Shows
The Heart of ParentingEpisode 24: You’re Not Stuck—You’re Scared (And Ready for More)That frustrating in-between space—when you feel stuck, tired, and unsure what to do next… but deep down, you know something needs to shift.What makes this episode different:This isn’t a hustle-your-way-out kind of pep talk. It’s a gentle, honest look at what stuckness really is: often fear in disguise. Whether it shows up as overthinking, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or just plain burnout, Aimee breaks down how to move forward—without needing all the answers first.Who this episode is for:Anyone who’s outgrown a...
2025-05-1416 min
The Heart of ParentingEpisode 23: Why “Be Nice” Isn’t the Goal Anymore (And How Good Girl Conditioning Teaches Us to Tolerate Misery)We grow up being told to “be good” and “be nice”—as if those are the highest virtues we can embody. But what if those well-meaning words are actually where the disconnection begins?What if being nice is just people-pleasing in prettier packaging?What if being good is really about being compliant?And what if this kind of conditioning doesn’t just keep girls quiet—it keeps women stuck?In this episode, we’re digging into the deeper damage of “good girl” messaging and how it wires us to:• Mistr...
2025-05-0914 min
The Heart of Parenting22. How Confidence, Resilience & Mindset Are Really BuiltIt’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to help your child build confidence, handle setbacks, or develop a healthier mindset. This episode breaks it down into small, meaningful steps that any parent can take.Through the real-life coaching journey of Makena, a teen who’s been steadily growing in confidence and self-trust, I’ll show you how powerful slow and steady progress really is—and how you can support that same kind of growth in your own child.This one’s for parents of girls who are perfectionists, overthinke...
2025-04-3012 min
The Heart of Parenting21. Fremenies, Feelings and Figuring It Out - With MakenaIn this episode, I’m joined by 14-year-old Makena—my very first student guest—who’s been part of my teen coaching program for over a year. With her parents’ full permission (and her own strong desire to share), Makena opens up about what coaching has taught her, how it’s helped her through some really tough moments, and the tools she now uses to handle emotions, friendships, and the pressure to have it all figured out.We talk about big feelings, self-worth beyond achievements, frenemies, body image, and confidence—and how learning to stay grounded in th...
2025-04-2336 min
The Heart of Parenting20. What No One Tells You About Career Success (But Should) with Author and Leadership Expert Tia SmithIn this episode, we’re joined by workplace culture expert and Forbes HR Council contributor Tia Smith, author of the powerful new book, 10 Brutal Career Truths Every College Student Should Know.Drawing from 25+ years in HR and leadership, Tia breaks down the unspoken realities of the professional world that most young adults aren’t taught in school. Her book is a no-fluff, practical roadmap for navigating early career decisions with confidence, clarity, and resilience.From the myth of work-life balance to why emotional intelligence will take you further than GPA, Tia shar...
2025-04-1648 min
The Heart of Parenting19. Momancholy: The Quiet Grief of Letting GoWhat is momancholy? It’s a term I’ve coined to describe the soft, quiet grief that creeps in when our kids start growing up—and growing away. It’s the bittersweet ache that comes when the house is quieter, the laundry pile is smaller, and the moments of chaos you once couldn’t wait to be done with… are suddenly missed.In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about my oldest son moving out, and the emotional tug-of-war between pride and heartbreak that came with it. Together, we’ll talk about what it means to le...
2025-04-0913 min
The Heart of Parenting18. Why Overprotecting Feels Loving ... But Isn'tMany parents unknowingly hold their kids back by overprotecting them, thinking they’re showing love. But when we step in too much, we send an unintended message: You can’t handle this on your own. This episode explores how to shift from protecting to empowering so our kids grow into confident, capable adults.This episode offers a relatable, non-judgmental look at overprotective parenting—something most of us do without realizing it. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and Dr. Lisa Damour’s powerful swimming pool analogy, you’ll learn how to step back in a way that build...
2025-04-0212 min
The Heart of Parenting17. Blended Families and Step ParentingBlending a family is complex, and step-parenting comes with unique challenges. In this episode, I share insights from my own experience as a stepmom and wisdom from Dr. Lisa Damour to help navigate the emotional landscape of co-parenting, discipline, and building trust with stepchildren.We discuss why parental conflict—not divorce—is what harms kids most, the ideal role of a step-parent (hint: not a replacement parent!), and how to handle discipline in a way that fosters trust. We also explore why kids act out and how to uncover their underlying goal, managing different rules in e...
2025-03-2624 min
The Heart of Parenting17. Blended Families and Step-Parenting Blending a family is complex, and step-parenting comes with unique challenges. In this episode, I share insights from my own experience as a stepmom and wisdom from Dr. Lisa Damour to help navigate the emotional landscape of co-parenting, discipline, and building trust with stepchildren.We discuss why parental conflict—not divorce—is what harms kids most, the ideal role of a step-parent (hint: not a replacement parent!), and how to handle discipline in a way that fosters trust. We also explore why kids act out and how to uncover their underlying goal, managing different rules in e...
2025-03-2626 min
The Heart of Parenting16. The Hidden Cost of Shame: How It Shapes Us and Our ParentingMany of us avoid sitting alone with our thoughts, but why? This episode explores how childhood shame shapes our inner critic, making self-reflection feel unbearable. We dive into a fascinating study where people chose electric shocks over silence and unpack why shame—especially from childhood—makes avoidance feel safer than introspection.We also examine how shame-based discipline impacts us as adults and how we unintentionally pass it down to our kids. More importantly, we discuss how to break the cycle by using discipline that teaches without harming self-worth. If you’re ready to challenge old narrat...
2025-03-1932 min
The Heart of Parenting15. When Love Feels Conditional—Breaking Free from Achievement & ControlWhat if everything you believed about love, worth, and acceptance… wasn’t true?For years, I thought my value was tied to what I achieved. That being good enough, successful enough, or believing the “right” things was the key to being loved. And I worked hard to prove my worth.But what happens when you start to question the rules? When you realize love might not be as unconditional as you thought? When the expectations you’ve spent your life trying to meet start feeling more like chains?This con...
2025-03-1219 min
The Heart of Parenting14. Healing, Honesty and the Hard Conversations - Part 2 with My Mom“We only get one shot at life. No dress rehearsal. No take two.” - MomWhat do you do when a relationship feels beyond repair?After our first conversation became the most downloaded episode of this podcast, my mom and I knew we had to sit down again. But this time, we’re going deeper—into the pain of unmet expectations, the heartbreak of disconnection, and the real work of rebuilding trust.This episode is for anyone who has ever felt unseen in their family, struggled with misunder...
2025-03-0539 min
The Heart of Parenting13: Bracing for Impact—Reflections on Healing with My MomIn this powerful solo episode, Aimee Byrum dives into the profound impact of last week’s heartfelt conversation with her mom. With raw honesty, Aimee shares how being truly seen by her mom for the first time triggered deep-seated wounds and a lifelong habit of “bracing for impact.”She unpacks the duality of feeling joy while instinctively preparing for disappointment—a defense mechanism built from childhood experiences. Aimee offers practical insights into breaking this cycle, including self-awareness, relaxation techniques, and the healing power of journaling.This episode is a must-listen for anyone n...
2025-02-2621 min
The Heart of Parenting12. Healing the Mother Wound—An Interview With My Mom : Part OneMy First Ever Podcast Interview… and It’s With My MomI never imagined I’d be sitting down with my mother for a raw, honest, and deeply personal conversation like this—especially not on a podcast. But here we are.In this episode of The Heart of Parenting, I’m introducing you to my first-ever guest: my mom, Shelley. It’s only fitting that the person who shaped so much of who I am is the one joining me for this milestone. But this isn’t just a mother-daughter chit chat—it’s a st...
2025-02-1933 min
The Heart of ParentingEpisode 11: Managing Expectations: The College Myth & Redefining Success for You and Your Kids What does a fulfilling life look like to you? How do you define success—not just for yourself, but for your kids?In this episode of The Heart of Parenting Podcast, we’re diving deep into the expectations we carry for our children—where they come from, how they shape our parenting, and why they might be worth rethinking. You’ve spent years managing the chaos of daily life, guiding your kids, and making decisions to keep everything on track. But as they grow, are you still holding the reins a little too tightly?
2025-02-1218 min
The Heart of Parenting10. My Kid is Lazy! And How to Set Goals That WorkIf you’ve ever watched your daughter struggle with motivation, procrastination, or just feeling stuck, you’re not alone. As parents, we want to see our kids thrive—but what if the way we think about achievement is actually holding them back?In today’s episode, we’re taking a fresh look at goal-setting, motivation, and what it really takes to help our daughters build confidence and follow through. We’ll explore a powerful reframe that shifts the focus from pressure to purpose, helping our kids (and ourselves) break free from the cycle of setting goals that d...
2025-02-0516 min
The Heart of Parenting9. The Secret Story Behind Your Teenage Daughter's AngerIf your daughter gets irrationally upset over small things (like what's for dinner), there is something much deeper happening beneath the surface. The real issue is never the issue.In this episode, we dive into the surprising truth about anger, why it's often misunderstood, and how it can actually strengthen your relationship with your daughter if you know how to respond. I'll share personal stories, neuroscience-backed insights, and practical strategies to help you navigate those fiery moments with calm and confidence.You'll Learn:Why anger is often a mask...
2025-01-3029 min
The Heart of Parenting8. Mean Girls, Girl Bullying, and the Power of ConfidenceIn 1977, Dolly Parton sat down for an interview with Barbara Walters. What should have been a conversation between two successful women turned into an unsettling display of condescension and veiled insults. Yet, in the face of passive-aggressive comments and attempts to diminish her, Dolly remained calm, confident, and unshaken. Her response serves as a masterclass in handling female aggression—something many girls and women struggle with throughout their lives.In this episode of The Heart of Parenting, I dive into the nuances of female bullying, relational aggression, and social exclusion—how they differ from the more...
2025-01-2332 min
The Heart of Parenting7. Redefining Success Beyond Instant GratificationIn this episode of The Heart of Parenting, we’re breaking down the cultural obsession with instant gratification and its impact on our lives, our definition of success, and the way we parent. From impulse shopping and comfort food to chasing societal milestones, we unpack how these habits often mask deeper emotional struggles. Aimee Byrum shares her personal journey of striving for external achievements and material success—only to discover that true fulfillment comes from within.Together, we’ll redefine success and explore how to help ourselves and our kids build emotionally resilient lives that we don...
2025-01-1524 min
The Heart of Parenting6. Taken For Granted : Letting Go of Control in ParentingIn this episode of The Heart of Parenting Podcast, Aimee Byrum gets real about one of the hardest aspects of parenting—letting go of control. Through personal stories and reflections, Aimee shares how her journey with her son Grant taught her the transformative power of stepping back, trusting the process, and allowing natural consequences to guide growth.She dives into the emotional toll of micromanaging, the surprising lessons hidden within anger, and how embracing the Circle of Control can help parents find peace and foster deeper connections with their kids. This isn’t just about pare...
2025-01-0835 min
The Heart of Parenting5. The Irish Exit and the Invisible Struggles of Social AnxietyWelcome to The Heart of Parenting Podcast, where we’re on a mission to create deeper connections with our kids. In this episode, host Aimee Byrum dives into a personal and relatable topic: social anxiety. From the efficiency of the “Irish Exit” to the profound impact of social isolation during adolescence, this episode unpacks how social anxiety shows up, why it matters, and how parents can help their kids navigate it.Practical Ways to Support Your Teen Struggling with Social Anxiety:• Normalize and Validate: Create a safe space to discuss feelings without judgment.• E...
2024-12-1840 min
The Heart of Parenting4. Connective CommunicationEpisode Overview:In this episode, we dive into the power of connective communication—a framework that transforms how we interact with our kids to build trust, connection, and deeper relationships. Drawing parallels from ethical sales practices, Aimee Byrum shares how listening, curiosity, and presence can bring down walls and create an environment where teens feel truly seen and heard.Key Takeaways:• The Importance of Listening: Use the 70/30 rule—listen 70% of the time, talk 30%. Let your kids share their world while you actively listen.• Ask Thoughtful Questions: Open-ended questions like, “What’s bee...
2024-12-1129 min
The Heart of Parenting3. Free Your Kid From Their Destructive Inner CriticEvery thought we have is like a seed, taking root and growing into how we feel and how we act. When the seedlings are full of creativity and seeing the world through a positive lens, we feel calm and open to new experiences. But when those seeds are full of self-criticism and unchecked anxiety we feel overwhelmed and stuck and small.In today's episode, we talk about the 5 things we can do as parents when we notice our kid becoming limited because of they way they treat themselves. We discuss where this comes from and how we...
2024-12-0436 min
The Heart of Parenting2. Hooked on ComparisonToday's teens are being hit hard with the compulsion to constantly compare themselves to increasingly unrealistic beauty standards. It has caused an alarming increase in body image related anxiety and shows no real signs of stopping. It is pervasive, spilling over into every aspect of a young person's life and has the potential to cause lasting damage to a young woman's self-esteem.The good news is .. There are things we can start doing now to reverse it.Connect With Me Here:Aimee's WebsiteEmail: hello@inspirehercoaching.com...
2024-11-2831 min
The Heart of Parenting1. Who The Heck Am I?I'm no expert. But in the words of Ray LaMontagne, I've learned some things worth telling.In this first episode, I tell you who I am, what I'm about and what I've come here to do.I'd love to hear from you too.Connect With Me Here:Aimee's WebsiteEmail: hello@inspirehercoaching.comSocials:Facebook CommunityInstagramNEWLY on Tik Tok
2024-11-1924 min