Best Posit Pbc Podcasts (2025)

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Dr. Amanda Trovato, PsyD Part 1: Cultivating Growth and Supporting Mental Health in Children 20:39

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4d ago20:39

20:39

Send us a text “How can I help my child with emotional regulation?” “Is my child’s behavior a sign of something more?” “Who can help me as I parent a child with developmental differences?” — As parents, our children’s behavior can be frustrating and disheartening. But what if that behavior is unspoken communication? Benoit Harpey discusses this and…

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Julia Silge: Part 2 — Glue work, licensing, and open source in the age of LLMs 28:17

12d ago28:17

28:17

In part two of our conversation with Julia Silge, we discuss how work actually ships: the boundaries, the glue, and the tools that turn noise into signal. From there, we go macro and wonder what the LLM era means for humanity’s contributions, plus how licensing is evolving to protect sustainability without abandoning openness. Episode notes Both pr…

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Josie Mae Wells Part 2: Being Who Kids Need, Building Support Systems, and Going One Step Back To Go Two Steps Forward 20:55

19d ago20:55

20:55

Send us a text “I’m struggling as I parent my foster kids, I feel at a loss and overwhelmed.” “I feel all alone, how can I build a support system?” “Am I being the parent my kid needs me to be?” — We heard from Josie Mae Wells in part one of this series two weeks ago, when we discussed her story, vocational development, and community support system…

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Julia Silge: Part 1 — Positron, pineapple pizza, and the art of iteration 38:45

24d ago38:45

38:45

In part one of our conversation with Julia Silge, astronomer-turned–data-science leader, we explore why data science needs a different kind of IDE. Julia takes us inside Positron, Posit’s next-generation, data-scientist-first environment, and unpacks the day-to-day realities that make data science work unlike software engineering. Along the way, we…

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Josie Mae Wells Part 1: Unexpected Support Through the Struggles of Raising Foster Children 21:07

1M ago21:07

21:07

Send us a text “How can I support my child who has developmental delays?” “What role does community play in foster care success?” “How can I find support for my family as we foster children?” — There are hundreds of challenges that parents, especially those raising foster children or vulnerable children face. Thankfully, there’s a solution to every…

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Michael Chow: From psychology and Python to constrained creativity 1:07:24

1M ago1:07:24

1:07:24

For this episode, we turn the mic around. Wes McKinney takes over the interviewer’s chair to chat with his co-host, Michael Chow. Michael’s a principal software engineer at Posit, but he started out studying how people think — literally, with a PhD in cognitive psychology. Somewhere along the way, he got hooked on data science, helped build adaptiv…

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You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup — Mindset, Resilience, and Self-Care in Parenting with Debi Borger 23:27

2M ago23:27

23:27

Send us a text “I feel overwhelmed and unsupported as a parent.” “Is prioritizing me time selfish?” “How can I break the cycles of trauma and pain in my family?” — As parents, we can often feel torn between caring for our children and caring for ourselves. Both are crucial, and if you don’t balance both, you’ll feel overwhelmed, helpless, and crush…

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Good Lifestyle, Consistent Structure, and Positive Words: Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids with Randall Strain 19:35

2M ago19:35

19:35

Send us a text “Is there a secret to curing ADHD?” “How can we better support our children through their challenges?” “What am I doing wrong, why isn’t my kid listening?” — ADHD, OCD, ADD. They’re all terms used to define your children as neurodivergent, but often, these occur due to poor lifestyle habits and can easily be resolved. Today, Benoit H…

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Roger Peng: Sustaining data science — in classrooms, code, and conversations 45:05

2M ago45:05

45:05

Michael, Hadley, and Wes welcome Roger Peng, professor of statistics and data science at UT Austin and co-host of Not So Standard Deviations. Together they trace Roger’s journey from early R adopter to pioneering online educator and prolific podcaster. The conversation ranges from the accidental rise of “data science” as a field, to the tension bet…

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Balancing Parenting and Family Time with Career Growth with Evan Sophir 19:29

3M ago19:29

19:29

Send us a text “My family and my career are both growing, and I’m having trouble balancing the two.” “Am I messing up my kid’s life by working too much?” “How can I regain time with my family, despite the amount of time I need to spend working?” — Work-life balance. A true struggle, especially when you’ve recently become a parent, and you need to r…

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Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel: Teaching in the AI era — and keeping students engaged 54:47

3M ago54:47

54:47

In this conversation, Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel, data science educator at Duke University and Posit, joins Michael, Hadley, and Wes to talk about teaching data science in a time when AI can write the code for you. Mine shares her journey from actuarial science to academia, the teaching philosophy behind the “whole game” approach, and her experiments us…

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Empowering the Lives of Youth Beyond the System with Michael Williams, SMART DREAMS CEO 24:12

3M ago24:12

24:12

Send us a text “How do I build trust with a child who’s learned not to trust adults?” “What is my child’s behavior trying to communicate?” “Am I seeing my child’s pain and fear, or just their actions?” — Parenting is hard, parenting foster youth is even harder. Sometimes it feels like they just won’t trust you, that they block you out and don’t lis…

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Wes McKinney: Part 2 — The open source hustle and an insider view of Positron 26:33

3M ago26:33

26:33

In part two of our conversation with Wes McKinney, we dig into the challenges and realities of sustaining open source development. Wes shares how funding actually works (or doesn’t), why corporate buy-in is essential, and what it’s like building tools across languages, communities, and IDEs. We also talk about the Apache Software Foundation’s role …

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Heart To Heart: Work-Life Balance—Being Present For Your Children While Managing Your Evolving Career 9:33

3M ago9:33

9:33

Send us a text “I feel torn between my job and my family every day.” “Guilt eats at me when I miss school events or family time.” “Even when I’m home, I’m not truly present.” — Sometimes, it feels like a work-life balance as a parent who’s working a full-time job is out of reach. It feels as if you’re trying to provide for your children, to give th…

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Wes McKinney: Part 1 — Building Pandas, Arrow, and a speedrunning legacy 23:22

4M ago23:22

23:22

Wes McKinney’s fingerprints are all over the modern data stack — from inventing Pandas to co-creating Arrow. But before all that, Wes was organizing speedrun communities and hacking together better ways to wrangle datasets in finance. In this conversation, he shares his origin story and what makes good tools good. Stay tuned for part 2, coming soon…

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Mindfulness, Energy, and Healing Part 2: Emotional Growth From the Inside Out with Veronica Moya 18:48

4M ago18:48

18:48

Send us a text “How can I help my children with their trauma, anxiety, and emotional struggles?” “Why do my children struggle so much with self-love, and how can I help them through it?” “How can I help regulate my child’s anxiety?” — Emotions are perhaps some of the most powerful things in the world. To thrive emotionally, you must learn how to co…

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Hadley Wickham: Spreadsheets, bikes, and the accidental empire of R packages 28:28

4M ago28:28

28:28

Before Hadley Wickham became a pillar of modern data science, he was a spreadsheet-loving teenager making databases for his dad’s job. In this episode, he reflects on the early days of his involvement with R, the birth of tidyverse, and how real-world unpredictability — like a bear in a field — shapes data science. What’s Inside: Hadley’s first bru…

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Mindfulness, Energy, and Healing Part 1: Emotional Growth From the Inside Out with Veronica Moya 16:23

4M ago16:23

16:23

Send us a text “How can I help my children with their trauma, anxiety, and emotional struggles?” “Why do my children struggle so much with self-love, and how can I help them through it?” “How can I help regulate my child’s anxiety?” — Emotions are perhaps some of the most powerful things in the world. To thrive emotionally, you must learn how to co…

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Justice For The Voiceless Part 2 – Legal Advocacy and Resilience with Paul McBride 17:07

5M ago17:07

17:07

Send us a text “How can I tell if a child needs legal help?” “Who speaks up for children who can’t speak for themselves?” “What happens when the system fails a child?” – Sadly, the foster care and legal systems are imperfect. Both have countless faults and could be improved a million times over, and yet the kids who are unwillingly thrown around an…

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Justice For The Voiceless Part 1 – Legal Advocacy and Resilience with Paul McBride 16:33

5M ago16:33

16:33

Send us a text “How can I tell if a child needs legal help?” “Who speaks up for children who can’t speak for themselves?” “What happens when the system fails a child?” – Sadly, the foster care and legal systems are imperfect. Both have countless faults and could be improved a million times over, and yet the kids who are unwillingly thrown around an…

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Heart to Heart: Addressing Risky Behaviors—A Must For Parenting Teens 6:16

6M ago6:16

6:16

Send us a text “Is my teen using drugs?” “How can I talk to my teen about drugs and alcohol without facing a wall?” “Is there a secret to protecting my teen from peer pressure?” — Do you feel helpless watching your teens make choices that could have lasting consequences? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. In our Heart to Heart today, Tonya tells us how…

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Healing Through Harmony Part 2— The Power of Trauma-Informed Music Therapy with Crystal Luk-Worall 14:16

6M ago14:16

14:16

Send us a text “Can music help my children heal from trauma?” “Are there any good alternatives to talk therapy?” “We’ve tried so much, but nothing seems to stick. What’s next?” — When a child’s behavior and tendencies of crossing the line keep escalating, what are you supposed to do? Many parents must decide the next step to take to reconnect and e…

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Healing Through Harmony Part 1 — The Power of Trauma-Informed Music Therapy with Crystal Luk-Worall 13:12

7M ago13:12

13:12

Send us a text “Can music help my children heal from trauma?” “Are there any good alternatives to talk therapy?” “We’ve tried so much, but nothing seems to stick. What’s next?” — When a child’s behavior and tendencies of crossing the line keep escalating, what are you supposed to do? Many parents must decide the next step to take to reconnect and e…

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Heart to Heart: The Pains of Bullying and the Beginning of Healing 8:56

7M ago8:56

8:56

Send us a text “How do I protect my child from online hate and cyberbullying?” “My child seems different lately—how do I know if they’re being bullied?” “Our family feels helpless—how do we support each other through this?” - In this modern age, bullying isn’t just in school anymore. We often bring it home with us on our phones; through social medi…

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Understand Teen Depression Part 1 – How To Support and Help Your Children with Elliot Kallen 15:46

8M ago15:46

15:46

Send us a text “How can I tell if my teenager is depressed?” “Is my teen just moody, or is it something worse?” “I feel helpless, what do I do?” “How can I find help?” – In modern society, mental health is unfortunately a pressing issue. Suicide is the leading cause of death in teenagers, but it can all be prevented. Today, Sophia Mills sits down w…

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Understand Teen Depression Part 2 – How To Support and Help Your Children with Elliot Kallen 14:46

8M ago14:46

14:46

Send us a text “How can I tell if my teenager is depressed?” “Is my teen just moody, or is it something worse?” “I feel helpless, what do I do?” “How can I find help?” – In modern society, mental health is unfortunately a pressing issue. Suicide is the leading cause of death in teenagers, but it can all be prevented. Today, Sophia Mills sits down w…

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High Conflict At-Home Dynamic? Navigating Behavioral Challenges with Lisa Chan 28:57

8M ago28:57

28:57

Send us a text “Am I a horrible parent?” “Why does my child have constant meltdowns?” “How can I rebuild my relationship with my child?” – Everyday, parents worldwide ask themselves these questions as they struggle to navigate their childrens’ behavioral challenges. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Lisa Chan, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist an…

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Having Difficulties Parenting Special Needs Children? How Best To Advocate For Them And Their Siblings 16:01

9M ago16:01

16:01

Send us a text “Am I giving enough attention to all my children?” “Where do I start when advocating for my child’s education, therapy, and resources?” “How can I support other children who may feel overlooked or burdened?” – Every parent fears that they are not parenting their children the right way, it’s not just you. Today, Sophia Mills sits down…

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Heart to Heart: Parenting Strategies for Children With Behavioral Challenges 9:17

9M ago9:17

9:17

Send us a text “Why are my children so defiant?” “What can I do to stop the constant arguments, tantrums, and fights?” “What am I doing wrong?” – We all have our struggles, the days when we feel down and maybe get a little snappy, but for some people, some parents, the struggle is constant. Children with behavioral challenges present new obstacles …

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Beyond Picky Eating: Understanding Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Jaclyn Pederson 31:25

10M ago31:25

31:25

Send us a text Join us as Sophia Mills speaks with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, to explore the complications of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD). Learn how to see the difference between PFD and typical picky eating, discover valuable resources for your family, and gain insights into how you can help advocate for better care. Whether you…

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Is Crisis Management Not Your Forte? Mental Health Resilience Strategies with Courtney Marx 24:15

10M ago24:15

24:15

Send us a text In this episode, Courtney Marx, Program Director of Mental Health First Aid at Alpert Jewish Family Services, tells Sophia Mills and all you valuable parents how MHFA advocates for compassionate responses to mental health challenges. Courtney explains the 5-step action plan, breaking down disgrace, and how these tools make a very lar…

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The Challenges Of Dyslexia, Therapy, and Motherhood: Sasha Saidman’s Advice on Finding Strength in the Struggle 32:25

11M ago32:25

32:25

Send us a text In this heartwarming episode with Sofia Scher, Sasha Saidman—children’s book author, mental health advocate, and mom—shares her journey with raising children through dyslexia, therapy, and the extremely tough demands of parenting. Learn about how Sasha’s experiences have shaped her unique perspective on mental health, self-compassion…

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Heart to Heart: Defining Vulnerable and At-Risk 5:54

12M ago5:54

5:54

Send us a text In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste helps to clarify the terms that you might hear thrown around: vulnerable and at-risk children. We believe this is important in order to better understand how we can help support our youth.By Parents Speak Up for Kids

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Navigating Your Child’s Educational Journey: Tools for Parent Empowerment with Pam Brooks 33:28

1y ago33:28

33:28

Send us a text In this episode, Pamela Brooks, a social work veteran with 25 years of experience, speaks of the world of educational advocacy with Sofia Scher. Learn how you can embrace your child’s learning needs, work well with your teachers, and access resources to help children flourish emotionally and academically. Whether you're a parent, fos…

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Living True in a World of Expectations: Modeling Authenticity with Carli Dansky 32:09

1y ago32:09

32:09

Send us a text In this episode with Sophia Mills, Carli Dansky, founder of BTrue & Well and The Authenticity Project, shares her knowledge about embracing authenticity in a world filled with social expectations. Carli explains the importance of parents living according to their true values, creating safe spaces for children to express their thought…

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Heart to Heart: Understand Your Child's Anger 5:11

1y ago5:11

5:11

Send us a text In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story about her friend Ericka and how she reacted when her 10-year old son Jamie came in the house and slammed the door. Join in to learn about the power of leading by example and how to guide your children through the rough seas of emotion in order to find calmer waters together.…

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The Struggle Of Parenting At-Risk Youth: Tiffany White Shares Advice For Positive Parenting While Healing 34:50

1y ago34:50

34:50

Send us a text In this moving episode, Tiffany White—author, speaker, and mentor to at-risk youth—tells Sofia Scher her inspiring story of healing while raising at-risk children. Tiffany offers great advice on balancing personal growth with parenting, promoting resilience in challenging circumstances, and creating a nurturing environment. She speak…

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Heart to Heart: Have You Hugged Your Child Today? 7:22

1y ago7:22

7:22

Send us a text In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a family who is learning the importance of hugging. Join in to understand the impact of daily hugging on your child's emotional well-being.

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Creating Connections Through Pets and Therapy: The Secret Weapon for Helping Trauma Survivors Heal with Karlonty Wallace 24:54

1y ago24:54

24:54

Send us a text In this valuable episode, Sophia Mills sits down with Karlonty Wallace, founder of Pawsative Partnerships LLC, to explore how animals and therapy can be the best tool to help trauma survivors heal. Karlonty shares her journey, the impact of non-verbal communication, and how pets play a vital role in emotional recovery. Learn how to i…

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Choose Your Family Life: Overcoming Adversity and Empowering Parents with Andrea Mancuso 41:46

1+ y ago41:46

41:46

Send us a text In this episode of Healing Hearts, Riley Heck welcomes Andrea Mancuso, a former NYC School Psychologist who is now a high-performance coach and facilitator. Andrea specializes in Emotional Intelligence and parent-child communication, and today she shares with us her expertise on overcoming adversity while fostering resilient family d…

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Cultivating Greatness: How You Can Build Resilience and Fortitude Through Parenting and Mentorship With Brandin Braynt 23:29

1+ y ago23:29

23:29

Send us a text In today’s episode, Sophia Mills sits down with NFL player and author Brandin Bryant as he shares his inspiring journey from Nebraska to professional football, offering insights as to how you can build grit, resilience, and a growth mindset. Brandin’s book, “So You Want To Be An Athlete,” encourages children to chase their aspiration…

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Heart to Heart: Building Self-Esteem 6:04

1+ y ago6:04

6:04

Send us a text In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a child who is struggling with self image issues and peer pressure and how their family worked through these challenges. Join in to understand the impact of struggling self-esteem for your child and learn some ways to navigate scenarios like this one.…

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Life Without Borders: Successful Parenting While Living a Nomadic Lifestyle With Karen Ricks 38:59

1+ y ago38:59

38:59

Send us a text In Episode 18, Sophia Mills speaks with Karen Ricks as we explore the fascinating world of nomadic parenting. Karen is a seasoned Montessori educator, chef, and worldschooling mom. She shares her experiences transitioning from running an international Montessori school in Japan to living a life of global exploration with her family. …

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Heart to Heart: Navigating Academic Pressures 4:49

1+ y ago4:49

4:49

Send us a text In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a child who is overwhelmed with academics and how her family worked through these challenges. Join in to understand the impact of academic pressures and learn some ways to navigate scenarios like this one.

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Beyond Behavior: How You Can Understand and Transform Your Child’s Challenges For the Best With Dr. Michelle Alden 42:06

1+ y ago42:06

42:06

Send us a text Every parent has moments of frustration, exhaustion, and doubt—Why does my child keep acting out? Am I failing them? How can I get through to them without constant battles? If you feel stuck in cycles of struggles, meltdowns, or emotional shutdowns, this episode is for you. Sophia Mills and Sofia Scher talk with Dr. Michelle Alden, a…

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Healing Within: Embracing Your Inner Child To Positively Transform Your Parenting With Jenniel Taylor 34:04

1+ y ago34:04

34:04

Send us a text We all have moments when we struggle, hurt, and feel helpless—Why do I get so triggered by my child’s behavior? How can I support my kids without it taking a toll on my health? Why do I keep repeating negative patterns from my youth? The answer to these questions often lies hidden deep in your childhood. Adverse childhood experiences…

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The Emotional Journey of Closed Adoption: From Feelings of Loss to Finding Belonging With Julie McGue 27:48

1+ y ago27:48

27:48

Send us a text “How do I navigate my child’s identity struggles after adoption?” “Am I ruining my kid’s life by choosing closed adoption?” “What are the long-term effects of closed adoption?” – Adoption comes with many questions for parents and adoptees alike. Unexpected challenges sometimes arise and throw even more questions into the mix. Today, …

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Before You Foster: Key Insights For Future Foster Parents With Rebecca Korda 24:59

1+ y ago24:59

24:59

Send us a text “Am I meant to foster?” “How can I become a foster parent?” “How can I prepare myself to be emotionally supportive to my foster child?” – The decision to become a foster parent breeds countless questions. No matter what walk of life a prospective foster parent comes from, they ask themselves if they’re ready, if this is really their …

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A Lifeline For Children With Complex Health Conditions: Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care With Thomas LoBianco 26:32

1+ y ago26:32

26:32

Send us a text “How can I ensure the best care for my children?” “I’m burnt out–is there another option?” “What is the best way to balance working to pay the bills and caring for my child?” – Parents of kids with special needs often ask themselves these questions and feel far too overwhelmed with the challenges of everyday life caregivers. Sometime…

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Insights and Inspirations: Navigating the World of Neurodivergent Parenting with Debbie Reber 24:07

1+ y ago24:07

24:07

Send us a text “How can I best support my neurodivergent child?” “How can I advocate for my kid while at school?” “What are some parenting strategies for sensitive children?” – For many parents, a neurodivergent diagnosis can be a shock. A whole new era of challenges, a name behind the challenges they’d already been facing for years. This leads to …