UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents

"I'm bored." It's one of the most frustrating phrases parents hear—but what if boredom is actually a good thing? In this episode, we unpack why boredom plays a critical role in building creativity, independence, and problem-solving skills in young children. We explore what independent play really looks like across different ages and why it's often harder for kids (and parents) than we expect. We a...

Parent-teacher conferences can feel intimidating for many families—but they don't have to. In this special Cross Talk episode with our sister show Tiny Talks on Early Learning , we talk with Dr. Tricia Shelton and Paula Reese about how parents and educators can work together to better support children. Drawing from Dr. Shelton's new book, Partnering for Success: Strategies for Effective Parent-Tea...

This episode explores how attachment styles show up in parenting and why certain child behaviors can feel especially triggering. We'll briefly define attachment styles, then focus on how a parent's own upbringing and experiences shape their reactions to things like defiance, clinginess, and big emotions. We'll unpack why these responses can feel automatic, touch on the brain science behind stress...

Episode 6 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series In this final episode of Voices of Alabama Families , we look ahead—exploring the hopes, values, and changes families across Alabama want for the next generation. Through heartfelt reflections, contributors share a vision of a future where children feel safe, seen, and free to be who they are, while also emphasizing the importance of protecting what matter...

Episode 5 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Some of the most important things children need to understand are also the hardest to explain. In this episode,  Voices of Alabama Families explores how families across Alabama navigate conversations about difficult history—stories of segregation, integration, and racial injustice that are not just part of the past, but lived experiences that continue to s...

Episode 4 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Raising children has never been something families were meant to do alone, and in communities across Alabama, it hasn't been. In this episode, Voices of Alabama Families explores what it truly means to "raise a child in a village"—through the neighbors, educators, family members, and community leaders who step in, fill gaps, and show up in ways both seen a...

Episode 3 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Long before children can explain what they believe, they are already learning what matters—through the patterns, relationships, and traditions that surround them every day. In this episode,  Voices of Alabama Families explores how faith, family, and cultural values shape early learning across communities in Alabama. Through powerful personal stories, liste...

Episode 2 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Long before children ever step into a classroom, they are already learning—through stories shared in everyday moments. Around kitchen tables, on front porches, and in passing conversations, children begin to understand who they are and where they belong. In this episode, Voices of Alabama Families explores storytelling not as something imagined, but as som...

Episode 1 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series What we inherit shapes how we raise our children. In this opening episode of Voices of Alabama Families , we explore how history lives on through families, communities, and everyday experiences—and how those stories become a child's first lessons in identity, belonging, and resilience. From the legacy of Africatown to childhood memories on Davis Avenue, fr...

Public libraries are more than shelves of books—they are community anchors. In this episode of UNrattled , we sit down with the team from Foley Public Library, to talk about the powerful role libraries play in supporting families, early learners, and lifelong curiosity. This conversation shines a light on the programs, partnerships, and everyday moments that make community libraries safe, welcomin...

Supporting children on the autism spectrum takes collaboration between families, educators, healthcare providers, and communities. In this special crossover episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning and UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents , we sit down with Michelle McDaniel, Director of the USA Regional Autism Network, to explore what autism support looks like across the places children live, learn, a...

In this episode of UNrattled , we explore how parents can help children set meaningful goals, develop perseverance, and build the resilience to stick with hard things—without pushing too hard or tying worth to achievement. Drawing on research about grit, executive function, motivation, and social-emotional development, we break down what goal-setting looks like at different ages and how parents ca...

Transitions—ending playtime, getting out the door, moving from one activity to the next—can feel like small moments to adults but huge emotional events for young children. In this episode, we unpack why transitions so often trigger meltdowns, especially for children under five. Through simple brain science, real-life examples, and practical strategies, we explore what's really happening beneath th...

Parents today aren't just busy—we're exhausted. The days move fast, the mental load is constant, and even when everything gets done, it can still feel like you're behind. In this honest and candid conversation, we unpack why time feels so scarce for families—not because parents are failing, but because the load is genuinely heavy. From invisible labor and decision fatigue to overcommitment and the...

Episode Description: Parenting comes with worries — but when anxiety sticks around, overthinking every decision and anticipating worst-case scenarios can take a real toll on you and your family. In this episode of UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents, we talk candidly about what it's like to parent when you have anxiety. We'll explore how anxiety shows up in everyday moments, how it can subtly influen...

In Digging In: Cultivating Curiosity Through Gardening and Biodiversity , we explore how everyday experiences in nature—from planting a garden to discovering bugs in the soil—play a powerful role in children's learning and development. Designed for both parents and early childhood professionals, this episode highlights how hands-on outdoor experiences build curiosity, confidence, healthy habits, a...

The holidays are supposed to be magical… but for many parents, they also come with pressure, comparison, guilt, and unrealistic expectations. In this honest and laugh-filled conversation, we unpack the stressors that make this season feel so heavy—gift-giving guilt, family obligations, overstimulated kids, and the myth of the "perfect holiday parent." We explore why the holidays often trigger disa...

When our kids are melting down, it can feel impossible to stay calm — but that's exactly when they need our calm the most. In this episode of Unrattled, we sit down with licensed therapist Lauren Poiroux-Harvey from The Sommer House in Mobile to explore the life-changing power of co-regulation — the process of calming our children by calming ourselves. Lauren breaks down what co-regulation really...

Parenting doesn't come with a manual—or a guarantee that we'll always feel ready for what comes next. In this episode of UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents, we're talking about what it really means to "do it scared." Together, we'll unpack the courage it takes to act even when fear and self-doubt creep in—whether it's going back to school, starting therapy, changing jobs, or simply showing up differ...

What started as a well-intentioned shift toward empathy and connection has, for many families, turned into confusion, guilt, and unrealistic expectations. In this episode, clinical psychologist and author Dr. Emily Edlynn joins us to unpack the "gentle parenting" trend—and why it may be doing more harm than good. Drawing from her book Autonomy-Supportive Parenting, Dr. Edlynn explains how we can m...

For many families, thinking about financial planning can feel like a luxury—especially when every dollar is already accounted for and daily survival takes center stage. In this episode, we take a realistic look at how small, intentional steps can lead to greater peace of mind, especially in tough economic times. We're not talking spreadsheets or lectures—we're talking about mindset, habits, and le...

In this foundational episode of UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents, we begin the conversation around neurodivergence—what it means, how it may present in young children, and when parents might start noticing signs. With expert insight from Dr. Abigail Baxter, a longtime GRECS partner and advocate for inclusive early education, we'll unpack the terminology, explore the diversity of neurodevelopmental...

Inclusion in early learning isn't just a practice—it's a mindset that shapes how every child is welcomed, supported, and celebrated. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Abigail Baxter and parent advocate, Anna Knight, to explore what true inclusion looks like in child care and early education settings. Together, they share practical strategies, candid experiences, and heartfelt reflections on ho...

Episode Description: Parenting isn't about keeping the peace at all costs—it's about teaching, guiding, and sometimes saying "no" even when it's hard. In this episode, Lauren Poiroux Harvey joins us for a powerful conversation on setting boundaries with love, clarity, and confidence. We unpack why conflict with your child isn't something to fear or avoid—and how avoiding it may actually do more ha...

Choosing child care is one of the most important—and often overwhelming—decisions families face. In this episode of UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents, we're joined by Victoria Bolton, a trusted GRECS colleague and coach for Alabama's Infant Toddler Network, to help make the process easier. We break down what quality care really looks like, what questions to ask, and how to find a child care program...