Circle In: The Family Leadership Center Podcast

In this episode, we’re diving into Connection —the first of the 4 Crucial Cs. We’re moving past the "fixing behavior" mindset and getting to the heart of the matter: Belonging isn't a luxury; it’s a biological survival need. When a child doesn't feel that solid sense of "I belong here," they don't just sit still—they scramble to get back into your spotlight. We call these Mistaken Goals . Whether...

Stop Praising, Start Empowering We’ve all been there: over-praising in an effort to motivate, only to realize that external validation isn't the same thing as internal courage. Or, we try to "help" by pointing out what needs fixing, unintentionally leaving everyone feeling discouraged. This week, Marjie and Paige dive into the real engine of a happy home: Encouragement. It’s more than just a pat o...

Does your day start with gentle good mornings and end with drill sergeant vibes? If you find yourself swinging from the Permissive Parent at breakfast ("Eat your breakfast, okay?") to the Autocratic Parent by bedtime ("Get in bed, NOW!!!"), you aren't alone. In fact, many parents find themselves caught in this pendulum swing, trying to be kind but eventually losing their patience when things don't...

What if you stopped parenting for today and started parenting for a Tuesday ten years from now? This episode introduces the " Out of the Nest " framework—a powerful exercise that helps you work backward from your long-term vision to handle today's reality. By shifting your focus from "fixing the behavior" to "building the human," you transform navigating family life into the exact training ground...

Imagine your family dynamic is a play where the stage is set, the scenery is in place and the play is already underway. When children join the play, they interpret the family stage and then cast themselves in a role to find their own place (i.e. as "the funny one"). When you view your home through this lens, you gain the levity needed to stop "fixing" your kids and start enjoying your family's uni...

What if your child isn't giving you a hard time, but is actually having a hard time because their internal buckets are empty? This week, we offer a powerful reframe for those moments of defiance and meltdown using the 4 Crucial Cs: Connect, Capable, Count, and Courage. When our needs go unmet, we often resort to "useless" behaviors—like power struggles or constant interruptions—to find a sense of...

Between the morning scramble and the bedtime battles, it's easy for our homes to feel like a series of fires we're constantly trying to put out. This week, Paige and Marjie break down five essential guidelines designed to shift your home from a place of friction to a place of partnership.  Respect for self and others: We share how to balance essential self-care with empathy and establish boundarie...

Parenting isn't a destination; it's a voyage. In this episode, Marjie and Paige explore how to build a 'sturdy ship' for your family's journey, swapping reactive parenting for a shared compass of dignity and mutual respect. Most of us set sail using either a "replica" of our own upbringing or a "reaction" against it. To build a truly flexible parenting vessel, we must move beyond our own anxieties...

Do you feel overwhelmed trying to sort through tons of parenting advice—from "gentle parenting" to warnings about "helicopter parenting"? You're not alone! This episode reveals our powerful, comprehensive framework that cuts through the noise and provides you with real-world solutions that solve problems while building the relationship with your child.. In this episode, they share the powerful pri...

Does Family Conflict Have You Feeling Drained? 🔋 We've all been there: a simple disagreement turns into a "shame spiral," leaving everyone feeling exhausted instead of heard. But what if those tricky moments were actually the secret to a more resilient home? In this week's podcast, we learn how to flip the script on conflict. Instead of seeing family problems as roadblocks, we're showing you how...

Are you the sole family scheduler? Drowning in "Mom/Dad, what are we doing?" questions? You're not alone! Being the only one managing the schedule can lead to stress, chaos, and missed opportunities for connection. This week, we reveal the simple hack that transforms your family dynamic: the Family Calendar. 🗓️ When you talk about the schedule together and give everyone a voice , you don't just cu...

With the holidays fast approaching, oftentimes family time shifts into high gear—and that means a perfect chance to connect! This week, we're giving you a simple, powerful tool called the Encouragement Question . It's built on a core idea: when kids (or even adults!) act out, it's often because they feel discouraged. While it's a standard piece of your Family Meeting, it's actually a superpower yo...

Short on time, feeling stretched thin? Wish you had a magic wand for more cooperation and connection at home? ✨ This week, we're diving into the two powerful anchors of a great family meeting: giving appreciations and planning family fun! These aren't just agenda items—they're simple, quick skills you can use anytime, anywhere, to transform your family dynamic. Learn how focusing on the good and...

Are you a busy, loving parent ready to transform your family dynamic? You've heard in episode 022 Why Family Meetings Matter how they are a powerful tool for connection, problem-solving, and building skills. Now, in this must-listen episode, we dive into the "what"—the essential, simple ingredients you need to get started. We break down the core components, offering practical, encouraging advice t...

Do you ever feel like you're too busy to deal with family problems? Or that when you do try to talk, everyone gets too upset? Welcome to the first episode of our new series, where we introduce the Circle In Family Meeting ToolKit. It's a simple, weekly 20-minute meeting that helps you solve problems, create connections, and plan fun activities with the people you love. We'll share how this timeles...

Do you ever feel like you're caught in a never-ending cycle of drama with your kids or even your partner? You're not alone! This week, Marjie and Paige sit down with marriage & family therapist Barbara Fairfield , LCMFT, to talk about the Drama Triangle. Barbara breaks down three roles we often find ourselves playing— Perpetrator, Rescuer, and Victim—and helps us see why this pattern keeps rep...

Do your evenings feel like a second full-time job? Do you just know you need a routine, but don't have time to create one? This episode is for you. Marjie and Paige dive into the surprising power of creating small, collaborative routines, even when you feel like you don't have time. Drawing from a real-life example of a family struggling with a child's challenging behavior, they reveal how a simpl...

Join Paige and Marjie on the CircleIn podcast as they tackle a HUGE parenting pain point: sleep! In this fun and practical episode, they chat with working mom Alex, who's struggling with her 3-year-old's nightly visits. Forget those sticker charts! Discover how one simple shift, based on connecting, empowering, and believing in your child, can transform bedtime chaos into peaceful nights. Get read...

Join Louisa and Marjie Longshore at their kitchen table as they talk about an essential aspect of encouragement: finding strengths . They explore a powerful, and surprisingly simple, strategy for turning interpersonal challenges into shared successes, fostering more connection, fun, and engagement. Louisa shares how she built a habit of strength-finding in others (and herself) and grew a stronger...

Tired of "I'm bored" driving you crazy? 😩 This episode reveals why allowing kids to solve their own boredom can be a secret superpower! Marjie and Paige explore how modern parenting often prevents this crucial experience, and why allowing discomfort can spark incredible creativity and independence. Discover how to create an environment that encourages self-entertainment, building resilience and i...

Think your child is just being difficult? Think again. We reveal the surprising reasons behind power struggles and how you can shift the dynamic with empathy and clarity. We welcome a favorite guest, Certified Parent Educator, Patti Cancellier. This episode is your blueprint for fewer battles and more peace. Remember, peace begins at home. _____________________________________________________ 💬Jo...

Tired of the screen time struggle? Discover how to influence (not just control!) your kids' tech habits with Adlerian (aka encouraging) wisdom! Marjie and Paige share their thoughts on starting with an apology for your part in the struggle.  They focus on a myriad of ways to connect , set screen-free zones 📵, and "add in" compelling real-world experiences like adventures & jobs. Let's raise c...

Ever wonder how to help your child bounce back from challenges, genuinely care for others, and step up responsibly? We get it. The good news is, there's a powerful, yet simple, framework: The 4 Crucial Cs.* These essential building blocks are core needs, and actively nurturing them helps your child connect meaningfully and contribute positively. In today's episode, you will learn how by focusing o...

What if the key to fewer power struggles wasn't saying more, but saying less? In this episode, we dive into the power of  listening to understand with Certified Parent Educator Patti Cancellier. Through examples and inspiring stories, we explore how simply being present and truly hearing your child can defuse conflict, build connection, and even encourage your child to solve their own problems. We...

Our gift to you this Mother's Day is a conversation about busting the Mom Myths that leave us anxious and overwhelmed. We'll share some of the myths we've personally believed, along with the ones we hear most often from colleagues and clients. And, most importantly, we'll offer low-effort, high-impact ways to care for your child's beloved Mom—you. Join the Conversation: Share your own Mom Myth plu...