Best Calm Parenting Toolbox Podcasts (2025)

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245 Toys That Create Calm: Helping Toddlers With Transitions and Meltdowns During the Holidays 25:46

Play Pause

5d ago25:46

25:46

Hey Friends~ The holidays can be exciting, but for many kids they are overwhelming. Travel, loud gatherings, new routines, and unfamiliar people can push children into meltdown mode, especially when language shuts down under stress. In this episode, we talk about how to use simple toys to prepare kids for upcoming changes, help them calm during hol…

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244 SLP Gift Guide: The Top 10 Language-Building Toys for Toddlers And Preschoolers 44:54

12d ago44:54

44:54

Hey Friends~ If you’ve been leaning on screens to help your little one talk, you’re not alone. It often feels like the easiest option — and with all the advertising, it can even seem like the smartest choice when you’re worried. But real language grows through real play. With Christmas coming up, I’m sharing ten toys and games that you can suggest …

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243 Claire Miller: The Power of Storytelling to Build Confidence & Connection 35:09

19d ago35:09

35:09

Hey Friends~ When your children start telling you stories, have you ever wondered how to keep that creativity going? How about when what they tell is outlandish, imaginative, and there is no logic at all, have you been concerned you should stop it? It’s easy to shut them down in our fast-paced analytical, task-oriented mind. How do you engage your …

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242 Dr. Ben Miraglia: Sleep, Behavior & Speech Struggles? What Early Jaw Growth & Mouth Breathing Reveal 54:25

26d ago54:25

54:25

Hey Friends~ What if mouth breathing isn’t just a habit… but a symptom? In today’s episode, I’m joined by a guest who revealed something I hadn’t fully understood in all my years in this field: crooked teeth, small jaws, restless behavior, trouble with focus, even lingering speech sound errors can ALL be connected to how well a child is BREATHING. …

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241 SERIES: Speech & Language Delays: 2 Languages, 1 Young Brain: What’s Normal and What’s Not 40:15

1M ago40:15

40:15

Hey Friends~ Recently, I got a written message from a listener who wrote, ‘My husband is Serbian and speaks Serbian to our son. I speak English, but I don’t speak Serbian well. Our little one is just 17 months and very vocal — but in my expat group, parents worry their bilingual kids might be confused. How young is too young for two languages? And …

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240 SERIES: Speech & Language Delays: Therapy & Intervention Options for Parents 22:54

1M ago22:54

22:54

Hey Friends~ Today is the next in the SERIES: Speech & Language Delays, and we’re diving into therapy and intervention options for parents - and looking closely at two main groups of kids. 1) The first group includes children who have been tested and qualify for speech therapy, but the help available just doesn’t feel like enough. and 2) The second…

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239 Marsha Familaro Enright: Montessori? Learn how A Curiosity-Led System Works! 32:16

2M ago32:16

32:16

Hey Friends~ Have you ever wondered what Montessori is and how it is different from traditional education? In this episode, we dive deep into a description of what Montessori is, where this educational model came from, how language and communication is naturally promoted within the structure, and the benefits of Montessori with Marsha Familaro Enri…

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238 Dr. Bibi Pirayesh: How an Educational Therapist Helps Kids with Learning Differences Succeed 31:33

2M ago31:33

31:33

Hey Friends~ Have you ever felt like your child is struggling, but not “enough” to qualify for help? They’re bright, they’re trying, but school still feels like a battle… What if the problem isn’t your child… but the system? For decades, schools have measured every kid against one “ideal learner” or “the norm.” But what happens when your child’s am…

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237 SERIES: Speech & Language Delays: “My Child Did Not “Qualify” for Speech Therapy. What Does That Mean?” 17:19

2M ago17:19

17:19

Hey Friends~ Welcome back to this SERIES: Speech & Language Delays. In this series, I am answering some commonly asked questions and you, dear listeners, are encouraged to send your questions! Remember if you wonder, hundreds of others wonder the same thing! This episode revolves around the question, “My Child Did Not “Qualify” for Speech Therapy. …

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236 SERIES: Speech & Language Delays: What Is The Cause? 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

Hey Friends~ “What caused this language delay?” That’s a deeply important question, and one that parents ask often, sometimes with worry or guilt. The truth is, speech and language delays are common, and they have many possible causes, not just one. Most experts today agree that it’s rarely a single factor, but rather a combination of influences th…

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235 Kristina Heagh-Avritt: How Homeschool Families Thrive: Flexibility, Play & Joyful Learning 31:42

3M ago31:42

31:42

Hey Friends~ Have you ever wondered what it takes for a homeschooling family to thrive? Today we’re diving into it—flexibility, intentionality, and the courage to learn differently. Research shows homeschooling is growing across America, and more parents are discovering that when learning fits the child, confidence blooms. In this episode, we talk …

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The Mindful Parent: Building Calm, Connection, and Confidence 23:03

3M ago23:03

23:03

By Anastasia Eremeeva

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234 Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown: Is SLEEP A Struggle? Practical Guidance From A Sleep Physician 31:13

3M ago31:13

31:13

Hey Friends~ Do you struggle to get your kids to sleep? How about when it is still daylight at bedtime? What about when your child has ADHD? Sleep can be particularly difficult for kids due to the environment as well as their own body! If you have needed help with sleep, you are in luck! Today we have a sleep expert in the house! Join in for strate…

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The 5 Levels of Compassion: Lessons from Dr. Gabor Maté 18:13

3M ago18:13

18:13

LEAVE FEEDBACK / SAY HI Let's explore Dr. Gabor Maté’s powerful framework — the five levels of compassion. From basic empathy to the compassion of truth and possibility, we dive into how compassion can transform relationships, heal emotional wounds, and reconnect us to what truly matters: ourselves and one another. Support the show…

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233 Series: Speech & Language Delays: Do Boys Really Talk Later Than Girls? 21:31

3M ago21:31

21:31

Hey Friends~ There is a long held belief that boys lag behind girls, but researchers now say there’s no real difference. Do boys actually lag behind girls? In this episode, we unpack both ideas, explain why the confusion exists, and give practical strategies for boys, girls, and all children. If you’ve ever asked this question, you’re not alone. Th…

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232 Series: Speech & Language Delays: What Parents Need to Know 28:48

3M ago28:48

28:48

Hey Friends~ “Is my child behind in speech? When should my toddler be talking? Should I wait and see, or do I need to worry right now? If you’ve ever asked yourself those questions, you’re not alone. Parents all over the world type those exact words into Google every single day — because watching your child struggle to talk, or not knowing if they’…

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231 Dr. Candace Holmes: NeuroFeedback: An ADHD Brain Re-Organized! 34:46

3M ago34:46

34:46

Hey Friends~ Do you have a child with ADHD? Are you open to do something entirely different than the norm? Today, Dr. Candace Holmes talks about Neurofeedback and it’s impact on kids with Autism, ADHD, TBI, concussions, and other neurological issue. Anxiety decreases and the brain gets re-ordered, so it is functioning better. But just what is Neuro…

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230 Daniela Feldhausen: Speech Sounds and Reading Are Linked. Fun Ways Parents and Educators Can Help 37:16

4M ago37:16

37:16

Hey Friends~ Do your kids hate reading? Wouldn’t you love it if they LOVED READING? Or… better yet, what if you knew how to teach them… from the start… to LOVE READING? In this episode, we talk about the foundations that give the confidence and skills needed to build strong reading early on. This episode is targeted towards both parents of struggli…

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229 What You Allow, You Approve: Here Is How Communication Is Impacted 25:04

4M ago25:04

25:04

Hey Friends~ Ever wonder what your child is really learning when you give in to whining or ignore a mispronounced word? Every response—big or small—teaches kids what’s acceptable in their speech, behavior, and even their thinking. In this episode, discover how to guide communication and character by approving what helps them grow and redirecting wh…

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228 Sherinata Pollock:Raising Happy, Healthy Kids in a Digital Age: EMFs & Brain Health 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

Hey Friends~ You may have heard about the dangers of EMF radiations that comes from screens, Wi-Fi, and phones. Today, I have a guest with me to talk about how we protect ourselves and our children from these invisible dangers. With school just around the corner, this is an especially important topic! Always cheering you on! Dinalynn CONTACT the Ho…

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227 Child Not Doing As Told? Change Their Response With Concept Words 22:03

4M ago22:03

22:03

Hey Friends~ When we talk to our kids, we use words that represent whole concepts all the time. We do it so spontaneously that it’s difficult to communicate without using such words. When our kids don’t have a good repertoire of concept - type words, it makes it difficult for them to do as told, express themselves, or deliver a message, accurately.…

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Mistakes are not full stops, they are the commas 7:40

4M ago7:40

7:40

Recently, we saw Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot’s viral reel on the big screen. The media, news outlets, and social platforms have been buzzing with discussions about this incident, with many expressing that his actions were highly inappropriate for someone in his position. We often think of mistakes as the end of something. Bu…

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226 Constance Lewis: Using Colors To Get Through Big Feelings 25:12

5M ago25:12

25:12

Hey Friends~ BIG Feelings are so hard! It’s confusing! And sometimes really disruptive. Give yourself grace parents, become curious. What if we could understand how our child felt by looking at the color that they chose to wear? Wouldn’t that be amazing and helpful?!! Today’s guest decided to combine her child’s interests with colors to create a wa…

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225 Anna Maria DiDio: When Kids Don’t Have The Words. How To Understand Behavior As Communication in Adoption Trauma 30:58

5M ago30:58

30:58

Hey Friends~ You’ve heard many times that a child’s behavior IS communication. How do you deal with that when you are trying to create a thriving family? How does that work when you are dealing with adoption trauma, a second language and resistance to change? Anna Maria Didio shares her story of growth and learning that can apply to blended familie…

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224 Did Your Child Babble? When It Begins, What It Means, And Why It Matters 18:46

5M ago18:46

18:46

Hey Friends~ Babbling is the foundation for first words. It's a key predictor of later language development AND the strongest early indicator that spoken language is developing on track… and so much more! Babbling is a very important part of your baby’s development. Maybe you are curious, or possibly concerned. Or.. maybe you just know someone with…

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When Your Child Pushes Buttons—And You Still Choose Peace 6:47

5M ago6:47

6:47

"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." — Viktor E. Frankl That moment when your child says that thing, givesthat look, or tests that boundary for what feels like the hundredth time—and suddenly, you feel a storm brewing inside. Your patie…

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223 Too Many Parenting Voices Talking? Critique the “7-7-7 Rule” 22:38

5M ago22:38

22:38

Hey Friends~ There are many different parenting styles, types, and programs, and the number can vary depending on how they're categorized. Broadly, these can be grouped into Core styles, Modern styles, Therapeutic approaches. And cultural/philosophies. you're looking at LOTS of ideas and many overlap as real-life is real! And kids and parents need …

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222 Tricia Goyer: 3 Keys To Connect With Your Kids And Improve Behavior Along The Way 26:14

6M ago26:14

26:14

Hey Friends~ Have you ever wanted to listen to the wisdom of someone who has been there? Today’s guest is that person. After raising her own kids, she & her family collectively decided to adopt kids and love them. With those adoptive kids, trauma therapy was needed. She learned to connect with those kiddos on a deep level. What she learned in traum…

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221 Gina Prosch: Have You Built a Habit Of Interaction With Your Kids? How Do It And Why It’s Important 28:03

6M ago28:03

28:03

Hey Friends~ When we talk about a lot of stuff with our kids - the stuff that isn’t the important stuff; the stuff that is inconsequential, we develop the habit of interaction. When 90% of your interactions are wonderful, and then the hard conversations that do necessarily come, won’t be as big of a deal. The Key: have LOTS of conversations.. Why? …

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220 What Does “A Language Rich Environment” Really Mean? 25:19

6M ago25:19

25:19

Hey Friends~ You hear child centers and schools claim to have a “Language Rich Environment”. Do you have a language rich environment at home? You can! But what exactly does that mean? And how do you create that in a way that does NOT add another thing to your to do list? The trick… is it is all about you, mom and dad. It is not actually the space o…

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219 Kerre Burley: Bedtime Resistance A Problem? SleepTalk Helps With Cooperation 38:37

6M ago38:37

38:37

Hey Friends~ Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to teach your kids while they slept? Today’s guest says it is possible - especially when it comes to behaviors like bed wetting, and difficult emotions! You’ll LOVE this episode if you wish for a way to slide under the radar to teach your kiddo - at least for SOME of the millions of topics we want to teac…

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Put away the parental toolbox, just listen! 8:27

6M ago8:27

8:27

When we ask our child do you want me to listen to you or give you advice; when we are not reaching out to our parental toolbox, we are not avoiding parenting. The goal is to parent with presence. Because in that quiet presence, we build something much stronger than solutions. We build trust. We build connection. We build emotionally secure children…

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218 Terri Lilga: Why Is Rhyme So Important? Using Literature To Teach Beyond The Words 20:40

6M ago20:40

20:40

Hey Friends~ I love children’s literature! It seems that ANYTHING you want to teach, you can find a book on that and use it as a springboard to help kids learn. This is especially true for social emotional learning. There is power in using stories! One mistake parents make is thinking they need to read a book as written! Today’s guest brings us int…

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217 You Want To Encourage Speech This Summer? Here’s Where To Start! 16:39

7M ago16:39

16:39

Hey Friends~ Families often how to help their child in the summer. Since there is no speech therapy with the school in the summer, some families are nervous and wonder what to do! In this episode, we talk about foundational practices that help your children retain and learn speech sounds, particularly when they are not responding to your attempts t…

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216 Polina Shkadron: Language-Rich Environments That Match Your Child’s Play Skills 40:06

7M ago40:06

40:06

Hey Friends~ The language you use may be LESS effective than you want! When we change HOW and WHAT we say, our communication becomes more effective. Today’s guest, Polina Shkadron, is a fellow Speech Language Pathologist who has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She guides us to focus on the LANGUAGE that helps our kids engage in play - and wit…

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Are You Escalating Tough Situations? How To Maintain Calmness? 8:20

7M ago8:20

8:20

Modern Parenting isn't a cake walk. Whether it’s a toddler throwing a tantrum in the candy aisle or a teenager’s emotional outburst after a heated disagreement, there are moments when every parent feels the urge to react strongly. The urge to escalate comes from a natural place — frustration, fear, or a desire for control. But escalation — yelling …

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215 Suzanne Culberg: Downplayed and Dismissed? Seeking Help For Your Child 46:39

7M ago46:39

46:39

Hey Friends~ You know in your gut when things are not going right, even if you don’t have the words. It’s even harder when you tell someone, but you are told that everything is fine… but you know SOMETHING IS UP. This is the case for today’s guest. She knew that her son needed more help in his sound development, but was constantly told everything w…

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214 Wonder About Stuttering and Fluency? Jason Heffler Shares What Is Helpful From Personal Experience 30:10

7M ago30:10

30:10

Hey Friends~ Speech confidence is important for adults and kids. Whether you are speaking in public or saying your name in front of a class, we all want to speak with confidence and certainly that what we intend to say is what will come out. Fluency is one area of speech and language development. Many, many kids stutter when they are rapidly expand…

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Celebrating Mother's Day – Near or Far 9:19

8M ago9:19

9:19

In this special replay of one of our top three most-loved episodes, we will revisit a heartfelt conversation recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic—on a Mother's Day that looked very different for all of us. Despite the circumstances, the message resonated with many of you—it struck a chord. We explored how to celebrate a virtual Mother's Day, findi…

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213 Dr. Richelle Whittaker: Raising Boys? What Every Boy-Mom Needs to Know To Build Open Communication And Emotional Connection 32:47

8M ago32:47

32:47

Hey Friends~ Boys communicate, process emotions, and navigate the world differently—but how can we support them in becoming emotionally healthy men? Dr. Richelle Whitaker, educational psychologist and host of The Raising Sons Podcast, shares practical strategies for connecting with boys, fostering open communication, and guiding them through emotio…

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Book Review: “How to Do the Work” by Dr. Nicole LePera 48:46

8M ago48:46

48:46

LEAVE FEEDBACK / SAY HI In this episode, we review How to Do the Work by holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera, a powerful guide to self-healing through emotional awareness, trauma exploration, and conscious behavior change. The episode walks you through key insights from the book, including the importance of understanding childhood trauma archet…

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212 From Non-verbal To Verbal To Speaking On a Podcast! Sound Advice from Marsh Naidoo About CP and Building Capacity 36:44

8M ago36:44

36:44

Hey Friends~ Sometimes it is helpful to hear success stories! We know that raising kids is a marathon not a sprint, and that means that success stories occur millions of times while raising our kids. Sometimes- when challenges are significant, we need to dig even deeper to find wins along the way. Today’s guest tells her story of raising a child wi…

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Hurried Child Syndrome 9:21

8M ago9:21

9:21

A few days ago, I came across a term – Hurried child syndrome. Have you heard about it? Psychologist Dr. David Elkind first discussed this term in his book The Hurried Child. As parents, we have a list of words or phrases we should and shouldn’t use. Good job, well done, bravo, you can do it, and give your best are a few from the list. Along with t…

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211 Receptive or Expressive Language - What’s The Difference? 20:09

8M ago20:09

20:09

Hey Friends~ Do you Ever feel like your child understands everything but can’t quite put their thoughts into words? In this episode, I’m breaking down expressive vs. receptive language— what each one is, how it develops and of course, this knowledge will be paired with ways YOU can support the growth of BOTH receptive and expressive language skills…