Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys

What I loved most about this conversation is the story of a young man whose foundation of life was impacted by an absent father—followed by several stepdads who caused more harm than healing. Brennan and his wife started out on a “minus scale,” and instead of repeating the patterns they inherited, they made a conscious choice to create a different life. They are doing the inner work. They’re askin...

If you're the parent of a boy heading into adolescence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. When I first met Keoni, I was struck by how grounded and self-aware he was — clear in his values and intentional about the future he’s building. I was genuinely surprised to learn he's still in his teens and that he made a major life shift at just 16 years old. If I were raising a young boy today, he...

Dr. Alifano radiates genuine warmth and compassion. He moves through life with a deep, unwavering desire to truly understand others—and he’s spent decades honing the art of listening to do just that. As someone who has spent much of my own life refining how I listen, I was surprised—and deeply moved—by the powerful insights he shared. There were key elements I had completely missed, yet they make...

Our 1st DAD guest of Season 3 is a powerful conversation featuring Matthew Biswas , a father of three who found himself navigating solo parenthood after his wife left in 2015. With a 20-year-old daughter and two sons aged 15 and 9 at the time, Matthew chose to step fully into the role of the only parent—not just a single one. He shares how he made the decision to move forward with as little disrup...

Season 3 kicks off with a high bar, and our very first episode dives deep into modern masculinity through the eyes of someone living it every day—my son, Toshi. Having him as our inaugural young man’s voice was uniquely special. Though we talk often, sharing these insights on a public platform opened the door to understanding boys even wider. Toshi offers a fresh perspective on nature versus nurtu...

What I Learned from 35 Conversations As I step into Season 3 of Unlocking The Parenting Code:All About Boys , I’ve been reflecting — really sitting with the journey this podcast has taken me on. Reflection gives us that rare birds-eye view of where we've been, and I’ve been in awe of the depth and breadth of what’s unfolded. I’ve had the honour of hosting over 35 conversations with people who’ve s...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , Kathy sits down with father, coach, and Navy veteran David Kiwimagi to explore what it really takes to raise boys (and girls!) with strong inner compasses in today’s world. David shares his journey—from church ministry in Japan, to Navy operations and cybersecurity leadership, to co-founding a coaching business with his wife. He ope...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , Kathy sits down with Laura Vosika—author, musician, publisher, and mother of nine (seven boys and two girls)—to explore what it’s really like to raise a large family and to reflect on the innate differences between boys and girls. Laura shares vivid stories from her early parenting years: juggling music teaching, raising a full hous...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code:ALL ABOUT BOYS , Kathy sits down with Charles Hall—a devoted father, podcast host, and founder of Crown & Compass —to talk about healing from childhood trauma, breaking generational cycles, and becoming a more emotionally present parent. Charles shares his powerful journey through early wounds, faith-based healing, and what it means to raise sons...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , Kathy sits down with Marie Carrillon , a podcast host, entrepreneur, and proud mom who brings her full honesty and heart to this candid conversation. Originally from France and now raising two young children in Sydney,Australia, Marie shares her journey through motherhood—including navigating postpartum depression, parenting in a ne...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , Kathy sits down with Kristina and Herbert Heagh-Avritt — long-time partners in life and parenting — to explore what it really means to raise boys through love, trauma, distance, and healing. From navigating the challenges of raising a son on the autism spectrum to experiencing the heartbreak of estrangement from their other son, Kri...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code : ALL ABOUT BOYS! we welcome Myanah Simmons , a single mother of two boys, for a rich and real conversation about parenting boys across two very different life stages. Myanah shares her journey of raising an 18-year-old and a 10-year-old, discussing everything from emotional awareness and life skills to societal pressures and the challenges of raisin...

In this episode of Unlocking The Parenting Code: ALL ABOUT BOYS, we welcome Aliesha Embleton , stepmom, coach, author, and founder of Sapling Minds . Aliesha shares her journey and insights on parenting boys during middle childhood and beyond , including personal experiences and practical strategies for parents raising emotionally resilient and authentic children. With a focus on proactive parenti...

Welcome back to Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys ! I’m your host, Kathy, and today we’re diving into the fascinating world of neuroscience, hypnotherapy, and parenting with Claire Noyelle. Claire began her career as a pharmacist but transitioned into solution-focused hypnotherapy nearly a decade ago, blending science and brain-informed strategies to help young people—especially those w...

This week on Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , host Kathy sits down with Jenna Michael . Jenna is a wife, mother of four (ages 3 to 8), author, and parenting coach. She helps parents identify their core values, eliminate excess clutter, and create a framework that prioritizes what truly matters. Jenna provides practical strategies for reducing chaos, making mindful choices, and turnin...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , Kathy sits down with Azja Pryor , a CBWS-trained babywearing educator with six years of experience. Azja shares her unique journey as a mother to two children born 18 years apart and how her parenting approach has evolved over time. With a diverse background that includes roles as a health and fitness coach and a casting director fo...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , host Kathy sits down with Genevieve Kyle-Lefebvre’ , a mom of two energetic boys, the founder and main host of the Mom-Talk Podcast, & co curator of Faces of the Tri-Cities, a book celebrating women and community leaders making meaningful impact.  Genevieve is a passionate mother of two young boys, a deep thinker, and a wom...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , Kathy sits down with Brittinie Tran, a mother of three, nonprofit leader, and podcast host. Brittinie shares her journey of adopting her three children in California, traveling the country in a renovated camper, and finally settling in North Carolina, all while prioritizing family bonds and community support. She also talks about he...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys , host Kathy sits down with Sabrina Trobak ,  a registered clinical counsellor, former educator, and author of Not Good Enough: Understanding Your Core Belief and Anxiety. Sabrina shares her expertise on core beliefs, particularly the damaging notion of 'not good enough' that many individuals struggle with from childhood into adu...

What do Navy SEAL training, an arranged kidnapping , and children’s books about self-worth have in common? Today’s guest, Gina, has one of the most unexpected journeys into understanding resilience, teamwork, and the power of belonging. Growing up, she was constantly trying to “fit in with the boys,” but what she really needed was to belong . She trained with a Navy SEAL, learning firsthand how sh...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code: ALL ABOUT BOYS , I’m sharing a recorded webinar I presented to a men’s group this past summer. This session, Fathers & Sons , dives into the unique relationship between fathers and their sons, exploring the emotional world of boys, the evolving definition of masculinity, and the role fathers play in shaping their sons' lives. For nearly 30 years...

What’s the one thing that could have the biggest impact on your parenting? What’s the secret to understanding your son’s behavior—especially when he misbehaves? And what’s the one shift that could change everything? In this solo episode, Kathy unlocks the parenting code by exploring how unconscious biases shape the way we see and support boys. If you've ever struggled to connect emotionally with y...

In this episode of Unlocking the Parenting Code:ALL ABOUT BOYS!, we’re joined by Stacey Wallenstein , also known as The Mint Chip Mama . A well-known blogger and parenting advocate, Stacey has been sharing her journey of motherhood for over a decade. From navigating the early days as a first-time mom to raising three kids (15, 11, and 8), she opens up about parenting struggles, wins, and lessons l...

Welcome back to Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys ! Today, we have a deeply insightful and personal conversation with Liz Garcia, a devoted wife and mother of four, including adopted twins and two biological children. Liz’s parenting journey has been anything but ordinary—filled with unexpected challenges, cultural differences, and the complexities of raising both biological and adopted...

In this initial solo episode, Kathy dives into the hidden rules of the "Boy Code" and its impact on boys' emotional well-being. Why are boys struggling in school, mental health, and relationships? How do societal norms discourage boys from expressing their emotions, leading to long-term harm? Kathy uncovers the roots of these issues and shares practical strategies to help parents and caregivers su...