Voices of Your Village

Episoade

• 390- The Thoughts That Shape Your Day (and What to Do With Them), with Dr. Rachel Goldman, PhD 28.05.2026 49min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about something I think so many of us are feeling right now: life is hard. And not in a “just think positive” kind of way-- In a real, full, sometimes overwhelming kind of way. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Rachel, and we’re diving into how we can acknowledge that reality without getting stuck there. We talk about the difference between toxic positivity and actually supporting ourselves through hard moments, how our thoughts shape how we feel and what we do next, and why you don’t have to overhaul your entire life to start feeling better. This conversation is really about coming back to what’s actually in your control, building a toolbox that works for you, and taking one small, doable step at a time. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Dr. Rachel: Instagram: @DrRachelNYC Website: www.DrRachelNYC.com Order the book: When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence, and Break Free Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 389- Parenting While Triggered: Why Understanding our "Parts" Matters, with Rebecca Geshuri, LMFT 21.05.2026 1h 14min

  Before we dive in: the breakdown of this episode includes a discussion of sexual assault. Please take care while listening. You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I’m joined by Rebecca Geshuri to talk about something that shows up in motherhood whether we realize it or not: all of our different parts. We get into Internal Family Systems, or IFS, and how the different parts of us—like the anxious part, the perfectionist part, or the “I’m not good enough” part—can take over in parenting. We talk about why motherhood brings these parts to the surface so quickly, how social and internal pressures amplify them, and what it actually looks like to meet those parts with curiosity instead of trying to push them away. This conversation is about understanding yourself in a deeper way so you can show up with more calm, more compassion, and more connection, both for your kids and for yourself. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Rebecca: Instagram: @rebeccageshurilmft Website: rebeccageshurilmft.com, secondstreetcollective.org Order the book: When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide For Transforming Guilt, Anxiety, and Anger into Compassion, Confidence, and Connectedness Postpartum Support International (PSI): https://postpartum.net Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 388- When Tech Meets Social Struggles: Supporting Kids in a Digital World, with Erin Walsh 14.05.2026 1h 14min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I’m joined by Erin Walsh to talk about something so many of us are navigating in real time: kids, screens, and the social world they’re growing up in. We get into what’s actually happening beneath the surface when kids feel left out, why social media raises the stakes during adolescence, and how tech can amplify the skill gaps that kids are still building. We also talk about what the research really says about online risks, from body image to unwanted contact, and how to stay connected with our kids without turning every conversation into a lecture. This episode is a grounded, practical look at how to support kids through a digital world that wasn’t built with their development in mind, while still protecting connection along the way. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Erin: Instagram: instagram.com/sparkandstitch Website: sparkandstitchinstitute.com Order the book: It's Their World First Device Guide PDF: Here  Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 387- Sobriety, Fatherhood, and Starting Over, with The Tired Dad, Jon Gustin 07.05.2026 48min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I’m joined by Jon Gustin, aka The Tired Dad. In this conversation, we get into what it really looks like to grow into parenthood, not just step into it. We talk about emotional regulation, breaking generational patterns, navigating partnership, and what it takes to show up for your kids in ways many of us didn’t experience growing up. Jon shares openly about his journey, including finding sobriety, and redefining what it means to be an engaged, present parent. This one is honest, grounding, and a reminder that we’re all learning as we go. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Jon: Instagram: @thetireddad Website: https://tireddad.com/ Order the book: The Tired Dad: 100 Reflections on Showing Up for What Matters Most Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 386- You Can’t Talk Kids Out of Big Feelings (But You Can Give Them Tools), with Jon Fogel 30.04.2026 53min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about something every parent and educator runs into: what do we actually do when kids have big feelings? In this episode, I’m joined by Jon Fogel, and we’re digging into emotional regulation, what it really looks like to help kids move through disappointment, frustration, fear, and overwhelm, and why we can’t wait until a child is melting down to start teaching those skills. We talk about songs, games, sensory tools, and the power of practicing regulation in calm moments so kids have something to reach for when things get hard. Jon also shares the story behind his new children’s book, Set My Feelings Free, and why giving kids simple, repeatable tools can make such a difference. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Jon: Instagram: @wholeparent Website: wholeparentacademy.com Order the book: Set My Feelings Free Podcast: Whole Parent Podcast Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 385- You Can Love Your Kids and Still Struggle with Motherhood, with Libby Ward 23.04.2026 1h 15min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I’m joined by Libby Ward—creator, author, and the voice behind Honest Motherhood—and this conversation is the kind that makes you feel a little less alone in your own brain.We’re talking about the mental load of motherhood, the pressure to be productive, and how hard it can be to rest even when your body is asking for it. Libby shares openly about self-doubt, overwhelm, and what it’s looked like to move from doing what she should do to actually listening to what she needs.We get into nervous system support, repair over perfection, and what it means to raise kids differently than we were raised—while still being human in the process.Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Libby: Instagram: @libbyward Website: www.libbyward.com Order the book: Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 384- How to Deal With Your Stuff So Your Kids Don’t Have To, with Eli Harwood 16.04.2026 57min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re getting into something that doesn’t get talked about enough in parenting: What happens when our stuff shows up in how we raise our kids. In this episode, I’m joined by Eli Harwood, and honestly, this one felt like part conversation, part therapy session. We’re talking about what it looks like when your child is wired differently than you… and how easy it is to project your own fears, needs, and past experiences onto them without even realizing it. We get into mismatch, anxiety, and those moments where you find yourself thinking, “They need this,” when really… it’s something you needed. Eli breaks down what it actually means to be a secure base for your kids. Not perfect, but steady. Being able to hold their emotions without needing to fix them. And how the real work of parenting is learning how to tolerate our own feelings so we don’t hand them off to our children. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I messing them up?” or felt that pull between wanting to protect your child and needing to let them be who they are… this episode is for you. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Eli: Instagram: @attachmentnerd Website: https://www.attachmentnerd.com/ Order the book: How to Deal with Your ____ So Your Kids Don't Have to: An Encyclopedia for Ditching Your Emotional Baggage Podcast: How to Deal  Secure Parent Program: Here Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 383- What Happens When We Stop Trying to Control Behavior, with Polina Shkadron, SLP 09.04.2026 1h 17min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about the kids who often get missed. The ones who look fine on the outside, hold it together at school, and then unravel at home. The kids whose feeding struggles, big reactions, sensory needs, or shutdowns can get mistaken for defiance when what’s really happening is so much more nuanced. In this episode, I’m joined by Polina Shkadron, and we’re digging into what it looks like to truly support neurodivergent kids through the lens of relationship, regulation, and trust. We talk about feeding challenges, masking, sensory differences, executive functioning, and why believing the child’s experience changes everything. This conversation hit home for me as a parent, because so much of this is about shifting out of “How do I make this behavior stop?” and into “What is this child telling me about their experience?” And that shift matters at home, in classrooms, and in every relationship we have with kids. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Polina: Instagram: @playtolearnconsulting Website: playtolearnconsulting.com Newsletter: https://playtolearnconsulting.com/resources/ PESI webinars mentioned: The “Not So Picky” Picky Eater  Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 382- What Kids Need Most When Parents Divorce, with Michelle Dempsey-Multack, MSEd 02.04.2026 54min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about one of the hardest family transitions to navigate with kids: divorce. In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Dempsey-Multack, and we’re digging into what it really looks like to take a child-first approach when parents separate. We talk about how to tell kids about divorce in a way that is honest, clear, and age-appropriate, what kids actually need in those early conversations, and how to support them without putting them in the middle. We also get into the long game of co-parenting: how to stay grounded when emotions are high, how to avoid making kids the messengers or collateral, and what it means to build a childhood your kids won’t have to recover from later. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Michelle: Instagram:@michelledempsey, @michellemultack Website: https://michelledempsey.com/ Order the book: Moms Moving On: Real-Life Advice on Conquering Divorce, Co-Parenting Through Conflict, and Becoming Your Best Self Podcast: The Moving On Podcast Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 381- Parenting Autism, Anxiety, and Overwhelm Without Losing Ourselves, with Lisa Candera 26.03.2026 1h 14min

  Before we dive in: this episode includes discussion of childhood mental health struggles and discusses suicidal ideation and self harm. Please take care while listening. You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about something that so many autism parents know in their bones but don’t always hear said out loud: sometimes what looks like defiance, aggression, or “too much” is actually overwhelm, burnout, anxiety, and a nervous system that cannot keep carrying what the world is asking of it. In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Candera of The Autism Mom Coach, and we talk honestly about parenting an autistic child through anxiety, OCD, burnout, and big behaviors. We get into the difference between can’t and won’t, what it looks like when the strategies that used to work stop working, how our own nervous systems shape what happens next, and why support for the parent matters just as much as support for the child. This conversation felt especially powerful to me as the mom of an autistic child, because there is so much nuance here. There is grief, love, exhaustion, advocacy, and so much invisible labor. Lisa brings both lived experience and deep compassion to this conversation, and I think so many parents are going to feel less alone in it. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Lisa: Instagram: @theautismmomcoach Website: https://theautismmomcoach.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-candera-949b3175/  Podcast:  The Autism Mom Coach Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 380- Screens Aren’t the Enemy: What Kids Actually Need From Us, with Brynn Putnam and Ash Brandin, EdS 19.03.2026 1h 9min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about screens, because my feed has been feeling so black-and-white lately. Screens are bad. Screens disconnect us. Avoid them at all costs. And I just don’t think that’s true, and I also don’t think it’s helpful. So we’re having a real conversation about what it looks like to raise kids in the world we’re actually living in, not the one we miss from when we were growing up. Screens are morally neutral. The question is what we do with them, what our kids are getting from them, and how we can use them as a tool for connection, instead of a source of tension. I’m joined by Ash Brandin, aka The Gamer Educator and author of Power On, and Brynn Putnam, the creator of Board, a face-to-face game console that blends the tactile pieces of board games with a digital screen so families can play together in a way that fuels connection. We talk about digital play being real play, why leisure doesn’t have to be productive, and how to build trust now so kids come to you later, when tech gets more complicated and has higher stakes. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Brynn: Instagram: @board.fun X: @brynnputnam Website: https://board.fun/ Connect with Ash: Instagram: @thegamereducator Website: https://thegamereducator.com/ Order the book: Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family Substack: https://thegamereducator.substack.com/ Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 379- Repair 101: What Kids Need to See After Conflict, with Aly Bullock, MFT 12.03.2026 1h 1min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about something most of us were never actually taught how to do: healthy conflict. In this episode, I’m joined by Aly Bullock, a licensed marriage and family therapist, communication coach, and mom of three, and we’re getting honest about what happens when one partner leans into conflict and the other shuts down. We unpack why silence can feel just as loud as yelling, how to name tension in front of kids without making them responsible for it, and what real repair actually sounds like beyond a quick “sorry about yesterday.” We also dig into “accountability” and why what we’re really asking for, from kids and from partners, is the ability to understand impact. That shift changes everything-- at home, and out in the world. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Aly: Instagram: @relationshipswithaly, @pairedapp Website: paired.com, relationshipswithaly.com Free trial & 25% off paired app: paired.com/alypodcast Aly's TALK Blueprint Course: https://www.relationshipswithaly.com/talk-blueprint Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 378- The Conversations Every Parent & Teacher Needs Right Now, with Eli Harwood, Dr. KC Rickerd, Dr. Destiny Huff and more 05.03.2026 1h 7min

  You're listening to Voices of Your Village, and I cannot wait for you to hear this episode. You’re about to get a preview of what’s coming in hot at our 2026 Seed Teacher Summit, happening March 10th through 12th. Each year, this summit is custom built with one goal in mind: to Transform Early Childhood and Elementary Education by supporting the adults who support kids. This year’s conversations feel especially timely-- and bonus, they're completely free. In this episode, you’ll hear short clips from several summit interviews that touch on topics like supporting anxious kids in school, how to manage disruptive behaviors, and why CRAWLING (yes crawling) matters for kids down the road, in kindergarten and beyond. These are just small glimpses of much deeper conversations you’ll have access to FOR FREE during the Summit. I hope you’ll join us and help this reach the people who need it most. Share it with your child’s teachers, fellow parents, school leaders, and caregivers who are craving practical, research-backed tools they can actually use in real life. If someone in your world could use support, clarity, or a reminder that they’re not failing and they’re not alone, this might be exactly what they need. You can register now at seedandsew.org/summit. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with us: Seed Teacher Summit- March 10-12! https://www.seedandsew.org/summit Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 377- What It Really Takes to Support Teachers Well, with Alex Loos and Kiley Linnell 26.02.2026 1h 14min

  You're listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we're going behind the scenes with two powerhouse early childhood educators who are working to shift school culture from the inside out. Kiley Linnell is the assistant director at one of Little Sprouts’ newest schools, and Alexandra Loos oversees systems-wide implementation across 41 programs. Together, we talk about what it really looks like to support teachers in real time—not just with one-off trainings, but with ongoing coaching and real tools that meet them in the moment. We explore how to help educators regulate their own nervous systems so they can show up for kids with patience and connection, and what happens when programs actually have a village behind them. If you're in early childhood or school leadership, this one is packed with takeaways to build a stronger, more sustainable culture. If this conversation sparks something for you, make sure to tell your kids' teachers about the Seed Teacher Summit, going live March 10th to 12th. It’s a free virtual event created to give educators the kind of ongoing support we talk about in this episode—tools to help them regulate, connect with kids, and feel less alone in the work. We’ll be featuring 18 incredible speakers who share our commitment to building schools where everyone—kids and adults—can thrive. You can learn more at seedandsew.org/summit. Alright folks, Lets dive in.  Connect with Alex and Kiley: Website: https://littlesprouts.com/ Connect with us: Seed Teacher Summit- March 10-12! https://www.seedandsew.org/summit Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 376- Kids Do Well If They Can; Then Why Are So Many Struggling in School? With Dr. Ross Greene, PhD 19.02.2026 1h 4min

  Before we dive in: the breakdown of this episode includes a discussion of sexual assault, and briefly mentions the Epstein Files. Please take care while listening. You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is one that hits close to home for so many of us—whether you’re parenting a kid who’s struggling in school, teaching in a classroom where big behaviors are on the rise, or simply wondering why it feels like more kids aren’t okay right now. I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Dr. Ross Greene, clinical psychologist and author of The Explosive Child, Lost at School, and now his newest book, The Kids Who Aren’t Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “kids do well if they can,” you’ve already been impacted by Dr. Greene’s work. In this conversation, we dig into what it really means to meet kids where they are—and what gets in the way of actually doing that in so many systems. We talk about why behavior isn’t the whole story, why diagnoses alone can’t capture the full picture, and how to shift from reactive discipline to proactive, collaborative support. If you’ve been feeling the weight of trying to support kids who are struggling, this episode offers both validation and real, hopeful direction. And— if this conversation sparks something for you, make sure to spread the word about the Seed Teacher Summit, going live March 10th to 12th. It’s a free virtual event created to give educators the kind of ongoing support we talk about in this episode—tools to help them regulate, connect with kids, and feel less alone in the work. We’ll be featuring 18 incredible speakers who share our commitment to building schools where everyone—kids and adults—can thrive. You can learn more at seedandsew.org/summit.Alright folks, Lets dive in. Connect with Dr. Ross Greene: Instagram: @livesinthebalance Website:  www.livesinthebalance.org Order the book:  The Kids Who Aren't Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 375- Parenting a Spicy One: Raising Big Personalities with Compassion and Boundaries, with Mary Van Geffen 12.02.2026 1h 34min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about those spicy ones. The kids who are big in personality, big in emotion, and big in challenging parents. Maybe you're raising one—or maybe you were one. I’m joined by parenting coach and author Mary Van Geffen, whose book Parenting a Spicy One is part memoir, part survival guide, and completely validating for the parents who feel like they’re doing everything “right” and still getting steamrolled by meltdowns, back talk, and constant negotiating. We talk about what it actually looks like to parent a strong-willed child, why traditional discipline often backfires, and how to stay connected even when your kid is pushing all your buttons. Mary brings humor, honesty, and so many practical tools to this conversation—and I think it’s one that so many of us need right now. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Mary: Instagram: @maryvangeffen Website: https://www.maryvangeffen.com/ Order the book: Parenting a Spicy One Or, Preorder here to access Mary’s Affirmations Masterclass and the Meltdown Meditations for Moms: https://www.maryvangeffen.com/parentingaspicyonebook Are you a spicy one quiz: Here Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 374- The Lifelong Impact of Having Been a “Good Kid”, with Maggie Nick, LCSW 05.02.2026 1h 24min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is for the good kids—and the adults they became. I got to sit down with Maggie Nick, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, therapist and founder of Camp Lovable, whose new book, Good Kids: Why You Suffered in Silence and How to Break the Cycle, dives into what it really means to be a “good kid”—and how that label can come with a cost. We explored the nervous system responses behind compliance, how shame shows up for people-pleasers, and what happens when kids feel like they can’t have needs. Maggie brings such warmth and clarity to topics like fawning, neuroception, boundaries, and the grief that can come with realizing how early we learned to silence ourselves. We also talk about raising our own kids in this awareness—how to stand beside them, not against them when they struggle—and what it looks like to break the cycle while still parenting with boundaries. If you’ve ever been the “easy one,” or you’re raising a kid who gets praised for never rocking the boat… this one’s for you. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Maggie: Instagram: @maggiewithperspectacles Website: maggienick.com  Order the book: Good Kids: Why You Suffered in Silence, and How to Break the Cycle Podcast: Coming Summer 2026! Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 373- “But I’m Bored!”: Rethinking Independent Play with Lizzie Assa, M.Ed. 29.01.2026 1h 14min

  You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re diving into something that might just change your day-to-day parenting rhythm: independent play. If you’ve ever heard, “But I’m boooored…” and felt that mix of annoyance, guilt and overwhelm rise in your chest, this episode is for you. I got to sit down with Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workspace for Children and author of the new book But I’m Bored!: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids. This is not a “just send them to the playroom” kind of conversation. Lizzie shares what independent play actually looks like at different ages, why it’s a key ingredient in raising confident, creative humans, and how to build it into your life—even if you feel like there’s no time and your kid never plays alone. We talk about quiet time, toy rotation, those tiny treasures your kid insists on keeping, and how to shift the energy around play in your home—without needing to overhaul your life. Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Lizzie: Instagram: @TheWorkspaceForChildren Website:  WorkspaceForChildren.com Order the book: But I'm Bored!: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids  Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 372- Parenting Kids Through Mental Health Struggles, with Kristina Kuzmic 22.01.2026 1h 14min

  Before we dive in: This episode includes a discussion of childhood mental health struggles and discusses suicidal ideation and self harm. Please take care while listening. You’re listening to Voices of Your Village and today we’re talking about one of the hardest realities of parenting—what it’s like when your child is struggling with their mental health and you can’t fix it. I’m joined by Kristina Kuzmič, author, speaker, and mom, for a powerful conversation about parenting through childhood depression, suicidal ideation, and the quiet moments that often get missed when kids look “fine” on the outside. We talk about the difference between sadness and depression, why so many kids struggle silently, and how our instinct to control—while deeply human—can sometimes push connection further away. Kristina shares what it looked like to shift from trying to fix her son’s pain to becoming a steady, safe presence instead. This episode is about letting go of perfection, building trust through curiosity, and creating a home where kids know they can say, “Something is wrong,” just as easily as they’d say they have a stomachache. If you’ve ever felt scared, helpless, or unsure how to show up when your child is hurting, this conversation is for you. Connect with Kristina: Instagram: @kristinakuzmic Website: https://kristinakuzmic.com/ Order the book: I Can Fix This: And Other Lies I Told Myself While Parenting My Struggling Child Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
• 371- Helping Kids Build Real Body Confidence Dr. Whitney Casares, MD 15.01.2026 1h 24min

  Welcome back to Voices of Your Village, and I'm so grateful to be sharing this conversation with you. If you’re raising bigger kids, those school-age humans navigating a world full of messages about what they should look like, eat, wear, or do with their bodies—this episode is for you.Today, I’m joined by Dr. Whitney Casares, pediatrician, author, and mom of two, to talk about real body confidence—not the “just love yourself!” kind, but the kind rooted in science, self-awareness, and actual conversations we can have with our kids.We dive into the difference between body literacy and body positivity, how to talk to kids about food without shame, and why it matters to meet every body with understanding.This is a conversation about equipping kids with tools and support,  and helping them feel at home in the bodies they live in—  whether they’re dealing with unexpected body changes, hurtful schoolyard comments, or the rising pressure to fit a mold, that, let's be honest, isn't realistic for most of us.Alright folks, let’s dive in. Connect with Dr. Whitney: Instagram: @modernmommydoc, @raising.body.confident.kids Website:  www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com Order the book: My One-of-a-Kind Body: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Me Podcast: The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices