The Art of Raising Humans

In this episode, we dive into what’s really going on inside your teenager’s brain and why trying to control them often backfires. From brain development to boundary-pushing, we unpack the science and the heart behind teen behavior.   You’ll learn 5 practical, connection-focused strategies that help you guide your teen without gripping tighter. Because the goal isn’t control, it’s trust.   Topics w...

Big emotions aren’t misbehavior—they’re communication. In this episode, Kyle and Sara explore how to support kids through emotional outbursts without losing connection or control.   Learn how brain development, secure attachment, and your own regulation shape how kids handle their biggest feelings. You’ll get practical tools to guide—not shut down—your child during emotional storms.   What you’ll...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara dive into one of the most powerful gifts we can give our kids: emotional intelligence. They unpack what emotional intelligence (EQ) really looks like in everyday family life, why it’s essential for your child’s mental health and resilience, and how to begin building it—even if you’re still growing in it yourself. From common parenting pitfalls to simple, meaningful d...

Traveling with kids can be a beautiful opportunity to connect—or a chaotic experience no one wants to repeat. In this episode, Kyle and Sara share realistic, relationship-first strategies to help make road trips and vacations more peaceful and enjoyable.   Whether you're flying, driving, or just heading out for the day, these tips will help you approach travel with less stress, more flexibili...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara tackle a struggle many intentional parents face: “I want to be gentle and connected… but am I being too soft?” The fear of being too authoritarian often pushes parents toward permissiveness—leading to unclear boundaries, power struggles, and anxiety in kids. But there’s a better way. This conversation is all about loving guidance—a balanced approach that gives your k...

n this episode of The Art of Raising Humans , Kyle and Sara Wester dive into what it really takes to build a lifelong emotional connection with your child. They explore the subtle ways disconnection shows up—like busyness or emotional unavailability—and share practical strategies to create meaningful rituals, stay present, and repair relationships. If you want your discipline to come from connecti...

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans , Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with Tara Bremer, founder and CEO of House Peace, to explore how the state of our homes can deeply affect our parenting, stress levels, and connection with our kids. Tara has been bringing peace into homes since 2013, using her background in psychology and counseling to help families shift from chaos to calm. As a wife an...

In this thought-provoking episode, Kyle and Sara Wester challenge a common parenting goal: obedience. They explore why obedience might deliver quick results, but often at the cost of long-term connection, emotional development, and a child's capacity for critical thinking.   Instead, they advocate for cooperation as a healthier, more empowering goal. Drawing from real-life examples and their...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara sit down with Lori Sugarman-Li—author of Our Home —to explore how reframing family responsibilities can transform your household. They talk about the emotional labor of parenting, why chores aren’t just tasks, and how involving kids in meaningful work builds connection, confidence, and life skills.   💡 Topics include: Why "helping" isn’t the same as "...

In this episode of Art of Raising Humans , Kyle and Sara Wester explore one of the most common stressors for families—sibling conflict. Instead of falling into the trap of being a referee, dismissing the drama, or shutting it down, what if you could coach your kids through it? Kyle and Sara break down the three roles parents often play (resister, dismisser, ref) and why they don’t work. Then they...

In this honest and inspiring conversation, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with bestselling author Jessica N. Turner to talk about what happens when parenting and marriage don’t turn out the way you hoped.   Jessica opens up about her own journey through disappointment and divorce, and how she rebuilt her life with intention, emotional healing, and hope. She shares lessons from her new book, I Thoug...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara explore the power of the Relationship Bank Account (RBA) — a simple but transformative tool for strengthening your connection with your child.   You’ll learn: What a Relationship Bank Account is (and why it matters) How to make daily “deposits” that build long-term trust and emotional security 10 practical ways to fill up your child’s RBA starting today What to do if...

In this thought-provoking episode, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with renowned author and speaker Alfie Kohn —a powerful voice challenging traditional ideas about parenting, discipline, education, and motivation.   Alfie doesn’t hold back as he dives into the unintended consequences of using rewards, punishments, and even praise with children. His insights, grounded in decades of research, have ra...

In this episode, we’re digging into the quiet beliefs many of us bring into parenting—assumptions we didn’t even realize were shaping how we saw our kids. Kyle and Sara reflect on the messages they heard early on in their parenting journey: from well-meaning friends, family, and culture at large. Many of these ideas—like needing to “control” kids, stop “bad” behavior, or “show them who’s boss”—can...

In Episode #155 of Art of Raising Humans , Sara and Kyle sit down with pediatric neuropsychologists, Dr. Yale Rothman and Dr. Katie Fredriksen, to explore a crucial and timely topic — how to talk with kids about autism.   In this episode, we discuss a thoughtful, kid-friendly book co-authored by Dr. Rothman and Dr. Fredriksen that helps children with autism understand how their brains work — and s...

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans , Kyle and Sara explore one of the most common questions they get from parents: “Is it really possible to discipline without punishment or consequences like time-outs, threats, or spanking?” When they became parents, Kyle and Sara struggled to imagine parenting without those tools—they believed punishment was an essential part of discipline. But as they...

In Episode #153 of The Art of Raising Humans , we sit down with award-winning author and children’s mental health advocate Jamie Edelbrock. When Jamie’s daughter was struggling, she realized that the best way to support her was to start working on her own anxiety and past trauma. She shares her journey of self-discovery and healing, and how it transformed both her life and her parenting. Jamie is...

In Episode #152 of the Art of Raising Humans , Kyle and Sara tackle one of the biggest sources of division and tension in families—triangulation. They break down what it is, why it fuels constant conflict, and how it can quietly damage family relationships. But more importantly, they share practical, intentional steps parents can take to coach their kids in healthy conflict resolution. Learning to...

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans , Kyle and Sara break down the biggest mistakes parents make when supporting their kids in sports and extracurricular activities. They reveal the #1 reason kids walk away and what they really need from us to stay engaged and confident. Whether your child is a serious athlete or just trying new things, this conversation will help you show up for them in...

In Episode #150 of the “Art of Raising Humans”, Sara and I interview the co-author of a brand new book called “The Way of Play”. She is a nationally recognized play therapy expert. Georgie is the Founder/Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens, along with Dr. Bryson, the Founder/Executive Director...

In Episode #149 of the “Art of Raising Humans”, Sara and I have a blast getting to talk with Dr. Anthony DeBenedet. Dr. Anthony is a practicing gastroenterologist, author, and behavioral-science enthusiast. He is the author of Playful Intelligence: The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World, a book about the surprising ways that playfulness influences adulthood. He is also coauthor of Unplug a...

In Episode #148 of the “Art of Raising Humans”, Sara and I have an informative and entertaining interview with Holly Blanc Moses. Holly is a neurodivergent therapist and speaker. Over the last 27 years, she’s been supporting neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and their families in the areas of emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, social interaction, and school success. Holly hosts The A...

In Episode 147, Kyle and Sara, LPC’s, share the 4th core principal of how we parent and how we coach other parents. When we look at all the science and research that has been conducted over the past several decades about parenting, the most powerful and important part of it seems to come down to one thing - Connection. With a strong and healthy connection our children are more receptive and open t...

In Episode 146, Kyle and Sara, LPC’s, share the 3rd core principal of how we parent and how we coach other parents. Most parenting approaches we were exposed to early on in our parenting, and also most therapeutic approaches being used with children had a “Child first” approach. All the different ‘child first” approaches started with what the child was doing wrong and then finding a way to change...

In Episode 145, Kyle and Sara, LPC’s, connect with Dr. Cam Caswell a.k.a. “The Teen Translator”. As an adolescent psychologist and parent of a teen, she knows the struggles of navigating those tough years firsthand. As a private practitioner, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author, she offers hope and practical strategies to help parents unlock their teen’s confidence and resilience, build deeper,...