The Parenting Wisdom

In this episode of The Parenting Wisdom Podcast , I sit down with Bansari Shah, MA and CPLC —educator, certified life coach, Director of Outreach at Acton Academy Essex , and parent of two. Our conversation centers on building mental resilience, confidence, and strong character in our children by allowing them to face and grow through challenge. Inspired by the book The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan...

In this episode, I share 5 powerful ways to bring meaning back into our kids’ lives—tools that go beyond screen limits and behavioral strategies to touch something deeper. We explore how to: 1. Create a sense of belonging by grounding children in something bigger than themselves—starting with simple, meaningful family rituals. 2. Offer real-life participation, not just passive entertainment—giving...

Our society has undergone a radical transformation—from one rooted in hierarchy, authority, and tradition to one that celebrates openness, equality, and emotional authenticity. In this episode, I explore how political and cultural movements like the New Left, along with the rise of secularism, commercialism, and therapeutic thinking, reshaped the way we relate to authority, structure, and ultimate...

In today’s powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Suzanne Andora Barron—yoga instructor, breathwork and meditation guide, and host of the Finding Joy in the Hard podcast. Sixteen years ago, Suzanne experienced every parent’s worst nightmare: the loss of her nine-year-old son. Left to navigate the grief while raising her younger child, she began a journey of deep healing, spiritual growth,...

In today’s episode, we explore a powerful—and often uncomfortable—truth: judgment-free parenting is not what our children need. In a world lacking a clear moral compass, our kids are growing up surrounded by overwhelming information, conflicting influences, and voices that often lead them away from wisdom, discipline, and values. While empathy is essential in parenting, it cannot replace moral cla...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with Fraida Shusterman—Orthodox Jewish mother of 11 and a woman of remarkable perspective and strength. Fraida shares her family's journey, including raising a child with Rett syndrome, and how focusing on gratitude, resilience, and proactive growth has shaped her outlook on life. Drawing from Jewish wisdom, Kabbalah, and her lived experienc...

I nspired by John Vervaeke’s Course “The Premise of Beauty” on Peterson Academy In this deeply reflective solo episode, we dive into how our children’s mental health crisis is, at its root, a meaning crisis . Drawing on the insights of philosopher and cognitive scientist John Vervaeke, we explore how the loss of cultural depth, the dominance of the "having mode," and the narrowing of our...

In this powerful episode, we explore why so many modern parents—especially in the millennial generation—feel like they’ve lost their authority. We unpack the cultural shifts that led us here: from authoritarian upbringings to the rise of therapeutic parenting, gentle approaches, and fear of judgment in a multicultural, morally relativistic society. But have we gone too far? We discuss how authorit...

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Cheek—spiritual guide, educator, and Executive Director of Camp Deerpark—to explore how spirituality can be a transformative force in our lives, families, and communities. With over 20 years of experience in multicultural and grassroots contexts, Ben shares how he and his wife are raising their children in a spiritually grounded homeschooling environment they...

In this episode, I address a common fear many parents have—the worry that they are going to mess up their kids. This belief is rooted in false assumptions about the nature of children and mental health. I take a deep dive into these assumptions, breaking them down and offering alternative perspectives that can bring more freedom to our parenting journey. By shifting our mindset, we can learn to tr...

Parenting is a beautifully messy, ever-changing journey. In this episode, I sit down with Siri Baruc Thornton , a multifaceted creative and healer, to explore how we can embrace the uncertainty of parenting with love, authenticity, and grace . Siri shares her insights on: ✅ How we are growing alongside our kids—nobody has it all figured out ✅ The importance of self-compassion in parenting ✅ Tru...

In this episode of Parenting Wisdom , I sit down with Hunter Clarke-Fields , host of the Mindful Mama Podcast , global speaker, mindfulness meditation teacher, and #1 bestselling author of Raising Good Humans and Raising Good Humans Every Day . Hunter has over 20 years of experience teaching mindfulness and mindful parenting to hundreds of thousands of parents worldwide. Together, we explore the m...

In this episode of Parenting Wisdom , I sit down with Jodi Kahn , a breakthrough coach, healer, and expert in health transformation and conscious living. Jodi is an observant Jew, a mother of three grown children, and a passionate advocate for integrating tradition, spirituality, and mindfulness into everyday life. We explore how parents can instill values in their children by living them , how to...

In this solo episode, we explore the unintended consequences of modern parenting, particularly the risk of overprotection. We discuss how resilience is built through overcoming challenges, not by avoiding them. Drawing on insights from psychology, philosophy, and personal experiences, this episode challenges parents to strike a balance between nurturing and allowing their children to develop emoti...

In this episode, I sit down with Anat Zuria , an acclaimed Israeli filmmaker and deep thinker, to explore a significant factor in the maternal mental health crisis overwhelming American mothers today— unrealistic expectations . We discuss the harmful narratives and societal pressures that leave mothers feeling inadequate and burned out, and Anat offers a powerful antidote: realistic compassion . W...

In this episode, I interview Claudia Noriega-Bernstein as we discuss the secrets to building and maintaining a strong, lasting bond with our children . Claudia, a mother of three adult daughters, shares how she cultivated an extraordinary relationship with them while fostering a deep connection between them as sisters. She opens up about her approach to discipline , the core values that guided her...

In this episode, we explore the spiritual journey of parenting —how raising children is also an opportunity for our own growth and evolution. Every experience we go through serves a purpose, and sometimes, it is through feeling lost that we begin to truly find ourselves. Growth is always happening, even when it’s not immediately visible. Just like nature, much of our transformation takes place ben...

In this solo episode, I explore the growing mental health crisis among children and argue that a key reason behind it is the loss of meaning in our society. Without a strong sense of purpose, identity, and connection, our kids are struggling more than ever. Tune in to learn why this is happening and, more importantly, what we can do as parents to help our children build a life filled with meaning,...

🎙️ The Parenting Wisdom Podcast – Trailer Host: Efrat Amira | Parenting Coach & Lifelong Learner Welcome to The Parenting Wisdom Podcast ! Parenting today comes with an overwhelming amount of advice—experts, influencers, and endless information—yet many parents still feel lost, and children are struggling more than ever. So, what are we missing? In this podcast, I, Efrat Amira , a parenting co...

The teen years may seem terrifying, as our kids start to step away from our sheltering presence and turn outwards, beginning to learn who they truly are. These years can be filled with rupture and disconnection BUT they can also be a great time for connection and growth for the parent and the child! Listen on in this important conversation I had with Cheryl Pankhurst where we talked about ways to...

There is a misconception about what colleges are looking for, and it has a devastating effect on the way we educate our kids! We think that they are looking for people who are top of the class in grades, who excel in sports, and do all the "right" after-school activities, but is that true? In the podcast episode, I interview Anne Johnson, she is an education coach and she guides people t...

Tap into this philosophical and spiritual conversation I had with Marco Colasacco. Marco is married to Dalia, they have 3 kids in the alternative school Acton Academy, he is a successful Real estate investor as the founder of the Colasacco real estate group. We talked about the flaws of our current education system, the fact that it takes away our kid's freedom to think, to create, to make mi...

Mother’s Day is around the corner and I thought it’s a great time to remind us all of the importance of self-care- not only on Mother’s Day but EVERY DAY. That is why I invited Anna Trefel who is a Health Coach that specializes in transformational coaching and low-tox living. In this conversation, we talked about the importance of changing our mindset about self-care. For many moms, the thought of...

Every time my kids finish their martial arts class with their exceptional teacher, Dante, they come away not just with improved skills but with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Dante's classes are a blend of mindfulness, mentorship, and of course, martial arts. His unique approach touches the souls of his students, leaving them enriched and empowered long after...

In this episode, join me as I delve into three personal anecdotes from my journey as a parent. Two of these stories highlight moments I consider successful, where I was able to provide nurturing support that fostered my children's resilience. However, I also candidly share a challenging experience where my own exhaustion left me unable to offer the support my child needed to overcome their st...