My guest this week is Sarah Moore. In this episode, Sarah and I discuss discipline and kids. Now the word discipline can bring up all kinds of thoughts and feelings for parents, often based on our own childhood experiences, beliefs, or things we’ve read about kids and parenting. The reality is, that all kids need discipline. It’s important to understand that discipline really means teaching and guiding, not punishment, spanking, etc., which we often associate with the word. So to help us think about discipline in a developmentally supportive, appropriate, helpful way, I’ve invited expert Sarah Moore back on the show to share about her new book and more of her wisdom around conscious parenting; to help shift our approach and mindset around discipline so that we able to practice it in ways that are healthier for us, our relationships, and our kids’ development. Sarah Moore is the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting, and the author of Peaceful Discipline, Story Teaching, Brain Science and Better Behavior. She's a public speaker, armchair neuroscientist, and most importantly, a mama. She's a lifelong learner with training in child development, trauma, recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, and improv comedy. As a Certified Master Trainer in Conscious Parenting, she helps bring joy, ease and connection back to families around the globe. Connect with Sarah: Insta:@dandelionseedspositiveliving Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DandelionSeedsPositiveParenting Website: https://dandelion-seeds.com/ Twitter: @DandelionSeeds5     ------     Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Sarah Moore & Peaceful Parenting … 00:01:25 Instincts to Sift Through the Outdated & Bad Parenting Advice … 00:05:56 Combining Discipline with Peaceful … 00:08:30 What is Discipline? … 00:10:45 Counterproductive Discipline … 00:14:05 Discipline Kids will Ask for! … 00:19:30 Importance of Storytelling and Discipline … 00:21:40 Importance of Laughter … 00:27:35 Proactive Discipline & Trusting the Process … 00:31:00 Reactive Discipline Scenario: Misbehavior at School … 00:37:36 For the Parent Who is Skeptical or Burnt-out … 00:43:22 Resources for Parents, Book & Episode Wrap Up … 00:46:15     ------     Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Ryan Judd. In this episode, Ryan and I discuss the power of music for children and how music therapy can help kids, especially those with any range of challenges. The benefits reach beyond behavior regulation, stress reduction, and communication for all ages. What I love about using music therapy is it’s easy to access, everyone can benefit, and it’s often free. So whether or not you’ve explored the benefits of music or music therapy for your children, I think you’re going to love this conversation with award-winning recording artist and music therapist, Ryan Judd. Both Ryan and I share some of our experiences where using music has provided profound changes and support for development, particularly in nonspeaking or anxious individuals.  Ryan shares how to apply music to your life, the vast benefits it provides for all ages and all developmental levels, and how using music for tasks like bedtime or putting on sunscreen can make it go so much smoother! Stay until the end where Ryan gives us a sample of his music!   Ryan Judd lives in Exeter, NH with his wife and two boys. He's an internationally known music therapist, Billboard chart topping recording artist, and ChildLight yoga and mindfulness instructor. Ryan has a master's degree in Music Therapy and Counseling Psychology, and has a private practice in music therapy. His two albums of research-based sleep music for children are the top selling sleep CDs for kids on Amazon, and have both won the Parents Choice Award. Ryan’s soothing instrumental music has reached the Top 10 of Billboard charts and is featured on Sirius XM’s Spot channel. His recordings bring together his skills as a music therapist and accomplished fingerstyle guitarist, and have been streamed more than 250 million times. Ryan is committed to making music and meditations to improve the wellbeing of others.   Connect with Ryan: Insta:  https://www.instagram.com/ryanjuddmusic https://www.instagram.com/coolkoalabedtime Facebook: https://www.ryanjuddmusic.com https://www.facebook.com/coolkoalabedtime Websites: www.TheRhythmTree.com www.CoolKoala.co www.RyanJuddMusic.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/therhythmtree     ------     Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Ryan Judd & Music Therapy … 00:1:36 Benefits of Music… 00:06:20 What is Music Therapy? … 00:10:28 Intentional with Music & Bonding … 00:15:32 Effect of Music for Nonspeaking Children … 00:21:25 Teaching Through Music & Music for Sleep … 00:23:55 Making Playlists for Kids & Adults … 00:27:20 When to Play Music & When to Not … 00:33:30 A Clip of Ryan Playing Music … 00:37:10  Music Resources, How to Listen & Bedtime Music … 00:42:15 Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:40     ------     Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Alexx Stuart. In this episode, Alex and I discuss how to live a low toxin life. We are surrounded by more toxins than ever before, and they impact our physical and mental health, as well as the health of the environment. Children are especially sensitive to toxin exposure and many parents are unaware that these exposures can be one of the root contributors to common learning, attention, mood, anxiety and behavior issues for children. The topic of reducing toxin exposure and adopting a more eco friendly lifestyle can feel overwhelming and even scary, but Alex, the author of Low Tox Life, is the perfect guest to help us understand the key pieces we need to know about and the simple and practical changes we can start making to improve the lives of our children, selves, and environment. Alexx Stuart founded the online community and education hub Low Tox Life in 2010 and is responsible for birthing the Low Tox movement with the phrase Low Tox, which has resonated with people around the world. Through the online community published books, podcasts, e-courses and live workshops, leading a Low Tox life is a choice for people to inch forward, doing better for themselves and the planet across food, body, home and mind. Her international bestselling book, Low Tox Life and podcast by the same name have supported millions in achieving their personal, home, and planet health goals. She's a sought after speaker and consultant to organizations committed to change for good, whether it's focused on people's health or the planet's health.   Connect with Alexx: Insta: @lowtoxlife Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowtoxlife/ Website: lowtoxlife.com Twitter: @Alexx_Stuart     ------     Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Alexx Stuart & Start of Low Tox Life … 00:01:30 Our Kids Shouldn’t Be Having Chronic Issues … 00:16:14 Toxins are More than Air Pollution & Lead Paint … 00:20:37 Increase in ASD, ADHD, Chronic Infections, etc … 00:24:10 Low Hanging Fruit: Start with Food for a Low Tox Life … 00:27:30 Why Plastic Packaging & Heating Food in Plastic is a Major Health Concern … 00:30:34 How to Shop for Safer Personal Care Items … 00:39:40 Substitutes for Plastics … 00:47:42 No 1. Pollutant in the Home … 00:49:30 Combating Mold in the Home … 00:56:00 Low Tox Resources & Downloads … 01:01:10 Episode Wrap Up … 01:03:24     ------       Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guests this week are Dorian Fuhrman and Meredith Berkman. In this episode, Dorian, Meredith, and I discuss vaping and e-cigarettes. Kids and teens vaping is something is becoming a more widespread problem among younger and younger kids. While it initially was touted as a safer version of smoking, this has been marketed to kids as risk free and fun, the reality is very different. We now know that vaping carries a significant number of health risks, and leads kids on a path toward addictive behavior and substance use that can be difficult to break.  Whether you are already aware of this issue or not, it’s an important one to have on your radar, regardless of your child's age. I’ve invited the co-founders of Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes (PAVe), Dorian and Meredith, on the show to help us better understand the issue, the risks involved, how they are working to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, and most importantly, how to talk with your kids about it. Dorian and Meredith are two of the co-founders of Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes , PAVe for short, a national grassroots education and advocacy organization. They founded PAVe as a response to the youth vaping epidemic, and when they discovered that a Juul representative had spoken to their son's ninth grade class and told them it was totally safe and about to get FDA approval. They testified about this incident in Congress. Today, PAVe has volunteers around the country, educating parents about the dangers of flavored e-cigarette products, and advocating to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products.   Connect with Dorian Fuhrman and Meredith Berkman: Insta: @parents_against_vaping Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PARENTSAGAINSTVAPING Website: parentsagainstvaping.org Twitter: @ParentsvsVape Email Questions for PAVe:: info@parentsagainstvaping.org   ------   Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Dorian & Meredith from PAVe … 00:01:52 Advocating to End the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products … 00:06:20 What is Vaping & Targeting Youth … 00:09:27 Wellness Vapes, Flavors & Nicotine are Equally Harmful … 00:16:23 The Safety & Medical Concerns of Vaping … 00:20:32 Zero Portion Control with Vaping Compounds Addiction … 00:25:40  Health Complications, Underlying Contributor is Vaping … 00:31:55 Addicted Kids Are Often Desperate to Unburden Themselves … 00:34:05 How Can Parents Talk About Vaping with Kids … 00:38:30 A Punitive Approach Only Makes it Worse … 00:41:42 Education & Support for Parents & Educators … 00:46:35 PAVe and Other Resources … 00:47:40 Episode Wrap Up … 00:49:45     ------     Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Dr. Charlotte Markey. Today we are talking about body image and self-worth for our kids, especially those in the tween and teen years. This is an issue that is increasingly on parents’ radars, especially as we learn more about the impact of social media on body image and the increasing body image issues for kids post pandemic. It can be a tricky thing for parents and other adults to know how to best support kids in developing a healthy body image and to understand the differing needs that girls and boys may have around this. Charlotte and I will talk through current research on how younger brains are extremely impressionable, perceptions of adolescents, helpful approaches to developing a healthy body image, and how to support those that are struggling, including when professional help may be worth seeking. Dr. Charlotte Markey is a world leading expert in body image research, having studied all things body image, eating behavior and weight management for her entire adult life. She's passionate about understanding what makes us feel good about our bodies, and helping people develop a healthy body image. Charlotte loves to share her body image wisdom with others and is an experienced book author, blogger and professor at Rutgers University. She has created separate resources for girls and boys: The Body Image Book for Girls: Love Yourself and Grow Up Fearless and Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her son, daughter, husband and dog, and for fun, she likes to run, travel and read, but often spends her free time nagging her kids to brush their teeth or remove the cups and dishes from their rooms.   Connect with Dr. Charlotte: Insta: @char_markey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcharlottemarkey Websites: www.CharlotteMarkey.com www.TheBodyImageBookforGirls.com www.TheBodyImageBookforBoys.com Twitter: @char_markey       ------     Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Dr. Charlotte Markey … 00:01:28 What is Body Image & Why Addressing is Important for Development … 00:06:37 Marketing Messages in Social & Media … 00:11:03 How Adult Modeling Around Body Image Affects Our Kids … 00:13:17 Not Helpful to Link Food to Weight or Harp on Clothing … 00:16:55 Boys vs Girls and Different Concerns … 00:21:00 Social Comparison & Variations in Physical Development … 00:27:10 First Generation of Social Media & Impacts … 00:30:15 Appearance Culture & Stereotypes with Masculine and Feminine … 00:35:42 Warning Signs of Unhealthy Body Image … 00:39:40 Resources for Parents, Boys & Girls … 00:45:12 Episode Wrap Up … 00:48:10     ------       Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Melissa Urban. In this episode, Melissa and I discuss one of my favorite topics and also one of the most asked about: boundaries. Having healthy boundaries are key, not only in the context of raising kids, but for a healthy life in general. Many of us know this, but struggle with the implementation and the discomfort, even though we know having them keeps us safe and sane. So, having written, “The Book of Boundaries", Melissa is the perfect expert to have on the show to answer all of your questions about this topic: how to set boundaries with various people in your life, what to do when your child, in-laws, family, or another adult pushes your boundaries, how to juggle work-life boundaries, how to deal with your own feelings around setting and enforcing boundaries, and so much more. Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of the Whole30 program, and a six-time New York Times bestselling author. Her highly anticipated new book, The Book of Boundaries was just released this week (October 2022). She's the host of the Do the Thing podcast, a prominent keynote speaker on boundaries, building community health trends and entrepreneurship, and ranks number 19 on the greatest top 100 Most Influential People in health and fitness. She is also a mom and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.   Connect with Melissa: Insta: @melissau Website: melissau.com Twitter: @melissa_urban         Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Melissa Urban & Importance of Boundaries … 00:01:35 What has to Happen Prior to Boundary Conversations … 00:09:00 Boundaries Help Keep Us Regulated … 00:14:09 When Others Abuse Your Set Boundaries … 00:20:40 Rules for In-Laws, Family, Partner, etc …00:23:26 Setting Boundaries with Work … 00:31:45 The Pushback, When Set Boundaries Aren’t Working … 00:36:20 Setting Boundaries with Ourselves … 00:39:15 Taking Inventory of & Practicing Our Boundaries … 00:43:05 Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:50       Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Rebecca Burd. In this episode, Rebecca and I are discussing how to stop bullying. Kids of all ages are affected by bullying and children who are neurodivergent, have other unique needs, or differences are often prime targets for this damaging behavior. Bullying in the age of the internet has become even more of a widespread problem and it’s no surprise it negatively impacts mental health, physical health and overall quality of life. To unpack this issue, Rebecca and I first discuss the prevalence of the bullying epidemic and why disciplinary structures don’t solve bullying, then, most importantly, provide many tangible, impactful solutions that parents and professionals can implement to create a real culture shift, especially in the schools, to support our youth. Rebecca Burd believes bullying is an epidemic we can end. As the CEO of Create Change productions and the cofounder of Speak Life End Bullying, she co-wrote Speak Life End Bullying, The Musical, an engaging musical featured in secondary schools across the country. Since the first live performance, more than 389,000 students have been impacted. In 2021, Rebecca led her team to turn the production into an on-demand film. Now the fight against bullying happens in any school anywhere, at any time. Today, she's launching a national movement of moms to become Mombassadors so moms can bring solutions by offering the Speak Life End Bullying film and lesson plans to their local schools. As an industry leader in end-bullying solutions for schools for over 25 years, Rebecca and her team create culture shifts in schools across the nation by teaching students to Speak Life for a lifetime.   Connect with Rebecca: Insta:@speaklifethemusical Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakLifeTheMusical Website: https://speaklifethemusical.org/ Additional Resources:mombassadors.org https://mombasresourceportal.thinkific.com/courses/Mombas-Resource-Portal         Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Rebecca Burd & Bullying Epidemic …00:01:28 Bullying Prevalence…It’s Not a Rite of Passage … 00:07:43 Creating Safe Spaces for Kids to Open Up … 00:15:15 Disciplinary Structure to Stop Bullying Doesn’t Work … 00:18:15 Bullying with Disabilities & Invisible Disabilities … 00:29:15 What is “Speaking Life” & NFL Impact … 00:36:27 A Profound Impact on Reducing Bullying in School … 00:40:00 Mombassadors, Dadvocates, & Resources … 00:47:30 Episode Wrap Up … 00:51:32         Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Erin Matlock. In this episode, Erin and I discuss an extremely important and sensitive topic that has been weighing on the hearts of so many with the significant increases in all generations, especially in children. That topic is mental health and suicide. I know it can be an anxiety-provoking thing to think about, and there is a lot of stigma and misconceptions around mental health, suicide, and suicide attempts that we will talk through, but, the main focus today is on the tremendous amount of hope we can have for kids, teens, and adults who are struggling in this way. Parents and professionals truly can play a key role in providing proactive support, as well as effectively supporting survivors.  The clarity, compassion and better understanding you will have after this deeply important conversation is profound. The teaching, lessons, and immense hope are interwoven throughout Erin’s story she shares, so I invite you to listen with open minds and hearts to take away some really important messages, tools, and resources so we can better support those who need help.  Erin Matlock is the founder of Brain Summit, and a globally recognized coach and advisor in the health and wellness markets. She is the author of Worth It, a book of her viral poetry and essays, a life member of Mensa, and a conceptual artist whose paintings hang in private and public collections in the United States as well as internationally. Named one of the top 50 human behavior experts to follow, she's a popular International and TEDx speaker who boldly challenges the stigma of suicide through deeply personal accounts of survival and public recovery.   Connect with Erin: Insta: @erinLmatlock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialErinMatlock Website: https://erinmatlock.com Twitter: @ErinMatlock       Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Erin Matlock & Stigma of Suicide … 00:02:28 How to Communicate & Talk About Suicide … 00:05:45 Secretly Suffering … 00:13:45 Impulsivity & Why Adults Tend to Hold on Longer … 00:23:23 Managing Disappointment & Social Implications 00:28 Warning Signs: Straw that Breaks the Camel’s Back … 00:30:10 Finding Community vs Isolation … 00:45:38 Instability & Suicidality as an Adult & Life Phase Triggers … 00:54:35 Your Answers Will Show Up … 01:12:10 Hope & Tools for Survivors … 01:24:35 Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 01:29:28       Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Jen Fugo. In this episode, Jen and I focus on skin conditions in children and teens, and looking deeper for real solutions when diet and prescriptions are not working or not enough to clear skin issues. Issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis and more are becoming very common, and they can take a massive physical and mental health toll on kids and parents. While conventional medicine offers some helpful tools, many families find themselves frustrated with ongoing symptoms or challenges, which sometimes can be extremely debilitating from the discomfort, pain, anxiety or embarrassment related to these skin conditions. Jen shares many research-based integrative ways to understand and truly get to the underlying cause of what’s going on with skin issues to resolve them for good, so kids (and adults) can thrive, not only physically, but mentally as well. Jenn Fugo is a clinical nutritionist empowering people who've been failed by conventional medicine to beat chronic skin and unending gut challenges. She has experience working with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dandruff, hives and more, with clientele ranging from regular folks to celebrities and professional athletes. She also founded her own line of skincare and supplements, available specifically for people suffering with these chronic skin issues. Jen holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and is a licensed dietitian, nutritionist and certified nutrition specialist. Her work has been featured on Dr. Oz, many podcasts, summits, and all kinds of places. She's a faculty member of the LearnSkin platform, an Amazon Best Selling Author, and the host of the Healthy Skin Show.   Connect with Jen: Insta: @JenniferFugo Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Glutenfreeschool Website: https://www.skinterrupt.com Additional Episodes Specific to Kids: https://www.skinterrupt.com/tag/kids/         Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Jen Fugo & Journey with Skin Issues … 00:01:23 Limitations in Conventional Skin Care Model … 00:07:52 Gut Health & Potential Harms in Elimination Diets … 00:14:55 Use of Biologic Drugs & Inflammatory Response … 00:23:10 Skin Conditions & Mental Health Connection … 00:30:25 Infections, Rashes, Histamine Intolerance & Topical Creams … 00:35:42 Where to Start with Fixing Skin Issues … 00:43:10 Additional Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:49:00       Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Sara Treffert. In this episode, I thought that it would be fun to flip things around a little bit today, so this is going to be an interview of Dr. Nicole because so many of you write in with lots of questions about me, my life, the work that I do, and of course a lot of behavior related questions!  So I’ve invited Sara Treffert, a fellow practitioner, but more importantly, she’s on the team that produces this podcast to interview me about the things that you asked most about!  We start with a peek into my background: growing up, family, kids, experiences that shaped my approach and how my clinic evolved into what it has.  We talk about on demand resources and then we get into some top parenting questions: how to build trust with kids for parents and for teachers and caregivers, (especially as it’s back to school time as this airs), my answer to “how to get my child to do/stop doing XYZ thing” and tips on how to manage overwhelm. It has always been my mission to use what I know as a parent and professional to support other parents, families, and professionals on this journey while also improving the outcome of our children… So, with that, let’s dive in!  And if you like this AMA (ask me anything) format, please let us know and we can do more of these in the future!       Episode Takeaways Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Sara Treffert & Background of BBS Podcast … 00:01:15 Dr. Nicole’s Childhood & Early Career … 00:02:18 About Dr. Nicole’s Clinic & Family-Based Approach … 00:09:00 Clinic Sees Patients in Person & Via Telehealth … 00:15:40 On-Demand Resources for Parents … 00:19:25  How to Build Trust with New Teachers, Caregivers, Etc. … 00:24:20 Second Component to Building Trust is Listening … 00:33:30 Spotlighting What’s Going Well to Build Further Trust … 00:39:44 How to Handle Overwhelm? … 00:42:42 Dr. Nicole’s Favorite Go-To’s for Nixing Overwhelm … 00:46:39 Dr. Nicole’s Resources, Workshops & Favorites … 00:49:55 Episode Wrap Up … 00:52:28       Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here. Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com