Calm Parenting Podcast
Kirk Martin
Have a strong-willed child who doesn't respond to consequences, argues like an attorney, and refuses to do things your way? Good! You're in the right place. Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin has given over 1,000,000 parents and teachers around the world practical, life-changing strategies to stop power struggles, yelling, and defiance NOW. Based on work with 1,500 challenging kids (many with AD/HD, OCD, ODD, ASD, etc.) in his home, and years spent in classrooms, Kirk's approach is refreshingly practical, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny! Questions? Visit us at www.CelebrateCalm.com or email us directly at Casey@CelebrateCalm.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 18, 2026 • 27min
How to Discipline Intense Kids Without Using Fear or Being Permissive #554
Navigating parenting with intense kids can feel overwhelming. The discussion explores the complexity of strong-willed children, emphasizing that their questions often stem from curiosity, not defiance. It contrasts harsh discipline with overly lenient approaches, advocating for a calm, authoritative style that fosters connection and teaches responsibility. Practical strategies include validating emotions, allowing space, and using physical tasks to help children regain control. A thoughtful approach promotes healthier relationships while managing intense feelings.
Jan 14, 2026 • 25min
Kids Who Act Like Nothing Happened After Meltdown, Laugh When Disciplined? #553
Discover why kids often act like nothing happened after a meltdown and how shame plays a key role. Learn why lecturing can backfire and escalate behavior instead of correcting it. Gain insights on the power of humility, as modeling apologies can reduce shame and encourage openness. Explore effective ways to de-escalate conflicts and delay consequences for better outcomes. Role-playing calming strategies gives kids control and prevents feelings of helplessness. Build long-term trust and connection by modeling self-control and fostering communication.
16 snips
Jan 11, 2026 • 23min
The One Key to Stop 80% Of Power Struggles With Your Kids #552
Discover the surprising truth that kids aren't rejecting your authority, but rather your anxiety. Learn how parental anxiety manifests and fuels power struggles. The host shares five action steps to regain control and foster healthier dynamics, including acknowledging your anxiety and resisting the urge to lecture. Hear inspiring stories of transformation and practical tips for grounding yourself. Unveil a path to calmer parenting by focusing on change within, not control over your kids.
14 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 23min
Which Consequences Work for Lying, Disrespect & Defiance? #551
Explore effective strategies for addressing child defiance and disrespect! The host shares insights on handling toddler tantrums and fosters connection over punishment. Learn how engaging in side-by-side activities can lead to sincere apologies. Discover the importance of understanding sensory needs and how they relate to behavior. Identify ways to respond calmly to clever disrespect while maintaining boundaries. Ultimately, nurture a relationship-focused approach to discipline that promotes long-term positive behavior changes.
5 snips
Jan 4, 2026 • 27min
Why Won’t My Kids Do Easy Things When I Ask?! #550
Explore why strong-willed children often resist simple requests, and discover effective tools to ease parental pressure. Learn the impact of stepping back to foster bonding, allowing kids to grow at their own pace. Uncover the importance of modeling behaviors and creating space for children to flourish without scrutiny. Kirk shares powerful release statements to eliminate arbitrary expectations and highlights the benefits of celebrating each child's unique timeline. Empowering insights aim to reshape the parent-child dynamic for a more harmonious relationship.
Jan 1, 2026 • 22min
How To Stop Reacting, Help Kids with Anxiety/PDA/ADHD & Partner With Teachers #549
Discover quick strategies to stop reacting and yelling at kids. Learn how to support children with anxiety, PDA, and ADHD as they face school challenges. Kirk shares effective classroom tools and ways to engage bright kids without boredom. Hear about a teacher's transformative journey after using new resources. Explore practical methods for building connections and affirming strong-willed children. Plus, get insights on normalizing anxiety and creating fun routines to ease back-to-school jitters.
14 snips
Dec 28, 2025 • 18min
5 Easy Ways To De-Escalate Meltdowns & Sibling Fights This Week #548
Feeling overwhelmed by tired and irritable kids? Discover effective strategies to replace chaos with calm in just 21 minutes! Learn how prioritizing your own needs can enhance patience. Explore the benefits of outdoor play and sensory exercises to reduce family tension. Uncover methods to anticipate meltdowns and manage sibling fights through self-control. Encourage kids to create their own routines, fostering ownership and reducing conflict. Get ready for practical tips that transform family dynamics!
5 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 23min
Kids Who Appear Lazy, Blame Others, Won’t Accept Responsibility, Pick On Siblings, Act Aggressively? 5 Ways To Help Over Holidays. #547
Explore why some kids appear lazy or aggressive—often, it's a reflection of low confidence rather than defiance. Discover how comparisons and parental expectations can harm children's self-esteem. Learn the power of renaming and reframing their identity to foster motivation. Hear tips on highlighting kids' strengths and involving them in meaningful tasks to boost their confidence and combat negative behaviors. With these strategies, you can help transform the holiday season into a time of growth and connection.
7 snips
Dec 21, 2025 • 23min
6 Creative Ways to Motivate Kids To Listen, Be Responsible & Do Chores #546
Exploring creative ways to motivate kids, the discussion highlights why traditional discipline often fails, especially with strong-willed children. By involving them in chore design, kids learn negotiation and ownership. Delegating or allowing paid chores encourages responsibility too. Making clean-up a fun, music-filled activity can reduce resistance. The idea of framing chores as missions adds an element of play, and broadening tasks to include real-world responsibilities fosters growth and accountability.
5 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 8min
Quick Tips for Dads Ep. 8: How to Motivate Undisciplined or Lazy Kids Not Living Up to Their Potential
Worried about your kids' motivation? This discussion dives into how parental anxiety can influence children and emphasizes the importance of patience. Discover how kids have different priorities and why criticism can hurt strong-willed youth. Learn to identify the strengths hidden behind annoying behaviors and how to frame those into a positive vision for your child's potential. Plus, practical tips like leaving short affirming notes to boost their confidence are shared!
