Rebroadcast: You're listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I get to hang out with ⁠Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett⁠ to chat about how to make puberty and sex talks less awkward. Our editor, Kristin, for the podcast and Rach both were like, oh my gosh, this episode is gold. I love how approachable Cara and Vanessa are and how much they let me be me in this and share about how little I was spoken to about puberty and sex and how awkward it is now when my kids do things like ask if they can invite me to their penis party. Fear not, Dr. Cara Natterson is a pediatrician and New York Times best -selling author of 10 books including the Care and Keeping of You series and Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a best -selling author and puberty educator. Together, they're two of the most trusted voices on puberty, co -authoring the national bestseller, ⁠This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained⁠, and co -hosting ⁠This is So Awkward⁠, the podcast. Cara and Vanessa run ⁠Less Awkward⁠, the first company aimed at making puberty more comfortable with a membership for parents, an innovative health and sex ed curriculum for schools, and game -changing products. Cara and Vanessa speak to audiences across the country using science and humor to encourage open, albeit awkward, conversations. A relatable, reliable approach to help keep kids safe and healthy. They don't just hand out this advice, they live it. Between them, they are raising six teenagers. Y 'all, I'm so stoked for you to dive into this episode and to tune in to ⁠This is So Awkward⁠, the podcast, and snag their book, ⁠This Is So Awkward⁠. All right, folks, let's dive in. 

Connect with Cara and Vanessa:

Instagram: ⁠@less.awkward⁠

Website: ⁠https://lessawkward.com/⁠

Order the book: ⁠This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained⁠

Podcast: ⁠This is So Awkward⁠

Connect with us:

Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew 

Seed and Sew's 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

Before we dive in: the breakdown of this episode includes a brief discussion of sexual assault. Please take care while listening.

Rebroadcast: You're listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I got to hang out with ⁠Dr. Alissa Jerud⁠. She wrote the book ⁠Emotion-Savvy Parenting⁠, and I loved getting to chat with her specifically about anxiety and what it looks like to experience anxiety without being consumed by it. Alissa Jerud has a PhD and is a mom of two kids. She's a licensed clinical psychologist, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of ⁠Emotion-Savvy Parenting⁠, which is a compassionate science informed guide for relating more skillfully to painful, unwanted emotions in her private practice. Dr. Jerud specializes in highly effective exposure based treatment for anxiety related disorders, including OCD, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias and generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, she specializes in DBT, dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training, and particularly enjoys helping other parents learn research back strategies for accepting, regulating, and tolerating their emotions as well as their children's. Dr. Jerud also trains other clinicians in exposure based treatments and frequently gives workshops on anxiety, stress, mental health, parenting, and social support to companies large and small. Alright folks, let's dive in.

Connect with Dr. Alissa Jerud:

Instagram: @emotionsavvydoc

Website: https://www.alissajerud.com

Order the book: Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the summer months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. Today I got to sit down with my dear friend, Eli Harwood, who you may know as @attachmentnerd over on Instagram, to dive into a topic that comes up so often, school refusal. We talk about what's really going on beneath school refusal, how to meet our kids with connection and structure, and why scaffolding their nervous system matters more than forcing compliance. This episode is full of practical strategies that help us show up differently for our kids and ourselves. Stay tuned in September for an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.

Connect with Eli:

Instagram: ⁠@attachmentnerd⁠

Website: ⁠https://attachmentnerd.com/⁠

Order the book: ⁠Raising Securely Attached Kids: Using Connection-Focused Parenting to Create Confidence, Empathy, and Resilience⁠

Podcast: ⁠https://attachmentnerd.com/podcast⁠

Connect with us:

Instagram: ⁠@seed.and.sew ⁠

TikTok: ⁠@seedandsew⁠

Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: ⁠Take the Quiz⁠

Order ⁠Big Kids, Bigger Feelings⁠ and ⁠Tiny Humans, Big Emotions⁠ 

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the summer months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. Today I'm joined by someone I deeply respect, Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, clinical psychologist and author of the book Love the Teen You Have. In this episode, we dive into the often messy world of parenting tweens and teens. Dr. Lockhart and I explore how connection, not control, is the foundation for healthy, respectful relationships with our kids as they grow. This conversation is packed with real tools and grounded wisdom for anyone parenting through the big feelings and growing independence of adolescence. And stay tuned in September—we have an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.

Connect with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart:

Instagram: @dr.annlouise.lockhart 

Website: www.anewdaysa.com and www.drannlouiselockhart.com

Order the book: Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict into Connection

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. 

Today I get to hang out with Dr. Anna Housley Juster, author of the new children’s book The Best Good Thing, which just published on August 11th. Anna specializes in early childhood trauma, anxiety, and behavioral challenges, blending her expertise in child development and mental health to support families, teachers, and social workers. She's also the author of How to Train Your Amygdala, and remember to check out today’s newsletter for an interview with Anna about her new children's book The Best Good Thing.

Stay tuned later this summer—we have an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.

Connect with Anna:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anna-housley-juster

Website: www.annahousleyjuster.com

Order her new children's book: The Best Good Thing

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. 

Today I'm joined by Joanna Schroeder and Christopher Pepper, authors of the new book Talk to your Boys. We dig into how boys are being shaped by the culture around them, including what they're exposed to online, what they're learning (or not learning) about emotions and connection, and how we as adults can show up in powerful, empathetic ways. This is such a rich, important conversation about masculinity, care, vulnerability, and how to raise boys who grow into connected, kind, emotionally healthy men. 

 And stay tuned later this summer—we have an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.

Connect with Joanna and Christopher:

Joanna: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/byjoannaschroeder/⁠

Christopher: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrhealthteacher/⁠

Talk To Your Boys Book: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/talktoyourboysbook⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.talktoyourboys.com/⁠

Connect with us:

Instagram and TikTok: ⁠@seed.and.sew ⁠

Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: ⁠Take the Quiz⁠

Pre-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

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’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. 

Today I’m joined by Kristina Kuzmič 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.

If you’ve ever felt scared, helpless, or unsure how to show up when your child is hurting, this conversation is for you.

And stay tuned later this summer—we have an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children.  Today we’re hanging out with Pepper Stetler,  the author of A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test. We talked about school systems and how they are not set up to support all of our children. I want to hear your takeaways and your feedback and whether or not your kid might benefit from some of the things that we toss up in this episode. And if you're a teacher, come share your challenges and grievances and what you would love to see change as well.

And stay tuned later this summer—we have an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.
Connect with Pepper:

X/Twitter: https://x.com/pepperstetler

Website: https://www.pepperstetler.com/about

Order the book: A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. Every child experiences the world differently, and the need beneath a behavior is as individual as the child themselves.

Today 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. 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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our Summer Series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children. Every child experiences the world differently, and the need beneath a behavior is as individual as the child themselves.
Today we are revisiting the episode that, honestly, if you're gonna listen to one episode of this podcast ever, I hope it's this one. This is so key to understanding self-care, to understanding self-regulation, to understanding how your child regulates and what's regulating versus dysregulating for them. All right, folks, let's dive in.

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

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today we’re talking about what’s actually behind behavior.
In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Goyette, and we’re digging into the shift from trying to manage behavior to truly understanding it. We talk about what kids are communicating through their actions, how nervous system needs show up in everyday moments, and why so many of the strategies we were taught just don’t work for every child.
We also get into what this looks like in real life, from sensory needs and neurodivergence to those chaotic, get-out-the-door mornings where it’s hard to slow down and see what’s actually going on.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” things and it’s still not working, this conversation will help you zoom out and look at behavior through a different lens.
Alright folks, let’s dive in.

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