Conversations with Kristi

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with Adam from the Family Advocacy and Child Abuse Alliance to explore one of the most difficult but important topics we face as a society - child abuse prevention, awareness, and advocacy. Kristi and Adam discuss the realities of child abuse, the warning signs that are often missed, and the critical role that education and awareness p...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi sits down with neurodevelopment specialist and educator Dr. Christine Payard   to explore something many parents and teachers have never been taught -  how early physical development shapes the way children learn. Dr. Christine explains how the body and brain work together during the earliest years of life, and how movements such as r...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Damian Porter , also known as The How Not To Die Guy , for a powerful, practical conversation about situational awareness, self-protection, bravery, and what it really means to prepare for unsafe situations. With a background in the New Zealand Army, including Special Forces, policing in Western Australia, and over 15 years as a fir...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Michelle Mitchell , parenting expert, author, and educator, for a practical, encouraging conversation about connection, boundaries, and raising resilient teenagers. With decades of experience equipping families to stay connected through the messy emotional years, Michelle brings grounded insights that help parents move beyond fear...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Jocelyn Brewer  - psychologist, former high school teacher, and founder of Digital Nutrition  - for a wide-ranging, deeply thoughtful conversation about technology, parenting, wellbeing, and what it truly means to stay human in a digital world. With over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of psychology, ed...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Brooke McIntosh  - speaker, endurance runner, and founder of the Just One More movement - for a raw, powerful conversation about mental health, courage, healing, and the ripple effect of choosing to speak when silence feels safer. Brooke shares the deeply personal story behind her decision to run 14,000 kilometres around Austr...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi sits down with Dr. Justin Coulson to explore a topic that feels increasingly urgent for parents today: raising boys.   Together, they dive into why so many young men are struggling to find their footing and what it actually takes to raise a generation that is resilient, purposeful, and grounded . Dr. Coulson shares his own "failure to laun...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Kimberly King - author, educator, and founder of Tough Topics Mom  - for a candid and deeply informative discussion on child safety, prevention, and fostering open communication with children. Kimberly shares her personal journey that led her to advocate for body safety, including a formative experience with her son that resur...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Monique Christidis  - registered nurse, child health nurse of 30+ years, and founder of BaaBaa Baby  - for a grounded, compassionate conversation about infant development, sleep, regulation, and the foundational role of connection from birth. Monique brings a wealth of clinical expertise alongside deep empathy for parents...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Neil Milton  - founder of The Table Talk Project , advocate, and survivor - for a powerful and deeply human conversation about connection, prevention, and the role safe relationships play in protecting children and strengthening families. Neil shares his lived experience of growing up without a voice at home, the long-term imp...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Sharon Collon  - ADHD educator, coach, speaker, and founder of The Functional Family  - for an honest and practical conversation about neurodiversity, online safety, learning differences, and what actually helps families thrive. Sharon is also host of the ADHD Families Podcast , where she supports parents navigating life...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi is joined by Rosalia Rivera - founder of Consent Parenting , consent educator, and survivor advocate - for a deeply important conversation about prevention, healing, and the responsibility adults hold in protecting children. Rosalia shares her lived experience of childhood sexual abuse and how becoming a parent resurfaced memories she didn’t ye...

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi , Kristi speaks with Andrew Goss about the lifelong impact of childhood abuse - and the role silence, minimisation, and adult neutrality play in allowing harm to continue. Andrew shares his lived experience of family violence, sexual abuse (including female offending), and the repeated moments where warning signs were visible - but not acted upon. Toget...

Episode Summary: The conversation delves into the alarming risks that young people face regarding sexual violence, emphasizing the lack of awareness among parents about these issues. It highlights the prevalence of unwanted sexual encounters and the disturbing trend of children perpetrating sexual violence against their peers. Key Takeaways: Parents often underestimate the risks of sexual violence...

Episode Summary: The conversation explores the challenges faced by the digital generation as they navigate technology independently. It emphasises the importance of introducing technology in a safe manner, akin to teaching children to swim, where they gradually gain skills and independence. Key Takeaways: The digital generation faces unique challenges in technology. Children are often left to navi...

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of "Conversations with Kristi," Kristi discusses the alarming rise in online child exploitation with Ben Gillenwater, an IT and cybersecurity expert. They explore the challenges parents face in protecting their children from digital dangers, emphasising the importance of education and proactive parenting. Ben shares his personal journey of becoming the "family IT g...

Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, we delve into the profound impact of trauma on identity, particularly for women as  Jessica Ella shares her profound journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse. Jess discusses her unique approach to trauma recovery, emphasising the importance of understanding complex trauma and its impact on identity. She recounts her personal ex...

Summary In this special episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi McVee and Cheyenne Carter discuss the critical issues surrounding child safety in early childhood education. They explore Chey's journey in the field, the impact of COVID on childcare quality, and the importance of transparency and communication between parents and childcare providers. The conversation delves into the dynamics of...

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt conversation, Kristi McVee and Jeanie Dean discuss Jeanie's journey from being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to becoming an advocate for child safeguarding. They explore the challenges of coping with trauma, the impact of addiction, and the importance of supportive relationships. Jeanie shares her experiences working with sex offenders and in child protect...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kerri Sloper shares her journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and her mission to empower children and parents through her children's books. Kerri discusses the healing power of music and writing, the importance of speaking out, and the role of parents in preventing abuse. She emphasises the need for open communication about g...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi we catch up with Susan Dunlop, Susan discusses her journey through self-development, the challenges of family dynamics, and her understanding of avoidance in personal growth. She reflects on her childhood experiences and the conscious choices she has made to improve her relationships and emotional well-being. Key Takeaways: Self-develop...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, I speak with Diane Tarantini, a body safety educator and author, about the critical importance of conversations surrounding child safety and trauma. We discuss Diane's personal journey as a survivor of childhood abuse, the significance of body safety education, and the alarming statistics regarding child sexual abuse. The con...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, we catch up with Nikki Butler to discuss the importance of teaching protective behaviours to children and instilling a sense of hope for parents who may feel they have missed opportunities in their children's upbringing. She discusses the significance of recognising non-verbal cues and behaviours that indicate harm, and encourages pare...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, we catch up with Colleen Murphy to discuss the importance of teaching children to trust their bodies and recognise their own signals, especially in environments where they may feel uncertain. Colleen discusses the role of adults in fostering this trust and provides practical strategies for empowering children to navigate thei...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Andy and Kristi delve into the emotional dynamics of parenting, particularly focusing on how parents react to situations involving their children, emphasising the importance of remaining calm and understanding the underlying fears that often drive parental anger. They discuss strategies for effective communication and the need for supp...