The Child Psych Podcast

Whining can feel like nails on a chalkboard, especially when everyone is tired, stretched thin, or heading into (or out of) the holiday season. In this episode, Tania and Tammy unpack  why  kids whine, what’s happening beneath the behaviour, and how parents can respond in ways that reduce escalation and build connection. With their signature blend of warmth, humour, and clinical insight,...

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the digital world our children grow up in, creating opportunities for learning and connection—but also ushering in complex new challenges for safety, attention, identity, and mental health. In this timely episode, we sit down with Dr. Scott Kollins, Chief Medical Officer at Aura and a nationally recognized expert in ADHD, digital health, and youth menta...

If you’re feeling unsure about how to manage screen time, social media, and digital life in your home, you’re not alone. Many parents are trying to balance technology with raising children who are emotionally grounded, connected, and responsible in an increasingly digital world. In this insightful episode, Tania Johnson sits down with Jessica Joelle Alexander to explore what De...

The holidays can be magical… and messy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or carrying the pressure to make everything “perfect,” you’re not alone. For many parents, this season brings a mix of joy, stress, and emotional overload. In this episode, Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson, registered psychologists and co-founders of the Institute of Child Psychology, talk honestly about th...

If your teen is struggling with anxiety, low mood, sleep issues, or constant screen use, you’re not alone. Many parents are noticing that something feels different in this generation — more stress, more disconnection, and more challenges with both mental and physical health. In this powerful episode, Tania Johnson sits down with the inspiring young authors of  Teen Health Revolution...

If your child struggles with downtime, melts down when there’s “nothing to do,” or seems unable to handle boredom the way other kids can, you’re not alone. For many neurodivergent children, boredom doesn’t feel calm or creative — it can feel overwhelming, uncomfortable, and even distressing. In this insightful episode, Tania Johnson sits down with Bea Moise to explore why bored...

Some children feel everything — the moods in a room, the pain of others, even the tension adults think they’re hiding. For parents, this can feel both beautiful and overwhelming, especially when your child struggles with big emotions, anxiety, or emotional overload. In this heartfelt episode, Tania Johnson sits down with Dr. Judith Orloff, psychiatrist and author of  The Empath...

If you’ve ever wondered,  “Is my child ready to stay home alone?”  you’re not alone. This decision can bring up a mix of worry, uncertainty, and pressure to get it just right. In this episode, Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson unpack one of the most common parenting questions: when is a child truly ready to stay home alone? Together, they explore the developmental skills childre...

Talking to kids about sex doesn’t have to be awkward — it can be one of the most empowering, protective, and connecting conversations you have as a parent. In this episode, Tammy sits down with Amy Lang to explore how we can raise children and teens who are informed, confident, and safe as they navigate their growing bodies, relationships, and identities. Together, they unpack the ...

If you’ve ever worried that you’ve missed a critical window to support your autistic child, you’re not alone. Many parents are told that early intervention must happen before a certain age — leaving them feeling anxious, pressured, or even discouraged. In this powerful episode, Tania Johnson sits down with Jonathan Alderson to challenge two of the most persistent myths in autis...

Do you ever feel like your tween or teen is pushing you away — when all you want is to reconnect? Parenting adolescents can feel confusing, emotional, and at times, deeply disconnecting. One moment they need you, the next they shut you out — and it’s hard to know how to respond. In this powerful episode of  The Child Psych Podcast , Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart joins us to unpack her new...

In this powerful episode of  The Child Psych Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Pat Ogden, pioneer of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, to explore how trauma lives in the body — and how healing begins from the inside out. Dr. Ogden helps us understand why trauma isn’t just a story we tell or a thought we think, but an experience stored in our muscles, breath, and nervous system. She explains how p...

If your child is spending more time on screens at school — even during lunch — you may be wondering what that means for their social development, attention, and overall well-being. For many parents, it can feel unsettling, confusing, and hard to know whether to be concerned or not. In this episode of  The Child Psych Podcast , Tania Johnson and Tammy Schamuhn explore the growing tre...

If your toddler’s big emotions are leaving you feeling overwhelmed, stuck in power struggles, or constantly second-guessing your approach, you’re not alone. Toddler tantrums, meltdowns, and boundary-pushing can be some of the most exhausting moments in parenting. In this episode, we’re joined by Devon Kuntzman, founder of  Transforming Toddlerhood  and one of today’s leading voices...

If your kids are constantly arguing, fighting, or competing for your attention, it can feel exhausting and overwhelming. You might find yourself stepping in again and again, trying to keep the peace, wondering if this is just “normal sibling rivalry” or something more. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laura Markham—clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and founder of Aha! Parenting—...

If you’re feeling torn about putting your child in daycare, a day home, or with a nanny, you’re not alone. This decision often comes with guilt, worry, and a quiet question many parents carry:  Am I doing the right thing for my child? In this episode, Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson open up about the emotional journey of choosing childcare. As both psychologists and moms, they shar...

Join us for a deeply insightful and compassionate conversation with Dr. Kelli Palfy , a registered psychologist and former RCMP officer, whose acclaimed book Men Too: Unspoken Truths About Male Sexual Abuse sheds light on a subject seldom discussed. Dr. Palfy brings her expertise to this episode, illuminating the complex landscape of trauma experienced by male survivors—ranging from mental health...

In this powerful and practical conversation from our Spring Summit, we welcome Rosalia Rivera—consent educator, sexual literacy advocate, and founder of Consent Parenting. Together, we explore one of the most critical yet often overlooked areas of parenting: body safety, consent, and preventing childhood sexual abuse. Rosalia equips parents with tools to protect their children through knowledge, c...

In this episode of the Child Psych Podcast, we're joined by mindfulness expert and author of Raising Good Humans , Hunter Clarke-Fields. Together, we respond to a heartfelt question from a parent facing daily battles over screen time—despite having clear rules in place. Hunter helps us unpack why these transitions can be so triggering, and what to do when staying calm feels out of reach. We explor...

In this episode of the Child Psych Podcast, we speak with Dr. Michelle Sherman , clinical psychologist and co-author of " I'm Not Alone " a powerful book written for teens who have a parent with mental illness. Dr. Sherman shares insights from decades of research and clinical work, shedding light on the unique challenges these teens face- and the hope, resilience, and healing that’s possible. We t...

In this episode of the Child Psych Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Aliza Pressman , developmental psychologist and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast, for a heartfelt conversation about the emotional heart of parenting. Together, we explore the building blocks of emotional regulation, the power of co-regulation, and how self-compassion is essential in our parenting journey. Dr. Pressman also sh...

In this episode of the Child Psych Podcast, Tania Johnson, registered psychologist and co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology , reads Chapter 4 from "T he Parenting handbook: Your Guide to Raising Resilient Children." This chapter explores what happens when we parent from a place of reactivity, often driven by stress, overwhelm, or our own unresolved triggers,and how it impacts our connec...

In this heartfelt and practical episode, we sit down with Kim John Payne —renowned author, family counselor, and pioneer of the Simplicity Parenting movement—to explore what it really means to stay grounded when our children are falling apart. Drawing from his book Being at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst , Kim shares compassionate, actionable strategies to help parents move from react...

In this episode of the Child Psych Podcast, Tammy Schamuhn interviews Sue McIntosh , a pioneer in equine-assisted therapy. They discuss the transformative power of horses in therapeutic settings, particularly for children facing trauma and emotional challenges. Sue shares her journey into this field, the importance of creating safety in therapy, and how horses can help regulate the nervous system....

In this eye-opening episode, Tania sits down with Constable Stephanie Bosch and Constable Scott Sterling from the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit to talk about the realities of online harm to children. Together, they unpack the rise of sextortion, the growing trend of youth sharing explicit images, and the sophisticated tactics offenders use to target children online. This is...