Episodes

In this episode, DJ talks with Procrastination Coach, Podcaster and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Christine Li about setting attainable goals, manipulating your mindset and how failures are our best teachers and a brand new opportunity to reset ourselves for success. Stay tuned for this episode! DJ talks with Procrastination Coach, Dr. Christine Li, about just how common procrastination is, why we practice it and how to overcome it by incrementally changing our daily habits and focusing on just on...

Last episode, DJ brought you 10 tips to help your child avoid a Christmas meltdown. In this episode, she’s bringing all you overcommitted, trying-to-exceed-everyone’s-expectations, grown-ups out there some tips to avoid your own meltdown as you navigate your way through the busy holiday season. Avoid your own spontaneous combustion and stay tuned for this episode! DJ gets real with her advice for all you parents out there trying to make Christmas perfect for everyone and poses some important qu...

Tis’ the season for large family gatherings, twinkling lights, music, laughter, presents, an overabundance of food and more. In this episode, DJ shares her top tips on how to consider your child’s individual needs and their routine to keep them from becoming overstimulated this holiday. Explaining to your children what is to come, like the fact that Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit for Christmas and will be taking over their bed until they leave, will help reduce anxiety and potential ta...

In this episode DJ talks with Matt Ballard about helping your child develop the spirit of giving instead of receiving and how we can guide our children in departing from the “getting” mentality by helping them look outward and to serve others by altruistically giving. In a society where everything is about instant gratification that includes same-day delivery, how do we keep consumerism from eating our children alive? Tune in to hear one parent’s success of circumventing this by helping his chi...

In this episode DJ talks with Clarissa about how to raise 6 children with different needs and desires when one of them has cerebral palsy; her life of frequent doctor and therapy appointments and her hesitance... then acceptance of respite care so she could use it as an opportunity to rejuvenate and take care of herself. Don’t miss this episode! DJ chats with Clarissa Nelson, mother of 6 whose oldest was born with cerebral palsy, to discuss raising a child with disabilities; how she manages her...

In this episode DJ poses the question and answers it... of how we should go about raising children who not only have strong family values, but who also value family? Tune in for some great tips on teaching our children through our actions that family is only as important as we make it. Dr. Laura once said you are part of two families; the one you grew up in and the one you create. The one you grew up in may have been dysfunctional or downright toxic. As a parent, it's your responsibility to mak...

In this episode DJ is talking about the upcoming Trinity of Holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s, how they are all connected and how each one can prepare you and your family for the next and enrich your lives… if you look at them as steps we can all take to be better people. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND the 3 truths, the Trinity of Holidays and how teaching your children the precepts around these Holidays - humility, gratitude and new beginnings - can lead them...

Traditions and rules are being broken in this podcast episode! And everyone is going to be better for it! Tune in to hear how you and your children can have a more substantive and impactful holiday season together by intentionally setting out to create your own traditions and doing only what feels right for you and your family. Be sure to leave us a 5-Star Rating and Review. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND when it comes to the chaos of the holidays, letting go of the things...

From managing tempers and the number of potty breaks taken to regulating screen time and throwing in some quiet time, listening to this episode will give you the perfect recipe to take your next family trip with small children from half-baked pandemounium to perfection with peace, order and harmony. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND how to prepare for long distance travel with small children no matter the travel method. Tell us a few of your favorite tips for traveling with sm...

HALLOWEEN is coming! And it is an exciting time of year for our children. In this episode, DJ is breaking down the pros and cons of “All Hallows Eve” and how we can turn this spooky and sugar-filled occasion into a beautiful relationship building and teaching moment for our little moppets! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND how to utilize the Halloween holiday as an enriching teaching moment for your child and create lasting memories. Tell us how you have capitalized on the Ha...

It's time to Potty Training...or is it? is an exciting time. It's full of anticipation, frustration, excitement and joy. In this episode DJ shares her experiences as the mother of 5 and an early childhood specialist and breaks down the strategies that work and the strategies to avoid. Let's take this special time in the life of your child to build their confidence, their independence and your relationship. By the time you finish listening you will understand how to know if your child is ready t...

It is so hard to see your children arguing, picking on one another and even fighting. You want them to love one another and to be friends. Perhaps that happens some of the time or most of the time, but then there are those times when the discord becomes so frustrating and disheartening. Sometimes there is one child that seems more angry than the others. You begin to question your ability as a parent. The truth is most discord in the family come from common roots. In this episode you will learn ...

We have all had those days and nights where it seems our child never stops crying or screaming. You are exhausted, stressed and feeling like if you were a better parent you would be able to make them stop. You feel insecure, ineffective, worried, and maybe a little depressed or even angry. Angry at yourself and even though you hate to admit it, angry at your child. Why can't they calm down. It seems like your child is angry at you or just taking out their frustrations on you. If they were happy,...

You are a parent who wants to be more present with your family but things just seem to get in the way. Sometimes we worry, and there are so many things we worry about. Finances, family issues, work issues, our own insecurities, what people think when your children act up, and the list goes on and on. In this episode I continue my discussion with therapist, Don Bennion on the internal workings of being present. All of this works for you whether you are at home, work, church or any other situation...

Are you a parent who wants to be more present with your family but things just seem to get in the way? Sometimes we worry, and there are so many things we worry about. Finances, family issues, work issues, our own insecurities, what people think when your children act up, and the list goes on and on. Therapist, Don Bennion joins me in this two-part discussion on the internal workings of being present. All of this works for you whether you are at home, work, church or any other situation. In this...

Most parents work while raising kids. Even if you are blessed to be at home, it is easy to become overly busy with being a volunteer with teams, school and church. While there are many different ways to find balance, in this episode I highlight 10. In this episode you will learn; What things you should consider as you decide which activities your family will participate. How every yes means a no to something else. Things you can do at work that can help with attending important family events....

Postpartum Depression is serious business and more common than you might think. Whether it is something you may be struggling with or someone you love, this is the episode for you. New moms may be thinking they are crazy, a bad mom, undeserving, angry, or frustrated for seemingly no good reason. There are lots of professionals with lots of advice. In this episode I have a conversation with a mom who struggled through it. Postpartum depression from the point of view of the woman going through it ...

So many parents realize they need to further their education to better meet the needs of their family. Whether you are are starting new or going back, this episode is for you. In this episode my guest is Dr. Erin Bennion who had an Associates Degree in nursing when she got married. 3 kids later she decided to go back to school and went all the way to a PhD. She now has her dream job as a professor of nursing. While it wasn't always easy, Erin was able to meet her goal and finish before her oldes...

Are your kids unorganized? Do they struggle with simple chores and tasks? Does frustrated anger erupt after you have told them 50 times to get something done? Some of our children seem to get overwhelmed so easily. The simplest task seems to be too much. Perhaps you have tried visual schedules and showing them what to do. What more can you do? Listen in as I speak with Dr. Karen Dudeck-Brannan as we discuss this awesome sauce that helps you work with your children so they can grow into happy in...

It is hard for some parents to admit their child needs help in some way. It was for me. Today's guest is teacher Bailey Olsen from Michigan. She has so much experience in helping young students get the assistance they need to move forward in their education as well as their social and emotional growth. Bailey is currently a 2nd grade teacher, but she has experience in preschool and kindergarten. In our conversation Bailey shares some things parents can look for and how to work with teachers and ...

The first day of school can be a little daunting whether you are sending your precious child to preschool, kindergarten or higher grades. There are many changes with each year and with the uncertainty of containing and new COVID restrictions that seem to be changing daily, it can be hard to prepare your child for what they will be experiencing. By the end of this episode you will learn: How to create a plan that will meet the needs and personality of your child. How your own attitude is refle...

What to you need to know and do to make sure your children are safe if you're not there to protect them? I understand we don't like to talk about or plan for how things will go if we die, but if we don't plan it leaves the door open for making a difficult experience much much worse. In this episode I have a discussion with attorney Chuck Bennion about the options that are available and how you can make sure things are in place for your children to have the best life possible without you. After l...

I think almost every parent wants to raise strong daughters. In this episode I have a conversation with Sunny and Dan Bennion. A father/daughter team that has great respect for each other. Sunny is about to go off to her new adventure on a full-ride scholarship in soccer and softball in college. Listen as they reminisce about events and attitudes that helped Sunny become strong and confident. Sunny not only was the homecoming queen her senior, but managed to kick the game-winning field goal at t...

There are so many things we should never say to our kids, but for this episode, I highlight 10 common things that parents often say to their kids that tend to do more harm than good. By the end of this episode you will have the scoop on: some specific things parents say and the harm those things can do. things you can say instead that are more helpful and build your relationship with your child/ren. understand that even the best parents make mistakes and have room to improve. Please remembe...