Shows
Raise StrongEpisode 15 - Raising Kind Kids: The Science Behind EmpathyHave you ever worried that your child doesn’t seem empathetic?Maybe they ignore tears.Maybe they laugh at the wrong moment.Maybe they only apologize when prompted.Before you panic, take a breath.Empathy is not a character trait you install. It is a skill that develops in relationship. And in this episode of Raise Strong, we unpack what that really means for you at home.You’ll learn why empathy grows through experience, not lectures—and how your nervous system shapes your child’s compassion more tha...
2026-02-2321 minRaise StrongEpisode 14 - Creating a Peaceful Home: Practical Boundaries That Stick (Without Yelling)Most parents don’t struggle because they lack rules. They struggle because they’re enforcing the same rules over and over, louder each time.In this episode of Raise Strong, we unpack why boundaries fall apart in real life and how to create limits that actually stick—without yelling, threatening, or turning your home into a battleground.If you’ve ever thought, “Why do I have to repeat myself a hundred times?” this episode will give you clarity, science, and practical language you can use immediately.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why boundaries...
2026-02-1619 minRaise StrongEpisode 13 - Nonviolent Communication 101: Simple Phrases to End the Whining CycleWhining is one of the fastest ways to drain a parent’s patience. It is repetitive, emotionally charged, and often leaves you feeling irritated or stuck between giving in and snapping.In this episode of Raise Strong, we take a practical look at why whining happens in the first place and how simple shifts in language can dramatically change the interaction. You will be introduced to Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a relationship-based communication framework developed by Marshall Rosenberg, and learn how to use it in real, everyday parenting moments.Rather than focusing on stopping whining through co...
2026-02-0216 minRaise StrongEpisode 12 - The Guilt Trap: How to Give Yourself Grace After a Hard Parenting MomentThere is a moment that comes after the house finally goes quiet.The day is over, but your mind is not. You replay what you said, how you said it, and the look on your child’s face when things went sideways.In this episode of Raise Strong, we talk about the kind of guilt that shows up for caring, thoughtful parents. The kind that lingers long after the moment has passed. The kind that makes you question yourself instead of helping you reconnect.This conversation is about why guilt feels so heavy in...
2026-01-1917 minRaise StrongEpisode 11 - What to Say Instead of "Hurry Up" (When You're Already Late)If saying “hurry up” worked, most mornings would be easier. But for many families, time pressure does the opposite. Kids freeze, melt down, or move even slower, and parents feel more stressed, not less.In this episode of Raise Strong, we explore why “hurry up” so often backfires and what actually helps children move forward during rushed moments and transitions.You’ll learn how time pressure affects a child’s nervous system, why urgency can trigger shutdown or resistance, and how small shifts in language can create cooperation without panic.This episode is for any pare...
2026-01-1215 minRaise StrongEpisode 10 - Moving Beyond the “Participation Trophy”: How to Build Real Grit and Self-WorthEvery few years, the phrase “participation trophy” resurfaces, often wrapped in frustration and concern about whether kids are becoming entitled or fragile. But the real issue is not trophies. The real issue is whether kids are still allowed to belong when they are not the best, and whether adults are willing to keep investing in them when winning is no longer guaranteed.In this episode of Raise Strong, we take a thoughtful, research-informed look at how grit and self-worth actually develop, and why belonging is the foundation both depend on.You’ll learn why effort withou...
2026-01-0520 minRaise StrongEpisode 9 - The Power of Anticipation: How to Prevent Meltdowns Before They StartEpisode OverviewMeltdowns rarely come out of nowhere. Long before the yelling, crying, or shutdown, a child’s nervous system is already working overtime. The challenge is that most parents are taught to respond to behavior, not to the signals that come before it.In this episode of Raise Strong, we explore the power of anticipation. You will learn how to recognize early warning signs of dysregulation, understand what your child’s body is communicating, and step in early with support that actually helps.Anticipation is not about controlling emotions or preventing all hard...
2025-12-2915 minRaise StrongEpisode 8 - The Magic of Repair: What to Do After a Hard Parenting MomentEpisode OverviewEvery parent has moments they wish they could take back. A raised voice. A frustrated reaction. A shutdown or withdrawal. These moments feel heavy because you care deeply about your child and the relationship you are building. But here is the truth. You do not need perfect moments to raise a secure, connected child. You need repair.In this episode of Raise Strong, we talk about how to repair after a hard parenting moment in a way that rebuilds trust, brings you closer, and teaches your child that relationships can bend without breaking...
2025-12-2215 minRaise StrongEpisode 7 - Building a Safe Space That Actually WorksEpisode OverviewMany parents try creating a calm-down corner only to find that their child refuses to use it or becomes more upset. The reason is simple. Most spaces are built to look calm, but not to feel safe.In this episode of Raise Strong, you will learn how to build a space that truly supports your child’s nervous system. A space that reduces overwhelm, invites connection, and helps your child settle during big feelings. This is not about decorations or Pinterest perfection. It is about creating an environment where your child feels emotionally he...
2025-12-1517 minRaise StrongEpisode 6 - Navigating the Storm: Understanding Your Triggers as a ParentEpisode OverviewEvery parent has lived through that moment when their child starts crying, yelling, or falling apart and something inside their own body reacts instantly. Maybe it feels like fear. Maybe it feels like anger. Maybe it feels like shame. Your heart speeds up. Your stomach drops. You snap or shut down before you have time to think.That moment is not a parenting failure. It is a nervous system response.In this episode of Raise Strong, you will learn why your child’s big emotions trigger something deep inside you and ho...
2025-12-0919 minRaise StrongEpisode 5 - The Power Struggle Trap: How to Stop the Cycle Before It StartsEpisode OverviewIf you have ever argued with your child about shoes, screen time, or brushing teeth, you already know how quickly a simple moment can turn into a full tug-of-war. In this episode of Raise Strong, you will learn why those battles happen, what is going on in your child’s brain (and yours), and the simple three-step method that helps you step out of the power struggle without giving up your boundaries.This episode blends psychology, empathy, and practical tools that help you feel calmer, more confident, and more connected.What Yo...
2025-12-0221 minRaise StrongEpisode 4 - The Science of Praise: Why “Good Job” Isn’t EnoughEpisode SummaryWe all do it... our child finishes a puzzle, helps clean up, and we say, “Good job!”It’s automatic. It’s loving. And it feels like the right thing to say.But what if certain kinds of praise actually hurt confidence instead of building it?In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl unpacks the surprising science behind praise. You’ll learn why “You’re so smart!” can create pressure and perfectionism, while effort-based, reflective praise builds motivation, resilience, and self-worth that lasts.Alex introduces his R...
2025-11-2521 minRaise StrongEpisode 3 - Why Yelling Doesn't Work And What Actually DoesEpisode SummaryIf yelling worked, you’d only have to do it once... but it doesn’t.When emotions run high, your body goes into survival mode, and calm suddenly feels out of reach. In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl breaks down the science of yelling, explaining what’s really happening in your body when you’re triggered and how to use your nervous system to find calm again.You’ll learn about the vagus nerve, vagal tone, and why your body’s alarm system makes it so hard to stay comp...
2025-11-1816 minRaise StrongEpisode 2 - The Parenting Shift That Changes EverythingEpisode SummaryWhen emotions run high, it’s easy to go straight into correction mode — but what if connection is actually the key to real behavior change?In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl shares how leading with empathy builds trust, strengthens cooperation, and helps your child’s brain learn from mistakes.You’ll discover the science behind attachment and safety, learn the Connect–Validate–Guide framework, and walk away knowing how to discipline with structure, not shame.In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhy correction without connection doe...
2025-11-1815 minRaise StrongEpisode 1 - The Secret to Handling Big Emotions (Without Losing Yours)Episode SummaryWhen emotions run high, it’s easy to get swept into your child’s storm.In this first episode of Raise Strong, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl shares the real-world story of a classroom in chaos—and how one moment of calm changed everything.You’ll learn the psychology behind emotional regulation, discover why your nervous system sets the tone for your child’s, and walk away with a simple, science-backed tool you can use right away to bring peace back to your home.In This Episode You’ll Lea...
2025-11-1814 minRaise StrongStart Here: Turn Parenting Chaos Into Calm - Raise Strong TrailerWhen your child loses control, it can feel like they’ve pulled the whole house into their storm.If you’ve ever thought, “I know yelling doesn’t help… but I just don’t know what else to do,” this podcast is for you.Welcome to Raise Strong — the show that helps you turn parenting stress into strength and power struggles into moments of connection. Hosted by Alex Anderson-Kahl, a school psychologist and parent coach, each episode blends child psychology, empathy, and real-life strategies to help you stay calm, confident, and connected — even on the hardest days.
2025-10-2301 min