Épisodes

  • TPP 471: Chris Balme on Making Middle School an Adventure Worth Savoring

    TPP 471: Chris Balme on Making Middle School an Adventure Worth Savoring
    Oct 21 2025
    My guest today is education leader and author Chris Balme, here to talk about his brand-new book Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome. In it, Chris gives middle schoolers themselves the tools to turn the ups and downs of adolescence into an adventure filled with meaning, growth, and connection. In our conversation, Chris shares why adventure and healthy risk-taking are so powerful during the middle school years, how parents can support their kids’ self-efficacy and independence, and what this can look like for neurodivergent learners. We also talk about the parallel journeys parents and kids go through during this stage, and how leaning into growth together can make middle school not just manageable, but truly awesome. About Chris Balme Chris Balme is an education leader, writer, and speaker. He’s endlessly curious about how we can raise wise, loving, and capable adolescents. Chris has co-founded and led two innovative schools, written a best-selling book called Finding the Magic in Middle School, and regularly speaks to and trains teachers and parents around the world. His new book, Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome, gives the keys to middle schoolers themselves, to turn the wild ride of adolescence into an adventure full of meaning and connection. Chris currently serves as Co-Principal of Hakuba International School, and as director of Argonaut, an online advisory program for middle schoolers from around the world. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. Things you'll learn from this episode How middle schoolers are far more capable than they’re often given credit for Why choice, authorship, and experiential learning are critical for building self-efficacy in adolescents How shifting from being the “boss” to being a guide helps parents support their child’s growth Why healthy risks and self-directed challenges are especially important for neurodivergent kids How parents can act as mirrors for their children’s experiences while growing themselves in the process Why creating supportive environments and offering practical adventures, like those in Challenge Accepted, helps middle schoolers thrive Resources mentioned Chris Balme’s website Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome by Chris Balme Finding the Magic in Middle School: Tapping Into the Power and Potential of the Middle School Years by Chris Balme Chris’s Substack Chris on Instagram The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 min
  • TPP 124b: Seth Perler on How Parents Can Help Their Kids Work Through Resistance

    TPP 124b: Seth Perler on How Parents Can Help Their Kids Work Through Resistance
    Nov 21 2025
    Executive functioning/education coach Seth Perler explores the concept of resistance in differently-wired kids and shares strategies and tools for how parents can support their kids in learning how to face their resistance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h et 29 min
  • TPP 475: Dr. Tamar Chansky on Freeing Your Child from OCD

    TPP 475: Dr. Tamar Chansky on Freeing Your Child from OCD
    Nov 18 2025
    Today we’re unpacking a topic that so many families struggle to understand—Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD—especially when it shows up in children. My guest is Dr. Tamar Chansky, a clinical psychologist and author of the newly updated and revised edition of her seminal book Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In our conversation, Tamar and I talk about how our understanding of OCD has evolved over the past 25 years, what intrusive thoughts really are, and how parents can recognize and respond to them with compassion and clarity. Tamar walks us through her five-step approach for helping kids manage OCD effectively, and she offers a message of hope—reminding us that with the right support, children can learn to take charge of their thoughts and lead full, joyful lives. About Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D. Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D., founder of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety, has helped thousands of children overcome fears and gripping mental compulsions. She is also the author of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Freeing Yourself from Anxiety. Things you'll learn from this episode How OCD can deeply impact family life and why awareness and understanding make such a difference Why recognizing the difference between typical anxiety and OCD is key to getting the right support How intrusive thoughts are more common than many realize—and can be effectively managed with treatment Why parents play a central role in helping children navigate OCD using structured, behavior-focused approaches How the five-step model empowers families to support change without reinforcing compulsions Why education, support, and understanding can ease parental fears and lead to better outcomes for kids Resources mentioned Dr. Tamar Chansky’s website Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Powerful, Practical Program for Parents of Children and Adolescents (Updated in 2025) by Dr. Tamar Chansky Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and Happiness by Dr. Tamar Chansky Freeing Yourself from Anxiety: Practical Strategies to Overcome Fears, Worries, and Phobias and Be Prepared for Life–from Toddlers to Teens by Dr. Tamar Chansky Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety in Plymouth Meeting, PA Dr. Tamar Chansky on How to Free Children from Negative Thinking (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) Tamar on Instagram Natasha Daniels on Helping Kids Crush OCD (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Overcome OCD With CBT and Exposures by Natasha Daniels Filmmaker Chris Baier Helps Families Get Unstuck from OCD (Tilt Parenting Podcast) UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie (Available with Spanish, French, Russian, Greek, Portuguese subtitles and an audio description) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 min
  • TPP 097b: A Masterclass in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 2 of 2)

    TPP 097b: A Masterclass in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 2 of 2)
    Nov 14 2025
    This week is a continuation of last week’s episode with executive functioning coach Seth Perler, which was so packed full of information (and also so long) that I had to break it up into two separate episodes, which I’m now referring to as a “masterclass” in executive functioning. In last week’s episode, Seth shared his protocol for setting up a child for success in their developing executive functioning skills. In today’s episode, Seth is going to get into the nitty gritty about specific strategies he uses to address different executive functioning challenges that show up in school and in life. THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: * What “Frankenstudy” is, and how to know where to focus your energies so you can create a “domino effect” with your child’s fledgling executive functioning skills * How to best use “learning planners” to learn how to think / talk through their plan (and what we’re doing wrong) * The benefits of monthly planners versus daily or weekly planners * Helping kids identify the “MIT” – most important thing – each day * The importance of creating a sacred study space for a child * How to optimize an internet browser to make it easy with bookmark bars (and have tabs automatically open, including calendar, grade tab, email) * Why it’s important to get kids to start checking grades weekly (Seth recommends Sunday nights) * The importance of helping a child create clearly identified routines (for leaving house, doing daily plan, doing homework, etc.) * How getting visual with kids benefits them in developing their executive functioning skills * Why separate digital timers need to be a part of a child’s life so they can learn to calibrate time, as well as get started and do short bursts of work * Creating a weekly overhaul of systems * The important of kids “getting into the mode” for studying, etc: organize their space, make their plan, and executive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 min
  • TPP 474: Debbie & Penny Williams on Navigating the Launch of Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1)

    TPP 474: Debbie & Penny Williams on Navigating the Launch of Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1)
    Nov 11 2025
    Today we’re diving into one of the most tender and complex stages of parenting—launching our neurodivergent young adults into independence, or more accurately, interdependence. My guest is Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families and the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions. In this episode Penny and I talk about the emotional challenges parents face during this transition, how to redefine what success and independence really look like, and why interdependence is often the goal that best supports our kids’ thriving. We also explore the healing and acceptance this stage asks of us as parents—and how, even in the uncertainty, there’s so much possibility for connection, growth, and joy. Also, this is part one of a two-part episode — listen to the rest of the conversation on Penny’s Beautifully Complex podcast, which you will find here. About Penny Williams A parenting coach for neurodiverse families, Penny Williams is the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions, producer and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-creator of The Behavior Revolution Program, a parent training program designed to change the narrative on behavior and help parents celebrate and support their kids with ADHD or autism through neuroscience-backed insights, hard-won strategies, compassion, and guidance. Penny empowers parents to help their neurodivergent kids — and families — thrive. Things you'll learn from this episode How parenting neurodivergent young adults can be both deeply complex and emotionally challenging Why redefining success for each individual young adult is key to healthier expectations How healing from our own experiences allows us to better support our kid’s growth Why aiming for interdependence and self-determination, not independence, leads to greater emotional stability How launching into adulthood is often messy, nonlinear, and filled with opportunities for growth Why letting go of control, staying curious, and remaining open are essential during this phase of parenting Resources mentioned Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD and Autism website Beautifully Complex Podcast Part 2 of this conversation Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards on Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World (Tilt Parenting Podcast) I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards Dr.Dan Peters Discusses the Teen Years & Preparing for Navigating Launch (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Best Gap Year Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Thrive Autism Coaching) Dr Eric Endlich on Gap Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Gap Programs Debbie Explored Gap at Glen Brook Parzival Academy Pure Life Adventure Program SOAR Sequin Land Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 min
  • TPP 096a: A "Masterclass" in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 1 of 2)

    TPP 096a: A "Masterclass" in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 1 of 2)
    Nov 7 2025
    Executive functioning coach Seth Perler joins me for a two-part series in which Seth shares with us the exact approach he uses with students he works with when helping them foster their fledgling executive functioning skills. In this episode, Seth shares with us his protocol for setting up a child for success in their developing executive functioning skills. In part 2 next week, Seth will go in-depth into his specific strategies surrounding building these skills in school and in life. THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: * Seth’s definition of executive functioning framed so it helps people apply the principles to help kids * A step-by-step breakdown of exactly how Seth works with families * Why our relationship with our child is the number one thing to be preserved when doing this work * The importance of parents doing their own personal work / self-care during this process * Why kids “can’t do what we’re asking them to do because they can’t, not because they won’t,” so we need to back up and scaffold from where they’re at * The role of mindfulness, mindset, and motivation * Why symptoms are more important than labels * Why it’s critical to understand the role of emotional regulation in executive functioning * How we as parents can co-regulate our emotions with our child * Why we want to focus on 3 positives for every 1 negative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 min
  • TPP 473: A Conversation with Naomi Fisher About EMDR

    TPP 473: A Conversation with Naomi Fisher About EMDR
    Nov 4 2025
    Today we’re exploring EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—a therapeutic approach that’s been shown to be highly effective in treating trauma, including for neurodivergent individuals. My guest is Dr. Naomi Fisher, a clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, autism, and alternative education, and an expert in EMDR. Naomi will share her journey into EMDR and explains not just the mechanics of how it works, but also what actually happens in a session. We talk about the importance of understanding trauma in children, particularly those who are neurodivergent, and why flexibility and attunement are so essential for therapists in creating a truly supportive environment. About Dr. Naomi Fisher Dr. Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist who specialises in trauma, autism and alternative education. She is the author of several books including When the Naughty Step Makes Things Worse and the Teenager’s Guide to Burnout. She runs webinars for parents and more of her work can be found at www.naomifisher.co.uk Things you'll learn from this episode How EMDR combines emotionally activated memories with bilateral stimulation to help process trauma Why trauma can get “stuck” and how EMDR supports the brain’s natural healing process How EMDR can be effective for both adults and children when delivered in a safe, supportive environment Why neurodivergent individuals may have unique trauma responses that require flexibility in therapy How parents can play an important role in helping children make sense of traumatic experiences Why choosing accredited, well-trained therapists is critical for safe and effective EMDR treatment Resources mentioned Dr. Naomi Fisher’s website Naomi Fisher on Substack A Different Way to Learn by Naomi Fisher Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of Their Own Learning by Naomi Fisher What Can We Do When School’s Not Working: An Illustrated Handbook for Professionals by Naomi Fisher Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on Post-Traumatic Parenting (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) EMDR UK Association EMDR Institute Francine Shapiro, PhD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 min
  • TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public

    TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public
    Oct 31 2025
    Today, we’re talking about such a pressing consideration for anyone raising a kid these days — what it means for today’s generation of kids to grow up with very public lives and coming of age in a digital world where so many aspects of their lives are online and available for public consumption, not to mention that much of their important work of identity formation is being shaped by the media and technology they interact with. My guest, Devorah Heitner, gets into all of this in her brand new and essential book for any parent, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. For this conversation, I asked Devorah to talk us through what I see as some of the more pressing issues for parents like us, including how to balance a child’s right to privacy in their texts and online lives with valid concerns about online influences and engagement when that child is dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health disorder, the impact of social media on kids who may already be struggling to fit in and find their people, and how many homework and grading apps used by schools may actually be undermining our kids development of executive function skills and creating additional stress for parents. Things you'll learn How to navigate the transition from being highly involved in a children’s tech life to respecting their privacy Why violating our kids’ trust by reading their texts will drive them further apart from us What to track or monitor when your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders How engaging in social media may impact kids who are struggling to fit in and find their people Why social media can act as an intensifier for whatever kids are experiencing and how it causes a dip in self-esteem What sharenting is and how to navigate permissions, cleaning up past shares, and more Why apps like ClassDojo are particularly challenging for families with differently-wired students How grading apps often work against differently wired students Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 min