Parenting and Personalities

Have you ever wondered what builds resilience in us and our children? In this episode, Kate chats with Tania Johnson, co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology. Tania shares her journey, from fostering four First Nations children to her academic accomplishments and her profound insights into attachment theory and resilience. Together, they explore the power of purposeful parenting, the impor...

Ever wondered how to keep the peace while traveling with a diverse group of personalities? In this episode, Kate shares her experiences and insights from a recent family trip to the USA and Canada. She discusses the importance of understanding and respecting different personality types to ensure a harmonious travel experience. From pre-trip planning and balancing activities to maintaining open com...

In this episode we explore effective strategies to help children understand and manage pain. How to comfort your child. The role empathy plays. And practical tips for you as a parent to make these difficult moments more manageable.   Listen For: 3:50 The Impact of Media on Children’s Empathy and Pain Perception 19:26 The Role of Parental Reactions in Children’s Pain Management 30:27 Encouraging Em...

This is a REPLAY of episode 81 first published in November 2023. Kate discusses the four personality temperaments of children: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. She explains these temperaments are innate and can greatly influence a child's behaviour. Understanding these temperaments can help parents tailor their approach to their child's unique needs and strengths, fosteri...

This is a REPLAY from episode 77 first published in October 2023. It’s so important for parents to have effective communication with their teenagers and using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can help. Kate and guest Jeanine Mouchawar discuss how understanding your own and your teen's personality type can improve communication and reduce conflict. Jeanine shares a five-step process for...

This is a REPLAY of episode 51 from April 2023. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS as it’s known.   The World Health Organisation classified ME/CFS as a disease, not a psychological issue, back in the 1960’s but we still know so little about it. It’s a complex disabling disease affecting the brain, the muscles, and digestive, immune and cardiac systems. About 60,000 people i...

Can uncovering family secrets transform your life?   In this episode, Kate dives deep with TEDx speaker and author Michelle Scheibner, uncovering the profound impact of identity and family secrets.   Michelle shares her journey of loss, grief, and the quest for self-understanding, inspired by her memoir "Hush."   Through personal anecdotes and scientific insights, they explore how our hi...

Who are you really? What an intriguing and thought-provoking question. In this episode, Kate speaks with Michelle Scheibner, a TEDx speaker and author of the memoir "Hush." Michelle shares her journey from a secondary school teacher to a renowned identity activator, emphasizing the profound impact of personal branding. She explains how her exploration of narrative coaching, conversationa...

Being quietly confident is powerful.   In this episode, host Kate and guest Kate James explore the strength-based approach to introversion, emphasizing the importance of leveraging natural strengths over fixing weaknesses.   They discuss the significance of growth mindset, highlighting how adopting this perspective can lead to continuous improvement and resilience.   The conversation also delves i...

Shhh.   In this episode of Parenting and Personalities, Kate Mason explores the world of introversion with guest Kate James.   They explore the unique strengths and challenges of introverts, debunking common myths and highlighting the importance of self-awareness and confidence.   Kate James shares her journey of embracing her introverted nature and offers practical advice for introverts to thrive...

Ready to transform your fitness routine? It starts with understanding your unique personality. In this episode, Kate delves into the unique ways introverts and extroverts, intuitives and sensors, thinkers and feelers, and judgers and perceivers approach exercise. Whether you thrive on the camaraderie of group classes or find peace in solitary runs, understanding these tendencies can unlock a more...

Laughter truly is the best medicine! In this episode, Kate dives into the fascinating world of humour and its effects on our mental and physical health. She explores various types of humour—from slapstick to satire—and how they resonate differently depending on our personality types, as described by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Kate illustrates how humour not only enhances our personal well-be...

What happens when neurodiversity intersects with the MBTI?   In this episode, Kate and guest Sam Young explore the relationship between MBTI personality types and neurodiversity. They explore how understanding traits like extroversion and introversion can impact the interactions and development of neurodiverse individuals, particularly children.   Kate and Sam highlight the importance of acknowled...

Neurodiversity reshapes our world.   In this episode, Kate explores the world of neurodiversity with guest Sam Young, a growth-minded educator and advocate for twice-exceptional learners.   They unravel the challenges and gifts that come with being neurodivergent—such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia—shedding light on the importance of understanding, embracing, and supporting diverse minds.   Sam’s o...

Nothing stirs the pot in the kitchen like different personalities. Kate dives into the kitchen with an insightful look at how our Myers-Briggs personality types shape our culinary styles. From her own spontaneous and often haphazard adventures in cooking as an ESFP, contrasted with her daughter's similar ESTP approach, to the meticulous ISTJ and innovative ENTJ methods of her friends, Kate ex...

Money talks, but what does it say to you?   Kate Mason delves into the complex relationship between personality and finances, exploring how the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) sheds light on our financial behaviors.   She suggests that our upbringing shapes our approach to money, but it's our personality that often dictates our saving and spending patterns.   By examining the habits of dif...

Dive into the world of the perfect melancholic! This episode of Parenting and Personalities is a compelling exploration of the meticulous and thoughtful melancholic temperament. Kate breaks down how these detail-oriented individuals operate, illuminating their potential for both profound strength and unnecessary stress. Whether it's their penchant for pessimism that surprisingly leads to freq...

Unlock the power of personality in the workplace with DISC. Kate and guest Kate Russell dives deep into how understanding DISC profiles—Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance—can significantly enhance team collaboration and conflict resolution. Exploring the nuances of each personality type, offering insights on how leaders and teams can foster a more harmonious and efficient work enviro...

Conflict isn't just chaos; it's a catalyst for growth.   Kate explores the art of conflict resolution with expert Kate Russell, peeling back the layers of why conflict scares us and how it can actually forge stronger connections. They explore the roots of conflict in personal experiences, the critical role of empathy, and the transformative power of reframing confrontations as opportunit...

Unlock the secret to a harmonious workplace with phlegmatic personalities. Kate dives into the phlegmatic temperament, revealing how this steady and reliable personality type can be a bedrock of stability in a professional setting. She explores how their desire for peace and consistent environment makes them excellent in roles that require diplomacy and patient customer service. Yet, the tranquili...

This episode explores the inspiring life of Vicki Waller, a passionate educator with a profound commitment to children with learning differences.   Vicki shares her early experiences and revelations that shaped her approach to teaching, emphasizing the importance of adapting to each child's unique needs rather than adhering to a single methodology. Her anecdotes reveal a career dedicated to i...

It’s a truth many parents may ignore.   In this compelling episode, Jessica Lahey, bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation takes us through her personal battle with addiction to spotlight the critical importance of honest conversations about substance abuse with our children.   Lahey emphasizes the need to sift fact from fiction in discussing the effects of drugs an...

Jessica Lahey is a teacher, writer, and mother who believes it’s important to allow children to learn from their mistakes and failures. Jessica says when parents constantly intervene or rescue their children from consequences, they hinder their child's learning process and can result in dependent, emotionally stunted children who never learn to adapt to the world around them. She suggests par...

Play is important. It helps in a child’s development and can strengthen bonds between children and caregivers.   In this episode Kate and Amy Nielson of Planning Playtime talk about play. Amy shares her unique upbringing in a family of 12 children, where she was homeschooled and often had to teach herself. She talks about her work in creating resources for parents and teachers to make learning fun...

A few years ago Josh Hubbard was a physically active, and mentally fit young man in his 20’s. He got up one morning and felt a fairly strong headache but figured he was dehydrated. Hours later it became apparent he’d suffered a stroke. For a time he’s lost complete use of his left arm. And while he did recover, it was only through daily (hourly, minute by minute), painstaking activity.   Josh is a...