You asked—we answered! In this special listener Q&A episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we dive into the questions you’ve sent us through our website and social media. From the story of how we started the podcast, to Jacob’s experiences with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, to behind-the-scenes bloopers, this episode is filled with honesty, laughter, and real talk about parenting, teens, and growing up.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• 🎧 How Kim and Jacob decided to start the podcast—and what it’s like to record as a mother-son team.
• 🧠 Jacob’s perspective on ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and how neurodiversity shapes his daily life.
• 🎤 The behind-the-scenes truth about editing, scripting, and dividing up the podcast work.
• 😂 Listener-favorite moments, including Jacob’s beatboxing, silly bloopers, and his big "but" joke.
• 👩‍👦 Honest reflections on parenting, giving kids independence, and learning to listen.
• 🔮 A sneak peek at upcoming topics, including independence, resilience, decision-making, and even a spooky “EVP” mystery episode.

Whether you’re a parent looking for practical insight, a teen searching for relatability, or someone who just wants a laugh, this Q&A episode has something for everyone. Thank you to our listeners for submitting your thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt questions—we love hearing from you!

🔗 References & Ways to Connect

• 🌐 Website: www.themothersonpodcast.com
  
  
• 📸 Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
  
  
• ▶️ YouTube: The Mother-Son Podcast
  
  
• 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts! Apple, Spotify, Audible... wherever! Leave us a 5 Star Review! It really does help.
  
  

💬 Have show ideas or want your question answered in a future episode? Send it to us through our website or DM us on Instagram!

Back-to-school season is stressful for every family — new routines, homework battles, and busy schedules can overwhelm even the most organized kids. But for students with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), those challenges are multiplied. Impulse control, organization, and social struggles can make the classroom feel like a minefield — and leave parents and teachers frustrated too.

In this episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we talk about real strategies that help all kids. From positive reinforcement and classroom tips to self-advocacy and confidence-building, we share what works for neurodiverse learners and how these same approaches reduce stress and build success for neurotypical kids and families too.

Jacob shares his honest experiences with blurting answers, social struggles, and classroom challenges — and why it’s not about being a “bad kid,” but about brain differences that make impulse control and organization tough. Kim adds insights from research and resources like ADDitude Magazine’s Experts Podcast (Episode #568 with Dr. Steven Evans), which highlights evidence-based strategies that work better than punishment or public reprimands.

Together, we explore practical, real-world solutions for parents, teachers, and kids, including:
✅ Positive reinforcement & behavior-specific praise
✅ Pre-correction and active supervision
✅ Visual schedules, self-monitoring, and movement breaks
✅ Role-playing and self-advocacy strategies for kids
✅ Why avoiding public shaming and punitive discipline is critical

We also talk about The Anti-Planner by Dani Donovan — a creative tool for kids (and adults) who struggle with procrastination and motivation — and why teaching self-advocacy may be the most powerful skill of all.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, this episode offers humor, hope, and evidence-based strategies to help make the school year less stressful and more successful.

🔗 Find us here:
🌐 Website: www.themothersonpodcast.com
📸 Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
▶️ YouTube: The Mother-Son Podcast

1. ADDitude Magazine – Neuroscience of ADHD Brain
   https://www.additudemag.com/neuroscience-of-adhd-brain/#:~:text=ADHD%20brains%20have%20low%20levels,functional%20regions%20of%20the%20brain
2. ADDitude Experts Podcast – Episode #568
   “Social Skills & Executive Functions in Teens with ADHD: Interventions That Help” – Dr. Steven Evans
3. Donovan, Dani – The Anti-Planner: How to Get Stuff Done When You Don’t Feel Like It
   https://anti-planner.com/shop/the-anti-planner-how-to-get-sht-done-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/
4. American Academy of Pediatrics – Policy Statement (2018):
   Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children

In this episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we dive deep into the topic of bullying — from the perspective of the person being bullied and the person doing the bullying. Using research and advice from StopBullying.gov and StompOutBullying.org, we share:

• The official definition of bullying and the key signs that distinguish it from a one-time conflict.
• Personal stories about being bullied and overcoming it.
• Why kids bully — from insecurity to peer pressure — and how to address it.
• The roles of bystanders, witnesses, and “outsiders” in bullying situations.
• How to recognize the warning signs of cyberbullying and what parents can do.
• Real-world comebacks and humor-based responses that can de-escalate conflict.
• Strategies for schools, teachers, and sports teams to create safer environments.
• Actionable steps for parents if their child is bullied — or if their child is the bully.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or teen, this episode offers practical advice, empathy-building perspectives, and real strategies to prevent and respond to bullying — in person and online.

🔗 Connect with The Mother-Son Podcast:

🌐 Website: https://www.themothersonpodcast.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themothersonpodcast

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themother-sonpodcast

References:

1. StopBullying.gov. What Is Bullying? U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from: https://www.stopbullying.gov
2. Stomp Out Bullying. Bullying Prevention Resources. Retrieved from: https://www.stompoutbullying.org

Loss is a part of life—but that doesn’t make it easy, especially for kids and teens who feel things deeply. In this heartfelt, (with plenty of funny moments!) episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we dive into different kinds of loss—from losing friends, changing schools, and even saying goodbye to loved ones—and how grief can look and feel different for neurodiverse kids.

Kim and Jake share personal stories, expert insights, and real-life coping strategies to help families navigate loss together. Whether it’s understanding friend breakups, helping kids process emotions, or learning how grief uniquely affects neurodiverse children and teens, this episode offers support, empathy, and practical tools for healing.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The many types of loss (beyond death) and how they impact kids and teens
• Why friend breakups can feel as painful as romantic ones
• How ADHD and autism can affect grief processing, including Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and masking
• Coping strategies for neurodiverse kids dealing with friendship changes or school transitions
• Expert-backed ways parents can support their children through grief and loss

📚 Sources & References Mentioned:

• HelpGuide.org – Understanding Grief: Coping with Loss (Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.)
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) – Coping with Grief and Loss
• YoungMinds.org.uk – Supporting Young People Through Grief and Friendship Loss
• SimplyPsychology.org – Social Dynamics and Masking in Neurodiverse Teens
• Relational Psych – ADHD, Rejection Sensitivity, and Friendship Challenges
• NeurodivergentInsights.com – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and Emotional Intensity in ADHD
• The Mini ADHD Coach – Friendships and Emotional Regulation in ADHD
• Autism.org.uk – Masking and Its Impact on Mental Health
• Grief Australia / The Neurodivergent Collective – Complicated Grief in Neurodiverse Populations
• Research by Joseph Gasper on School Mobility and Emotional Impact on Children
• Lower Cape Fear LifeCare – Healthy Coping Strategies for Grief
• SBM.org – Impact of Sleep and Physical Activity on Mental Health and Grief Recovery

🔗 Find Us Here:

🌐 Website: www.themothersonpodcast.com
📸 Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Click Here
🎧 Listen on Spotify: Click Here

Or, 🎧 Wherever you get your podcasts!

💬 If this episode helped you or someone you love, please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review—it helps more families find conversations like this.

Happiness sounds simple… until it’s not. In this episode, Kim and Jake unpack whether happiness is a choice or a complex mix of biology, mindset, and circumstances. Featuring research on brain chemistry, gratitude, teen emotions, and even how happiness may extend your life — this episode is packed with insights and real strategies.

🎧 You’ll learn:

✅ How serotonin and dopamine affect your mood
✅ Why “just be happy” isn’t helpful — especially for people with depression
✅ Real strategies to rewire your brain for happiness
✅ How gratitude and optimism create lasting joy
✅ The science-backed link between happiness and longer life
✅ How teens’ emotional changes relate to brain development

💬 Connect With Us

Keep the conversation going and follow us for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates:

🌐 Website: www.themothersonpodcast.com
📸 Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
▶️ YouTube: The Mother-Son Podcast Channel

⭐️ Enjoying the show? Leave us a 5-star review!

If you loved this episode and want to support the podcast, the best way to help is by leaving a 5-star rating — it only takes a few seconds!

👉 Listen & Rate us on Apple Podcasts

👉 Listen & Rate us on Spotify

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

On your iPhone? Just scroll to the bottom of our show page in Apple Podcasts and tap ‘Write a Review’!

📚 References (with links)

1. Shawn Achor & Michelle Gielan – Is Happiness a Choice?
   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spotting-opportunity/201705/is-happiness-a-choice
2. Hannah Owens, LMSW – Why “Happiness Is a Choice” Is a BS Concept
   https://www.verywellmind.com/is-happiness-really-a-choice-8722216
3. The Jackson Laboratory – Happy or Sad: The Chemistry Behind Depression
   https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/jax-blog/2015/december/happy-or-sad-the-chemistry-behind-depression
4. Emma McAdam, LMFT – How to Be Happier
   https://therapyinanutshell.com/how-to-be-happier
5. The Sensory Path – Teach Kids How to Find Happiness and Joy
   https://thesensorypath.com/teach-kids-how-to-find-happiness-and-joy
6. Honey Lake Clinic – Is Depression a Symptom of Puberty?
   https://www.honeylake.clinic/blog/is-depression-a-symptom-of-puberty
7. NIH – Happiness and Mortality
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4724393
8. Centre for Optimism – Optimism and Happiness Connection
   https://www.centreforoptimism.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:

The Mother-Son Podcast shares personal stories and lived experiences. We are not medical professionals, and this episode is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions about ADHD or related conditions.

First crushes are cute, chaotic... and sometimes overwhelming. In this episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we unpack the rollercoaster of young love—from cheesy texts and awkward love notes to rejection and respectful boundaries.

Whether you're a parent wondering how to support your child through big emotions, or a neurodiverse teen feeling all the feels at a 10 out of 10, this one’s for you.

👩‍👦 In this episode, we explore:

• What a crush really means to kids and teens
• How neurodivergent brains process romantic feelings
• Real scripts for what to say (and what not to say) when your child likes someone
• How to respond when feelings aren’t returned
• Respectful boundaries for both sides of the crush
• What to do when things get too intense—emotionally or socially

Jake shares honest teen takes and Kim brings grounded parenting wisdom—together, they model vulnerable, humorous, and deeply helpful conversation.

📚 Episode References & Expert Sources

• Dr. Laura Kirmayer – Parents.com
• Deborah Roffman, Talk to Me First – New York Times
• Dr. Cara Natterson, Decoding Boys – Washington Post
• Phyllis Fagell, Middle School Matters – Washington Post
• Dr. Lisa Damour, Untangled – lisadamour.com
• Dr. Barry Prizant, Uniquely Human – uniquelyhuman.com
• Dr. Devon Price, Unmasking Autism – devonprice.medium.com
• Rachel Ehmke – Child Mind Institute

🔗 Connect With Us

🌐 Website: www.themothersonpodcast.com
📸 Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
▶️ YouTube: The Mother-Son Podcast

⭐ Enjoying the show? Support us by:

✅ Subscribing on your favorite podcast platform
🌟 Leaving a 5-star review so more people can find the show
📝 Sharing with other parents, educators, or neurodiverse families

👉 Leave a review here:

• Apple Podcasts: Review on Apple
• Spotify: Just listen to an episode, hit the three dots, and rate 5-Stars!

🎧 New episodes drop weekly! Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for being part of our community—real talk, real connection, and real laughs, one episode at a time.

We’re back… but we never really left. Welcome to Season 2 of The Mother Son Podcast with Kim and Jake—a real-life mother-son duo diving into the honest, awkward, and emotional moments that come with growing up and parenting in today’s world.

This season, we’re stepping it up with better sound, smoother flow, and more of the real talk you’ve come to love. From navigating big emotions to learning how to love, lose, and grow, we’re talking about the things that matter—whether you’re a teen, a parent, or somewhere in between.

🎧 In Season 2, you’ll get:

• Candid conversations about happiness, heartbreak, and handling change
• Unfiltered bloopers at the end of every episode
• A mix of humor, heart, and honest takeaways for all ages
• Much more!

If you like real connection, relatable stories, and a little behind-the-scenes chaos, you’re in the right place.

📲 Connect With Us:

🌐 Website: https://www.themothersonpodcast.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themothersonpodcast
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: @themother-sonpodcast

👍 Like, comment, and hit Subscribe to join our family talks about real-life parenting, big feelings, and growing up.

🎙️ Thanks for listening to The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake—where real talk helps build real connection.

Toodle-loo! 😄

⭐️ Enjoying the show? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

If you loved this episode and want to support the podcast, the best way to help is by leaving a 5-star rating — it only takes a few seconds!

👉 Rate us on Apple Podcasts

On your iPhone? Just scroll to the bottom of our show page in Apple Podcasts and tap ‘Write a Review’!

👉 To Rate us on Spotify just listen to a show, hit the three dots and rate 5-Stars!

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry”—especially for kids and teens? And what actually makes an apology feel real and healing? In this episode of The Mother-Son Podcast, Kim and Jacob explore the emotional, social, and neurological reasons why apologizing can feel impossible—and how to make it easier and more meaningful for everyone, especially neurodiverse kids and teens. From Harvard’s seven-step framework to relationship wisdom from Esther Perel and real-world examples from Starfish Social Club, this episode blends research with real talk.

🧠 In This Episode:

• Why kids (especially neurodiverse ones) struggle to apologize
• What to do when someone won’t apologize
• 7 key elements of a powerful, sincere apology (Harvard Ombuds Office)
• Why “I’m sorry you feel that way” doesn’t count
• The difference between forced apologies and real repair
• The physical and emotional health benefits of forgiveness
• How to teach, model, and practice meaningful apologies as a family

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

📌 Takeaways:

• Focus on connection, not control. Don’t force an apology—model it.
• Neurodivergent kids may need a different path to apology that centers on empathy and safety.
• Repair matters more than the words.
• Forgiveness isn’t always easy—but it can be healing, even when the apology never comes.
• Teach kids to ask, “How can I make this better?” instead of just saying “sorry.”

🎧 Listener Challenge:

Practice giving or receiving a real apology this week. Use all 7 steps if you can—or just start with empathy. Then talk about how it felt with someone you trust.

📲 Connect With Us:

🌐 Website: https://www.themothersonpodcast.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themothersonpodcast
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: @themother-sonpodcast

👍 Like, comment, and hit Subscribe to join our family talks about real-life parenting, big feelings, and growing up.

⭐️ Enjoying the show? Leave us a 5-star review!

If you loved this episode and want to support the podcast, the best way to help is by leaving a 5-star rating — it only takes a few seconds!

👉 Rate us on Apple Podcasts

👉 Rate us on Spotify

On your iPhone? Just scroll to the bottom of our show page in Apple Podcasts and tap ‘Write a Review’!

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Toodle-loo! 😄

📚 Referenced Articles & Resources:

1. Marsha L. Wagner – The Power of Apologies
   Harvard Medical School Ombuds Office (PDF)
2. Esther Perel & Mary Alice Miller – The Power of Apologizing: Relearn How to Say I’m Sorry http://www.estherperel.com
3. Steph West – Why Apologizing Is Difficult for Autisti