What do the teens of 2025 really need to grow and thrive? How is being a teen NOW different from “back in the day”?

In this heartful and eye-opening episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast, I have the pleasure of sitting down with education leader and founder of Many Roads, Will Kirsop, for a thought-provoking conversation all about teens and tweens.

Will shares why traditional academics often fall short in teaching essential life skills like empathy, active listening, and resilience—and how these very skills are key to helping our kids navigate an increasingly complex world. From the pressures of social media to the uncertainty of AI and job markets, today’s teens are facing challenges that most of us never had to.

Will and I also dig into the importance of self-compassion as a foundation for resilience and growth. He offers tangible strategies for parents who want to support their teens with intention and purpose. Even if your kiddos are not *quite* teens yet, there are nuggets of wisdom for all parents in this episode. Listen and share!

Reach out for support too, whether it’s support for your teen or support for yourself--you are not meant to do this alone!

Resources:

manyroads.co

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

In this inspiring episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast, I have the pleasure of welcoming the incredible Jeanne Wolz—entrepreneur, career alignment coach, and founder of Sirens Rising.

Jeanne joins the podcast to share her personal journey from educator to purpose-driven business owner, and how she now helps women and non-binary folks align their careers with their deepest callings.

Jeanne and I dig into what it really means to listen to your calling, move through the fear that comes with it, and take small but powerful steps toward creating a life—and career—that feels meaningful.

This conversation goes beyond just personal growth; it’s also about how we, as parents, can model courage and action for our kids. Jeanne helps us explore how embracing our own callings and standing up for what we believe in helps raise children who are empowered to do the same.

This episode is a gentle reminder to all of us that taking action isn’t just brave—it’s a vital part of who we are. By taking one small step at a time, and empowering our kids to do the same, we really can make a difference.

Resources:

sirensrising.co

Playing Big with Tara Mohr

Raising Antiracist Children by Britt Hawthorne

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

Motherhood is often shaped by the beliefs and expectations we've inherited—but what if we could rewrite the script?

In this episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, an author, Life Coach and creator of Rewrite the Mother Code LLC. Together, we’re exploring how personal growth, emotional responsibility, and self-awareness can transform the way we parent—not just our children, but also ourselves.

Dr. Lyons challenges the traditional ‘mother code’ and offers a fresh perspective on what it means to mother, extending beyond biological parenting to include all the ways we nurture and care in our lives.

If you’ve ever felt the need to break free from outdated parenting expectations and embrace a more authentic, fulfilling path, you’ll walk away from this episode with many thoughtful tidbits. Dr. Lyons shares practical steps for reparenting ourselves, prioritizing self-care, and recognizing the power of rewriting our own stories.

And she gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book, Rewrite the Mother Code: From Sacrifice to Stardust, which promises to be a game-changer for anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood.

Don’t miss this inspiring discussion—it’s time to mother on your own terms!

Resources:

www.drgertrudelyons.com

Dr. Gertrude Lyons on IG @drgertrudelyons

Dr. Gertrude Lyons on YouTube @rewritethemothercode

Dr. Gertude Lyons on LinkedIn @gertrudelyons

Dr. Gertrude Lyons on Pinterest @drgertrudelyons

Rewrite the Mother Code Podcast

Rewrite the Mother Code by Dr. Gertrude Lyons Ed.D

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

Do you ever find yourself getting overwhelmed or dysregulated when your child gets overwhelmed or dysregulated? Ah-hem, yes. We ALL do. And even though we may have the tools in our toolbox, it’s challenging to use them in that exact right moment.

In this episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast, I’m talking mindfulness with with Dr. Christopher Willard, a clinical psychologist and author. We have a very heartful conversation about mindfulness and emotional regulation. We’re digging into the power of being responsive rather than reactive — a skill every parent can benefit from.

Dr. Willard shares his own journey into mindfulness, offering simple, practical tips to make mindfulness an enjoyable and accessible part of daily life for both parents and kids. You'll also get a sneak peek into Dr. Willard’s upcoming book, Feelings Are Like Farts, which uses (fart) humor to help kids better understand their emotions.

This lighthearted yet meaningful conversation is full of relatable insights and actionable advice, perfect for any parent looking to navigate the ups and downs of family life with a little more calm and connection. Tune in for a dose of mindfulness inspiration and share with another parent who may have a kiddo who laughs at farts.

Resources:

drchristopherwillard.com

Follow Dr. Chris Willard @drchriswillard on Facebook | Instagram

Books:

Growing Up Mindful by Christopher Willard

Alphabreaths by Christopher Willard, PsyD

Feelings Are Like Farts by Christopher Willard, PsyD

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris

Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

The research is showing us that our kids are not okay. They are anxious, depressed, and worried. We have to do something, and my guest today has one solution that is actually very simple.

Play! More unstructured, unsupervised, rough and tumble play time. I have Rusty Keeler, Playscape Designer and Author, joining me on the Heartful Parent Podcast today to break down all things play, playscapes, and the importance of letting our kids just BE.

So. What is play? Why is it important? What happens when our kids don’t get enough play? How do we help our teens and tweens play?

With over 30 years of experience in the field, Rusty shares his wisdom on the power of independent play for fostering resilience and emotional well-being in children. A “free-range” childhood has many benefits, including combating ever present anxiety and depression that haunts our kids, tweens, and teens.

Rusty is sharing insights for parents who want to nurture happier, healthier kids. Rusty and I also explore how we can design inclusive, natural play spaces that benefit not just younger children but also older kids and teens. Listen, and share, to help reimagine play and give your child the tools they need to thrive in a fast-paced world.

Resources:

rustykeeler.com

Adventures in Risky Play by Rusty Keeler

Natural Playscapes by Rusty Keeler

Seasons of Play by Rusty Keeler

Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide

Rusty's Newsletter

Play Nature Podcast

Follow Rusty @rustykeelerdesigns Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn - @rustykeeler

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

Have you ever considered how the way we parent connects to bigger societal systems like white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism?

In this episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast, I have the privilege of sitting down with Jen Lumanlan—host of Your Parenting Mojo podcast and author of Parenting Beyond Power—for a thought-provoking conversation about how traditional parenting methods can unknowingly reinforce these power structures.

Jen helps us see how discipline and authority play into these systems and explore how a more heartful, mindful approach to parenting can create lasting change in our families and beyond.

Jen also points out how balancing our own needs with our kids’ needs can actually foster connection, respect, and collaboration. And by recognizing the needs of others, we can in turn break down the power structures that are prevalent in everyday life right now.

This episode is packed with insights and practical tools to help you rethink discipline, shift power dynamics, and create a home environment rooted in empathy and mutual understanding. Pass this episode along to at least 2 other parents, and you’ll make a difference not only in your life and their lives, but it could begin to shift the world as a whole. Doesn’t that sound pretty amazing?

Resources:

yourparentingmojo.com

yourparentingmojo.com/needs

yourparentingmojo.com/quiz

Parenting Beyond Power by Jen Lumanlan

yourparentingmojo.substack.com

White Women, Get Ready by Amanda Gross

Your Parenting Mojo Podcast episodes mentioned:

154: Authoritative isn’t the best Parenting “Style

148: Is spanking a child really bad?

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

I am answering 2 listener questions in this episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast!

Question #1: What do we do when we are watching our teens & tweens navigate relationships? How much do you give advice and how much do you let them figure out on their own?

Young relationships can be tricky, and there is a lot to learn. So when do you step in? When do you stay out of it? My advice is to lean in with empathy and curiosity and then to ask a key question: what would you like to do to move forward? Your teen will probably surprise you!

Question #2: What should I do about my child’s cussing?

Let’s talk about modeling and setting boundaries, because guess what…you really can’t control your child’s language. You can control your reaction to it though, so let’s start there.

Get your parenting question answered, email me christy@theheartfulparent.com

Rate, review, and share! We are not meant to parent alone.

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST

In this episode of the Heartful Parent Podcast, I’m welcoming the inspiring Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer, founder and CEO of Awakened Learning. Our conversation is packed with insights and actionable tips for uncovering learning strategies to help your kids learn HOW to learn.

AI can get a bad rap, but it is a truly powerful tool that can make a difference in helping our kids form study habits that can span across subject areas and support them as students of all subjects, not just cramming for that chemistry test.

Deena shares strategies that support students, parents, and professionals in navigating the demands of learning and life. From time management to task prioritization and study techniques, she shares practical tools like AI-based assignment calculators and the power of breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.

But it doesn’t stop there! This episode is as much about connection as it is about strategy. Deena and I are totally on the same page as she highlights the value of building strong, supportive relationships in parenting and teaching.

There is more to come from Deena (and the podcast!) so make sure you’re on my mailing list so you don’t miss upcoming episodes and our book club based on Deena’s books.

Deena’s Books:

Feel Good Learning by Deena Kara Shaffer

Feel Good Learning Academic Reflection Journal

Raising Well Learners by Deena Kara Shaffer, PhD

Resources:

NotebookLM

Magic ToDo: goblin.tools

University of Toronto Assignment Calculator

TED Talk: Tim Urban “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator”

Deena’s TEDx Talk: How to get from to-do to done:

Deena’s Essentials Class: Learning Strategies for Students

Follow Christy @theheartfulparent | Join the Heartful Parent Academy with code PODCAST