How to Navigate Difficult Conversations That Build Trust
Join communication coach Nicole Paul as she reveals why we avoid difficult conversations and how to transform them into relationship-building opportunities. Learn the critical difference between directives and dialogue, why treating hard conversations as one-offs is a mistake, and how to invite (not ambush) people into challenging discussions. She also reveals why conversations create change even when they don't go as planned, offering hope for anyone who's been avoiding an important discussion.

Perfect for parents, managers, and anyone who's been putting off a conversation that matters. Learn how to move from avoidance to action with confidence and compassion, and discover why difficult conversations can actually strengthen your most important relationships.

Understanding School Testing: A Parent's Guide to MAP and State Assessments

Join hosts Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson as they demystify school testing with Angie Wright, Director of Assessment at Papillion La Vista Community Schools. Learn what MAP Growth and NSCAS tests really measure, how teachers use assessment data to personalize learning, and practical ways parents can support their children through the testing process. Discover why testing isn't just about ranking but about helping every child grow and succeed at their own pace.

How to Talk to Kids About Death, Grief, and Hope

When 1 in 15 kids lose a parent or sibling by age 18, knowing how to support grieving children becomes essential. In this powerful episode, grief expert Cliff McEvoy from the Collective for Hope shares practical strategies for talking to kids about death, including why using proper words like "dead" matters and the healing power of saying our loved ones' names. Learn about support resources available for families, discover why grief has no linear stages, and hear touching personal stories that illustrate how families can transform grief into connection. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation provides compassionate, expert guidance for supporting children through loss while honoring both grief and hope.

What Holiday Chaos Teaches About Priorities and Connection

Join hosts Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson as they welcome wellness coach Heather Kearney, a 15-year veteran of stress management with military service in both the Air Force and Navy. Discover practical strategies for managing holiday overwhelm, including the powerful breathing technique you can do in your car, tips for communicating boundaries with family, and why prioritizing self-care isn't selfish. Learn how to balance holiday traditions with well-being and show up as your best self for the people you love.

Why Boundaries Actually Build Stronger Kids

In this game-changing episode, hosts Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson explore why setting boundaries feels so hard, and why the repair after breaking them matters even more. Social work expert Katie Robbins reveals the surprising truth: boundaries aren't about walls, they're about connection. Discover why kids need you to lose your temper sometimes (yes, really), how to repair after you've yelled, and the one family routine that changes everything. Perfect for parents who feel guilty saying no and want discipline strategies that actually strengthen relationships.

Child Meltdowns and Tantrums: Teaching Emotional Regulation Skills

Is your child having daily meltdowns and tantrums? In this essential episode, veteran first-grade teacher Carla Heumann shares 17 years of proven strategies for managing emotional outbursts and teaching kids emotional regulation. Hosts Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson explore why toddlers and children struggle with big feelings, how to recognize dysregulation, and practical calm-down techniques that actually work. Learn why punishment fails, discover the surprising brain-reset power of cold water, and get step-by-step guidance for helping dysregulated children at home and school. Perfect for parents dealing with tantrums, teachers managing classroom behavior, and anyone seeking effective emotional regulation strategies for kids.

The Youth Sports Pressure Cooker: When Does Support Become Too Much?

Remember when youth sports were just... fun? Dr. Lisa Chipps, Senior Associate Athletic Director at Creighton University, joins hosts Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson to unpack the mounting pressures facing young athletes today - and how parents can support without suffocating. Drawing from years working with college athletes, Dr. Chipps reveals the evolution of student-athlete expectations, the difference between healthy pressure and harmful stress, and the critical conversations parents need to have (even when kids roll their eyes). Whether your child dreams of a college scholarship or just loves the game, this episode delivers practical guidance on nurturing athletic development while protecting childhood joy.

When your kid says "I don't care" about homework, what are they really telling you? Nick Zadina from the Boys Town National Hotline joins us to flip the script on motivation. Drawing from his work in crisis intervention and motivational interviewing, Nick explains why punishments and fear-based motivation stop working the moment kids leave for college. He shares practical strategies including how to identify what your child actually values, why "gentle pressure constantly applied" beats threats, and when to simply let natural consequences happen. This conversation will change how you think about homework battles, the "I don't care" attitude, and what really drives our kids to succeed.