The Direction Podcast

Parents spend a great deal of time telling their children how they hope they’ll behave. But children are often paying far more attention to what we do than to what we say. In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the leadership principles of Lead by Example, Not Decree, and Be a Positive Role Model. He discusses why children learn most effectively through observation, how everyday habits shape a chil...

If Duncan had to choose the single most important principle of good parenting, it would be this: show up.   In this episode, he explores why a parent’s presence is one of the most powerful influences in a child’s life. Drawing on clinical experience and examples from families facing difficult challenges, Duncan discusses attachment, role models, co-parenting, and the importance of remaining availa...

In this episode, Duncan introduces the Direction Leadership Principles, a framework used at Direction Behavioral Health to guide parenting, therapy, leadership, and personal growth. Drawing on ideas developed over years of working with children, adolescents, families, and treatment teams, Duncan outlines the core principles that underlie the Direction approach. The discussion explores how to appro...

In this episode, Duncan Gill is joined by Erin White, therapist, former educator, and parenting group leader at Direction Behavioral Health. Together they explore a surprisingly simple message for many parents: sometimes the best thing you can do is stop doing so much.   Erin discusses how well-intentioned adults often over-help, over-direct, and over-protect children in ways that unintentionally...

In this episode, Duncan Gill is joined by Valerie Bowles, OTR/L, Clinical Director at Direction Behavioral Health Associates. Val discusses occupational therapy, how childhood has changed in the age of smartphones and constant supervision, and why she believes modern children need more opportunities for risk, independence, and unstructured play.   The conversation explores everything from climbing...

In this introductory episode, Duncan Gill discusses the goals of The Direction Podcast and the experiences that shaped it. Drawing on more than two decades of work with children, adolescents, families, schools, and psychiatric systems, he outlines the themes that will be explored throughout the series.   Topics include parenting, adolescence, child psychiatry, diagnosis, medication, schools, socia...

What is the actual goal of parenting?   Most parents spend enormous amounts of time worrying about grades, behavior, happiness, friendships, anxiety, and countless day-to-day decisions. Yet many never stop to ask a more fundamental question: what are we ultimately trying to accomplish?   In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the idea that the central task of parenting is helping children become in...

Many parents assume that if their child is anxious, sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, the goal is to help them feel better. While understandable, that approach can sometimes get in the way of growth.   In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the difference between feeling better and functioning better. He discusses why discomfort is often a normal part of development, how avoidance can reinforce prob...

Parents often focus on academics, grades, and college preparation when evaluating schools. While these things matter, they may not be the most important factors in a child’s development. In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the concept of school culture: the values, relationships, expectations, and social environment that shape students every day. He discusses why healthy cultures help young peop...