Episodes
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In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I sit down with executive function coach Carrie Bonnett to explore the essential brain skills that help us get things done—like planning, time management, and emotional regulation. Carrie explains how executive function challenges impact kids, teens, and even adults, emphasizing the need to explicitly teach these skills through practice and repetition. We discuss the role of parents and educators in supporting skill-building, how to shift from blame to understanding, and why tools like planners require guidance to be effective.
To find out more about Carrie, visit her website at www.CarrieBonnett.com.
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In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I dive into the concept of the neutrality of circumstances with guest Penny Williams. We explore how circumstances themselves—things happening in the world—are neutral and only gain meaning through the thoughts and emotions we assign to them. Drawing on personal experiences and insights, Penny discusses how reframing our perspectives can transform our reactions, especially as parents of neurodivergent kids. She challenges us to examine our beliefs, embrace the full spectrum of human emotions, and cultivate a mindset of agency and joy—without resorting to toxic positivity.
To find out more about Penny, purchase the books she has written and get insights on what is coming next for Penny, visit her website at www.parentingadhdandautism.com.
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I sit down with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, to unpack the complexities of pediatric feeding disorders (PFD). Jaclyn shares how Feeding Matters supports families and educates professionals on issues that go far beyond picky eating—touching on medical, developmental, and psychosocial aspects of feeding challenges. We dive into the importance of codifying feeding issues under the PFD framework, the hurdles families face in accessing care, and why understanding feeding development holistically is crucial.
Find out more about Jaclyn by visiting her website at www.feedingmatters.org.
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I'm here solo today to talk about holiday survival tips. First, start with YOURSELF. Be kind and compassionate with yourself: you're allowed. Prioritize your nervous system so that you can co-regulate with your kiddos. Next, what accommodations might your kids need in order to make it through changes in food, routine and personnel? Can you set those up in advance? Sending you so much love for this holiday season.
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In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I’m joined by Penny Williams to explore how external stressors—like natural disasters—can heighten family stress and impact our kids' behavior. We dive into how staying mindful of our own responses and developing emotional resilience can make a big difference, especially when supporting children who need extra patience and understanding. This episode sheds light on practical strategies for self-regulation and helping kids feel more secure, even when life gets overwhelming.
To find out more about Penny and how she may be able to help you, visit her website at parentingadhdandautism.com.
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Claire Lerner came back to the Complicated Kids Podcast to talk about inflexibility in kids. We talked about so much more! Parents and educators alike will want to listen for scripts to use when kids are having a hard time and when they're testing limits. Turns out: limits are loving and boundaries are scaffolds for learning resilience and flexibility! Did you know?! Have a listen.
To find out more about Claire, visit www.lernerchilddevelopment.com.
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In this week’s Complicated Kids Podcast I am joined by Dr. Emily King with some deep insights for parents, teachers, and therapists on supporting neurodivergent kids. Dr. King is a child psychologist specializing in neurodivergent kids and teens. We tackle key challenges, like modifying the definition of success, accommodating different learning styles, and supporting asynchronous development. We provide practical strategies for adults to better understand and assist children in thriving on their own terms, breaking away from rigid cultural expectations of success.
To find out more about Dr. King, visit her website at www.learnwithdremily.com.
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Veronica Alkon knew that early intervention was working for her son. But she also knew that if she could get "underneath" his neurological differences, that therapy would go more smoothly. Join me and Veronica to talk about her experience with Musgatova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration Method and how she now thinks about human nervous systems. We had some issues with connectivity, so bear with the sound issues for this important conversation.
To find out more about Veronica, visit her website at www.treatbodyandmind.com.
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In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I sit down with Caroline Turner, a social worker passionate about supporting children with autism, to talk about Quirky Buds.
Turner's project, Quirky Buds, is a platform that she created to help neurodiverse individuals find friends based on shared interests. Turner explains the inspiration behind Quirky Buds and the need for creating community connections tailored for individuals who often have unique and specific interests (think: elevators or Minecraft).
Find out more about Caroline by visiting www.quirkybuds.com.
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Are you confused about why your kiddo was doing fine at the beginning of the year, but now seems to be melting down more often? In this solo episode, I'll break down why that might be happening and give you some practical strategies for what to do to help your complicated kid through this challenge.
To find out more about Christi, visit her website at www.palisadespeds.com.
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Sarice Holley stopped by to chat about how to get kids to make healthier food choices. Hint: it involves adults providing fruits and veggies instead of snack bags and treats. And, it also involves allowing children to be the boss of their own meals through simple strategies.
To learn more about Sarice, visit her website at www.sariceholley.com.
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Are you confused about why your kiddo was doing fine at the beginning of the year, but now seems to be melting down more often? In this solo episode, I'll break down why that might be happening and give you some practical strategies for what to do to help your complicated kid through this challenge.
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Breath Taking: a Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes by Jessica Fein is the moving story about a mother navigating her daughter's rare, life-threatening illness. Jessica came to share perspectives and lessons learned on the Complicated Kids Podcast. Her story highlights the strength required to face adversity as well as how she advocated and navigated all the twists and turns along the way. Join us for his powerful conversation.
Find out more about Jessica and her journey by visiting her website, www.jessicafeinstories.com.
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This week I am joined by Author, Parent Coach, and mother of an autistic child, Susanna Peace Lovell to talk about her experience raising a child with special needs.
Susanna gets vulnerable with us to share some of the lessons she learned through her experiences with her daughter and how she came to learn that she and her daughter were both on their own journeys in life, and that they were both whole and complete individuals who did not need to be “fixed.” Her work instead was to advocate for her child to be seen for who she is, in all her glory.
To find out more about Susanna, how to work with her and where to find her book, visit www.susannapeacelovell.com.
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Although many kids go through a picky eating phase, some kids will experience extremely picky eating. Picky eating is expected; extremely picky eating is not. Jennifer Friedman, RDN helps me unpack the terminology and provides us with strategies for picky eaters that parents can use while they search for the right feeding therapist, dietician, or occupational therapist to diagnose and treat their kiddo.
Find out more about Jennifer at www.feedingpickyeaters.com.
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Marian Flaxmann, Holistic Health Coach, chef, and Biomedical Science Policy Wonk joined me on the Complicated Kids podcast to talk about food allergies, food as medicine and her journey to health.
Fussy, colicky, rash-y, and uncomfortable are the words Marian uses to describe her first child as a newborn. She cried all the time; she needed to be held all the time. The doctors said this was ‘fine’; Marian didn’t buy it. She googled something like, “Can babies be allergic to breastmilk” and decided to go on a temporary elimination diet.
Within 24 hours, her baby’s crying, gas, rash, and discomfort went away. And so began Marian’s journey to heal her child’s gut and microbiome. By adding foods back into her diet slowly, Marian was able to figure out the foods that her daughter was and wasn’t allergic to. Marian brought this curiosity and her health knowledge to her other two daughters, who were also complicated kids. You won’t want to miss this informative and lively conversation.
For healthy recipes, Marian’s podcast, and 1:1 health coaching, visit www.marianflaxman.com.
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Why would a child want to crash into everything and everybody, but NOT tolerate when someone lightly brushes past them? Because: Sensory Processing. Join me and Occupational Therapist, Pia Seltmann, to unpack all things Sensory and how OT helps with motor, attention and regulation abilities. Find out more about Pia and her practice at https://www.tareducationinmotion.com.
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Information Asymmetry abounds in the world of special education. Luckily, Seth Besse is on the scene! At Undivided, he is helping level the playing field for parents of complicated kids in California and (soon) beyond. Navigating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), waivers and other government programs, as well as the healthcare system can be totally overwhelming, which is why the team at Undivided is there to help parents. Join us to learn how they're doing that.
Find out more about Seth and how Undivided is helping families by visiting www.undivided.io.
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Emily and I went TO TOWN talking about tech in schools. Have a listen to this spirited conversation about how tech gets used in schools (for good and for ill); the implications on child development of introducing tech into learning so early; as well as some things parents can do to mediate the effects of technology use at school.
To find out more about Emily and her work, go to www.thescreentimeconsultant.com.
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Founder of the Free Range Kids movement, Lenore Skenazy, joined me on the podcast today to talk about the importance of fostering independence in kids. She doesn't want much: just a social and cultural shift in the way we think about kids' safety (they're safer now than they've been since the 1970's); adult discomfort (anxiety rates are skyrocketing); and supervision more generally.
Lenore reminds us that "When parents step back, kids step up". Join us for a conversation about what that means - even for complicated kids.
To find out more about Lenore and her work, go to www.LetGrow.org.
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