The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Series 2 of the Empowered Parent Podcast, where we explore neurodiversity and attunement to children with "rainbow brains." I'm setting the foundation for upcoming conversations with parents, professionals, and neurodivergent individuals by sharing insights from the recent Neurodiversity and Wellbeing Conference. • Neurodiversity, a term coined by Austral...

Send us Fan Mail The journey we've been on together for 71 episodes is taking a thoughtful pause. After two years of deep conversations about neuroaffirming parenting, understanding our children's unique neurological wiring, and moving from compliance-based expectations to relationship-centered approaches, it's time for me to rest and refill my well. Throughout our episodes, we&apos...

Send us Fan Mail "Knowledge is power" takes center stage in this eye-opening conversation with Caroline Mundy, Director of Tevey Loans – a mortgage broking business built on empowering clients through education and heart-led service. Caroline shares her journey from single mother of five escaping an abusive relationship to creating a thriving financial services business designed to help...

Send us Fan Mail What if Mother's Day was never supposed to be about flowers and gifts at all? This special episode reveals the forgotten origins of Mother's Day in Australian hospitals, where Janet Hayden collected gifts for lonely mothers who had lost children to war—a far cry from today's commercial celebrations. Beyond the greeting cards lies a profound truth: motherhood carries...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the complex world of early childhood education can feel overwhelming for parents. In this illuminating conversation with Neelam Khatri, a kindergarten teacher with a Master's degree in teaching, we uncover the hidden depths of what really happens in childcare settings and kindergartens across Australia. Neelam shares her personal journey from Nepal to Australia, wh...

Send us Fan Mail Kerry Herbert opens up about her 40-year journey as an early childhood teacher and her passionate belief in the power of play. With a twinkle in her eye and wisdom gained from decades of working with young children, Kerry shares why she considers play "the highest form of research," echoing Einstein's famous quote. What makes this conversation particularly valuable...

Send us Fan Mail Looking beyond conventional healthcare for your child can feel like navigating without a map. Where do you find practitioners who understand children need support for their body, mind, and spirit? How do you know which approaches might help your unique child thrive? Rose Irranca, a social worker with over 20 years of experience working with children, faced this exact challenge. Af...

Send us Fan Mail Masculine and feminine energies aren't just abstract concepts—they're powerful forces shaping our relationships, parenting approaches, and personal wellbeing. In this deeply insightful conversation with NLP Master Trainer Toni Everard, we explore how these complementary energies function like a battery within each of us, creating the vital polarity needed for energized,...

Send us Fan Mail Occupational Therapist Judy Au explores the holistic approach of pediatric OT, explaining how foundational skills underpin a child's ability to participate in daily activities and engage with the world. • Occupational therapy supports children in all daily activities including play, social interactions, and self-care • The DIR Floortime approach is relationship-based, conside...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you're the only speech pathologist for hundreds of kilometers? Meet Bethany Burrell, founder of Speak To Bee, who travels across 200 kilometers of rural Victoria supporting children and adults with complex communication needs. Her journey reveals the hidden struggle of families in remote communities facing five-year waiting lists, three-hour drives to specia...

Send us Fan Mail Speech Pathologist Nikita Pinto reveals the critical pre-linguistic skills children need to develop before they can speak their first words. These foundation skills are essential building blocks that support all future communication development. • Reacting to sounds and people in the environment forms the basis of listening and understanding • Responding to people and turn-taking...

Send us Fan Mail Could laughter be the most underrated therapy for both children and adults? Meet Annie Harvey, affectionately known as "the laughter therapist," whose journey from stressed caregiver to laughter yoga leader offers a fascinating glimpse into how simulated laughter can transform our neurological health. Annie shares her powerful story of caring for her parents with dementi...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to effective communication with children in this enlightening episode featuring speech pathologist Maria Radimissis. Journey with us as we explore the fundamental differences between traditional and developmental speech pathology, highlighting why a deeper understanding of children's individual needs can lead to transformative outcomes. Maria shares her ins...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the world of friendships and dating can be tough for anyone, but it poses unique challenges for neurodivergent teens and young adults. This episode brings light to the transformative "Steps to Connect" program, developed by Bindy Taylor and Dana, specifically designed to empower these individuals as they forge meaningful connections. By combining mindset coach...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine shifting from a life of constant hustle to one of fulfilling simplicity. In our latest episode, Sonia Taddeo returns to share her powerful journey of overcoming public speaking fears and embracing authenticity, all while spearheading her "33 steps" initiative. This project highlights the importance of taking small yet impactful actions for the betterment of our e...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Annmarie Chereso, a renowned parent coach and author, as she shares her incredible journey through life's toughest challenges. From navigating a tumultuous divorce during pregnancy to overcoming infidelity and addiction, Annmarie's story is a testament to resilience and personal growth. Through these trials, she learned to embra...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how a career in government could transform into a successful journey in holistic wellness? Amanda Collings-Wells took that leap, motivated by a personal loss and a desire for a more meaningful path. In our conversation, Amanda opens up about her inspiring transition from a government agency worker to a thriving wellness entrepreneur. She shares her insights...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of keeping your family safe in the digital world with insights from our guest, Craig Clarke, a cybersecurity expert passionate about bridging technology and parenting. As children spend more time online for school and play, understanding cybersecurity beyond antivirus software is crucial. Craig shares practical advice for aligning school and home safety practice...

Send us Fan Mail Priya Senroy’s journey from aspiring astronaut to pioneering drama therapist is a tale of unexpected turns and transformative experiences. Join us on the Empowered Parent Podcast as Priya shares how her mother's transition from classical dancer to disability educator in India inspired her to harness creativity as a force for change. Through compelling stories, Priya reveals h...

Send us Fan Mail What are the secrets to ensuring a smooth transition back to school for your child? Join us as we unlock the expert insights of Kerry Herbert, a seasoned early childhood educator, who guides us through the essential steps parents can take to support their little ones as they return from holiday breaks. From creating visual routines with photos to practicing daily sequences, we exp...

Send us Fan Mail Could societal pressures be leading mothers down the path to burnout without them even realizing it? Explore this pressing issue with us as we engage in a heartfelt conversation with Monica Sandercock, a life coach and co-founder of Magnificent Mindset. Monica opens up about her own emotional journey from being a Swedish backpacker to embracing motherhood and coaching in Adelaide,...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the transformative power of friendship with Rebecca Sparrow, our esteemed guest known as the "friendship whisperer." Rebecca opens up about her unique journey from a communications role to becoming an influential author and speaker. With personal stories of social awkwardness and introversion, she shares invaluable insights into nurturing meaningful connections,...

Send us Fan Mail Step into a transformative journey that promises to unlock your inner strength and guide you toward the person and parent you aspire to be in 2025. Imagine each step releasing stress and inviting abundance into your life, as you embrace qualities like patience, strength, and joy. In this episode, I offer you a walking meditation experience designed to ground you physically and men...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when we pause to truly reflect on a year's worth of triumphs and challenges, especially for those navigating life as parents of neurodivergent children? Join me on this enlightening journey where we explore the power of celebrating our personal victories, from the seemingly small wins to the monumental achievements like completing my NLP training and launching th...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine growing up with a calling that shapes your entire life. Father Philip Marshall joins us to share his profound journey to priesthood, revealing how a deep-seated sense of purpose from childhood led him to embrace his vocation. As the holiday season approaches, Father Philip delves into the heart of Christmas, reflecting on the Christian belief in God's unconditional lo...