Podcasts about help kids

There are too many kids in middle school in high school who cannot read and understand what they are reading. We have to help children with the basics and we have to be honest about how our children are struggling academically at home first.Once your child gets in a classroom and that teacher has to let you know that they are struggling academically. Your child is way too far behind. On a daily basis, you should be having your child.Read something to you pronounce words with you and you should be asking the questions what was that story about. If you are cooking, they should be reading and ingredients to you. If you need to go grocery shopping, you need to allow your children to make you a grocery list. If you need to get something out of a closet that is a product with words on it you need to be able to verbally describe it and have that child find it. Is going to help their recognition of letters and colors. Parents have to do the work with their children at home first before they get in a classroom.Press play.Follow us on Chan & Pods channelSubscribe to the show on YT and on your podcast apphttps://www.bonfire.com/store/the-chanbepoddin-spot/TikTok: @chanbepoddinInstagram @TheczywmbpodcastX @theczywmbpod#parentinginabetterway #cozywomb #thekids https://www.youtube.com/@chanpods Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/cozy-womb/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we explore affirmations that teach kids emotional resilience. We highlight how these phrases can calm worry and tension.https://selfpause.com/app/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like your kids walk straight past overflowing laundry baskets, open doors, or lights blazing—and simply don’t see it? You’re not imagining things. In this episode, Justin and Kylie share the hilarious (and slightly painful!) truth about raising kids who swear they’re “contributing”… while the adults quietly carry the load. This feel-good Friday wrap-up dives into family meetings, chore systems that actually work, and the emotional load parents carry as we crawl toward the end of the year. It’s honest, relatable, and packed with practical ideas to help your kids step up—no nagging required. KEY POINTS Why teens truly believe they’re contributing (and why parents disagree). The difference between helping when asked and true initiative. How a simple four-station chore system brought calm back to the household. The real reason parents burn out at the end of the year. Why “don’t give up” might be the most important parenting rule of all. How family meetings create clarity, connection, and accountability—even with adult kids. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Contribution is about initiative—eyes open, notice, and act.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Family meeting questions: What’s going well? What’s not? What do we want to focus on? eSafety Commissioner updates on minimum age for social media platforms Happy Families resources at happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Hold a quick family meeting—15 minutes max—with the three guiding questions. Introduce clusters instead of chores (laundry, floors, kitchen, bathrooms). Give kids longer rotations (weekly or monthly) to build mastery and responsibility. Reframe contribution as noticing—not waiting. Stay consistent: gentle reminders aren’t failure; they’re part of the process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Ramey has advocated for kid-friendly transportation for over a decade, culminating in her role as the Safe Routes to School Manager for Hood River County, Oregon. Megan and Tiffany discuss the importance of walkability and bikeability for children, and Megan shares lessons she's learned from advocating in cities as big as Boston and towns as small as Hood River. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Historic Columbia River Highway Ten Speed Coffee Shop Love and Hominy Walk And Roll Hood River County Schools (site) Bikeabout (site) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Dr Fletch is back to talk about her experience with trauma as a child and how we can help our kids move from their own trauma to resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Autistic pattern loops trapping you? Dr. Tony Iezzi (35+ years clinical psychologist, Reenactments co-author) shares: From Vietnam vets to ND challenges, his therapy framework—awareness (spot themes like rejection/abandonment), regulate physiology (walks/music to calm revved systems), and interrupt habits (new actions over rage/stewing)—breaks unconscious reenactments from childhood chaos. For autistic/ADHD young adults reacting to environments, parents modeling reflection, or allies fostering tools, this convo's your toolkit—journaling for insight, themes over events ("Treat sensitivities, not specifics"). Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Tony's Trauma/Chronic Pain Expertise 0:11 - Patterns in Everyday Life & ND 1:11 - Awareness: Spot Unconscious Habits 2:55 - Childhood Roots & Physiology Revving 5:20 - Interrupting Loops: First Steps 8:00 - Themes (Abandonment/Rejection/Bullying) 11:19 - Reenactment Therapy for Sensitivities 14:23 - Parents Changing First to Help Kids 17:26 - Vietnam Vets: Pre-Existing Mess 20:53 - Society's Harshness on Differences 23:36 - Signs of Breaking Reenactments 26:19 - Journaling: Reflect to Refine 29:55 - Tailor to Physiology (Autism/ADD) 32:40 - Power Dynamic in Parenting 35:49 - Risks & Young Adult Transitions 38:58 - Mutual Respect: Consultant, Not Authority 42:14 - Village Support & Falling/Failing 45:38 - Where to Find Tony (Site/Book) Subscribe on Apple/Spotify for weekly neurodivergent adulting tools—rate/review if patterns clicked! Resources/book in notes. Squad, share w/ a loop-breaker (tag 'em below—let's rewire!). Merch: 'Dynamite' tees for habit days (Linktree in notes). #AutisticTraumaPatterns #NeurodivergentReenactments #AdultingWithAutism #BTSNeurodivergent #PodMatch Stuck in autistic trauma reenactments? Dr. Tony Iezzi unpacks 35+ years treating pain/trauma: Reenactments framework—awareness (unconscious habits from childhood), physiology regulation (walks/music for revved ND systems), theme targeting (abandonment/rejection/bullying over events)—breaks loops for better quality of life. ND applications: Physiology caps (autism/ADD at 100% = no problem-solving), environments amplify sensitivities (dysregulated homes = harder coping). For late-dx young adults reacting automatically, parents interrupting cycles (change adult first), or OTs modeling reflection/journaling, Tony's "themes repeat across situations—target them" flips reactivity to strategy. From Adulting with Autism podcast: OT-aligned for executive/sensory patterns, parenting power shifts, habit-building. Links: Full Episode: Buzzsprout/Apple/Spotify (subscribe!) Tony's Site: tonyiezzi.com (book ordering/socials) Book: Reenactments (Amazon) Merch: Linktree in notes ('Dynamite' tees for pattern resets) Your reviews/shares amplify the squad—tag a rewire! #AutisticBehaviorLoops #NeurodivergentPhysiology #TraumaThemesAutism #PodcastHabits #MentalHealthAwareness #UnmaskedReenactments #ADHDRegulation #ReenactmentTherapy #ResiliencePatterns #EmpathySquad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Educational Psychologist Liz Angoff. We discuss when and why a child might need an assessment, what information you get from an assessment, how to help children understand their brains and diagnosis, and celebrating neurodiversity.**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:* 7:00 What are some signs that your child should get an assessment?* 9:00 Getting to the “why” and the “so what”* 10:00 What do you assess for?* 14:00 Why it is important to get an assessment?* 23:00 Should you tell your child about their diagnosis?* 31:00 Scripts and metaphors for talking to your kids about diagnosis* 39:00 Red and Green flags with clinicians* 44:00 Celebrating neurodiversityResources mentioned in this episode:* Yoto Player-Screen Free Audio Book Player* The Peaceful Parenting Membership* Dr. Liz's website and booksxx 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 HERESarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast. Today my guest is Dr. Liz Angoff, who is an educational psychologist. She does testing, looking at helping kids understand how their brain works and helping their adults understand how their children's brains work. She has loads of wonderful resources, which we will link to in the show notes.I love how Dr. Liz takes this approach. It's about how our brains can work in different ways, and understanding that really can help our child understand themselves, and help us understand our child in a better way.As you'll hear in this conversation with Dr. Liz, she really talks about how, if your child is experiencing some challenges or struggles—or you're experiencing struggles or challenges with them—it can be helpful to get an assessment and possibly a diagnosis to understand exactly what's going on and how your child's brain works. Whether it could be anxiety or depression or neurodivergence or learning challenges or any sorts of things that can be uncovered through psychological testing, you can really understand the differences in your child's brain that could be making life feel more challenging for them and/or for you. And she has a beautifully neurodiversity-affirming lens, where she talks about—you'll hear her talk about this in the episode—looking at a child's brain in terms of both the strengths and the challenges.As always, we would love if you would share this episode with anyone you think might find it useful, and leave us a five-star rating on your favorite podcast player app and leave us a review. It really helps us reach more families and therefore help more families.Alright, let's meet Dr. Liz.Hello, Dr. Liz. Welcome to the podcast.Liz: Thank you for having me. I'm really excited to be here, Sarah.Sarah: Me too. So tell us about who you are and what you do before we dive in.Liz: Right. Well, I go by Dr. Liz, and I am a licensed educational psychologist. I'm in the Bay Area, California, and my focus—my passion—is working with kids to understand how their brains work. I am a testing psychologist, so I do assessment to understand, when things are challenging for kids, why things are challenging and what we're going to do to really support them.But one of the things that really caught my interest a number of years ago is that so often we bring kids through the assessment process and we don't talk to them about what they did or what we learned about them. So I got really passionate about talking to kids directly about how they can understand their brains—what comes easily for them, how they can really use their strengths to help them thrive, and then what's challenging and what they can do to advocate for themselves and support themselves. So all of my work has been really focused on that question: how do we help kids understand themselves?Sarah: Which is perfect, because that's exactly why I wanted to have you on. I've had so many parents ask me, “Well, how do I… I've got the assessment. How do I tell them? Do I tell them? How do I tell them?” We're going to get into all of that.But first I want to start with: what are some signs… I imagine some of the people listening are already going to have had assessments or are in the process of getting an assessment. But there also are some people who maybe—at least in our world—what we look at is: if you feel like you're struggling way more than everybody else, that could be one sign. And if you've already made shifts and you're trying to practice, in our case, peaceful parenting, and you're still finding that things are really hard—that could be a sign that you might want to get an assessment.But what are some signs that you look for that you might want to get your child assessed?Liz: Yeah, I mean, you named a couple of them that I think are actually really important. All kids have times when they struggle. Growing up is hard. There are a lot of challenges, and they're really important challenges that kids face. They need to know that it's okay when things are hard. They need to know they can do hard things and come out the other side.And there's so much out there—what I think of as parenting 101—that helps us figure out: how do we help our children navigate these tough times? And then there's kind of the next level where you might get a little extra support. So you read a book on parenting, or you find a different approach that matches the way your child shows up in the world a little bit better. You might meet with the school and get a little bit of extra help—sometimes called student study teams or SSTs—where you might meet with the teacher and the team.For most kids, that little extra boost is enough to get them through those hard times. But for some kids, there are still questions. That next level, that extra support—it's still not working. Things are still hard, and we don't know why.Sarah: Mm-hmm.Liz: And when you have that question—“Why isn't this working? It works for so many kids, but it's not working for my child”—that's when an assessment can be really helpful to get at the why. The so what.So the why is: why are things harder for my child, and why are the traditional things that help most children not working? And then the so what is: so what do we do about it? How do we do things differently? And for kids who are wired differently, they need different things. And that's what we focus on in the assessment process.Sarah: And so, what kinds of… You know, we've gotten extra support, we've educated ourselves, and things are still hard for our child—or maybe also hard for us at home with our child. What are the kinds of things that you assess for? I guess that's the best way to ask. The big ones I think about are ADHD and autism, but what else might be possibilities that are going on?Liz: I really think of assessment—at the core of it—as understanding how this child's brain works. The diagnoses that we look at… a diagnosis is just a kind of way to orient us toward the path of support that's going to be most helpful. But even ADHD, autism, dyslexia—these common things we might look for—show up differently in different kids. There are diagnostic criteria, but they mix and match a little bit. No two ADHD-ers show up the same way. No two autistic kids show up the same way. Even dyslexic kids show up differently.So at the core of it, we're trying to figure out: what makes this child's brain unique? What are the unique strengths and challenges that they have? And we're going to be able to explain that. A shortcut for explaining that might be dyslexia or autism or ADHD.We also might be looking at things like anxiety and depression that can really affect kids in a big way—sometimes related to other brain styles, because navigating the world as a different kind of brain is really hard and can lead to a lot of anxiety and depression. Sometimes anxiety can look like ADHD, for example, because it really hijacks your attention and makes it hard to sit still at school when your brain is on high alert all the time.So we're really trying to tease apart: what's the root cause of the challenges a child is facing? So that we know what to do about it.Some other things we might look at: one of the big questions that comes to me is when there are some really challenging behaviors that kids have, and we want to know what's underneath that. Sometimes there might be questions about sensory dysregulation or emotional dysregulation—just real difficulty understanding the emotions that are coming up and what to do about them. Some kids get hit like by a tsunami by their emotions. And so learning how to regulate or manage those big feelings might be something we're looking at. And again, that might be part of a bigger diagnosis, but more importantly it's something we want to understand so we can support a child, regardless of what we call it.Sarah: That makes so much sense. And it makes me think about my daughter, who's 18 now. And just for anyone listening, she's okay with me talking about her assessment and diagnoses. And I think sometimes when you talk about challenging behavior, we think we know why there's challenging behavior—but sometimes we can be totally wrong.I remember when she was in elementary school, her teachers—one after another—would always talk about how she was repeatedly at their desks asking, “What do I do next?” Asking for instruction. And she's a kid whose connection is super important to her, and I always thought it was because she was looking for more connection from the teacher. That she was always at their side, and that was a “good” reason to go up and talk to the teacher because she loved her teachers.And then come to find out, when we had her assessed, that she has working memory challenges. She actually literally couldn't remember what the next thing to do was, because she could only keep one or two things in her head at a time. And that was really helpful information. It completely shifted how her teachers—and how I—saw her classroom behavior.Liz: Isn't that amazing? Just getting at the why. Getting underneath and figuring out the why completely shifts our perspective on things. And I think for a lot of kids, that first-line parenting—for many kids, yeah, they're looking for connection. They're looking for that. It makes total sense that that would be our first assumption. And for some kids, that's just not true.So when we do the assessment, we find out this important information that is so important to understanding what's going on. And for your daughter to understand: “Oh, there's this thing called working memory, and that is different in my brain than in other brains.” So I'm not dumb or lazy or all these labels we give ourselves. It's: “Oh, I have a working memory challenge, so let's brainstorm some ways I can work with the way my working memory works.” And that might be asking the teacher—that might work for everybody—but there might be something else.There are any number of strategies we can use to really help her once we know what that is. And when we talk to kids about it, we can brainstorm with them to figure out what the best strategy is going to be—one that works for our child, that works for the teacher, that works for everybody involved.Sarah: Yeah, for sure. It's so illuminating. There were so many things about her diagnosis when she got assessed that helped so much to explain behavior that a lot of people found perplexing, and also helped her understand herself and make adjustments she needed to make to be successful.For example, even now she's in first-year college, and she knows—this has continued through her whole school career—that because of her focus challenges, she can't really do any homework after six o'clock at night. Her focus is just not good. She can try, but it's really hard for her. So she plans her day around: “I know that I've only got until six o'clock to really get my good work done.” She'll even come home, do homework, and then go back into the city to go to the gym or something, whereas other people might do it the other way around.So I think just knowing—kids knowing—how their brain works is really setting themselves up for success.Liz: I love that.Sarah: Yeah. So, which brings me to the next question I was going to ask you, and I think you've already answered it or we've talked about it together: anything you want to add about why it's important to get an assessment? I mean, you talked about helping kids understand how their brain works, really getting to the root of the problem, and helping the people around them understand how their brain works. Is there anything else you want to add about why we would want to get an assessment that we haven't already talked about?Liz: Yeah. Well, one of the things we talk about a lot is that an assessment can result in a label of sorts. A diagnosis is a kind of label. And something I get asked a lot is: “What do we do when parents feel nervous about having their child have a label?”There is—as much as I am a proponent and supporter and celebrator of neurodiversity—the truth is that our society still has some pretty challenging stereotypes about what it means to be ADHD or autistic, or to have a different way your brain is wired.Sarah: Or stigma.Liz: Yeah—stigma. That's the word. And so I think it's a real fear that families have.There are a couple of things that are important to know about these “labels.” One is that the world is changing. We are understanding these diagnoses in a totally different way—not as something that's broken or needs to be fixed, but as something that is different. A normal variation of how brains appear in the world. And that is a real change that is happening.And that label can be—as you were just saying—so helpful, as a way to guide what we do to support our children so they can be successful. Like your example with your daughter: she can learn how to work with her brain so she can be really successful. I think it's brilliant that she knows that after six o'clock, her brain won't study anymore. That simple change is the difference between feeling like a failure and feeling like a success.And I think the more dangerous thing—the scarier piece—is the labels we give children who aren't properly diagnosed. Those labels are the ones kids give themselves, like “I must be dumb,” or the labels others give kids, like “This is a lazy child,” or “This is a defiant child.” Those labels are so much more negative and harmful to our kids because they tell them there's something wrong with them.Are these diagnoses labels? Yes. But I would argue they are such helpful guideposts for us in understanding: this is a difference, not a deficiency.Sarah: I love that. And I've heard people say that you can avoid getting a diagnosis for your child because you don't want to have them labeled, but they will still get labeled—just with the wrong labels instead of the right labels.Liz: Exactly. Yeah.Sarah: Mm-hmm. I know people who… I have a friend who didn't find out until they were in their late teens, I guess, that they had inattentive ADHD, and they spent years unlearning, “I'm just lazy,” and, “I'm a lazy person, that's why I have trouble doing things on time,” and really unlearning that bad… that bad idea of themselves that had been put on them when they weren't aware of their inattentive ADHD.Liz: Exactly.Sarah: Yeah. I also have another friend who got diagnosed as autistic late in life, and they wish that they had known that so much earlier because they spent—you know, they're one of those people that, back when they were a child, the diagnostic criteria missed them. Right? Like they were just quirky, odd, like the little-professor type of autistic kid. But they spent their whole life thinking, “There's something wrong with me. I just don't know what it is, but I know I feel different from everybody else,” and searching for, “What is this thing that's wrong with me?” And finding it in all sorts of things that weren't actually… you know, obviously there's not anything wrong with them, they're just autistic. But thinking how different their life would've been if they had known that, and hadn't spent all those years trying to figure out why they felt so different from everybody else.Liz: Exactly. And that's what the research is showing us too—that so many individuals who are diagnosed as adults had these really harmful and unhelpful narratives as kids. And the first emotion that those diagnosed adults feel is this relief: “Oh, that's why things feel different for me.” But the second emotion I find so much more interesting, because across the board, the second thing that people report is anger. And it's anger at having lost decades to those false narratives that were so, so unhelpful.And I think that there are kind of two facets to my passion about talking to kids. One was understanding that kids—they often know that something is different about them way before we even pick up on it, no matter how old they are. They have this sense that, “Oh, I'm walking through the world in a different way.” So the earlier we can have these conversations with them, the better, because we have this opportunity to rewrite that narrative for them.But the second huge piece for me was working with adults and doing that later-in-life diagnosis, and hearing time after time, story after story about adults who are completely rewriting their self-narrative through the process of our assessment—and what a relief that is. And how frustrating it is that they've lost so much time not knowing, and now having to go through the process of identity formation again, because they have this new, critical piece of information that helps them understand things so differently about their childhood, their young adulthood—depending on how old they are.Sarah: Yeah, it's so important. And when you just said, “Kids often know that there's something different about them,” I remembered my daughter. She didn't—I think partly because I'm, I'm not saying this to toot my own horn, but I'm an extraordinarily patient person, and so some of the things about her ADHD—so she has an ADHD diagnosis—and some of the things about that, I think it took me a long time to sort of think, “Okay, this is unusual, that these behaviors are still happening,” because I was so patient with it, you know? And I think other parents may have been a little less patient at an earlier age and gotten her… and I feel bad about that, because I wish she had gotten her assessment earlier. I think it would've been helpful for her.But I remember one thing that spurred me to finally seek an assessment was she asked me what ADHD was. She was probably nine, ten, maybe. And I told her, and she said, “I have that.” She was like, “I have that.” And I'm like, “Really?” Like, you know… anyway, it was just interesting.Liz: I think kids know. I've had that experience so many times, I can't even tell you. I'm halfway through a feedback session with a child and I haven't told them yet, and they come out with, “Do I have ADHD?” Or in the middle of the assessment, they're wondering about it and asking. And I say, “Well, what do you understand about ADHD, and why are you asking that question?” And I can kind of get more information from them and let them know, “We don't know yet, but that's what we're here for. We're exploring your brain and we're trying to understand it.”But I think that information, I mean, that just speaks to how much our world is changing. This information is out there in the world. We're talking about it, which I think is so, so important to normalizing the fact that brains come in all different shapes and sizes and ways of being. And so it becomes a point of discussion—like a really open point of discussion—about, “I wonder how my brain is wired.”Sarah: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So interesting. I'm pretty sure I know the answer that you're gonna give: if you do get a diagnosis of something—ADHD or autism—should you tell your child?Liz: So I do believe that we should be talking to kids about how their brains work. And I want to be really mindful of the parent journey as I talk about this. I think that the most important piece is that, as a parent, you understand how your child's brain works, and that you go through your own process of integrating that with how you see your child. And that's a really important journey and a huge piece of the journey, because when we start talking to kids about how their brains work, we need to be really confident as adults.So I think that while I see this as so important—talking to kids about their diagnosis—I want to make sure that parents are taking time and space to understand it themselves first.Sarah: I love that. That's such a sensitive answer, because if, say, you get the diagnosis of your child and to you it feels like, you know, it's this horrible thing—that would not be a good frame of mind to tell your child about their diagnosis in. Right? So really working through your own fears and your own… getting proper information about what the diagnosis means before you go to your child with that information.Liz: Exactly. And understanding what it means and what it doesn't mean. Because there's a lot of messages out there, especially around autism and ADHD, that are negative: that your child is broken in some way, we need to fix them, we need to make them more “normal,” whatever that means. I mean, all these messages are not helpful, not accurate. So really diving into the neurodiversity-affirming framework around these different neurotypes or brain types is a really important piece to give yourself time to process as a parent.That said, I do think that being able to have a really supportive conversation with your child about, “What did we learn about the assessment?”—you know, we already talked about that kids know something's different about them before we know. And so when they go through the assessment process, there's no hiding from them that we're doing something different for you. And they're the ones that go through all these different activities as part of the assessment; they're working very hard.And I, as an assessor, I'm very transparent with kids: “We're here to understand how your brain works,” because I was trained to tell kids, “We're going to play a lot of brain games, and it's going to be super fun, you'll get prizes.” Which it is fun until we do the thing that's hard for you. And then suddenly, it's not fun anymore. And kids are like, “Huh, I feel like you're not telling me the whole truth. This is not fun.” They pick up on it, right?So I tend to be really transparent with kids: “We're here to understand how your brain works. Some of the things that we do, your brain is going to find fun and maybe even easy to do. Some of the things are really going to challenge your brain. You might learn something new while you're here. If something's challenging, I want you to tell me about it, and we're going to figure it out together—like, ooh, that's going to be really interesting.”So we're already talking to kids about what's strong. And I use a construction metaphor that I can go into, but we talk about their brain highways and we talk about their construction projects—what they're working on. So kids are already learning so much about their brain as part of the assessment. And even without sharing the diagnosis, we can talk to them about what we learned, so that there's some de-mystifying there. “I went through this whole thing and now everyone's talking behind my back. They're having a bunch of meetings. There must be something wrong with me.” Instead, we can say, “I learned so many cool things about your brain. I learned that you are strong in this, and I learned that we're going to work on this. And so that's really helpful for me as a parent.”And then if we do have a diagnosis, what it adds when we share that with kids is: they know that they are not alone. It gives context. It lets them know that while the way their brain works is unique, there are lots of people out there who have very similar brains, who have been really successful with that kind of brain. There's a path laid out—that we know what to do to work with your unique brain. And so it really helps them feel like, “I'm not alone in this. It's not weird or broken in any way. This is just a different way to be in the world, and there's a roadmap for me.”Sarah: I love that. Yeah. I often, when I'm talking to parents, and you know, often after a couple of parent coaching sessions there'll be some things that make me say, “Have you ever… has anyone ever asked you if you were considering an ADHD assessment for your child?” I try to… you know, because I'm not a clinician, I can't diagnose anyone with anything. But there are certainly things that come up that make me think, “I think these people should get an assessment.”And often they— you know, I try to be really as positive as I can—but often they do have these really negative associations with, for example, ADHD. And then I say, like, “You know, how many entrepreneurs… there are way more entrepreneurs that have ADHD than the general population, and way more Olympic athletes and professional athletes.” And, you know, there are things that are just research- and statistic-backed that you can say that are positive about this differently wired brain.Liz: Right. I love the research on entrepreneurship and ADHD. I think that it's so amazing how well-equipped the ADHD brain is to be in a space where we're disrupting the status quo and trying new things, thinking outside of the box, really using that creativity. And it's just a world that needs this kind of brain to really move us forward. More neurotypical brains that work well with the way that society is built might not be as motivated to disrupt things in that positive way that moves us forward.Sarah: I love that. What are some other things that—you know, I feel like we've kind of covered most of the questions that I had planned on asking you—but are there any things that I haven't asked you or that we haven't touched on? You know, you've modeled some really beautiful ways of how to talk to your child about how their brain works. Maybe you want to go into your construction metaphor a little bit more, or maybe there are some other things that we haven't covered that you want to talk about.Liz: Sure. Well, I think that one of the things that may be really helpful is thinking about: what is the script for telling kids about their diagnosis? The way that I've found most helpful is using this construction metaphor, because it is pretty universal and it has so many places you can go with it, and it just gives you a way to start the conversation.For parents, it may sound something like: “You went through this whole process and I'm so grateful that you did, because we were able to learn some really cool things about your brain. Is it okay if I share that with you?” So asking that permission to start the conversation, because it is vulnerable for kids. You want to make sure that it's the right time and place. And most of the time, opening it like that will pique kids' curiosity, and they're like, “Yeah, of course, I want to know what you learned.”And then you might say, “You know, I learned that we can think of your brain like something that's under construction, like the construction sites we see on the side of the road—that we're always building our brain. And the way your brain works is that the different parts of your brain communicate through these neurons that make connections, like little tiny roads in your brain. And we learned that some of those roads are like highways for your brain. We learned that you have so many strengths.”“So, for example, we learned that you maybe have a great vocabulary and really express yourself well. We learned about your creativity, and when you're really passionate about something, you can focus in so amazingly well on that. We learned that you're a really loyal friend, or maybe that you have a really strong memory for stories”—you know, whatever it is. “We learned that you have these highways.”“We also know that some parts of your brain are under construction. Like, you might remember when you were little, you didn't know how to ride a bike yet, but then your brain had to put all those things together and now you ride your bike all the time. Do you remember kind of building that road? Well, there are some new roads that we're working on. And so we might be working on… one of the things we learned that's under construction for your brain is something called working memory. And I think that's why you're asking your teacher all the time for the next step—because you're doing something, you're advocating for yourself, because your brain does best when it gets one piece of information at a time. And that was so important for me to learn as a parent.”“And when we put these things together, lots of people have highways and construction zones just like yours. In fact, we have a name for it. We call that ADHD—when you have such a creative, passionate brain that loves to focus on the things that you are really into, but sometimes have difficulty keeping stuff in mind, this working memory piece—that's what we call ADHD. And it turns out there are lots and lots of people who have ADHD brains just like yours, and we can look at those people.”So that's kind of how I go through it with kids. We're really talking about their highways and construction projects and helping them understand that—and then repackaging it with that name for it. That there's a name for how your brain works. And that's where we start. And then from there, we can use that metaphor to keep building the next thing, working on the next construction project as we move forward.Sarah: Would there be anything specifically different or similar, I guess, about talking about an autism diagnosis for kids with that construction metaphor?Liz: Yeah, so I use the same metaphor, but the highways and construction zones, for every kid, are going to be a little different. So for an autistic kid—if I think of one kid in particular—we might say that we learned that you have this really passionate brain that loves engineering and building, and the things you did with Dr. Liz where you had to solve puzzles and use logic, that was a highway in your brain. And we know that one of the ways that your brain works really well is when you have space to move and to be able to use your body in different ways.Then some of the things that might be under construction are… usually I'll start with something that a child has told me is more challenging for him or her. “So you know how you said that sometimes other kids might say things that feel confusing, or you're not sure what they mean? That's something that might be harder for your brain—or something that is a construction project that we'll work on with you, so that it's easier to understand other kids.”“And when we put these things together—when kids have brains that are really passionate and pay attention to details, that love engineering, but have trouble figuring out what other kids are saying or meaning—then we call that autism. And it's a different way of a brain being in the world. And so, as you learn to work with your autistic brain, you'll figure out how to really dive deep into your passions and you'll be able to thrive, find the connections that you want, and we're here to help.”Sarah: I love that. And I love how, when you talk about construction zones, it's full of promise too, right? I read something from someone… that you can work on things—what I mean by full of promise is that there are things that can be worked on that might feel hard or confusing now, but it doesn't leave a child with a sense of, “I'll never be able to figure it out, and it's always going to be this way.”Liz: Yeah. One of the ways the construction metaphor has really evolved is that for some things, we're building that road, and for some things, we're finding a different way to get there. One of the things that I write in my books is that you might build a road there, or you might find a totally different way to get there. In the new book for parents, there's a picture of a flying car, you know, kind of flying over the construction zone. And I think that it's really true for our kids that for some skills, there might be some things that we need to learn and really build that pathway in our brain, but for some things, there might just be a different way.I think for autistic kids, for example, they might connect with others in really different ways. And so it's like building a totally new way to get there—building a different road, taking the scenic route. There are so many ways we can adapt the metaphor to say, “We're still going to get you to your goal, where you want to go, but your road might look really different than somebody else's, and that's okay. It's going to be the best road for you.”Sarah: I love that, because it also—I mean, not only is it promising that you're going to get to where you want to go, but it also, I think, helps relieve parents of an idea that I see sometimes, where they want their kids to be more like neurotypical kids, right? They think that's the only way to get to the goal, is for them to have, you know, just using the example of social connections: the social connections of an autistic kid might be really, really strong but look totally different from the social connections of a neurotypical kid.Liz: Exactly. Yeah.Sarah: That reminds me of something that I was going to ask you earlier and I forgot, which was: you mentioned that sometimes when you get a diagnosis, you have a clinician who wants to try to tell you how you should change your child, or help them be more “normal” or more “typical,” and that clearly would be from somebody who's not very neurodiversity-affirming. But what are some things to look out for that might be sort of, I guess, red flags or green flags in terms of the person that you're looking for to do an assessment—or if you've already got the assessment, how they're interpreting the diagnosis—that might be more or less helpful?Liz: Yeah. So I love this question, because I think one of the most important questions you can ask a clinician when you are looking for an assessment is: “How do you involve my child in the assessment?” Or, “What will you tell them about what you learned?” Looking for somebody who is really well-versed in, “How do I talk to the child about it?” is going to tell you that they're really thinking about, “How do we frame this in a way that's going to be helpful and affirming to a young child?”Because anybody who's really thinking about, “How do I communicate this in a way that's going to make sense to a small person?” has really been thinking about, “How do we think about the whole person, and how do we capitalize on those strengths?” So that is kind of a tell, to say that this person is thinking in this more holistic way—and not just about, “Does this child fit the diagnostic criteria?”If you've had an assessment with somebody that is more coming from that medical lens that we've all been trained in—this is so new, and so, you know, a lot of clinicians were trained from this medical lens, which is looking at, “What are the child's deficits, and do they meet criteria from this diagnostic manual that we have, the DSM, that is a list of things that are harder or quote-unquote wrong?”—from there, I think really getting connected with some more affirming resources is important.I have a ton on my website that can be really, really helpful. There's a spreadsheet of ways of talking about autism, ADHD, dyslexia, behavior, anxiety, OCD in really affirming ways. And so just immersing yourself in those resources so you can get that positive language for talking to your child. Or working with the next practitioner—a therapist, a tutor—who has experience working from a neurodiversity-affirming lens, so that you can help to translate those testing results into something that's going to really be focused on: how do we help your child thrive with the brain that they have?Sarah: Thank you. That makes so much sense.This has been so helpful, and I think that so many parents are going to find this really useful—in how to talk to their kids and how to think about it, how to think about it themselves. What it… oh, it has just totally thrown me that I couldn't remember that thing. All right. So thank you so much for joining us and telling us about all this stuff. You mentioned a couple of books, so we'll get your books in the show notes for folks, but where else is the best place for people to go and find out more about you and what you do?Liz: Yeah, so I have a ton of free resources for parents on explainingbrains.com. There are articles—just very, very short, parent-friendly articles—with both the strengths, the “highways,” and common construction projects for ADHD brains, for autistic brains, for dyslexic brains, for kids who have difficulty regulating behavior, anxiety, intellectual disability—just ways of explaining so many different types of brains, as well as what we do about things like screen time or talking about medication. So hopefully that resource is helpful for parents.And then I have a brand-new book out for parents called Our Brains, and it is an interactive, collaborative workbook that helps you explain a diagnosis to your child. So it's something that you can get after an assessment, and it will walk you through explaining to your child how their brain works, what you learned from the assessment. Or, if you have a diagnosis that's been on the table for a long time and you just haven't had that conversation with them yet, it is designed to really help kids not just know, “Okay, this is my diagnosis,” but really understand how their brain works and how they can advocate for what their brain needs to thrive.Sarah: Fantastic. That is going to be so helpful for so many parents. Okay, now here's the mystery question that I told you about before we started recording, and this is a question I ask all my guests. So, if you had a time machine and you could go back in time and give a message to your younger parent self, what advice would you give yourself?Liz: Oh. I would just constantly remind myself that there are so many ways to be in this world, and it's all okay. I think—even I was amazed—that even as somebody who has decades of experience in this field and has made a life out of celebrating neurodiversity, there was a way that doctors communicated with me from this deficit lens that would just put my mommy brain on high alert all the time when something was just a little bit different. And I really needed just constant reminders that my child is going to show up how they're going to show up, and that that is not only okay, but it is beautiful and amazing and so important to how they are and the unique contribution they're going to have to this world.And it's something that I've grown into—my child's seven and a half now—and it's something that we get to celebrate all the time: incredible uniqueness, and celebrate. But I think I remember very distinctly as a new mom, just with all the doctors using their jargony, deficit-based language, it was just really hard to keep that solid head on my shoulders. But I think it's a really important message to keep with us: that there's just so many ways to be, and it's all amazing.Sarah: I love that. Thank you so much for joining us, and really appreciate it.Liz: Thank you for having me. This has been a blast. 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

Send us a textWelcome to The Zeepy Sleep Podcast: Calming Bedtime Stories for Kids, a gentle preschool bedtime podcast designed to make evenings feel softer for tired families.  In The Biscuit Tin's Bedtime Wish, we return to the Moonbeam Cat Café, where Kip the Kitty discovers that the café's old copper biscuit tin can't quite close its lid. It isn't too full of biscuits…it's too full of whispered wishes and quiet worries gathered through the day. Together, Kip and the tin open the window to the starry night and let each tiny thought float gently away, teaching children that when we've been holding too much, it's safe to let go and rest.

Send us a textI'm delighted to have return guest and homeschool consultant Kris Cox back on 5-Minute Parenting to share about her newly updated Navigating High School guidebook. This book is a helpful tool for homeschool teens as well as those in private and public school. This comprehensive resource draws on Kris' 17+ years experience homeschooling her four children, and 10 years' experience as a homeschool consultant, blogger, writer, and speaker. It covers important spiritual topics and essential life skills for teens navigating the complexities of high school life, providing faith-based guidance on spiritual, emotional, relational, and life application matters. Sections include helpful resources and templates on time management, SWOT analysis, career planning, relationships, decision-making, and budgeting. The best part for homeschoolers is it offers a 1/2 credit for those who complete the workbook. Grab one for your teens and those approaching their teen years! You'll find it at https://hswithconfidence.com/shop/ Kris Cox is a retired homeschooler with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and 17+ years of experience in home educating her four children. She also has 10 years of experience as a homeschool consultant, blogger, writer, and speaker. Kris believes that seeking God for guidance and depending on Him is the key to successful homeschooling. She's the author of The Homeschool Life All-in-One Planner, Homeschooling with Confidence, and co-author of Growing the Fruit of the Spirit, a Bible-based Unit Study. Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer!

This week, I'm joined by Amy Wiebe for a seriously fun conversation about transforming bedtime from chaotic to calm — and even magical. Amy shares the story behind her “Sleep Fairy” concept, the imaginative bedtime tool that saved her sanity after years of sleep struggles. We talk about how creativity, connection, and simple structure can make nights smoother, plus how Human Design can help you understand each child's unique needs. If bedtime feels like a battle, this episode is full of ideas that will shift the energy in your home tonight. Click HERE to access today's shownotes.

How AiDigiCards Help Kids Learn AI Safely ft. Amber Ivey | My EdTech Life 343 In Episode 343 of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Amber Ivey to explore AiDigiCards, a new screen-free way to introduce kids to AI literacy, curiosity, and critical thinking. Amber breaks down the journey from her AI-for-adults work, to her children's book AI Meets AI, to her new hands-on learning system for kids ages 4–8.We talk about parent concerns, privacy, LLM overreliance, ethical design, and why AI learning should start at the kitchen table, not on a tablet. If you're an educator, parent, or anyone thinking about the future of AI readiness for kids, this conversation is packed with insight and practical takeaways.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Why Amber focuses on AI for kids 05:30 – From books to workshops 09:15 – Introducing AiDigiCards 10:30 – Why screen-free AI learning matters 12:00 – Parent concerns about AI 14:00 – Protecting curiosity and creativity 17:00 – The four C's of AI literacy 21:00 – Kids spotting real vs fake 26:00 – “Are kids too young for AI?” 27:00 – Teach kids AI… or AI teaches them 29:00 – The problem with unsafe AI tools 35:00 – Amber's personal journey 37:30 – What keeps her up (in a good way) 40:00 – AiDigiCards Kickstarter 46:00 – Thank you to our sponsors! 

In this episode of Chatzzz, Adam catches up with Joe Kirkup for his second appearance on the podcast and this time, he's taking on something huge.Joe is gearing up for an incredible endurance challenge to raise money and bring joy to local children this Christmas. His mission? To help provide gifts for kids who might otherwise go without this festive season.Across one epic weekend, Joe will be: – Running 5km every 5 hours for 50 hours – Cycling 132km through Cumbria and the BordersThe challenge takes place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November, starting in Longtown, heading through Silloth, returning to Longtown, and finishing up in Langholm.This episode is more than just a conversation it's about resilience, community spirit, and using your body to make a difference.

How do we help kids open up about their day—really open up—so we can guide their hearts, not just manage their behavior? In today's episode, we explore why the classic parent question, "How was your day?" almost always leads to a dead end, and how we can replace it with questions that actually build connection, confidence, and identity. Drawing from Dr. Kathy Koch's deep insight into child development, we look at why kids often shut down when they come home from school, what their silence might be telling us, and how timing, tone, and relational approach matter more than the words themselves. Dr. Kathy explains how performance-centered questions unintentionally send the message that grades matter more than character, and she challenges parents to ask questions that explore who their child was during the day—not just what they did. Together, we unpack better conversation starters that help kids reflect, process emotions, develop humility, grow in problem-solving, and see where God showed up in their lives. We also discuss five identity-based categories—intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual—and how to engage each one meaningfully. You'll learn about a simple "Go Fish" dinner-table activity that brings the whole family into the conversation and how three words—curious, confused, confident—can reshape the way you talk with your kids about school. Wayne also reflects on a powerful moment from John 21, where Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Instead of shaming Peter, Jesus restores him. That same pattern—gentle, repeated questions that lead to deeper truth—shows us that good questions don't interrogate a child; they bless them. They help them see who they are becoming. This episode is an encouraging, practical guide for parents, grandparents, and caregivers who want to build stronger connections, nurture identity in Christ, and create moments of reflection that shine a bright light through the emotional fog kids sometimes carry home. You'll walk away with new tools, new questions, and a renewed sense of hope as you shepherd your children's hearts.

Eric Haagh lost his own father when he was just 12. He's also living with stage four bowel cancer, and he knows his own time with his 10-year-old son Flynn is precious.

How do kids learn to think about their emotions instead of being swept away by them? In this episode, Dr. Caroline breaks down strategic emotion management, helping children and teens build emotional metacognition, the ability to reflect on and make sense of what they feel.You'll learn how to guide kids to pause, question, and evaluate their emotions: What is this feeling trying to tell me? Is it helping or hurting me right now? Dr. Caroline shares practical strategies for teaching emotional literacy, building resilience, and creating space for reflection instead of reaction. She also offers real-life examples, from angry teens to overwhelmed kids, showing how adults can coach emotional awareness at any age. This episode includes simple tools, reflective questions, and step-by-step ways to strengthen emotional awareness and decision-making skills.Key topics: emotional literacy, metacognition, cognitive reappraisal, resilience, co-regulation, reflective parenting, and emotional intelligence in youth.Homework IdeasPractice Helpful ResponsesThe next time you or a child feel a strong emotion, pause and ask:What is this emotion trying to tell me?Is this emotion helpful right now?What can I do that aligns with my goals and values?Model this reflective thinking out loud with the child.Focus on curiosity over correction — “Huh, I wonder what my anger's protecting right now.”Co-Regulation Practice!When kids are upset, start with validation only.Say “It sounds like you had a tough day.” Then pause.Once they're calm, guide reflection with open-ended questions. Emotion Journal or ChartWrite or draw feelings, what happened, what they thought, and what the emotion might be saying.For younger kids: use colours or pictures.For teens: include reflection prompts like “Was my reaction helpful?” Emotion Decoder Match emotions to their possible messages (e.g., anger → unfairness; sadness → loss or care).Available in Dr. Caroline's Emotional Literacy Book Scaling ExerciseRate emotions from 1–10 and discuss how the intensity changes when the situation is reappraised to build perspective and reduce emotional overwhelm. Resources Mentioned:The Emotional Literacy Book (https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracy)Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt (for adults exploring emotional reasoning) Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuzWebsite: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resourcesBusiness inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Julie Lavender Le Doux, our guest today, has beencalled “The Red-pilled Mary Poppins.” What does that mean? She's not justcleaning up a bedroom, but, through her "Amazings" book series foryoung people, she is creatively helping them heal from trauma and tackle someof the biggest issues they're facing today. Because the books arefor kids, they're written with lots of wit, wisdom and wacky fun Julie isa successful home-schooling mom and now proud grandmother who's also an author,musician, and public speaker. Like, Subscribe, and Share.

Pigtails & Crewcuts - Teaneck debuts children's book and companion video to make first kids haircuts calmer, happier, and faster. Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids - Teaneck, NJ City: Teaneck Address: 568 Cedar Ln Website: https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/teaneck-nj/ Phone: +1 201 931 8090 Email: teanecknj@pigtailsandcrewcuts.com

Confusion about gender doesn't start with culture—it starts with unmet core needs. Dr. Kathy Koch joins Wayne Stender to explore how God designed children with five foundational needs that shape their confidence and faith. From bedtime routines to meaningful conversations, discover practical ways to disciple your kids toward identity, purpose, and peace in Christ.

“Actions may speak louder than words," writes the researcher Angela Duckworth, "but actions and words together send the clearest message of all.” In this episode, Michelle Larson, marriage and family therapist associate, and Amanda Suarez, school psychologist, talk about why it's so essential for families to explore values together. When we talk about what's most important to us, we make it easier to live aligned with those values.

Jeanette Yoffe is a psychotherapist, author, foster care survivor, and a powerhouse of healing wisdom. In this episode, she shares her remarkable journey from the foster system to becoming a therapist. We unpack tools she's created—like the Anger Bag and Shamewich—to help children process big emotions like rage, shame, and grief. What we cover in this episode Her personal adoption journey & one-woman show How trauma shapes identity—and how it doesn't have to define us What the "inner courtroom" and "primal wound" really mean Why transparency is essential in helping foster youth Her new book: The Traumatized and At-Risk Youth Toolbox From creativity to clinical tools, Jeanette bridges the gap between the pain and the possibility. Related Episodes You Might Love Ep85: How Long-Term Fear Affects Your Brain https://sarahwalton.com/fear-affects/ Ep270: The Truth About Learning to Manifest with Alea Lovely https://sarahwalton.com/learn-manifestation/ Ep36: Reimagining The Role of "Mom" https://sarahwalton.com/amy/ Connect with Jeanette Yoffe Website: www.JeanetteYoffe.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanette.yoffe YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@Jeanette-icallySpeaking Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanetteyoffe/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanetteyoffe/ Books: The Traumatized and At-Risk Youth Toolbox https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09TPZM7DY About Jeanette Yoffe Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T., earned her Master's in Clinical Psychology, specializing in adoption and foster care, from Antioch University in June of 2002. She treats children, teens, and adults with serious psychological problems secondary to histories of abuse, neglect, adoption, and /or multiple foster care placements. She has specialized for the past 20 years in the treatment of children and teens who manifest serious deficits in their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development. She is also an adopted person, raised in foster care for 6 years. She's the Founder of Celia Center Inc., a nonprofit supporting the entire foster care and adoption community in Los Angeles, and Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy Inc., providing mental health services to families connected by foster care and adoption. Jeanette is also an author and creator. Her books include "The Traumatized and At-Risk Youth Toolbox" (featuring over 160 interventions), plus children's books "What is Adoption?" and "What is Foster Care?" (available in English and Spanish). Her one-woman show "What's Your Name, Who's Your Daddy?" is available on Amazon and Audible. She also runs the YouTube channel "Genetically Speaking" with educational videos, animations, and the "Hand Model of the Brain" for kids. In 2006, she received the Los Angeles Foster Care Hero Award. She's appeared on OWN, TLC, and the Hope Network, and speaks regularly to adoptive parents and social workers about the psychological impacts of foster care and adoption. Free gift from Sarah Book a free 15-minute call to explore working together: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/60d4f7f6/appointment/52999780/calendar/909961?appointmentTypelds%5B%5D=52999800 Ready to shift from chasing to receiving in your business? Book your call with Sarah today and discover how The Abundance Academy can help you scale with soul, strategy, and sanity. Work with Sarah Apply for The Abundance Academy group coaching program https://sarahwalton.com/abundance-academy/ Connect with Sarah Website: https://sarahwalton.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesarahwalton/ You can check out our podcast interviews on YouTube, too! http://bit.ly/YouTubeSWalton Thank you so much for listening. I'm honored that you're here and would be grateful if you could leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking "Write a review." Then, we'll get to inspire even more people! (If you're not sure how to leave a review, you can watch this quick tutorial.) About Sarah Walton Sarah Walton is a business coach specializing in helping women entrepreneurs overcome internal barriers to success. With a background in trauma-informed coaching and nervous system regulation, she takes a holistic approach that addresses both mindset and tactical business skills. Featured on The Today Show and speaking at women's conferences worldwide, Sarah has helped hundreds of women build profitable, sustainable businesses aligned with their values while healing the deeper blocks that keep them playing small. She's the creator of The Money Mindset Course, The Abundance Academy, and Effortless Sales, and the host of the 5-star-rated Game On Girlfriend® Podcast, becoming the go-to source for women who want to build businesses that honor both their ambition and their nervous system's need for safety.

Are AI tools in the classroom just time-savers, or can they have genuine educational value?In a must-watch TWiST 500 interview, Alex chats with Magic School founder (and former principal) Adeel Khan about how AI tools can make teachers more effective, and keep students inspired, without just doing all the work for them. He talks about turning an AI chatbot into a true assistant teacher, that keeps the lessons balanced yet challenging, and particularly empowers classroom novices and non-professionals.THEN… is 6 years too long for employees to wait to vest? Is this just another founder trying to reinvent EVERYTHING, just because they can't resist? Ramp CEO Eric Glyman joins Jason and Alex to answer pressing founder questions from viewersPLUS there's a new entrant in our Gamma Pitch Deck competition, and it's so compelling, Jason can't wait to invest! Kris Canete of On the Fly Energy tells us about America's fragile power grid and his elegant solution: flywheel energy storage!Timestamps:0:00 - Welcome to TWiST!02:59 - Former principal Adeel Khan of TWiST 500's Magic School AI tells us why “teachers are magic”09:41 - Goldbelly ships America's most delicious, iconic foods nationwide! Get 20% off your first order by going to Goldbelly.com and using the promo code TWiST at checkout.10:50 - How AI tools can particularly help out classroom novices and non-pros who are just getting started20:57 - Check out the online payroll and benefits experts with software built specifically for small business and startups. Try Gusto today and get three months FREE at Gusto.com/twist.26:58 - How Magic School stays ahead of shifting standards across different states and regions32:57 - Zite is the fastest way to build *business software* with AI. Build apps, forms, websites and portals that connect to the tools you already use. Go to *zite.com/twist* to get started.33:30 - Why the best feedback Adeel ever got came from a teenager36:30 - Making AI a true assistant teacher, that keeps lessons balanced yet challenging38:38 - Is a 6-year vesting schedule too aggressive? Eric Glyman responds.41:00 - When even ambitious founders should sometimes just accept a standard deal.57:33 - What IS flywheel energy storage?01:00:00 - Why Jason loves the Fly Energy Gamma pitch and wants to invest right now.01:34:13 - Gamma Outro*Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: [https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com](https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/)Check out the TWIST500: [https://www.twist500.com](https://twist500.com)Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp*Follow Lon:X: https://x.com/lons*Follow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: [⁠  / alexwilhelm  ](  / alexwilhelm  )*Follow Jason:X:   / jason  LinkedIn: [  / jasoncalacanis  ](  / jasoncalacanis  )Great TWIST interviews: [Will Guidara,](   • Lessons in Unreasonable Hospitality with W...  ) [Eoghan McCabe](   • Great Builders & Success First with Interc...  ), [Steve Huffman](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..., [Brian Chesky](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast..., [Bob Moesta,](   • Decoding Customer Insights, Trust, and the...  ) [Aaron Levie](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast..., [Sophia Amoruso](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast..., [Reid Hoffman](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast..., [Frank Slootman](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast..., [Billy McFarland](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...)*Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis*Follow TWiST:Twitter:   / twistartups  YouTube:    / thisweekin  Instagram: [  / thisweekinstartups  ](  / thisweekinstartups  )TikTok:   / thisweekinstartups  Substack: [https://twistartups.substack.com](

In this episode of Transformative Principal, Brandon Cardet-Hernandez shares his journey from being a principal to advising the NYC Mayor, and now serving as President of Mrs. Wordsmith, a company dedicated to improving children's literacy through innovative tools like books and video games. Brandon dives into the urgent need for solutions in education, particularly addressing the missed "dosage" in phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary instruction that many students experience. He explores the role of video games in education, emphasizing that while games can't replace teachers, they can enhance the learning process through engaging, spaced-repetition techniques, like the popular game Word Tag.Brandon discusses how joy and mastery of language can transform a student's understanding and emotional connection to words. He also highlights the challenges many students face in developing strong reading skills, especially in middle and high school, and how increasing practice time is essential.Leaving the principalship to do advising to NYC Mayor. Solutions that I was hungry for. President of Mrs. WordsmithEfficacy of video gamesSub-literateGames don't replace teachers and instructionMissed dosage that kids need: phonemic awareness and phonics & vocabularyHow much time they get practicing. How do we give teachers the right data?Word tag - spaced repetition.Joy of words, master of phrasing. How many kids don't have the command of the language?Happiness makes more sense when you have word associations with it. Increase dosage of reading skills. How challenging it is to learn reading in middle and high school.How to be a transformative principal? Be ok that their experience looks different than ours: take a beat, pause, and play a video game.About Brandon Cardet-HernandezBrandon Cardet-Hernandez is the President of Mrs Wordsmith, an innovative children's education media company that creates award-winning books, card games, and video games to help radically improve literacy outcomes for kids. A recognized leader and changemaker, Brandon has spent his career working to reimagine the systems, structures, and tools that accelerate opportunity and close achievement gaps. Brandon previously served as the Senior Education Advisor to former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the NYC Department of Education. A former special education teacher, Brandon has sat at the helm of two high schools, leading both institutions through transformational change. Brandon was appointed to the Boston School Board in 2022 by Mayor Michelle Wu and the Massachusetts Council for Latino Empowerment in 2023 by Governor Maura Healy. He serves on the board of EdVestors. His work has garnered national recognition, featured in publications like The Atlantic, People en Espanol, Essence Magazine, EdWeek, Commonwealth Magazine, and the Netflix documentary, “Teach Us All.” LinkedLeaders: You need support. Get just-in-time mentoring at LinkedLeaders.comWe're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table?

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline discusses the high-energy, often “unpleasant” emotions that kids struggle with — the stormy ones like anxiety, anger, frustration, and overwhelm.These emotions aren't problems to fix or behaviours to shut down. They're signals, calling for safety, connection, fairness, or skill support.Listen in to learn how to:Recognize behaviours as the tip of the iceberg — with deeper emotions underneathSupport kids in pausing before reacting, so they can ride the emotional wave without drowning in itTeach grounding, movement, and self-coaching tools that keep the self-regulating prefrontal cortex onlineReframe frustration, envy, and jealousy into opportunities for growth and resilienceUnderstand resentment as a warning of unspoken boundaries and unmet needsInstead of teaching kids to suppress or escape emotions, this episode shows how to help them tolerate, explore, and grow through them — building self-awareness, confidence, and lasting emotional resilience.“When we rush to fix a child's emotion, we send the message that the feeling itself is unsafe. But when we sit with them — quietly, patiently, without solving — we teach that emotions are just part of being human. The goal isn't to feel better right away. It's to get better at feeling.”

When kids face friendship drama, moms often feel helpless—or tempted to fix it for them. But teaching kids to handle hard friendships on their own builds resilience and confidence they'll carry for life.In this episode, I share a simple 3-step system I used with my daughter when she was struggling with friends. By helping her name her strengths, recognize unhealthy behaviors, and anchor herself in truth, she had a breakthrough in self-esteem—and hasn't had friend issues since.You'll learn:Why rescuing kids from friend drama doesn't work long-termA simple exercise to help kids see their own worth clearlyHow to help your child identify unhealthy patterns in friendshipsThe power of writing down truths and guarding their heart with wisdomHow this process builds lasting confidence and healthier relationships

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2750: Children often reach out about bullying only after trying, and failing, to handle it themselves. Amy Burzinski reminds us that the most powerful support parents can give is calm listening, thoughtful communication with schools, and modeling resilience. Her insights highlight how to help kids feel heard, safe, and empowered, even when we can't control others' behavior. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://parentingsimply.com/you-can-prevent-bullying-what-parents-need-to-know/ Quotes to ponder: “Chances are, your child is coming to you because they've exhausted their own options and need your help.” “The best help is simply having an adult to listen to them, and following up to see if the behavior stopped or was continuing, and giving further advice.” “Friendship is about quality, not quantity, and if you look at it that way, every child can be popular.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2750: Children often reach out about bullying only after trying, and failing, to handle it themselves. Amy Burzinski reminds us that the most powerful support parents can give is calm listening, thoughtful communication with schools, and modeling resilience. Her insights highlight how to help kids feel heard, safe, and empowered, even when we can't control others' behavior. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://parentingsimply.com/you-can-prevent-bullying-what-parents-need-to-know/ Quotes to ponder: “Chances are, your child is coming to you because they've exhausted their own options and need your help.” “The best help is simply having an adult to listen to them, and following up to see if the behavior stopped or was continuing, and giving further advice.” “Friendship is about quality, not quantity, and if you look at it that way, every child can be popular.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While kids typically don't need to (or want to) talk about political policies, there are things parents can do to help them talk about differences in healthy and productive ways. In this episode, Amanda Suarez (school psychologist) and Michelle Larson (marriage and family therapist associate) give practical ideas to help kids listen and speak about what matters to them.

In this episode, OT and interoception expert Kelly Mahler uncovers the 8th sense and dives into how interoception plays such a foundational role in children's ability to regulate their bodies, emotions, and behaviors.   Together, we discuss:   - What interoception is and how it impacts everything from toileting and eating to emotional regulation and social connection. - Why some kids struggle to notice or interpret their body's signals and how this can show up as meltdowns, anxiety, or difficulties with attention. - Practical, relational strategies parents can use at home to help kids strengthen interoceptive awareness through play, modeling, and curiosity. - How occupational therapy can support children's sensory and emotional development beyond (spoiler: it's more than improving just handwriting or fine motor skills).   If you've ever wondered why your child seems to go from 0 to 100 in seconds, or why calming strategies don't always seem to “stick,” this conversation will give you new insights and tools to help your child build lifelong regulation skills from the inside out.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

PJ hears from Lisa Gilmartin of Snugz about their plush giraffe and storybooks to equip children with the emotional resilience they need for life's ups and downs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline explores the often-overlooked role of pleasant emotions in self-regulation. From the high-energy buzz of excitement and joy to the quiet calm of contentment and gratitude, she unpacks what these feelings signal, the needs behind them, and how adults can guide children to channel them in healthy ways.Learn how excitement fuels motivation but can tip into dysregulation without support, why pride is a powerful pro-social emotion, and how gratitude and love deepen connection and resilience. Caroline shares practical strategies that help kids strengthen their emotional awareness and regulation skills.Learn actionable tools to nurture children's motivation, curiosity, and sense of belonging while reinforcing the “rest stops” of calm and contentment that every child needs.Homework IdeasHelp kids learn to:Channel excitement:Use countdown calendars, planning rituals, or physical play to help kids release energy safely.Redirect silliness into storytelling, drawing, or creative outlets.Savour Joy:Pause in the moment and ask: What feels good right now?Create joy rituals: end-of-day reflections, photo sharing, or a family “joy jar.”Reinforce Pride:Offer descriptive praise focused on effort, not outcomes.Help kids create a “brag book” or journal for proud moments.Cultivate Curiosity:Model open-ended questions (“I wonder…”).Provide exploration opportunities—STEM kits, nature walks, disassembling old gadgets.Anchor Calm & Contentment:Build quiet, screen-free downtime into daily routines.Use grounding practices (breathing, mindfulness, cozy snuggles, weighted blankets).Encourage Gratitude & Love:End the day with “3 things I'm grateful for.”Practice small acts of kindness—thank-you notes, hugs, or helping tasks.

Frequent guest on the podcast Barbie Wong joins me to talk about practice routines this week!    Links in this Episode:  Oct 2025 Parent Education Enrichment Course: https://suzukiassociation.org/event/setting-families-up-for-success-new-student-orientation-ongoing-support-systems-for-the-studio-teacher/ Barbie Wong's Website: Barbiewong.com The Musical Nest Community: Barbiewong.com/community TRANSCRIPT Get in Touch:  You can email:Christine at SuzukiTriangle.com Or connect with her on Instagram Request a Parent Talk, Presentation, or Book Club Discussion with Christine  Google Form to submit your practice tip for a future podcast Christine Goodner's books: https://suzukitriangle.com/books/

Decoding Emotions: Helping Kids Understand What They Feel—and WhyEmotions aren't problems. They're messages. And when we teach kids how to read them, we give them a powerful tool for self-regulation, resilience, and connection.In this episode, Dr. Caroline breaks down the difference between emotions and feelings, explore how the body and brain work together during intense emotional moments, and show you how to use tools like emotion mapping, quadrant models, and weather metaphors to build emotional awareness in kids and teens.You'll learn:Why emotions are adaptive survival tools, not just meltdowns or moodsHow to help kids identify the root needs underneath big behavioursA breakdown of how to map emotional experiences with kidsWhy a child's “defiance” may actually be a nervous system responsePlus, she introduces the four emotional quadrants (based on arousal and valence) and how to use this approach to tailor regulation strategies to what kids actually need—whether they're storming, stuck, or shutting down.Be sure to get the emotional literacy workbook to get started!https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracyHomework Ideas:1. Emotion Mapping Have the child or teen walk through a recent emotional situation using the 6-part mapping model:Situation (e.g., “Struggling to finish a homework assignment”)Thoughts (e.g., “I'm so stupid,” “This is too hard”)Feelings (e.g., Frustrated, Anxious, Overwhelmed)Body Sensations (e.g., Tight chest, Shaky hands)Impulses (e.g., Slam the book, Avoid the task)Behaviours (e.g., Procrastinated, Gave up)Optional: Have them draw it out as a connected mind map to visualize the emotion cycle. Use arrows to show how one piece influenced another.2. Use Quadrant MappingIntroduce the Emotion Quadrants based on:High vs. Low Energy (Arousal)Pleasant vs. Unpleasant (Valence)Ask:“Where do you think you are in this chart right now?”Then match strategies to what they need:

In today's episode, host Tina Yeager is joined by Dr. Natalie Ford, a licensed professional counselor, speaker, author, and, as she calls herself, a “Hope dealer.” Together, they tackle the pressing and often unspoken subject of how to help children grieve after losing someone to suicide. Drawing from her own personal experiences with loss, as well as her professional expertise, Dr. Ford shares practical insights on navigating the initial shock, understanding when to seek support, and the importance of honesty and routine for grieving children. The episode also guides parents and caregivers through age-appropriate ways to discuss suicide, key warning signs to watch for, and steps to take to prevent further tragedy. Whether you're supporting your own family or looking for ways to help others in your community, this heartfelt conversation provides wisdom, resources, and hope for one of life's most difficult journeys. Stay tuned as we break the silence and lift each other up through compassionate understanding and practical guidance. Highlights from This Episode: Dr. Ford's Personal Journey Dr. Ford shares her journey of loss, having experienced suicide in her immediate family. Out of both necessity and calling, she discovered a lack of practical resources to help parents guide grieving children, spurring her to write her latest book so that families don't have to walk this journey alone. Responding During the Shock Period In the immediate aftermath of suicide, parents and children alike often function in survival mode. Dr. Ford encourages leaning on supportive friends, family, and community during this overwhelming time and waiting for the shock to subside before rushing into counseling—unless ongoing dysfunction or distress signals a need for earlier intervention. When & How to Seek Help If daily tasks remain unmanageable for weeks or a child is overwhelmed by guilt, shame, or unrelenting questions about their loved one's death, it may be time to seek support—either through counseling or survivor support groups. Dr. Ford specifically recommends looking into resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, such as Survivors of Suicide (SOS) groups. Talking to Kids at Different Ages Dr. Ford advises honesty, using age-appropriate language. For younger children, simple explanations may be sufficient, while school-age children and teens require more detailed, open conversations. She stresses the importance of answering questions directly and reassuring children that they aren't to blame. Recognizing Warning Signs & Preventing Further Tragedy Those who have experienced suicide loss are at increased risk themselves. Watch for behavioral changes in children, such as withdrawal, acting out, or changes in eating and sleeping patterns. If you suspect a child is struggling, ask direct, caring questions and offer ongoing support. Don't hesitate to ask about suicidal thoughts and intent. Supporting Parents and Caregivers Dr. Ford emphasizes self-care for grieving parents—including maintaining routines for children, seeking support, and allowing children to grieve in their own way and time. Bringing trusted mentors and church community alongside your family can provide much-needed support—especially if children are hesitant to share the burden of their feelings with grieving parents. Resources for You Dr. Ford's latest book, “Through the Tears: Helping Children Grieve After Suicide Loss,” provides practical scripts, guides for different age groups, signs to watch for, and ways to honor lost loved ones. It is available on Amazon and at drfordwrites.com. A Final Word Grief after suicide is a long journey, but you and your child don't have to walk it alone. Share this episode or Dr. Ford's resources with anyone who needs it, and remember to take the time you and your family need to heal. We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant. To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/ Optimize your mind and body with my new favorite, all-inclusive supplement, Cardio Miracle! I love the energy and focus this health-boosting drink mix provides without toxins, caffeine, or sugar! Get a discount on your purchase with my link: http://www.cardiomiracle.com/tinayeager Use the code TINA10 at checkout. To flourish in all seasons of life with the highest quality nutraceutical health supplements that benefit charitable causes, shop NutraMedix wellness supplements. Be sure to use my link  https://www.nutramedix.com/?rfsn=7877557.b6c6785 and add my special code TINA to get 10% off your entire purchase! If you're a writer, subscribe to Inkspirations Online (devotional publication by writers for writers): https://www.inkspirationsonline.com/ Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses Connect with Tina at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tyeagerwrites/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3865622.Tina_Yeager

Are you struggling with a newborn or a toddler that won't sleep? Have you just given up and resorted to having kids sleep in your bed or waking up throughout the night? Are you feeling frustrated, sleep deprived, and at the end of your rope? I am so excited to introduce you to Sue Mcglinchey! Sue and I connected when we both spoke at the Busy Mom's Blueprint Summit in the spring.  Sue is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, a Certified Newborn Care Specialist. And founder of Tender Care Newborn Services &  Sleep Training with Tender Care. She serves families both nationally and internationally through her virtual services. Sue's coaching helps teach little ones to sleep 8-12 hours a night, and allows everyone in the household to get the rest they need!  Sue began her journey working with children and families nearly 25 years ago as a nanny and educator, and in the last 10 years Sue has found that her passion lies not only in working with families with infants but also parents of toddlers and preschoolers, helping them to conquer the chaos of getting through the evening routine and into bed. Sue sets families up for sleep success by providing parents with the tools they need to help their children learn to sleep reliably and peacefully through the night.  Pull up a chair and grab your coffee as Sue and I talk about sleep training, and the keys to getting your little one to sleep through the night!  Reminder We have some fun things coming up this fall.  Our Group Coaching Program, Get Your Time Back 10 weeks to get your systems in place, and to create your dream schedule just kicked off. If you are sorry that you missed it and want to join the waitlist for the next round in the spring go to: (https://michellebyrd.myflodesk.com/waitlist)    If you are listening to this episode and need some help carving out time, working through a transition, or trying to balance work and life.  I would love to help you:  You can leave a message on the website www.byrdmichelle.com  You can grab the free Productivity Planner that I use with all my clients  You can book a 20 min Discovery Call with me totally free and we can talk though what you need  As always if you have any questions or want to just say hi you can reach me at contact@byrdmichelle.com.   Contact Info & Social Media Handles For Sue:  https://sleeptrainingwithtendercare.com https://tendercarenewbornservices.com https://www.instagram.com/tendercarenewbornservices/   I pray this blesses you! Michelle PS. If you need some extra accountability or help with productivity hacks, time management tools, mapping out a more efficient daily or weekly schedule, time blocking and so much more. We will break down what isn't working in your schedule, create new personalized goals for you, and determine the next new steps you need to take to have more freedom and live with more joy and laughter!  Grab a coaching call with me at: Email: contact@byrdmichelle.com website: www.byrdmichelle.com Free Productivity Planner - my gift to you! Just go to my website Come join our Facebook Group: The Busy Vibrant Mom

Parenting a child with sensory challenges can feel like a guessing game. One day a fidget toy works, the next day it's tossed across the room. That's because it's not about the object—it's about the strategy behind it. Sensory tools aren't quick fixes, but when chosen with intention, they can transform how your child responds to stress, transitions, and everyday demands.In this episode, I'll share 5 therapist-recommended sensory tools that actually help kids regulate—not just distract them. You'll learn how to match tools to your child's sensory needs, whether they're bouncing off the walls or shutting down from overload.With the right sensory input, kids can build body awareness, reduce anxiety, and settle into calmer routines at home, in the classroom, and even at bedtime.Why does my child melt down even when I give them fidget toys?You've filled the bins with fidget toys and sensory tools, but the meltdowns keep coming. You're not alone.The truth is, fidgets can distract, but they don't always provide the sensory input a child's nervous system really needs.Here's what to remember:Fidgets don't work for every child—some kids need deep pressure to calm, others need movement or vestibular input to focus.Look for signs of sensory seekers and avoiders: crashing into couch cushions, covering ears at loud noises, refusing certain textures, or zoning out in busy places.Behavior is communication. A meltdown is your child's nervous system saying, “I can't handle this input.”The right sensory tool matters. Matching tools to your child's unique sensory processing needs is what leads to real regulation.

The world has changed, and raising kids now requires a new kind of courage. In this encouraging, yet practical episode, Dr. Alison is joined by counselors and best-selling authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas of Daystar Counseling in Nashville. Together, they discuss why anxiety is showing up earlier and more intensely in children, and how parents can respond with both empathy and practical tools.  Sissy and David share practical & creative ways they're helping kids build courage, resilience, self-control, and perspective. From therapy dogs and illustrated children's books, to powerful stories from their counseling practice, Sissy and David deliver hopeful reminders that your calm matters, and practical strategies can help your kids step into the world with more confidence.  This episode explores: Why childhood anxiety is rising, and how it looks different in boys and girls The surprising ways technology impacts emotional health The unintended consequence of overprotective parenting Practical tools  that help kids develop resilience, risk-taking, and healthy coping When to seek counseling for your child This episode is a hopeful reminder: Kids don't need a perfect parent. They need a present one who believes in their courage and helps them practice it. For More from David and Sissy: Check out their website, https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com and pre-order the DayStar Dogs books here:

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy delves into the concerning impact of TikTok and other social media platforms on young users' mental health. Drawing from insights from current and former employees who have raised alarms about the app's popularity algorithm, Dr. Kathy discusses how these platforms may lead children to develop a narrow identity, focusing on specific interests or influencers that can limit their personal growth. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the unseen influences at play and the potential harm to children's mental well-being in a digital age where the reality of their experiences is shaped by algorithms. Tune in to explore the implications of social media on youth and how we can navigate these challenges together. This episode references Dr. Kathy's book Five to Thrive>>

#46 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 3): How do we help kids with following directions? with Dr. Brady FlachsIn Episode 46, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.Each episode, we'll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.In this episode, we answer the question of 'How do we help kids with following directions?'Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

What do you do when your child’s confidence starts to look like bragging? Today’s tricky parenting question comes from Joanna, whose 12-year-old daughter is bright, kind, and wonderfully self-assured—but sometimes her enthusiasm feels a little too much. In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack how to nurture confidence while gently guiding kids toward humility and social awareness. You’ll hear practical ways to help your child celebrate others, avoid “showing off,” and learn through natural experiences—without squashing their spirit. KEY POINTS: Why confidence in tweens is precious (and why most kids lose it) The difference between being “interesting” vs. being “interested” Teaching kids to be “people builders” instead of show-offs The power of teachable moments over lectures How unconditional love helps kids learn from their own mistakes QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “Confidence is precious. We don’t want to dampen it—but we can guide kids to use it in ways that lift others up.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Submit your tricky question: happyfamilies.com.au/podcasts ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Celebrate your child’s confidence—don’t squash it. Encourage them to notice and cheer for others’ successes. Use quiet, reflective conversations after social moments as teaching opportunities. Frame discussions around being a good friend and including others. Be the “soft place to land” when friendships hit bumps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As parents, we want to raise kids who feel confident around food, but between picky eating, birthday parties, allergies, and family preferences, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Brooke sits down with nutrition expert and mom Lisa Schultz to discuss how to teach kids about food in an empowering, shame-free way. Lisa shares practical strategies for introducing new foods, navigating food allergies, and fostering positive eating habits that last a lifetime—without stress or guilt. Click HERE to access today's shownotes.

September feels like a second New Year—new routines, new beginnings, and often, new stress. In this episode, we go beyond backpacks and lunchboxes to explore what kids really need as they head back to school: structure, sleep, breathing, and even chewing. Yes, chewing! Discover why this overlooked habit is a powerful developmental tool that impacts focus, behavior, sleep, and emotional regulation. You'll hear a powerful story of a 6-year-old whose focus, speech, and sleep improved dramatically—just from introducing more chewing and tongue exercises into her routine. We'll also cover four practical shifts families can make right now to ease the transition into the school year and set kids up for long-term success. Links & ResourcesBook a free 15-minute call with me → https://shereewertz.com/15-minLearn more about The Shift Method & Founding Membership (lifetime access for $197, use code lifetime) → https://shereewertz.com/academy

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy discusses how to support children dealing with anxiety and worry, especially during times of change like going back to school. She emphasizes the importance of providing specific positive feedback to children and offers insights on navigating anxious or worrisome times. Dr. Kathy encourages parents to be understanding and supportive as children face new situations that may cause anxiety.

The post How to Help Kids Thrive Amid Back-to-School Stress with Dr. Michele Borba appeared first on Dr Robyn Silverman.

Do you remember the sting of not being invited to a birthday party or watching your friend sit at a different lunch table? Most adults can recall a falling out with a friend—also known as a friendship breakup. While romantic relationships and their endings get plenty of attention, friendship breakups are often overlooked, despite being just as painful and impactful. For adolescents, whose brains are wired for social connection, these rifts can feel world-ending. Parents and counselors play a crucial role in helping students navigate these experiences while also teaching them what it takes to build healthy, reciprocal friendships. In this episode, MindShift explores the science of friendship with journalist Lydia Denworth and hears from students, parents, and counselors about their experiences in the messy, meaningful world of adolescent friendships.

Patrick shows up and let's it fly with Young Automotive Group to  raise money for kids in need in the communities they serve. Rob goes deep on this work and the service Young has provided for years. Sponsored by Goldenwest Credit Union. 

Send us a textCould your child's future success depend on mental skills you've never thought to teach them? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Christine Silverstein reveals the transformative power of "mindful toughness" techniques that can help anyone overcome life's greatest challenges.Drawing from her 29 years as a peak performance coach and her background as a registered nurse, Dr. Christine shares her remarkable personal journey—from using self-hypnosis to overcome multiple pregnancy losses to developing a comprehensive system that's helped countless athletes and individuals achieve breakthrough results. Her near-drowning experience in 2021 became the catalyst for documenting these powerful techniques in her book, "Wrestling Through Adversity."The pandemic exposed an alarming mental health crisis among young people that Dr. Christine believes stems from a fundamental lack of resilience. Her mindful toughness skillsets—breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and mental rehearsal—provide practical solutions anyone can implement. Through compelling stories, she demonstrates how these methods helped transform a struggling wrestler into an undefeated champion and enabled a college athlete to overcome debilitating pain after knee surgery.Perhaps most revealing is the discussion about modern parenting approaches that inadvertently prevent children from developing crucial coping skills. Dr. Christine emphasizes that children must learn through their own experiences rather than being shielded from all discomfort. By teaching mental resilience early, parents can equip their children with tools that will serve them throughout their lives."You move in the direction of your dominant thoughts," Dr. Christine explains, highlighting how our mental focus shapes our reality. Whether you're an athlete seeking peak performance, a parent concerned about your child's resilience, or someone facing personal challenges, these accessible techniques offer a pathway to transformation.Ready to discover how simple mental techniques can change your life or your child's future? Listen now and learn how to harness the incredible power of your mind to overcome any obstacle.Support the showLearn More at: www.Redefine-Fitness.com

New school year, new routines… and sometimes, new stress for the whole family. ✏️

Do you have a student who's always moving, touching everything, or humming non-stop? They might be a sensory seeker—a child with a high sensory threshold who craves extra input to feel regulated.In this episode of All Things Sensory, we break down what sensory seeking really means, why it can look different for every child, and how to proactively support these students in the classroom. We'll share real-life examples, practical strategies you can start using tomorrow, and the one thing you should never take away from a sensory seeker.Plus—we've got a free Sensory Preferences Checklist to help you understand each child's unique needs!FREE Sensory Preference Checklisthttps://harkla.co/pages/freebiesImproving Focus and Behavior in the Classroom Digital Coursehttps://harkla.co/products/classroom-sensory-trainingA Balanced Brain: A Multi-Sensory Program for Learning and  Focus https://harkla.co/products/balanced-brainClassroom Sensory Kitshttps://harkla.co/products/classroom-sensory-kit?_pos=1&_sid=79e63bbfb&_ss=rMixed Sensory Needshttps://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/316-supporting-mixed-sensory-needs-children-adults?_pos=1&_sid=65c45e7a7&_ss=rSupporting Sensory Seekershttps://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/348-supporting-sensory-seekers-practical-tips-for-every-day?_pos=7&_sid=88bd86b3a&_ss=rBefore School Strategieshttps://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/before-school-strategies?_pos=4&_sid=5d068f958&_ss=rAfter School Strategieshttps://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/after-school-strategies?_pos=2&_sid=5d068f958&_ss=rSchool Sensory Breakshttps://youtu.be/TzxL6YEBl6c?si=Yt50AQWu1htefhxSBack to School Tipshttps://youtu.be/o3LdX9NuxYw?si=K3cYJtOJlVdUwAXgCrawling for Brain Development https://sensationalbrain.com/product/crawling-brain-development-curriculum/All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/