Parenting Without Power Struggles

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:336c262d-c1b6-47de-af59-2447e6cbb2e0-3" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode, Susan explores what resilience truly looks like in children and why it's essential for parents to allow kids to experience manageable frustration instead of rushing in to fix or smooth things over. She explains how a parent's instinct to rescue often comes from their own discomfort, and why doing our inner work is key to helping children develop the flexibility, confidence, and coping skills they'll need as adults. Susan highlights how staying present, loving, and supportive—without taking over—allows children to build the emotional "muscles" that prepare them for life's inevitable ups and downs. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/parenting-without-rescue-podcast

In this episode, Susan connects with her longtime friend, Rabbi Michael Zedek, exploring the power of storytelling as a way to transmit values, resilience, and compassion to children and adults alike. Rabbi Zedek shares wisdom from his five decades as a spiritual leader, reflecting on how stories help people internalize lessons more deeply than lectures or rules ever could. Their dialogue touches on the importance of interfaith understanding, curiosity, and empathy—reminding listeners that connection, kindness, and shared humanity are what sustain us. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/podcast-michael-zedek

In this episode, Susan talks with neuropsychologist Dr. Rita Eichenstein about the parent brain—how becoming a parent literally reshapes the brain, rewiring it for empathy, resilience, multitasking, and emotional intelligence. Dr. Eichenstein and Susan explore how understanding these changes can help parents recognize parenthood as a distinct and profound stage of human development, and appreciate the brain's remarkable capacity to evolve through love and caregiving. https://go.susanstiffelman.com/parent-brain-podcast

In this episode, Susan speaks with Dr. Judith Orloff about the gifts of sensitivity, offering encouragment and insight for parents of these tender-hearted, deep feeling children and teens. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/podcast-judith-orloff

In this episode, Susan explores one of the most powerful truths about parenting: that the most important thing we can do for our children is to work on ourselves. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Gabor Maté's insight and her training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Susan explains how our emotional state, unresolved wounds, and inner "parts" profoundly shape our children's sense of safety and connection. She shares simple, compassionate ways to notice when we're triggered, name the parts that get activated, and return to our calm, wise "Captain" self. https://go.susanstiffelman.com/parenting-as-healing-podcast

In this episode, Susan emphasizes the importance of emotional connection between parents and children, even amid the busyness of daily life. She reassures parents that deep closeness doesn't require elaborate outings or large chunks of time, but can be nurtured through small, intentional practices like sharing a genuine smile, creating five-minute rituals, repairing after moments of tension, and entering a child's world by showing interest in what they love. She encourages cultivating these small habits of connection to not only strengthens a child's sense of being seen and valued, but also to nourish parents, filling both with greater closeness, joy, and resilience. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/nurturing-closeness-podcast

In this episode, Susan explores the important difference between threats and boundaries in parenting. Susan illustrates the contrast between threats and boundaries using real-life examples—such as homework, chores, and screen time. She highlights how shifting from reactive threats to steady boundaries strengthens trust and cooperation while giving children the security and clarity they need. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/threats-boundaries-podcast

In this episode, Susan offers compassionate guidance for navigating the emotional complexities of parenting after divorce. Susan explores the importance of emotional presence, not perfection, as the foundation for helping children feel secure during and after separation. Susan encouraging parents to model emotional safety, welcome messy feelings, and repair ruptures in connection. She validates the exhaustion many solo or co-parents feel, offers insights into children's developmental responses to divorce, and reminds listeners that showing up with steady, imperfect love makes a lasting difference. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/divorce-podcast-episode

In this episode, Susan reflects on Derek Thompson's article The Death of Partying in the USA to explore a troubling trend: the steady decline of in-person socializing, especially among young people. Susan highlights the mental health risks this poses—not just for adults, but for children growing up in screen-based, solitary environments. Susan gently encourages families to prioritize connection in an increasingly disconnected world. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/kids-thrive-connection-podcast

In this episode, Susan explores the unique needs and strengths of highly sensitive children. Susan explains that high sensitivity is a temperament trait—not a flaw—characterized by deep empathy, acute perception, and strong emotional responses. Acknowledging that parenting a sensitive child can be both exhausting and rewarding, Susan emphasizes the importance of providing a calm, steady presence to help these children feel safe and supported. https://pages.susanstiffelman.com/sensitive-kids-podcast