The Growth Kit

My wife, a psychologist who has worked with children who have been the victims of trauma for much of her career, was the first to teach me about “Special Time.” At first, I wrote it off as a fluff fad that’s part of the latest parenting trend. Then I learned more about the science, heard the success stories, and started to use it with my own kids (with some struggles at first). Now I’m a believer....

Over the years I’ve worked with many patients who “worked their butt off” for decades at their jobs in order to stop working in their 60’s and enjoy retirement.  They tell me they’ve put in their time, saved up enough, had their retirement party, and walked away from work with the biggest smiles.  Fast forward a year and their bucket list is complete but they’re in rehab because the retired life t...

Unearth 101 everyday manmade wonders we often overlook in our fast-paced modern world, and delve into the profound reasons behind our natural inclination to take things for granted. Learn how our brains evolved to adapt, and how this adaptation can sometimes lead to lifestyle creep, a.k.a. the Diderot Effect, as we habituate to even the most remarkable facets of our lives and its impact on our con...

As a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist specializing in Integrative Oncology, Katrina Foe's journey from cancer survivor to healer is one marked by defiance against conventional wisdom and a commitment to empowering others to reclaim their health naturally. Her journey began with a startling discovery—a golf ball-sized lump in her left breast while nursing her fifth child. Refusing to succu...

Every time I work with a patient I have the opportunity to be mindless and go through the motions, Like most things in life, choosing to be mindful and invest in the patient and the situation at hand always proves to be more fruitful. Here is the second part ( part 1 is here ) of a series on life lessons I’ve learned in my career as an OT. Listen on  Spotify ,  Apple ,  Amazon Music ,  iHeart Radi...

Here are practical strategies for instilling confidence in children by embracing failure, addressing fears, and praising effort over outcomes. The article emphasizes the importance of changing perspectives on failure, making it a teachable moment for problem-solving and resilience. It encourages open conversations about fear, fostering emotional intelligence. Effort-based praise is highlighted as...

When it comes to healthy footwear, minimalist shoes have emerged as a distinctive choice, challenging the conventional norms that have shaped the design of shoes for decades. Often referred to as barefoot shoes or zero-drop shoes, these alternatives discard the elevated heel and narrow toe boxes commonly found in traditional footwear. Instead, minimalist shoes aim to mimic the sensation of walking...

Hey everyone, Brian Comly here, your host for The Growth Kit! Today, we're going deep into the world of functional medicine with a true trailblazer in the field, Dr. Terry Wahls. Dr. Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine and the visionary behind The Wahls Foundation and The Wahls Protocol, a strategy I've talked to countless patients about. She'll share her incredible story early i...

Childhood is a critical period for growth and development, which is why it’s important to establish healthy eating habits early. A nutritious diet significantly influences cardiovascular disease risk, obesity, metabolic function, and cognitive development. Recognizing factors such as parental role modeling, peer influence, and food accessibility is a good start. Read The Article: Kids Nutrition: T...

Listen on Spotify , Apple , Amazon Music , iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on YouTube . Read The Article: 12 Daily Non-Negotiables Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit HQ): ⁠⁠Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www. MindBodyDad.com⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBodyDad)⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram (The Growth Kit)⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠ Affiliate Disclosure

In 2014, Greg Lukianoff sought Jonathan Haidt's help to unravel a mystery: a shift from college administrators initiating campus censorship to students demanding it. This led to their collaboration on the widely popular Atlantic article, "The Coddling of the American Mind," exploring the rise of "safe spaces" and heightened sensitivity on campuses. The duo further expanded...

A child's first 12 years heavily rely on visual abilities, constituting 80% of their learning. Vision deficits often underlie behavioral, learning, or mood disorders, affecting a significant number of children. Beyond routine eye exams, interventions like vision therapy, collaboratively conducted by occupational therapists, optometrists, and vision therapists, offer non-invasive solutions for...

Kids do annoying things (lying, pushing boundaries, tantrumming) but these are not only developmentally appropriate but they may be a sign of health and intelligence. Read The Article: Annoying Things Kids Do (That Are Signs Of Healthy Growth) Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit HQ): ⁠⁠Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www. MindBodyDad.com⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBodyDad)⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram (The Growth Kit)⁠ ⁠⁠Twit...

Learn why vegetable oils (also called seed oils) are bad and what the best replacement oils are. Listen on  Spotify ,  Apple ,  Amazon Music ,  iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on  YouTube . Read The Article: 3 Of The Safest Cooking Oils (That Aren't Vegetable Oils) Things Mentioned: Primal Kitchen’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil   (use promo code: MindBodyDad for 10%...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Growth Kit! Today's episode is brought to you by a very special guest, my 6-year-old nephew Flynn. Flynn and my sister have been on quite a journey, learning and growing alongside Laura Petix, also known as the OT Butterfly. Laura is an occupational therapist specializing in the field of neurodiversity, and she's the author of the insightful book &...

This is part 2 of a 2-part series on ways to lower your body fat percentage. Read The Article: ⁠The 12 Best Tips To Lower Body Fat⁠ Things Mentioned (Part 1 & 2): See the ⁠American Council on Exercise⁠ (ACE), for general body fat percentage ranges based on gender. Measure body fat with: Skinfold Calipers: This method involves measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat at various points on the...

Learn what a good body fat percentage is, why keeping your body weight in a healthy range is important, and the 13 best fat loss tips to do this. The first six tips are the most effective while all of them may influence your scale. Most importantly, prioritize adherence. Do what makes you healthy and happy for sustainability. Read The Article: The 12 Best Tips To Lower Body Fat Things Mentioned (P...

Every parent fits into one of these 4 parenting styles but only one is considered the gold standard. What are the 4 styles of parenting? Read The Article: What are the 4 Types of Parenting Styles? Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit's HQ): ⁠⁠ Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBodyDad)⁠ Instagram (The Growth Kit)⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www. MindBodyDad.com⁠⁠ Affiliate Disclosu...

Alzheimer's disease ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., marked by a gradual cognitive decline. Dr. Dale Bredesen challenges the notion of its irreversibility in his book, "The End of Alzheimer's Program," presenting an innovative method to prevent and reverse the disease. Drawing on over 20 years of research, Bredesen's approach addresses 36 metabolic facto...

Coffee is generally very healthy but what is that cup you’re making in the morning is actually toxic? Here is how to make the healthiest cup of coffee without the toxins. Listen on Spotify , Apple , Amazon Music , iHeart Radio , or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Watch on YouTube . Read The Article: ⁠How To Make The Healthiest Cup Of Coffee⁠ Things Mentioned: EWG Tap Water Database . We use the W...

Tim Ferriss skyrocketed to stardom with his first book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich back in 2007.  From there he has become respected for his podcast interviews and his work and funding with psychedelics through Johns Hopkins.  He rode the “4-Hour” wave with The 4-Hour Chef and another called 4-Hour Body An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex a...

Raising toddlers is a rewarding yet challenging phase of parenting that often leaves caregivers searching for guidance and effective strategies. Toddlers are constantly exploring the world around them, asserting their independence, and developing their personalities. As a parent or caregiver, understanding the unique needs and behaviors of toddlers is essential to provide them with the support and...

Learn all about shoulder impingement syndrome, a prevalent and often painful condition that can affect anyone. We'll dive into its causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options, helping you understand how to recognize this common shoulder issue. Discover effective strategies for preventing shoulder impingement and managing its symptoms, and find out how you can stay proactive in promot...

Three takeaways from Think Again by Adam Grant. Learn about the surprising impact of household conflict on kids, what the best negotiators do, and the case against valedictorians. Read The Article: Think Again by Adam Grant: 3 Takeaways Connect With MindBodyDad (The Growth Kit's HQ): ⁠⁠ Weekly Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ (MindBodyDad)⁠ Instagram (The Growth Kit)⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠w...

As an occupational therapist (OT), I meet new and unique people every day who are in some of the toughest moments of their lives.  Physically and mentally their backs are against the wall but they work with me as a way to gain a little independence, address some weaknesses, and to simply become better.  Every interaction with them is an opportunity to learn something new.  Every moment is as impac...