Authentic Parenting

Devon Kuntzman from Tranforming Toddlerhood on how can you respond to your toddler with both firmness and compassion, the three ingredients of effective parenting, and how to use discipline that actually works.  What toddler tantrums really mean The truth about the "terrible twos" Why toddlers communicate through behavior How to set limits while staying connected Discipline strategies that work in...

In this special 10-year celebration, I'm joined by a small group of longtime listeners to reflect on what we've learned about becoming better parents. Together, we explore powerful lessons from a decade of podcasting, including the role of self-compassion, the importance of repair, emotion regulation, and deeper truths about trauma and healing. This honest, thoughtful conversation represents the v...

To close the 10-year anniversary series, I'm sharing the very first episode of the Authentic Parenting podcast, recorded in 2015 and lost for many years. Listening back, I was surprised that it began with such a humble and honest conversation about overwhelm in the lives of busy mothers.  Thank you for being part of the Authentic Parenting global community.  Here are the other episodes in the 10-y...

A 10-Year Anniversary Interview with Anna Seewald, Hosted by Laura Froyen In this special 10-year anniversary interview, I sit down with my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Laura Froyen, to share the story behind the Authentic Parenting podcast. I open up about the times I almost quit the show, the moments I resented it, and what ultimately made me come back and keep going. We dive into the challeng...

In this special 400th episode, Anna is joined by three longtime listeners and friends from the Authentic Parenting community. Together they laugh, reflect, and turn the tables in an honest conversation about connection, growth, and what makes this podcast so meaningful. Check out the earlier 10-year anniversary episodes:  Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 10 Years of Podcas...

As part of the Authentic Parenting 10-year anniversary, I'm revisiting a classic monthly special episode. We answer listener questions, share favorite resources, and reflect on real parenting moments from our own homes—honest, relatable, and timeless. Check out the earlier 10-year anniversary episodes:  Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 10 Years of Podcasting: Revisiting Ou...

Celebrate 10 years of the Authentic Parenting Podcast with this special re-release of episode 300. I reflect on the podcast's evolution, share listener voicemails that are honest and heartwarming, and give you a peek behind the scenes—how episodes come together, special moments from live events, and the stories that make the podcast what it is. Check out the earlier 10-year anniversary episodes: ...

Reflections, Top Episodes, and Behind-the-Scenes Growth As part of the January 10-year anniversary of the Authentic Parenting podcast, I'm revisiting meaningful milestone episodes from the archives. This throwback to my 2017 year-end reflection highlights key traditions and transitions, behind-the-scenes moments, and the top 10 most downloaded episodes of the year. Whether you're a longtime listen...

This episode is such a sweet throwback. We recorded this short, 10-minute conversation with my daughter seven years ago when she was turning 10—and honestly, I had completely forgotten about it. The title says "Two Productivity Secrets from a 10-Year-Old," but what surprised me most wasn't just her insights—it was hearing her sweet voice and noticing how I talked to her. The way I spoke to her the...

Revisiting the 200th Episode of Authentic Parenting. Longtime listener Lauren Thomas interviews Anna about parenting, podcasting, and the unforgettable "green stroller" moment—an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the show. Lauren asks about some of my most favorite guests, the top three most impactful episodes, and the most authentic moment of the podcast. We talk about interviews that went off th...

What did it really mean to reach 100 episodes in the early days of podcasting? As part of our 10-year podcast anniversary, we're revisiting the 100th episode—a major podcast milestone at a time when most shows didn't last beyond a few episodes. This special throwback episode includes listener participation, the original podcast intro, and early production from the show's beginnings. A meaningful l...

As the podcast marks its 10-year anniversary, I'm sharing a personal message about the lessons, growth, and moments that shaped this journey. I'll also let you know what's coming up in January as we begin a new year together. LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576  call to leave a voicemail.  info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages...

This is our final episode of the year, and today I'm doing something I always love—looking back and reflecting. I'll be revealing the Top 10 most downloaded episodes of 2025, sharing why these conversations resonated so deeply, and highlighting a couple of episodes and guests that were personal favorites for me. Top 10 Mastering the Art of Validation: How to Make People Feel Seen and Understood wi...

In this final episode of the year, we slow down and reflect on what this year held—the meaningful moments, the hard ones, and the lessons we want to remember. I'm joined by my dear friend Kristy Lauricella as we answer reflective questions (available to download), share our unexpected words of the year, and talk about the books, podcasts, and shows that stayed with us. This conversation isn't abou...

Jeff Hittner on the invisible pressures dads carry every day—balancing ambition with presence, holding emotions they were never taught to express, feeling the weight of being a provider while wanting to be deeply connected, and silently wondering whether they're doing enough. 03:18 — Why dads default to fixing 06:10 — How conflict exposes emotional patterns you didn't realize you were repeating 09...

Are you ready to start the new year with calmer, more connected parenting? In this episode, I share 7 practical ways to parent with intention in 2026 while avoiding common pitfalls that can derail your goals. We cover screen time, home environments, children's play, shared meals, technology, and the small but powerful shifts that can transform your family life. You'll also hear exercises and tips...

An OG podcaster, the founder and CEO of the Women's Meditation Network Katie Krimitsos on listening to your inner knowing, trusting your intuition and taking action even if you don't know all the answers.  04:00 – How fear and tears marked her first podcast recording. 06:30 – Why starting with no plan led to building a six-figure business. 09:00 – The intuitive pull that sparked an entirely new me...

How to help a parent who feels their teen is "out of control" becomes a doorway into understanding what lies beneath aggression and lying, the difference between dysregulation and being out of control, why we often have parenting upside down by giving young kids too much autonomy and tightening control in the teen years, and how to hold authority with kind, firm limits while staying curious and no...

Have you ever stopped to wonder how the stories you grew up with—the ones you absorbed in childhood—still shape the way you parent today? Author and creative coach GG Renee Hill on uncovering, rewriting, and reclaiming the stories that define us.  Timestamps: 0:03 – How our childhood stories shape parenting 0:06 – Parenting from old patterns 0:09 – When others silence your intuition 0:12 – Finding...

00:00 – Introduction to Andrea Leigh Rogers 02:15 – From dancer to wellness entrepreneur 04:40 – Creating Xtend: blending Pilates and dance 06:55 – The birth of Small Moves, Big Life 09:10 – Why small moves matter 11:25 – Escaping the cycle of overwhelm 13:45 – Motivation follows action 16:05 – Redefining success for modern women 18:30 – The FEEL framework explained 21:10 – Letting go of mom guilt...

Seth Gillihan, PhD says the path to peace isn't fixing yourself — it's expanding yourself. We explore how to stop chasing "better" and start living  fully, now. We'll explore mindfulness practices, stoic wisdom, and practical tools for quieting anxiety, facing fear, and reclaiming presence in a culture that conditions us to believe we are broken.  00:00 — Why we're wrong about self-improvement 02:...

Dr. Levin on the often misunderstood topic of traumatic grief — how it differs from ordinary grief, why it can feel so overwhelming, and what truly helps in the healing process. 00:00 – Introduction to thanatology and grief work 02:15 – What makes grief traumatic 05:20 – Traumatic vs. non-traumatic loss 07:45 – Common reactions after sudden loss 10:05 – When grief becomes stuck 12:30 – Stabilizing...

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma therapist Estefana Johnson shares what makes CMI unique, how it differs from other trauma modalities like EMDR, why our nervous system often overrides logic, and how tuning into 'signals' — rather than symptoms — can transform healing. (00:00) Introduction to CMI — what Critical Memory Integration is and how it reframes "symptoms" as "signals." (03:45) Di...

Dr. Amy Apigian on the fascinating and often overlooked—biology of trauma.  [00:00] Introduction and shared connection around trauma, resilience, and Armenian heritage. [05:00] Story of becoming a foster parent during medical training and first encounter with childhood trauma. [15:00] Struggles of supporting traumatized children without adequate tools or professional guidance. [25:00] Personal hea...

Todd Sarner is a parenting coach and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping families turn daily power struggles and emotional chaos into connection, calm, and cooperation at home. [00:00] Introduction — why quick fixes on social media backfire [02:35] What parents really need instead [05:10] The foundational role of attachment [08:25] "Collect before you direct" explained [12:00]...