Hi, Fam!

So many of us want to improve our relationship with our partner. The love, romance, and fun we once had evaporated when kids came along, and we're left scratching our heads, wondering if we made a mistake or if we can ever get that back. I'm here to tell you that it's possible! And that it's normal to go through these seasons of challenges in a relationship.  In this episode I'm going to give you...

In this episode I'm going to give you a framework that you can use to create anything you want in your marriage, family, and life. [02:52] You can create family bliss [02:59] We want people to move from just consuming our content to creating. [05:31] What do we mean by "create"?  [06:11] Commit [09:39] Reframe [12:03] Educate [13:58] Action [15:54] Trust [17:22] Envision It's a cycle...when you co...

Mindset is so important when it comes to growth, challenges, and the daily "grind." In this episode I want to share a mindset shift that we can use to reframe the work it takes to create great relationships. And it comes from a surprising source...Michelangelo.  [03:21] Our shortcomings can leave us feeling broken, overwhelmed, and frustrated. [05:55] Sometimes we look to others to model what we s...

When it comes to your relationship with your partner, do you ever feel like you're just managing? Like you're just roommates? You may even feel downright miserable.  If you've ever experienced disappointment, frustration, unmet expectations, loss of passion, mediocrity, or misery, you're not alone! Many people have experienced this, including myself.  In this episode we'll discuss how ignorance an...

How would you rate your relationship with your partner? Is it everything you dreamed of having? Or are you planning your escape?  Whether you're miserable or fairly satisfied with your partnership, I'm here to tell you that it's possible to have the relationship you've always wanted, EVEN if you're ready to throw in the towel.  In this episode we're going to discuss the 5 rungs of the "Partnership...

Would you like to know one thing you can do today to radically change your relationship with your partner?  Do you want to take your relationship to the next level? Instead of just treating symptoms and avoiding pain, can you work on improving your relationship into "peak performance" and make it the best it can be? And is it worth that level of effort?  Yes and yes!  In this episode we'll discuss...

We've all inherited a blueprint for relationships from our parents, whether we've acknowledged it or not. And unless we examine it further, we're destined to have the same relationship as our parents. Some of us may have been blessed with a great model for how to properly treat others, communicate, and resolve conflicts. But many were not so blessed, and even if you were, there are likely things a...

Do you or have you ever felt stuck in your marriage or serious relationship? Are you caught up in the day-to-day activities, wondering where the passion and excitement went? If so, you're not alone. But it doesn't have to stay that way! It's up to us to choose what we want and make it happen.  [02:32] So many marriages and relationships around us are failing. [03:57] Even those that don't end in d...

Should you tell your kids the truth about Santa or the tooth fairy? How about the "Elf On The Shelf"? I get asked questions about these and other traditions on a regular basis, and I thought I would round up some of my favorite conversations regarding these in this special holiday episode.  [3:03] Some TPJ updates! [11:06] Should we tell our kids the truth about Santa? [11:59] I feel strongly that...

In this episode you'll get to listen in on a conversation I had with Rachel Rainbolt from Sage Parenting. Rachel is a coach, writer, podcaster, and advocate of all things gentle parenting, natural homeschooling, and simple living.  We know you'll get a lot out of this conversation with two mommas who don't always get it right, who sometimes lose their cools or get overwhelmed, but always try to do...

The holidays are often a mixed bag of emotions. It can be a privilege to have family and friends to meet up with during the holidays. But for many of us it's a season of stress and frustration...especially when you do things differently from the norm, like peaceful & conscious parenting.  [4:34] The stress and anxiety can become "normal" for us if we don't do something about it.  [6:50] We shouldn...

In this special bonus episode of the Parenting Junkie Show, I interview Tosha Schore, whose mission is to create a more peaceful world one sweet boy at a time. Tosha helps parents who have young boys who are struggling with aggression issues, helping change their behavior without using punishment or harshness.  This episode will be helpful even if you don't have boys. You no doubt have boys in you...

Do your children ever act entitled or ungrateful? Mine do, and it's a major trigger for me. While I don't want to deprive my children of abundance, safety, joy, experiences and some material things, I don't want to raise entitled and ungrateful children (who will turn into entitled and ungrateful adults)! So what are we to do??  That's what we're talking about in today's episode. [3:59] How entitl...

We all want what's best for our children, but sometimes we can be a little too protective, do too much for them, and expect too little from them.  In this interview with Becki Biermaier, who has experienced more than her share of challenges as a little person, we discuss what parents can do to help their children develop resilience and overcome the challenges they face in life.     [8:05] Pity is...

Are your kids ever on the receiving end of name-calling? Do they get their feelings hurt by other kids, and you find yourself struggling with how to deal with it or help them through it?  In this episode we'll dive into some ways you can help your children become healthy and strong individuals by coaching them through the friction and conflict they're bound to experience throughout their childhood...

Consumption...gifts...toys. If you're like me, you live in a society where materialism and the availability of toys and "stuff" is overwhelming, you likely struggle with the desire for "more" vs. minimalism and mindful consumption. In this episode we discuss how we can be eco-conscious when it comes to gifts and the holidays. [3:33] The deck is stacked against us when it comes to consumption and m...

In this episode I interview Julie Bogart (author of the incredible book The Brave Learner and founder of https://bravewriter.com )! Join us as we discuss ideas for making learning fun and how you are responsible for your child's education even if you don't homeschool.  [6:53] "How you relate to your child around their education is the key to successful growth of their love of learning." [10:47] We...

Do your children lie to you? Or if they're too young, are you worried they will in the future? I get questions about lying quite often, and in this episode we're going to talk about why children lie and what we can do about it.  [4:13] Lying is a natural part of a child's development.   [5:45] Younger kids sometimes don't differentiate between reality and their imagination. [8:04] They start using...

Does it frustrate you when you ask your children to do something, and they don't do it? Do your kids ever tune you out or not hear you when you're trying to talk to them? Do they ever dig in their heels or do the opposite of what you're asking them to do? Doesn't it just drive you CRAZY sometimes?? Or is it just me?  In this episode we're going to talk about why children don't "listen" and what we...

Is the battle over your children's screen time a constant source of frustration (and tantrums!)? Are you concerned they're spending too much time on screens and that it might be unhealthy and even stunting their mental, social, and physical development?  🙋🏽 I'm right there with you. In this episode I talk with Dr. Alok Kanojia (a world-class addiction psychiatrist and reformed gamer) and his wif...

Have you ever seen a parent who really knows how to connect with kids? I think we all know someone who knows how to get them laughing and win them over with ease. One who can speak to kids at their level, calm them down when they get a little crazy or help them feel better when they're upset. My brother is like this and it's amazing to watch him in action. I wish it came as naturally to me as it d...

In this episode I talk about the reality that as our children grow into adulthood, they may "veer off" the path that we hoped for them. Have you ever worried about that? Have you thought about how you may feel if they turn out to be different than the person you wanted them to be? How would you handle it if you're disappointed about who they become?    [4:25] We have a lot of influence in their ea...

In this episode we're going to talk about religious practices, faith, and religious communities. People often ask me about how they can combine their passion and commitment to parenting from a loving and respectful place with their commitment to their faith (which might be based on a type of rewards system itself!) It's a tough but important question to answer. And this doesn't apply to just organ...

In this episode we'll discuss spirituality in parenting, regardless of one's religion. [6:50] Are religious people happier? [8:29] Organized religions often facilitate social ties and community. [10:15] Religious people create time to pursue spiritual feelings and emotions. [13:25] We can harness these same feelings and emotions in our parenting. [14:58] If you're curious about my personal spiritu...

Leadership and Family. How about Leadership and Parenting? Do these words go together?  When you became a parent maybe you began to feel more like a servant than a leader. Maybe you feel like you just need to keep people alive and happy, get them what they need, and be there for them.  Leadership is an act of service, but it's very different than being a servant.  When we're servants we don't have...