The Uplift Kids Podcast

We're excited to announce that we're working on three books centered in wisdom: a book for parents, a book for kids, and a book for littles. Each of these books explores the concept of polarities, and they make for a great supplement and introduction to our lesson library. We hope to release these books by late fall, and as a result we will be taking a break from podcasting until then. Sta...

In this episode, we talk about our latest no-prep moment for members, which centers on the concept of polarities. Polarities are the foundation of wise living, and naming them is the way toward finding what's most appropriate at any given moment. The earlier kids learn these skills, the better they're able to avoid getting stuck in unhealthy patterns. See our no-prep moments: UpliftKids.or...

Learning how to delay gratification is perhaps more urgent than ever in a culture that gives us immediate dopamine hits on demand. As kids develop the capacity to notice their impulses and feelings without immediately acting on them, they'll develop the capacity for long-term joy and inner peace. Listen to Amanda Suarez, school psychologist, and Michelle Larsen, marriage and family therapist a...

Kids need to feel that they're cared for and loved to develop in a healthy way. This doesn't mean that they get to do whatever they want in the home (they can't harm their siblings, for instance), but it does mean that they feel that they can have conflict without calling into question their basic worth. Hear this episode to understand how to nurture a field of love at home — which is...

One of the most frequent comments that Uplift Kids Co-founder Michelle Larson hears in her work as a therapist is “I wish I’d learned these skills years ago, when I was a kid!” Our new no-prep program for 2026 gives you weekly moments to explore timeless skills together. Whether you’re learning how to manage big emotions, think kind thoughts, find good friends, or find your purpose, these skills a...

It's only by accepting what is, as it is, that we have a hope to transform into the people we most want to become. In this conversation, Amanda and Michelle tell stories from their experience in school counseling and therapy that spell out how parents can bring acceptance into the heart of the home. Sign up now for our new no-prep program in 2026! We will be making our first price increase in...

"Patch a few words together," writes Mary Oliver in her poem "Praying," "and don't try to make them elaborate. This isn't a contest, but the doorway into thanks." Listen to hear why prayer and silence matter, regardless of belief or disbelief, and how you can find what works for you in your home. See the full lesson: UpliftKids.org/lessons/prayer

“Actions may speak louder than words," writes the researcher Angela Duckworth, "but actions and words together send the clearest message of all.” In this episode, Michelle Larson, marriage and family therapist associate, and Amanda Suarez, school psychologist, talk about why it's so essential for families to explore values together. When we talk about what's most important to us,...

 One of the values that we have at Uplift Kids is helping families be intentional together, and this can look many, many different ways. Without *some* intentional time, there can be drifting apart and a lack of meaning. So we wanted to talk about ways to be intentional. One of the sources that we've pulled from in this episode is a book called The Intentional Family by a family therapist name...

While kids typically don't need to (or want to) talk about political policies, there are things parents can do to help them talk about differences in healthy and productive ways. In this episode, Amanda Suarez (school psychologist) and Michelle Larson (marriage and family therapist associate) give practical ideas to help kids listen and speak about what matters to them.

How do you help kids make friends in a digital age, especially when digital communication can be so fraught. Amanda, Michelle, and Jon talk about guidelines that can help parents and kids alike. Join our parenting workshop in Utah on October 5th. We'd love to meet you in person alongside other parents interested in expansive spirituality and timeless values. See details: https://upliftkids.org...

Amanda Suarez (school psychologist) and Michelle Larson (marriage and family therapist associate) talk about how to best help kids develop the skill of self-advocacy so they can be clear about their wants and needs. We also announce a family day camp in Utah on October 4th. See details: https://upliftkids.org/uplift-family-day-camp/

In this episode, Amanda Suarez (school psychologist) and Michelle Larsen (marriage and family therapist associate) talk about common responses to stress and trauma — and how to develop a wise, confident, and calm response to such situations instead. It all pairs well with our printable on the topic in our social and emotional library, found at: UpliftKids.org/SEL

*Note that we've switched to new episodes every other week. In this episode we talk about our latest printable in our social and emotional library — a printable that outlines 6 breathing strategies that can help kids find a sense of calm throughout their lives. It's a useful way to get through an emotionally overwhelming moment at home, with friends, at school, or anywhere!

How can you help kids respond to problems instead of react to them? School psychologist Amanda Suarez and marriage and family therapist associate Michelle Larson talk about a timeless concept conveyed simply in one of our original printables that families can use at home with kids. See our printables for members: https://upliftkids.org/social-and-emotional-skills-printables-for-kids/

In this week's episode, Uplift Kids cofounder Jon Ogden talks about our third family camp in Scholls Valley, Oregon, including some highlights from the feedback we received. Join the waitlist for next year's camp: https://upliftkids.org/family-camp/ Jon also announces a new direction for the podcast, which will focus on exploring a new skills-based printable each week from our growing soci...

In our final exploration of the book Raising Securely Attached Kids, Amanda, Michelle, and Jon talk about the need to balance warmth and structure in the home to build a trusting environment. An excerpt, from Amanda:  "When I think about what this could look like in a home like in the morning there could be a visual checklist of, "This is the routine. This is what we do in the morning: W...

This week Michelle (therapist associate) and Amanda (school psychologist) continue the conversation about Eli Harwood's book Raising Securely Attached Kids . They talk about a cooperation-based approach to parenting and where parents might go wrong in getting to that approach by being either too domineering or too indulgent. They also talk about reflective functioning and "good enough par...

Michelle, Amanda, and Jon discuss practical insights from Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood. Hear how to experience attunement and co-regulation, giving your kids a foundation of love and generosity.

In this episode, Amanda Suarez and Jon Ogden explore one of the three frameworks we use in our conflict lesson. Use it to navigate conflict at home. https://upliftkids.org/lessons/conflict/ Michelle returns next week, which is when we will start our conversation about Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood.

See our writeup about our first book club for members, which focused on the book Already Free by the therapist Bruce Tift: https://upliftkids.org/blog/parenting-therapy-buddhism/ Also get ready for our next book club in a month. We'll explore Raising Securely Attached Kids: Using Connection-Focused Parenting to Create Confidence, Empathy, and Resilience by Eli Harwood: https://attachmentnerd.c...

Amanda and Jon talk about the concept of having kindness toward everything that arises — whether it be an emotion, a situation we can avoid, or something else. It's a timeless skill to learn as a parent and a timeless skill to teach kids. Join us for our book club on Monday, June 2nd. If you're an Uplift member, check your email inbox to register.

Michelle interviews her friend Brenda, who attended our parenting retreat earlier this year and came away with amazing insights. Sign up for the next retreat's waitlist: https://upliftkids.org/parenting/ Also: Members can join our book club on June 2nd! See the Sunday email for the link.

Amanda, Michelle, and Jon continue their discussion of Bruce Tift's Already Free ahead of the book club for members on Monday, June 2nd. Listen to get practical insights about how to stay with your embodied immediacy during intense parenting situations so you can respond with clarity.

In this episode we introduce the basic concepts in the book Already Free by Bruce Tift, which is our first book for the Uplift book club. Listen for practical insights to help kids know they are already free and whole — and could also use some improvement. :) This book and conversation is perfect for exploring your own patterns and helping kids navigate theirs. Join our book club discussion — for...