've heard people say those exact things.Shireen: And even though I practice these skills all the time, I'm also human and a mother. So where Check the Facts can be useful there is first just recognizing: “Okay, what thoughts am I having in response to this behavior?” The facts of the situation are: my kid said he doesn't need to study anymore. And then look at all these thoughts that came into my mind.First, just recognizing: here was the event, and here's what my mind did. That, in and of itself, is a useful experience. You can say, “Wow, look at what I'm doing in my mind that's creating so much of a problem.”Then I can also think: “What does this make me feel when I have all these thoughts?” I feel fear. I feel sad. I feel shame about not being a good parent. And those all cause me to have more thoughts and urges to do things that aren't super effective—like trying to bully him into studying, all of these things.Then the skill can be: “Okay, are these thoughts exaggerated? Are they based in fact? Are they useful?” I can analyze each of these thoughts.I might think, “Well, he has a history of not studying and doing fine,” is one thing. Another thought: “Me trying to push him to study is not going to be effective or helpful.” Another: “There are natural consequences. If he doesn't do well because he didn't study, that's an important lesson for him to learn.”So I can start to change my interpretations based on the facts of the actual situation as opposed to my exaggerated interpretations. And then see: what does that do to my emotions? And when I have more realistic, fact-based thoughts, does that lead me to have a better response than I would if I followed through on all my exaggerated thinking?Does that make sense?Sarah: Yeah, totally makes sense. Are there any DBT skills that are helpful in helping you recognize when you need to use a skill—if that makes sense? Because sometimes I think parents might spiral, like in the example you're talking about, but they might not even realize they're spiraling. Sometimes parents will say, “I don't even know until it's too late that I've had this big moment of emotional dysregulation.”Jesse: I think there's a very strong reason why mindfulness is the foundation of DBT—for exactly the reason you've just described. For a lot of us, we end up engaging in behaviors that are ineffective, that are not in line with our values or goals, and it feels like it's just happening to us.So having a mindfulness practice—and I want to highlight that doesn't necessarily mean a formal meditation practice—but developing the skill of noticing, of being increasingly conscious of what you're feeling, your urges, your thoughts, your behaviors. So that when you notice that you are drifting, that you're engaging in an ineffective behavior, you can then apply a skill. We can't change what we're not aware of.Sarah: I love that. It's so hard with all the distractions we have and all of the things that are pulling us this way and that, and the busyness. So just slowing down and starting to notice more what we're feeling and thinking.Shireen: There's a skill that we teach that's in the category of mindfulness called Wise Mind. I don't have to get into all the particulars of that, but Wise Mind is when you're in a place where you feel wise and centered and perhaps a little bit calmer.So one question people can ask themselves is: “Am I in a place of Wise Mind right now?” And if not, that's the cue. Usually, when we answer that we're not, it's because we're in a state of Emotion Mind, where our emotions are in control of us.First, recognizing what state of mind you're in can be really helpful. You can use that as a cue: “I'm not in Wise Mind. I need to do something more skillful here to get there,” or, “I need to give myself some time before I act.”Sarah: I love that. So helpful. Before we wrap up, was there anything you wish I'd asked you that you think would be really helpful for parents and kids?Shireen: I just want to reiterate something you said earlier, which is: yes, this treatment was developed for folks with borderline personality disorder. That is often a diagnosis people run screaming from or are very nervous about. People might hesitate to think that these skills could be useful for them if they don't identify as having borderline personality disorder.But I think what you're highlighting, Sarah—and we so appreciate you having us on and talking about these skills—is that we consider these skills universal. Really anybody can benefit.I've done training and teaching in DBT for 25 years, and I teach clinicians in many different places how to do DBT treatment with patients. But inevitably, what happens is that the clinicians themselves say, “Oh, I really need these skills in my everyday life.”So that's what we want to highlight, and why we wrote this book: to take these skills from a treatment designed for a really severe population and break it down so anybody can see, “Oh, this would be useful for me in my everyday life, and I want to learn more.”Sarah: Totally. Yeah. I love it. And I think it's a continuum, right? From feeling like emotions are overwhelming and challenging, and being really emotionally sensitive. There are lots of people who are on that more emotionally sensitive side of things, and these are really helpful skills for them.Jesse: Yeah. And to add on that, I wouldn't want anyone—and I don't think any of us here are suggesting this—it's such a stigmatized diagnosis. I have yet to meet someone who's choosing suffering. Many of us are trying to find relief from a lot of pain, and we may do so through really ineffective means.So with BPD, in my mind, sometimes it's an unfortunate name for a diagnosis. Many folks may have the opinion that it means they're intrinsically broken, or there's something wrong with their personality. Really, it's a constellation of behaviors that there are treatments for.So I want anyone listening not to feel helpless or hopeless in having this diagnosis or experience.Shireen: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.Sarah: Thank you so much. The question I ask all my guests—I'll ask Shireen first and then Jesse—is: if you could go back in time, if you had a time machine, if you could go back to your younger parent self, what advice would you give yourself?Shireen: Oof. I think about this a lot, actually, because I feel like I did suffer a lot when my kids were babies. They were super colicky. I didn't sleep at all. I was also trying to work. I was very stressed. I wish that at that time I could have taken in what other people were telling me, which is: “This will pass.” Right? “This too shall pass,” which is something we say to ourselves as DBT therapists a lot. Time changes. Change is inevitable. Everything changes.In those dark parenting moments, you get stuck in thoughts of, “This is never going to change. It's always going to be this way. I can't tolerate this.” Instead, shifting to recognize: “Change is going to happen whether I like it or not. Just hang in there.”Sarah: I love that. My mother-in-law told me when I had my first child: “When things are bad, don't worry, they'll get better. And also, when things are good, don't worry, they'll get worse.”Shireen: Yes, it's true. And we need both the ups and the downs so we can actually understand, “Oh, this is why I like this, and this is why I don't like this.” It's part of life.Sarah: Yeah. Thank you. And Jesse, if you do ever have children, what would you want to remember to tell yourself?Jesse: I think I would want to remember to tell myself—and I don't think I'm going to say anything really new here—that perfection is a myth. I think parents often feel like they need to be some kind of superhuman. But we all feel. And when we do feel, and when we feel strongly, the goal isn't to shame ourselves for having that experience. It's to simply understand it.That's what I would want to communicate to myself, and what I hope to communicate to the parents I work with.Sarah: Love that. Best place to go to find out more about you all and what you do? We'll put a link to your book in the show notes, but any other socials or websites you want to point people to?Shireen: My website is shireenrizvi.com, where you can find a number of resources, including a link to the book and a link to our YouTube channel, which has skills videos—animated skills videos that teach some of these skills in five minutes or less. So that's another resource for people.Sarah: Great. What about you, Jesse?Jesse: I have a website called axiscbt.com. I'm also a co-founder of a psychoeducation skills course called Farrah Hive, and we actually have a parenting course based on DBT skills—that's thefarrahhive.com. And on Instagram, @talk_is_good.Sarah: Great. Thank you so much. Really appreciate your time today.Jesse: Thank you, Sarah.Sarah: Thank you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe

Every time Mary comes on the show, something unhinged happens in the best possible way. This conversation is equal parts therapy session, comedy hour, and spiritual wake up call. Mary showed up with her signature mix of tender truth telling and laugh till you snort humor, and somehow managed to coach me in real time about parenting, grounding myself, and why conscious pauses are basically my new religion.Her new book, Parenting a Spicy One, is exactly what every overwhelmed parent needs. It is honest, compassionate, and wildly practical. After this episode, you will never look at your own reactions or your kid's meltdowns the same way again. Truly one of my favorites to date.Highlights:(01:48) Why this episode went off the rails in the most glorious way(07:55) What a spicy kid actually is and how to know if you are raising one(17:42) The conscious pause that keeps you from turning into Mommy Monster(28:10) My own blow up moment and Mary's guidance on doing a real repair(42:03) How spicy kids become incredible adults who refuse to be anyone but themselves(53:27) The ongoing battle of the iPhone request and why curiosity beats controlFind out more about Mary Van Geffen: WebsiteInstagram: @maryvangeffenParenting ClassesJoin the waitlist or register for MOSO Self-Paced to get started today Qualia Mind - click hereCoupon Code: SHOCKANDYALL (15% off any purchase)Visit Nicole's on demand fitness platform for live weekly classes and a recorded library of yoga, strength training, guided audio meditations and mobility (Kinstretch) classes, as well: https://www.sweatandstillness.comGrab Nicole's bestselling children's book and enter your email for A FREE GIFT: https://www.yolkedbook.comFind Nicole on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nicolesciacca/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenicolesciaccaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesciaccayoga/Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1X8PPWCQa2werd4unex1eAPractice yoga with Nicole in person in Santa Monica, CA at Aviator Nation Ride. Get the App to book in: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aviator-nation-ride/id1610561929Book a discovery call or virtual assessment with Nicole here: https://www.calendly.com/nicolesciaccaThis Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

While it would be nice if siblings always got on with each other, we know that is generally not the case. In fact, sibling fights and rivalry can be one of the most stressful experiences as a parent. So what can we do to combat this? Gen and Amy not only have some advice, but can personally relate to this dilemma. Plus, Gen has a tip for finding out if your kid is stealing from you. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While it would be nice if siblings always got on with each other, we know that is generally not the case. In fact, sibling fights and rivalry can be one of the most stressful experiences as a parent. So what can we do to combat this? Gen and Amy not only have some advice, but can personally relate to this dilemma. Plus, Gen has a tip for finding out if your kid is stealing from you. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holiday gatherings can feel like a joyful reunion, or a pressure-filled performance. In this Thanksgiving episode of Facing in the Dark, Wayne and Dr. Kathy unpack why kids struggle during big family events, how parents can prepare them beforehand, and what it looks like to approach the holidays with patience, curiosity, and a heart aimed at connection rather than perfection. You'll learn how to lower anxiety, handle family dynamics, create space for rest, and help kids feel secure as they reconnect with relatives they barely know.

Recently, we heard from a parent who was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of negative messaging from 'parent experts' around things like sleep training and the effect it's having on your baby. The truth is, everyone is trying their best, so Gen and Amy chat through why parenting advice is never one size fits all. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, we heard from a parent who was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of negative messaging from 'parent experts' around things like sleep training and the effect it's having on your baby. The truth is, everyone is trying their best, so Gen and Amy chat through why parenting advice is never one size fits all. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friendship isn't just brunch dates — it's the people who hold your messy middle, your big feelings, and your bravest becoming.In this open-hearted convo, Cassie Roma and Mandy Kupenga unpack the real work of adult friendship: trust, boundaries, vulnerability, and the courage to ask for help.They explore the BRAVING model, Māori perspectives on connection, and the small, consistent gestures that make friendships feel like home. Through honest stories and reflections, they dive into what makes friendships safe, soulful, and life-changing — especially in adulthood.Perfect for anyone craving deeper connection, more self-trust, and friendships that help you grow.TAKEAWAYSFriendship is where safety and self-discovery meet.Trust is built through consistency — small gestures matter.Boundaries protect connection, not threaten it.Asking for help is courageous, not weak.The BRAVING model shows what trust actually looks like.Cultural lenses, including Māori values, deepen how we connect.Accountability + integrity = emotionally mature friendships.Self-reflection and rest create space for better relationships.Adult friendships require intention, openness, and grace.

This week, MJ is back from BravoCon and she's giving you everything—every moment she lived, every Bravoleb she hugged, and more! MJ kicks things off by sharing what went down at home while she was away: Tommy and Shams holding it down, and why MJ leaving for the weekend was a whole experience for Vida. From MJ moving into her new house solo to Vida processing all the change at once… let's just say there were feelings. Then MJ takes you onto the plane with her and spills who she was with, and why the flight alone was its own mini BravoCon moment. Once she lands in Vegas, MJ walks you through every reunion, run-in, and glam-room moment—from catching up with Teresa Giudice, laughing it up with Phaedra Parks, and having the sweetest reunions with Marysol Patton and so many more. Expect behind-the-scenes tea, unexpected friendships, and stories you definitely didn't see on social. If you want the real BravoCon experience, this is the episode. MJ saw it all, did it all, and she's telling it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is among the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over fifty years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of fourteen books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl: A Little Crocodile with Big Feelings, co-authored with Jason Gruhl, is set for release in late 2025 from Shambhala Publications. Sharon’s podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed eight million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. www.sharonsalzberg.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids and screens. We talk about it all the time on BTC because it's the issue that we often struggle with the most, as do our listeners. But is there actually anything we can do about it? Especially when we're often addicted ourselves. Gen and Amy chat through this complex problem, and actually hav a few ideas. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids and screens. We talk about it all the time on BTC because it's the issue that we often struggle with the most, as do our listeners. But is there actually anything we can do about it? Especially when we're often addicted ourselves. Gen and Amy chat through this complex problem, and actually hav a few ideas. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dust has barely settled from last week's “are-they-or-aren't-they-oh-they-definitely-are” moment, and now Bobbie is spiraling in that adorable, chaotic way only she can. Emmett opened his heart… maybe? Probably? Possibly? And naturally, Bobbie's answer is to leap straight into the danger zone: buying this man a birthday gift. It's the relationship equivalent of hitting the gas and hoping the feelings don't explode before the cake is cut.Meanwhile, over in the land of Discount Shenanigans, Gabby is out here trying to convince Isabella to hook her up with the mythical “family rate” on Happy's house. And honestly? The haggling energy is so strong we had to pause and hydrate.Brandi and Adelia break down every sweet, awkward, hilarious beat — from Bobbie's emotional acrobatics to Emmett's unreadable-but-very-readable reactions, to Gabby attempting to coupon-clip her way into real estate bliss.If Season 2 had a secret, it's that it came to play.

When your child's emotions, reactions, and struggles all feel bigger than you can handle, it can be exhausting. But there's one thing that truly changes everything: connection.In this episode, we'll explore how deep, genuine connection helps regulate a child's nervous system, reduces explosive moments, and strengthens emotional safety. Because when kids feel seen, understood, and safe, even their most intense storms begin to settle.Jennifer's Takeaways:Understanding ADHD and Its Impact on Parenting (00:00)The Role of Skills vs. Medication in ADHD Management (02:44)Applying the Calm Technique for ADHD Kids (04:39)Handling Doom Piles and Overwhelm (07:49)Reframing ADHD Strengths and Balancing Empathy with Limits (14:27)The Importance of Connection and Regulation in Parenting (16:48)Medication and Its Role in ADHD Management (19:12)Conclusion and Resources for Parents (22:32)Meet Jennifer KolariJennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today's Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.Kolari's powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children's emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.Jennifer's wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.One of the nation's leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You're Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).

When Nana or Papa starts to change, kids notice—and they need honest guidance. Teepa walks you through age-appropriate ways to talk about brain change and how to turn scary moments into opportunities for learning and connection. You'll get language you can use immediately, ideas for practice and play (yes, even brain tours!), and suggestions for kid-friendly resources from PAC™.Bad Words and Dementia helps kids and families make sense of why people living with brain change may use strong or unexpected words. It turns confusion into understanding by offering age-appropriate ways to stay compassionate and connected.

Teaching social skills isn't just about steps, it's about helping kids understand why connection matters and how to cope when things don't go as planned. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Melissa Connor-Santos, MA, BCBA, Founder and CEO of Oceanview Behavior Solutions and a nationally recognized expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). With over 15 years of experience, Melissa works at the intersection of clinical excellence and compassionate care, consulting with schools, training professionals, and mentoring families. She's also a full-time ABA faculty member at Felician University, a certified PFA/SBT Level 6 Supervisor, and a leading voice in school-based behavioral support. As a parent of a child with a behavioral disorder, Melissa brings a deeply personal perspective to her work, one grounded in empathy, ethics, and strengths-based practice. Together, Sharlee and Melissa explore how ACT can bridge the gaps in traditional social skills instruction for children with autism and behavioral differences, blending evidence-based practice, personal insight, and emerging research to reimagine how we support emotional regulation, self-narratives, and long-term well-being.   For more information about Melissa Connor-Santos and Oceanview Behavior Solutions, please visit: https://www.oceanviewbehaviorsolutions.com For more information about supervision for aspiring BCBAs, please visit: https://www.oceanviewbehaviorsolutions.com/services For more information about “The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Trap-Struggling-Start-Living/dp/1590305841 For more information about “Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life” by Steven C. Hayes, PhD., please visit: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/noresults/get-out-of-your-mind-and-into-your-life-steven-c-hayes-phd/1129445963 Connect with Melissa on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-connor-santos/

Do you have a kid who often gets dysregulated to the point of kicking, hitting or biting? Knowing how to stop behaviour is so tricky, but also knowing why it's happening is key. Today on BTC, Amy and Gen hear from a mum experiencing this, and Gen has some advice. Plus, wins and fails include a very embarrassing dacking, and a very full on school fair. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have a kid who often gets dysregulated to the point of kicking, hitting or biting? Knowing how to stop behaviour is so tricky, but also knowing why it's happening is key. Today on BTC, Amy and Gen hear from a mum experiencing this, and Gen has some advice. Plus, wins and fails include a very embarrassing dacking, and a very full on school fair. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November is bringing some big energy to the table! The supermoon on the 5th is quickly followed by Mercury stationed retrograde, which can cause some sticky communication and logistical upsets. When these cosmic shifts occur on top of other daily challenges, we can find ourselves feeling strained and overwhelmed. In these moments, we'd be wise to surrender, rather than choosing to push and fight until we meet our breaking point. There's no shame in slowing down or asking for help, but first we need to acknowledge that we're struggling. As we wander through the darkening woods, consider how close you are to your limit. Maybe it's time to wave the white flag, take a deep breath, and surrender.What am I reading?The Poisoner's Tale by Cathryn Kemphttps://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781454957461The Aura Color Wheel: What Your Souls Aura Reveals About Your Inner Gifts, Wounds, and Lessons by Helen Ye Plehnhttps://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781401995430https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalkingWhat's playing on repeat?Let's Dance to Joy Division by the Wombats What's for dinner? Beef StewIngredients:1 pound stew meat 2 tablespoons butterCarrotsPotatoesCeleryOnionsGarlic1 can diced tomatoes1/2 cup white wine1 cup chicken brothSalt and pepperHerbs de Provence Instructions: Melt the butter in pot, season beef cubes with salt, pepper, and herb mixture. Brown beef, remove from stew pot, set aside. Add more butter or olive oil to pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, sauté until onions turn translucent. Add diced tomatoes, broth, wine, and potatoes to pot. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down, simmer until potatoes become fork tender. Season to taste. Serve with crusty bread. Enjoy! 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Ingredients:1 ½ cups (357 g) heavy cream, cold and divided1 cup (182 g) chocolate chips, semi-sweet (or your preference)Instructions:In a microwave-safe bowl, heat ½ cup of the heavy cream for 50 seconds (depending on microwave strength). Add the chocolate chips to the cream and stir until the chocolate has melted. This will take 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.Pour the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream into a medium bowl. Using a hand-held or stand mixer, beat until soft peaks form. Continue whipping the cream until stiff peaks form.Slowly fold in half the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture with a large spatula. Gently fold in the rest of the whipped cream.Divide the mixture between 4 ramekins or cocktail glasses (I used lowball glasses). Refrigerate for at least one hour, up to overnight, before serving.Serve topped with extra whipped creamhttps://iambaker.net/wprm_print/two-ingredient-chocolate-mousseSupport the show

Are we over-parenting our children these days? In an effort to protect their kids, many parents are trying to shield them from any negative experiences, which can potentially do more harm than good. On this week's AMEN episode, Gen brings in her old report cards and her and Amy discuss how much they really matter, and how we're all a bit guilty of over-parenting these days. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes called "spirited" or "deeply feeling", highly sensitive children are "more likely to have challenges regulating their big emotions because their brains are wired to process and react to their experiences in the world more deeply than other children." Claire Lerner, a licensed social worker and author of "Big Reactors: Practical Strategies for Parenting Highly Sensitive Children", join us to talk about how to recognize the temperament traits of highly sensitive children, the pros and cons of various parenting approaches, and how clinicians can support families with highly sensitive kids.

Grief changes, but it never disappears. For illustrator and author Jordan Sondler, losing her dad at 14 shaped both her art and her understanding of what it means to carry loss through life. In this conversation, she shares how creativity became a language for grief, how memory shifts over time, and why she co-founded Dead Parent Club, an audio-only community where people can show up just as they are. Jordan's story is honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of connection that reminds us we don't have to grieve in isolation.Resources & Ways to ConnectDead Parent Club (via Clubhouse): https://www.clubhouse.com (search “Dead Parent Club”)Jordan Sondler (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/jordansondlerAPOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcastHeather's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughterJake's Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/Jake's Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelpJake's Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheavenOur YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Send us a textThis week, we're joined by the one and only @ShonnaReads — the radiant, book-loving powerhouse who's making the reading world brighter and more inclusive.

Parental preference is a real thing, and can be really tough on both sides of the fence. Today, Amy and Gen address a question from a listener who's child seems to really prefer his dad, and is feeling understandably sensitive about it. Plus, Gen has a win with her teenager, and Amy reminisces about dabbling in Mary Jane when she was younger. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mash-up of different kids' podcast episodes about jealousy and openness. 

In this episode, I answer a listener question from Lisa about how play therapy helps when parents aren't in the room — and how to handle power struggles and aggression at home in a child-centered way. I explain why it's actually beneficial for children to be alone with the therapist, how they naturally bring their struggles into the playroom, and why parents' presence can sometimes prevent the real work from happening. I also share practical guidance for managing intense emotions and aggression at home — including when to set limits, how to handle big outbursts, and what to do when your child's behavior escalates. These principles help parents respond calmly, model regulation, and give their children the space to develop self-control and emotional balance. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ Common References: Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

On this week's AMEN rant, it's the school holidays juggle. From finding things for kids to keep them occupied, too someone to look after them so you can leave the house, and then everything else involved in running a house. If you feel like you're struggling- you're not alone! Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

→ Prayer Calendar→ Read 'Emotionally Healthy Spirituality'Feelings (or emotions): the internet is full of recommendations and tips about them. Within all the noise, there are some dangerous lies that young mothers can slip into if we're not careful. In this episode, we tackle some 7 of the most common lies about feelings and what Scripture says in response.1. My feelings are right → Jeremiah 17:9, Ps. 139:23-242. My feelings are sinful → Ephesians 4:293. My feelings are my guide → Proverbs 3:5-6, Jonah4. My feelings are unique to me → Hebrews 2:17, 4:14-165. I can't help the way I feel → Isaiah 26:36. You must affirm my feelings → Proverbs 11:14, 15:227. I don't have the qualifications to counsel my child in their feelings → Isaiah 9:6Episode Highlights[00:00] Why "feelings" are such a hot topic in our culture[02:00] The 7 Lies[20:00] Practical Takeaways Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

Lucy Score; indie romance powerhouse joins Barely Famous for her first in-person pod to talk pen names, slow-burn swoon, and building a publishing empire from the ground up. We get the adorable origin of “Lucy,” how a self-published book hit #1 on Amazon, and the role Mr. Lucy plays running the business so she can write.Lucy talks about her brand-new series starter Story of My Life. We dig into writing sprints, why she only turns a book in when she's truly happy with it, navigating reviews with a thicker skin, audio-book casting, and the mindset shift from scarcity to “there's room for all of us.”If you love grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, big-heart small towns, and behind-the-scenes author chat, this one's for you.Find Lucy: IG @scorelucy • lucyscore.comShop her books anywhere you buy books (indies encouraged!)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Raising Confident Girls podcast, Melissa Jones shares insight into raising daughters who are deeply empathetic and sensitive.Through personal stories and practical tools, she offers guidance on how to support big-feeling girls by helping them anchor their emotions, validate their experiences, and build emotional awareness. Tune in to discover:How to support sensitivity as a strengthTools to help your daughter manage emotional overwhelmWays to teach self-awareness and emotional balanceIf your daughter feels everything, this short pep talk is for you.If you know a parent who could benefit from this conversation, share this episode with them! Let's work together to raise the next generation of confident girls.Melissa's Links:• Website • Instagram • Facebook• TikTok• LinkedIn

We all know that good kids can act out or have trouble at school, and emotional dysregulation might be what is causing these issues. Today, Amy and Gen answer a question from a mum worried about her 6 year old, and provide some tips on supporting them through this tough time. Plus, an iPad win and the constant juggle of school holidays. Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here, and use the code FRIEND20 for 20% off! Valid until 22/10/25 Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Feeling Better with G, Giuliana (now a 3rd grader in Spain

In this episode, we're joined by Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood and one of today's leading voices on positive toddler parenting. Devon challenges the myth of the “terrible twos” and instead invites us to see toddlerhood as a powerful stage of growth, curiosity, and connection. Together we explore practical strategies for navigating big feelings, setting loving boundaries, and supporting your child's emerging independence. With humor and compassion, Devon helps parents shift from power struggles to partnership, making daily life with toddlers more joyful and connected. If you're raising little ones—or supporting families who are—you won't want to miss the wisdom in this conversation.To find out more about Devon, click here: https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/Wanting more from ICP? Get 50 % off our annual membership with the coupon code: PODCAST5090+ courses on parenting and children's mental healthPrivate community where you can feel supportedWorkbooks, parenting scripts, and printablesMember-only Webinars Course Certificates for Continuing EducationAccess to our Certification ProgramLive Q & A Sessions for Parents & ProfesssionalsBi-Annual Parenting & Mental Health ConferencesDownloadable Social Media CollectionRobust Resource LibraryClick here for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Deece is joined by host of the Big Talk & Big Feelings show, Selena Herrington. They talk about southern hospitality, best places for felons to hide in America, if maybe hurricane season is Florida's fault, dealing with the loss of loved ones, the many phases of grief, and more.

Most ADHD women think distraction means pings, notifications, or people interrupting. But what if the biggest distractions aren't outside of you at all? In this episode of The Self-Loved ADHD Woman Way Podcast, we're pulling back the curtain on the invisible distractions happening inside your own mind — the kind that steal your time, drain your energy, and erode your confidence without you even realizing it. This isn't about blaming yourself. It's about finally naming what's going on so you can understand why it feels so relentless — and why it's not your fault. ✨ Next week: Part 2 of this mini-series — How to Reclaim Focus from ADHD's Internal Distractions. we'll explore practical strategies, nervous system regulation tools, and lived examples to help you work with your brain instead of against it. If you've ever wondered why your thoughts pull you away when you need to focus most, this is your invitation to listen in. Clarity alone can change everything. Mentioned in the episode: FREE 5-Step Task Master Plan -> https://jenbarnes.org/task-master-plan/   —CHAPTERS— 00:00 Introduction to Distractions 01:03 Welcome to the Podcast 01:45 Understanding Internal Distractions 03:36 The Rich Inner World of ADHD 06:59 Five Reasons for Internal Distractions 08:36 Default Mode Network Explained 11:15 Dopamine and ADHD 13:26 Big Feelings and Distractions 16:49 Executive Functioning and Working Memory 20:20 Conclusion and Next Steps   ✨ If you found this episode helpful… Please follow, subscribe, and share it with another ADHD woman who needs support!  

High Low Buffalo; it's a communication tool Gen has mentioned on the podcast many times to connect with your kid of any age. And now Gen has some exciting news: she's created her own High Low Buffalo conversation cards! This episode, Gen talks about why she created these cards, exactly how they can help your family dynamic and get your kids to open up, and Amy and Gen give the cards a spin! Get your pack of High Low Buffalo cards here, and use the code FRIEND20 for 20% off! Valid until 22/10/25 Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on BTC, we hear from a mum who's daughter has turned up the clinginess to 100, but the reason behind a child not leaving you alone might surprise you. Gen has some tips for working through this with your clingy kid. Plus, does your partner say they're going to be home at a certain time, only to waltz in an hour late? You're not alone. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week Amy had the flu and was sicker than she had ever been in her life...but the parenting overwhelm never stops. On this week's AMEN rant, Amy and Gen discuss parenting while being ill, partners stepping up (or not), and how you can prioritise self care. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burnout doesn't just wear you out physically—it scrambles your thoughts, blurs your focus, and leaves you feeling lost in life. Even on days when “nothing big” happened, you can still feel completely drained, overstimulated, and like you're drowning emotionally. In this solo episode of Don't Cut Your Own Bangs, I share a personal story of navigating one of those days when the noise of burnout got way too loud—and the small but powerful shifts that helped me reclaim clarity and calm. This conversation is part of my Put Down the Panic: A Kinder Guide to Stress mini-series, created to help you lower the volume on burnout, quiet the noise, and make space to hear your own voice again. Three Key Takeaways 1. Overstimulation fuels burnout more than we realize. “It's so easy for overstimulation to fuel the burnout we're trying to avoid.” Our brains weren't built for nonstop notifications, interruptions, and mental multitasking. Recognizing overstimulation is the first step toward recovery. 2. Tiny resets create big clarity. “One little notch down in the volume makes it that much easier for you to hear yourself—the truth of your own experience." Even a one-minute pause or a few minutes of “sensory white space” without screens can help you reset and reconnect. 3. Rest and repair are not weaknesses. “The break I gave myself didn't reinvigorate me—it repaired me. And that was exactly what I needed.” Repair days protect you from deeper burnout. They're just as valuable as days when you feel fully energized. Resources Mentioned The Treasure Journal – a 7-part guided journal and meditation series → The Treasured Journal Wrestling a Walrus: For Little People with Big Feelings – my children's book to help kids (and adults) navigate emotions → Wrestling a Walrus Watch the show on YouTube Instagram If you've been feeling lost in life or thinking, “I feel like I'm drowning emotionally,” I hope this episode offers you a breath of fresh air and a gentle reminder: you don't have to earn your peace—it's waiting for you in the pause. Don't forget to subscribe to Don't Cut Your Own Bangs wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who might need a moment of calm today.

It's just Sarah and Tez this week, and they're catching you up on all things baby and birthing. You might even be listening while Tez is in the throes of labour! She shares her last-minute prep, from setting up the house in true type-A nesting mode to riding the emotional waves of the final days, wobbling between nerves and surrender, and soaking up the last moments of having this baby all to herself. Sarah talks about a breakthrough with Ocean finally taking the bottle (wooo!) and how she handled her own feelings as her pregnancy came to an end. Together they talk about being held by the universe, leaning into big life transitions, and getting giddy about all the fresh newness unfolding right now. Resource links: Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit happiestbaby.com.au Follo​w Sarah Wright Olsen: IG: @swrightolsen Follow Teresa Palmer: IG: @teresapalmer  FB: https://www.facebook.com/teresamarypalmer/ DISCOUNT CODES: • Go to www.baeo.com and get 20% when using the code MOTHERDAZE20 • Go to www.lovewell.earth and get 20% when using the code MOTHERDAZE20 More about the show! • Watch this episode on YouTube here • Co-founders of @yourzenmama yourzenmama.com • Read and buy our book! "The Zen Mama Guide To Finding Your Rhythm In Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In which Jenn and Preeti talk about emotional disconnection, historical infodumps, Big Feelings about Ambrosius and Merlin, and quests. Next episode: Book V, The Coming of the Bear: Sections 1-5Get more of Brett Parnell's music at bearinabarnnyc.comMore from Heeral Chhibber at heeral.orgGet merch: tar-valon-or-bust.printify.me/products and northingtron.redbubble.comRead Preeti's story in the new anthology, For the Rest of Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting in the middle years (ages 5–12) comes with big feelings, new social pressures, and challenges parents don't always see coming. Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of the new book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, joins me this week to unpack the emotional, social, and developmental shifts of the middle years.   Together we explore:   The ninth sense: neuroception. How this rarely talked about sense shapes kids' feelings of safety, belonging, and regulation. What it means to support kids based on their unique nervous system and sensory profile (and why one-size-fits-all strategies don't work). How to replace control with curiosity to strengthen connection and reduce conflict. The role of social belonging, identity, and “fitting in” during the elementary years—and why what feels small to us can feel huge to them. Practical tools for navigating anxiety, dysregulation, and big feelings in ways that foster resilience and confidence.   Big kids really do have bigger feelings—and this episode will leave you with fresh insights, concrete strategies, and a sense of clarity as you support your child through these transformative years.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

In this episode, Tara is joined by Alyssa Blask Campbell, emotional development expert and founder of Seed and Sew, for a deep dive into the big feelings of middle childhood. Together, they explore what's really happening with kids ages 5–12, why emotional regulation is so critical, and how parents can best support their children through these years. Alyssa shares insights from her new book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, which fills an important gap for families navigating this stage. The conversation covers how peer relationships shape kids' identities, the importance of teaching conflict resolution skills early, and the role parents' own nervous systems play in guiding children effectively. They also address the overwhelm so many parents feel from the endless stream of parenting advice, emphasizing the need to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. At its core, this episode highlights the power of understanding children's emotions, modeling regulation, and supporting growth during these formative years. Links: https://www.seedandsew.org/ https://amzn.to/42h4Df1 https://www.instagram.com/seed.and.sew Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's pretty common that at some point, your tween might start withdrawing from things like family outings, meals and plans. But that doesn't mean it's not hard for parents, and the rest of the family. Today on Beyond The Chaos, Amy and Gen discuss a question from a listener struggling with exactly this. Plus, our wins and fails that, unsurprisingly, revolve around screens. Leave your question for Gen and Amy here: memo.fm/beyondthechaos Order Amy Gerard's book 'Strap Yourself In' HERE Order Gen Muir's book 'Little People, Big Feelings' HERE Produced by DM PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

802. In this episode, Dr. Nanika Coor and psychologist Dr. Kahlila Robinson tackle the challenging topic of self-regulation for kids. They offer compassionate advice for parents on how to shift from seeing a child's emotional outburst as "misbehavior" to seeing it as a sign they're struggling, and discuss how to use repair moments to strengthen your relationship.Find a full transcript here.Have a parenting question? Email Dr. Coor at parenthood@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 646-926-3243.Find Project Parenthood on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the Quick and Dirty Tips newsletter for more tips and advice.Project Parenthood is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribehttps://www.facebook.com/QDTProjectParenthoodhttps://twitter.com/qdtparenthoodhttps://brooklynparenttherapy.com/

Send a message to the pod!We share our raw emotions about our kids' first day of preschool and reflect on how parenting has changed us both in unexpected ways. This conversation explores life transitions, reassessing priorities, and finding our path forward as content creators and parents.• First day of preschool brings reflections on parenting and personal growth• Matt opens up about the challenges of being a stay-at-home parent to young children• After 135 episodes, we're planning a full relaunch with a more professional setup!• Matt plans to return to content creation with a more consistent approach. Again.• We discuss how life transitions prompt self-assessment and new directions• Our Train concert experience reminds us that sometimes you need fun amid big changes• Greg's Reads segment covers suburban golf cart wars and pandemic preparedness• We address listener questions about online engagement and privilege awarenessWe'll be taking a break from monthly episodes to build our new studio, but Patreon subscribers can expect a few more exclusives before our relaunch. Stay tuned for a sneak preview of our new space before the official return!Support the showIf you've got a voicemail or want our (likely unqualified) advice on something, hit us up at the Speakpipe link below!http://www.speakpipe.com/oversharingwiththeoverbysIf you'd like to email us you can reach the pod at oversharing@jojohnsonoverby.com!And if you want to support the podcast and gain access to all episodes, check out https://www.patreon.com/oversharing!CONNECT:TikTok: @jojohnsonoverby / @matt.overbyInstagram: @jojohnsonoverby / @matt.overbyWebsite: https://jojohnsonoverby.com/Watch the Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL29Si0ylWz2qj5t6hYHSCxYkvZCDGejGq

Why can’t kids just calm down? Here’s the truth: they’re not supposed to. Expecting children to manage their emotions alone is like expecting them to drive a car before they’ve learned to walk. In this episode, Justin and Kylie bust the biggest parenting myth about big feelings — and share 3 powerful, science-backed strategies you can use in the heat of the moment to help your child ride the emotional waves. KEY POINTS Kids’ brains are on “L-plates” when it comes to emotion regulation — it’s a developmental process. Big feelings are normal, not a sign of “bad behaviour.” Three strategies parents can use: Distraction – helps reset the nervous system. Co-regulation – lending your calm to your child. Pause problem-solving – wait until emotions settle before teaching or fixing. Parents often feel judged when meltdowns happen in public — but compassion (for ourselves and our kids) is the game-changer. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “No one can think clearly in a fire drill — and that’s exactly what trying to reason with a child mid-meltdown is like.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families resources for parenting strategies & support Little People, Big Feelings Summit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Belanger from ABC 5 shares the latest updates and Jason has Big Feelings about Little Labubus See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rebroadcast including a brilliant discussion with DR.DAD!!! When Snotbeard the Giant gets grumpy over a jar of candied centipedes, his anger causes some big problems. Luckily, Granny Gigglesnort shows up to teach him and his friends a few tricks for handling those cranky feelings. Plus, we have a special chat with Dr. Ron Crouch, also known as Dr. Dad, about anger management and his book, Pixel's Big Book of Anger: A Step-by-Step Guide for Little Kids with Big Feelings. You can even enter for a chance to win a copy! Support the show