The podcast series for stressed parents
Parent well-being matters; it ripples to our kids.
Parenting is hard, especially when our kids struggle. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed and exhausted, relief is here. Host Kendra Wilde, an advocate and mom, created this show because she needed it herself. It brings together insights from leading experts and parents who ‘get it’ to give us all a lift.
Listen to the Trailer
Episodes
We recommend starting at the top (but you can listen in any order you choose!).
Visit the episode page for show notes, resources, transcripts, and more.
Episode 1
Whether it’s anxiety, ADHD, autism or allergies, if your child struggles, so will you. We need more help. Navigating life as a family can be overwhelming, and the complex medical maze and education system make it even harder. This episode we’ll grab your elbow and ask – how are you holding up? Kendra talks to leading holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole Beurkens about why diagnostic labels sometimes aren’t helpful, and we’ll meet Devon, a single mom stretched to the brink trying to support her son. READ MORE
Episode 2
As parents, we all have feelings we don’t like to admit to ourselves – let alone share. In this episode, we’re bringing those feelings into the daylight and figuring out what to do with them. Disappointment, annoyance, guilt, exhaustion… sometimes you just want to run away. Yale University expert Dr. Marc Brackett shows us how to become “emotion scientists,” and give ourselves permission to feel. Author and therapist Merriam Saunders shares the feelings she had to process as she learned about her kids’ anxiety, ADHD, autism and learning differences; and mom Jackie opens up about her childrens’ struggles with mental health and how she held it together. READ MORE
Episode 3
If you’re stuck in a loop of relentless and overwhelming stress, you might be on the road to burnout. Kendra tells what happened when she burned out, Dr Moira Mikolajczek explains what makes parental burnout a serious problem, and bestselling author Amelia Nagoski takes us for a spin around the stress cycle. She’ll explain all the ways you can get rid of those toxic stress hormones – some of them are actually fun! Hear how Joanna found creative expression as a painter to reduce her stress, and why Lisdaly relied on having a good cry. READ MORE
Episode 4
Sometimes it’s hard to understand why we (and our kids) behave and react the way we do. It all becomes a little clearer when you know more about how your brain and body interact. We’ll step into Dr Chris Willard’s kitchen to get a masterclass in co-regulation, and Dr Mona Delahooke will explain ‘brain-body parenting’. Mom Michelle gives us a peek into how she copes with an outburst from her son. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why we (and our kids) behave and react the way we do. It all becomes a little clearer when you know more about how your brain and body interact. We’ll step into Dr Chris Willard’s kitchen to get a masterclass in co-regulation, and Dr Mona Delahooke will explain ‘brain-body parenting’. Mom Michelle gives us a peek into how she copes with an outburst from her son. READ MORE
Episode 5
Episode 6
We hear all the time that we have to put on our own oxygen mask first… but we’re really bad at taking that advice! When burnout isn’t an option, you need to find ways to restore yourself in the midst of the swirl. Incorporating life-giving options for self-care into your day will help you show up for your kids. We’ll take a deep dive into mindfulness and learn the technique of ‘stapling’ from the Mindsight Institute’s Caroline Welch. We’ll also poll some of our parents on their favorite self-care moments… as simple as a glass of sweet tea. READ MORE
Episode 7
Are you the worst parent in the world? Of course not! But sometimes it’s hard to ignore your inner critic and outside pressures to realize actually, you’re doing ok. We’re here to remind you why you’re not a failure. Mindfulness expert and psychologist Dr Susan Pollak joins us to talk about the power of self-compassion, and mom Amy tells us how she managed to let go of other people’s judgment. READ MORE
Episode 8
Join pastor, author and dad Mantu Joshi and hear how he learned to find his best self while raising kids with exceptional challenges. Mantu explains what penguins have to teach us about resilience, and how to navigate the traffic circle of parenting, especially when kids are neurodivergent or highly sensitive. Plus we’ll explore the “parent mindset” and how that can shift our own experience, with Dr Ann-Louise Lockhart. READ MORE
Episode 9
Episode 10
If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to support that child’s parents — but who has a village any more? Explore some ways to connect with other parents who really get it. We have a laugh with the refreshingly frank Shut Up Sisters who offer advice on how to deal with people who say or do insensitive things, follow Erin on her journey to build her own support network, and talk about the joys and perils of social media. READ MORE
Episode 11
Navigating the medical maze or the special education system often means speaking out. You are an expert on your child, even if others make you question that. To become an effective advocate for your kids and yourself, you have to master the elevator pitch; setting aside visceral emotions and building a powerful case for what you need. Hear from parents who’ve found meaning and purpose in advocacy, and one who even made a film about her experience. READ MORE
Episode 12
What People Are Saying
I’m at a loss for words to tell you how good it is. I want all those people (from the show) in my life! I even teared up a bit. Thanks for putting this out there. I can’t share it enough!
— Jeannie R.
I just listened to your podcast and thought it was sensational – and badly needed. Thank you!
— Tim S.
Wish this resource had existed when I was raising my children. Wonderful nuggets of parenting wisdom. The stories shared validated so many feelings for me. Comforting to be reminded that we are not alone when we struggle.
— C. Parm
This podcast is a balm for a parent whose child is facing challenges. It’s not “easy”, but it truly lives up to its name. I could not be more impressed with the approachability of the interviews. There’s a lot of actionable advice..things we can do… but even more importantly, it reveals how our not doing is huge. Nice to feel less alone. Really such a generous offering to parents regardless of how old the children are. Mine are grown and what I learned on just two episodes of this podcast has already made a difference.
— Ginger