It might feel like terrible news that building our pack leadership involves going back into our own childhoods. It can feel scary to go back to the “belly of the beast”… after all, you survived your childhood. Who on this God’s green earth would actually choose to look back when you’re so focused on changing cycles and moving forward? When the patterns we’re trying to break involve the often invisible trauma of emotional neglect, they can be extra tough to identify. Grownups raised by neglectful parents can feel like their experiences weren’t “bad” enough to count, or that they should just feel lucky because other kids had it way worse. My guest this week is Ruth Cohn, an amazing therapist and author who writes about what she calls “the invisible trauma” of neglect. Why it can be hard to realize that neglect IS traumatic, how it affects the way we live, and how much we tend to blame ourselves for things that aren’t in our control. If you’re a parent who’s trying to do better than the way you were raised, you have to hear her wisdom!As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-316About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About Ruth Cohn:Ruth Cohn, MFT, is a psychotherapist living and practicing in the San Francisco Bay area. She has been specializing in work with survivors of trauma and neglect, their intimate partners, and families since 1988. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, certified in Neurofeedback, EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Imago Relationship Therapy. Ruth is also the author of numerous articles on sexuality, trauma, and neglect, and three books: Working With the Developmental Trauma of Childhood Neglect: Using Psychotherapy and Attachment Theory Techniques in Clinical Practice, Coming Home to Passion: Restoring Loving Sexuality in Couples With Histories of Childhood Trauma and Neglect, and Out of My Mind: Late Night Contemplations About Trauma and Neglect.Ruth Cohn’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://ruthcohnmft.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthCohnMFT/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthcohnmft/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-cohn-1331b9b/ Resources Discussed/LinksThe Apology, by V (formerly Eve Ensler) https://www.eveensler.org/pf/book-the-apology/ Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Did you know that the parenting tools you learn on this podcast also work with other strong-willed creatures? I’m chatting with Avery “favorite daughter” Rubenstein this time about pack leadership and what she has learned from “Ben, the strong-willed horse”.  I think it’s incredibly helpful to practice the tools you are learning here by applying them to other areas of your life…your work, your adult relationships and even your relationships with animals. You see, pack leadership is about becoming and remembering the person you were meant to be…the kind of person who shows up again and again with curiosity and badassery. I think you’re going to love our banter on this episode as well as Avery’s insights about using MMP tools with animals and understanding her equine therapy clients…many of which are on the Autism spectrum. As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-315About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Y’all probably know I’m not the biggest fan of the way learning happens in most classrooms…and oh, there are so many reasons. I have believed for a long time that traditional education is outdated and needs a ginormous revamp. However, I wasn’t willing to homeschool my own kids.I liked the break and having my days as my own. So year after year, I made a “self-ish” decision when it came to my own kids’ education. I always felt a tinge of guilt and don’t really think they received the best. So I was super excited to talk to Rob Barnett. He’s a former teacher and co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project. They’re a non-profit that envisions a world where technology can help kids learn at their own pace, by making space for teachers to give every kid the time and attention they need. Rob’s new book, Meet Every Learner’s Needs, builds on his experience in the classroom and as an education advocate. It’s a blueprint for changing the way kids learn, and making teaching more rewarding. I just know you’ll hear something that you’ll want for your kids in their classrooms! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-314About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About Robert Barnett:Robert Barnett co-founded the Modern Classrooms Project, which has empowered 80,000+ educators in 180+ countries to meet every learner’s needs. Before that he taught math, computer science, English, social studies, and law, from the middle-school to university levels, at public and private schools in the U.S. and Switzerland. He graduated cum laude from Princeton University and Harvard Law School; speaks English, French, and Spanish; and lives in Washington, DC. He hopes his two young children will learn in Modern Classrooms someday!Robert Barnett’s Web and Social LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-s-barnett/ Book website for Meet Every Learner's Needs.Enter to win a free copy of the book!More about the Modern Classrooms Project.Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Is it even possible to continue building your relationship after your birdies leave the nest? Come be a fly on the wall for one of my catch-up calls with my daughter, Avery. We share a hilarious Modern Fam video and recap our winter break family vacation, including an old pattern that made Avery upset and embarrassed. I think you’re going to love our honest conversation about the “un-pretty” parts of our dynamic. Avery also teaches us a critical part of Pack Leadership and the term, weaponized incompetence. As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-313About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

How exciting is it when you have a conversation that sparks a ton of ideas you want to share?That’s how my daughter Avery and I felt after our chat with Michael DiMartino. Talking about how kids learn through stories got us thinking about how much stories have taught us, both as kids (mostly in her case) and in adulthood (mostly in mine). Our follow-up conversation takes the focus from the epic right down to the personal. Avery and I talk about some of the favorite books, movies, and TV shows we love, and how the stories they tell have helped us connect with each other.This one is extra good if you’re a parent who’s struggling to see the world from the perspective of your kiddo. No matter what their age, there’s a story out there that can help you remember, and give you a glimpse of what they’re going through now.As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-312About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Humans have always learned through stories. It can be easy to forget this fun fact when there are toys and backbacks and shoes covering the floor. AND we still want them to learn morals and values and life lessons. This is where brilliant storytellers like Mike come in.Michael DiMartino’s stories have had a huge impact on my kids, and children around the world. Mike is the co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the author of comic books, novels, and podcasts. He tells stories that are epic and personal, and don’t shy away from tough subjects that real kids experience.My daughter Avery is a huge fan of Mike’s work, and she joined me behind the mic to talk to Mike about creating Avatar, writing his new teen/tween novel  Both Here And Gone, and how he approaches writing for a young audience. It was a great convo, and I’m so excited for you to hear it!As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-311About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About Michael DiMartinoMichael is the creative genius behind some of the most beloved Nickelodeon animated series of our time: Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.From his early days as a storyboard artist, and director on iconic shows like King of the Hill and Family Guy, to his current renown as the co-creator of the Avatar universe, Michael has been a driving force in the world of fantasy and animation for years.With his latest book Both Here And Gone, Michael is pushing the boundaries of his storytelling further. The coming-of-age YA novel dives into profound themes of loss, grief, mental health, philosophy, and teenage emotions through the gripping story of a 14-year-old.The self-published book diverges from the signature fantasy concepts Michael is widely known for and is a shining example of his unique position as a storyteller balancing big studio projects and personal artistic goals.Website: https://www.michaeldantedimartino.com/ Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessmen

Oh the pressure of December…SMMSSo. Much. Mom. Stuff. My gift to you this season is two time-tested treats that will help you plan a holiday that’s memorable. (The good kind of memorable of course:)First reminder involves:  How to deal with and even shut it down, when judgey relatives are questioning your parenting choices. Next, I’ll remind you of some of my favorite tips for pack leading your 2024 holiday, (with a little help from the Gilmore Girls:). You’ll be prepared to make magical memories with your family, and jump head-first into 2025! As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-310About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Recently, I was a guest on “The Art of Parenting” podcast. The host, Jeanne-Marie, asked some great questions and you might even be surprised by some of my answers.We discussed what it means to have a strong-willed child and why I like to use that phrase. She asked me about my approach to helping these sw kids. And of course, we talked about one of my favorite topics to spotlight: Performative Parenting.We ended with the advice I would give my younger self, and everyone who’s just starting out as a parent. It was a treat to be on the other side of the mic, and I can’t wait for you to hear our convo.As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-309About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksThe Art of Parenting Podcast https://voilamontessori.com/the-art-of-parenting-podcast/Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

My daughter, Avery, is first-gen Mastermind Parenting, (once removed:) . The “once removed” was her description -  “the MMP recipe was still being perfected:)”. She’s grown and flown now, but it’s been fascinating to watch her put Mastermind principles into practice. These days she probably teaches me more than vice versa.Avery is on the pod this week to share some wisdom that I think you’re gonna eat right up. She shares a few real life stories - what the “how” looks like - how to talk to kids when they are about to flip out. It’s an empathy masterclass.As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-308About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/Resources Discussed/LinksWaking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, by Pete A. Levine https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Tiger-Healing-Peter-Levine/dp/155643233XOur 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/

Divorce is a reality for lots of families, and it’s a gigantic emotional challenge. As you’re struggling to realign your life, you’re also managing a lot of big feelings. You want to make things as easy as possible for your kiddos, but how can you do that when things get messy?How do you help your kids understand what’s happening? How do you support them as they process the fear, sadness, and uncertainty they’re sure to feel?My guest this time understands these questions, and she’s here to educate us. Rachel King is an experienced family law attorney, legal commentator, and author of an upcoming book called “Getting Divorced: Now What?”Rachel has seen the messiest divorces up close. She know what the law says, and she understands the heartbreak and anxiety families go through. But she also know that there’s a way through it, and how to help yourself and your kids come out the other side of it.If you’re worried about supporting your kids as you navigate a divorce, this is the episode for you.As always, thanks for listening. Head over to Facebook, where you can join my free group Mastermind Parenting Community. We post tips and tools and do pop-up Live conversations where I do extra teaching and coaching to support you in helping your strong-willed children so that they can FEEL better and DO better. If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-307About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He’s now 26, healthy and happy-ish:). She’s been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker”  parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi’s Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About Rachel King:Attorney Rachel King is a powerhouse in the world of family law. With over a decade of experience, she has become a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, guiding countless families through some of the most complex and emotionally charged divorce and parenting disputes. Rachel’s unmatched determination to resolve conflicts has made her a standout in the family law arena, where she believes that the quicker a family can move forward, the sooner they can find peace.But Rachel’s influence doesn’t stop there. She’s also the owner of Budget Legal Services, a company dedicated to making family law document preparation more accessible. And this October, she’s releasing a new book designed to help those facing divorce navigate the turbulent waters with confidence and a clear path forward.Resources Discussed/LinksRachel King’s website is https://rachelkingattorney.com/ Our 12-week Basics Bootcamp program is now available as a 100% online self-study course! https://mastermindparenting.com/minimasters/Live assessment: https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/