My guest this week is Kristen Jenson In this episode, Kristen and I discuss a sensitive but really important topic of pornography, as it relates to our children's safety and wellness. As the amount of screen time has dramatically increased across all ages over the last few years, exposure to pornography is pretty common. Uncomfortable or difficult as it may be to talk about pornography with your children, it's our responsibility as parents to set aside our own discomfort around the topic, so that we can be an accurate and healthy source of information and be a support for them. Kristen and I discuss all aspects of the inevitable exposure to pornography, inappropriate images and videos, and digital safety. We talk about the common questions of, “How do I address this with my child?”, “When do I address it?”,  “How to keep my child as safe as possible?”, and so much more.  Kristen Jenson is the founder of Defend Young Minds, and a number one best selling author of the Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, a series of read aloud books. They've been translated into 10 languages and are now augmented by a guidebook for professionals that helps child therapists and educators. She's also the executive producer of the Brain Defense Digital Safety Curriculum, a powerful and engaging video-based course for families and educators. Kristen is a positive voice for raising empowered, resilient screen-smart kids who know how and why to reject pornography. She instills hope and confidence, and leaves her audience with pragmatic advice they can act on immediately. Find Kristen Jenson on Facebookand Instagram 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. Connect with me on: Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter   Episode Takeaways Introduction to Kristen Jenson … 00:01:35 Child Exposure to Pornography & Sextortion … 00:7:10 Teaching & Modeling Digital Safety … 00:10:50 What Age Do You Discuss Pornography? … 00:12:25 How to Respond When Children are Exposed to Pornography … 00:18:35 How to Avoid Shame and Secrecy … 00:23:00 Parent Control Limitations, and Development …00:27:40 Setting Kids Up for Healthy Intimate Relationships … 00:35:00 Start Discussions About Porn vs Intimate Sex … 00:38:28 Addressing Porn Addiction … 00:41:40 Books, Website & Video Resources … 00:45:22  

My guest this week is Dr. Melanie McNally.  In this episode, Dr. Melanie and I discuss how to manage anxiety for teens and tweens in Gen Z. Kids in these age groups are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before, even before the pandemic. Research is showing that teens report levels of stress as high as middle aged adults were reporting just 20 years ago. So kids in these age groups are feeling it, and especially after the last two years. And when kids experience anxiety, it impacts their life in many ways. As a parent, you may really feel at a loss to know how best to support your child and help them create better mental health habits for themselves. This is what we are going to be exploring today and providing helpful strategies with Dr. Melanie McNally. Dr. Melanie McNally is a licensed clinical psychologist who helps Gen Z’ers become the superheroes of their life stories. She provides online support through teletherapy and coaching online programs and books that teach Gen Z’ers how to build self-confidence, manage anxiety and achieve their goals. Dr. McNally founded Therapy Bootcamp, an app-based psychoeducational service for Gen Z’ers to get therapy tools delivered right to their phones. It's an eight week program where they build self-awareness and develop coping tools, all while being able to DM Dr. McNally directly, right up the alley of kids in this age group for sure. Dr. McNally has worked in the mental health field since 2005, and teaches the skills, strategies and tools she herself has used and continues to use.  Melanie has a freebie how-to guide for parents to help their kids problem-solve better. Visit destinationyou.net/freeguide. CONNECT WITH DR. MELANIE: Instagram Facebook Pinterest   EPISODE TAKEAWAYS: Introduction to Dr. Melanie McNally & Anxiety in Gen Z … 00:01:22 What’s Happening for Tweens and Teens Right Now … 00:06:15 When Does Anxiety Become a Problem? … 00:11:26 How Does Anxiety Show Up in Your Child? … 00:16:57 Addiction & Substance Use for Anxiety Coping … 00:22:00 Anxiety Can be Passed Down by Parent Behavior … 00:25:12  Adults Communicating with Children About Their Own Mistakes … 00:28:15 Top Tips for Parents with Teens & Anxiety … 00:29:42 When Parents Recognize Their Child Needs Professional Help … 00:40:00 Teen Therapy Bootcamps, Resources & Wrap Up … 00:43:40 CONNECT WITH DR. NICOLE:  Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com  

My guest this week is Dr. Mona Delahooke. In this episode, Dr. Mona and I discuss understanding children through the lens of the brain-body connection. Parents, by and large, are often given outdated information, advice, and even strategies about how to navigate challenging behavior and regulation issues with their kids. So today I’ve invited Dr. Mona back to share with us new insights, updates, strategies from her new book that teaches parents what to ask for or to look for beyond just looking at their child's behavior. It’s a guide for how to navigate not only behavior challenges with their children, but also how to get to the root of why they are struggling to regulate their behavior in the first place. Dr. Mona Delahooke is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years experience caring for children and families. She's a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation, and a member of the American Psychological Association. She's the author of Beyond Behavior: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges, and as a frequent speaker, trainer and consultant to parents, organizations, schools and public agencies. Mona lives and works in the Los Angeles area.   Episode Takeaways: Dr. Mona Delahooke & Early Child Development … 00:01:53 Understanding Brain-Body Connection & Regulation … 00:06:07 Look Beyond “Definitive Answers” or Applied Behavioral Analysis … 00:11:40 Tools & Strategies for All Children, Not Just “Neurotypical”… 00:16:20 Poor Behavior vs What’s Uncontrollable  … 00:25:20 Body Budget & Self-Care … 00:30:38 Assessing Your Child Using Color Guides … 00:33:35 Addressing When Children are Checked Out … 00:38:15  Connect with Dr. Nicole: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com  

My guest this week is Dr. Ellen Vora In this episode, Dr. Ellen and I discuss the very relevant topic of anxiety.  Anxiety is something that every child and every adult experiences at some point in their lives. While anxiety and anxiety disorders are becoming more common, it's also something that is often misunderstood: anxiety is so much more than “just a mental problem”.  When we ignore the physiology part, we are missing out on an important piece that we really need to understand and address. Why? Because anxiety is a whole-body situation. The good news is, there are so many ways to support anxiety reduction and treatment that go beyond the traditional recommendations of just counseling or medication.  Listen in to learn more about the difference between “normal” anxiety and a disorder.  Dr. Ellen and I also dive deep into how we should be thinking about anxiety and holistic ways to approach it for ourselves, as well as for our children. Dr. Ellen Vora received her BA from Yale University and attended Columbia University Medical School. She's a board-certified psychiatrist, medical acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root rather than reflexively prescribing medication. In addition to her private practice and speaking engagements, Dr. Vora consults for healthcare startups, and has a book called The Anatomy of Anxiety coming out in March. Episode Timeline: Dr. Ellen Vora & Anxiety Background … 00:01:45 What is Anxiety and a Diagnosis? … 00:09:00 False and True Anxiety … 00:12:20 Designated Patient Concept … 00:17:30 Blood Sugar, Mood Stabilization & Normalizing Situations … 00:19:41 How Anxiety Might Show up in Kids vs Adults … 00:27:11 Management & Supporting Anxiety Reduction, Starting with Sleep … 00:31:27 Blood Sugar Stabilizing Diet & Alcohol … 00:41:30 Hardwired for Movement … 00:47:45 Addiction to Technology … 00:49:30 Resources and Wrap Up … 00:54:17 Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com  

My guest this week is Maggie Viers In this episode, Maggie and I discuss occupational therapy (OT) for children with a parent focus. Traditional pediatric occupational therapy supports child development, sensory processing, integration and skill acquisition in their everyday life functions.  However, there has been a positive shift in the OT paradigm to also focus on the relational and nervous system regulation; and a big piece of that is including the parents in the sessions. Though it’s a hard truth to admit, children are often mirrors of your own “stuff.” We discuss how having awareness of our own nervous systems and history, or “triggers”, affect our parenting and expectations. Maggie gives practical tips to understand your own nervous system, as well as your child’s, and what to do when dysregulation occurs.  Maggie Viers is an Occupational Therapist at Thriving Littles. She guides parents undergoing their own evolution by supporting the daily interactions outside and inside of those difficult moments with their kids. She is a mom of four sensitive and spirited kids, all under the age of six. Boy do I get that and feel that. And she's passionate about shifting the paradigm of the way that we view behavior. Maggie is a Korean adoptee and currently resides in Houston, Texas. She's been an OT for 12 years and has a wonderful Instagram account for parents and professionals. Episode Takeaways: Introduction to Maggie Viers & Occupational Therapy … 00:01:44 Children are Mirrors of Your Own “Stuff” … 00:05:20 Behavior is the Tip of the Iceberg … 00:09:40 OT for Children with a Parent-Focus … 00:11:35 Dysregulation in Children & Why it Happens … 00:15:50 How to Handle Meltdowns … 00:20:15 Are Your Expectations as a Parent Fair? … 00:24:00 Adult Sensory Experiences Relating to Parenting … 00:28:20 Starting Points for Supporting Parent Nervous Systems … 00:33:10 Managing Power Struggles with Your Child … 00:35:53 Trauma as a Child and Regulation … 00:38:30 Thriving Littles Resources … 00:43:15   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Brendan Vermeire. In this episode Brendan and I discuss the rapid decline in mental health at all ages that traditional mental health evaluations and treatments often overlook or dismiss. We cover the big picture of what needs to change in the conventional model by going beyond prescription medication to better meet the needs of kids and adults with mental health symptoms. We dive into some specifics related to areas like the gut-brain connection, braincell health, stress, trauma, and so much more. Brendan Vermeire is a mental and metabolic health scientist and researcher, functional medicine educator, writer and speaker. He's a board-certified holistic health practitioner, master nutrition coach, personal trainer, and CrossFit trainer. He's the proud owner and founder of The Metabolic Solutions Institute for Functional Health and Fitness Practitioners, and the Metabolic Solutions Research and Education Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to changing the way the world views mental health through advancing the science of mental health dysfunction. He's also the creator of The Mental Map, which is a cutting-edge lab panel for mental health. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS Introduction to Brendan Vermeire … 00:01:13 Mental Health Stigma … 00:07:25 Pandemic & Mental Health Decline … 00:11:35 Connection of Mental Health & Metabolic Issues in Children … 00:15:12 Traditional Health Care Disconnection of Whole Body & Mental Health … 20:30 Problems with Normalizing Dysfunction … 00:23:14 Gut-Brain Access & Mental Health … 00:28:55 Stress & Trauma on Microbiome … 00:32:30 Using Monoclonal Antibodies & Pharmaceuticals for Mental Health … 00:39:00 Changing Mental Health Evaluation & Approach … 42:48 Stealth Infections Relating to Mental Health … 45:15 Big Picture for Mental Health in Children … 49:24 Mental Health Testing & Resources … 00:51:50 Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com  

My guest this week is Dr. Jenna Flowers In this episode, Dr. Jenna and I discuss how to be a conscious coparent.  Coparenting is challenging for many reasons and when there is a child with neurodevelopmental, behavioral, or mental health issues involved, it can often add another level of complexity. There are ways to approach coparenting that allow for better communication, emotional wellness, and healthier relationships for not only the adults involved, but for the kids as well. Dr. Jenna Flowers ​​is a psychologist and Family Therapist with a private practice in Newport Beach and is the Clinical Director of Mainspring Family Wellness, offering counseling services and parenting classes. She offers an online course for coparenting called coparentwell.com. She has written a book called The Conscious Parent's Guide to Coparenting, and is a court-appointed coparenting therapist in Orange County. Dr. Flowers is also the co-host of Mainspring Family Wellness podcast, discussing all things parenting and family wellness. She herself is a coparent to three children ages 20, 13, 10 and a bonus mom to a 15-year-old son, so she's got the personal as well as the professional experience. Jenna, welcome to the show. It's so great to have you here. Episode Takeaways: Introduction to Dr. Jenna Flowers & Coparenting … 00:01:21 Is Staying Together or Divorce Better for the Kids? … 00:07:30 Common Challenges Around Coparenting … 00:12:50 Staying “Partnered” as Parents but Not Romantically …  00:19:04 Idea of Conscious Coparenting … 24:33 An Unwilling Ex in Coparenting … 00:27:10 Strategies to Successfully Coparent … 00:30:45 Coparenting Therapy, Custody Arrangements & Avoiding Common Mistakes … 00:36:20 When Coparents are Not Working Together & Court Support … 00:43:00 Seeking Professional Support & Resources … 00:46:00 Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com  

My guest this week is Sandy Bodeau In this episode, Sandy and I discuss raising children diagnosed with developmental delays or impairments, and specifically Down Syndrome. In reality, when does the diagnosis explain the cause of the problem? Does it give us hope or does it impair us as parents? If we change our mindset first, we have the ability to change the trajectory of what otherwise may have been a grim outlook for our child because of a dead-end diagnosis. When we know how to advocate for our children and continue to seek solutions rather than just an ‘answer’, we have the power to transform our children’s lives into a beautiful and healthy, thriving life.  Sandy is living proof that with the perseverance that all parents innately have, you can raise a child diagnosed with special needs, reach far beyond; to their fullest potential!     Sandy Bodeau is an author, advocate, immigrant, TV personality and blogger. She's the creative director of the parenting blog, Mara the Wonder Girl. Sandy is a contributing writer for Today Parents and appears on Univision. Her work has been recognized by Vanity Fair, Lucky Magazine and The Today Show, as an influencer on Instagram and Facebook, Sandy posts daily in both English and Spanish. When Sandy learned that her daughter Mara would be born with Down Syndrome, she knew that together, she and Mara would show the world how special and powerful each individual can be. Mara quickly showed her individual strength and perseverance, as well as her magnetic personality. It was on her first birthday that Sandy launched her website, marathewondergirl.com. The website provides resources for all parents, particularly those who have children with special needs to help them reach their full potential. She released her first book, The Light After Loss in December 2019, it follows her journey to have her second child and the four miscarriages she had along the way. Episode Takeaways:  Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Sandy Bodeau & Down Syndrome … 00:01:00 Babies with Down Syndrome Can Be Born 100% Healthy … 00:04:39 Overcoming Hidden Assumptions & Myths of Down Syndrome … 00:09:32  Standard of Treatment vs. Realistic Expectations … 00:12:30 Is the Conventional Medicine Approach to Neurodevelopment Issues Wrong?  … 00:15:15 Importance of Developmental Milestones Like Crawling … 00:22:35  Myths of Down Syndrome Development, Thyroid Health … 00:29:26 Standard of Care for Neurodevelopmental Issues … 00:33:15 Getting Curious and How to Advocate … 00:37:55 Bilingual Resources and More Support … 00:40:50  Episode Wrap up … 00:45.23   Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com

My guest this week is Hunter Clarke-Fields In this episode, Hunter and I discuss generational patterns that impact our parenting and specific mindfulness strategies to help us become more aware of how and why we think and act the way we do as parents with our kids. We discuss many tools to be a successful mindful parent, including an “Oh, crap” menu and how to bring more calm and peace into daily life so that we can keep the things that are working well and change the things that aren't serving our children or our adult selves. Hunter Clarke-Fields is a mindful mama mentor, creator of The Mindful Parenting course, host of The Mindful Mama Podcast and widely followed author of Raising Good Humans, A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting, and Raising Kind, Confident Kids. She helps parents bring more calm and peace into their daily lives. Hunter has over 20 years of experience in meditation practices, and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. She's also a mom. Episode Takeaways: Introduction to Hunter Clarke-Fields … 00:01:50Anger Toward Your Children & Generational Patterns … 00:05:45Self-Compassion and Unconditional Love First … 13:30What You Don't Transform, You Transmit … 00:19:55Not Accepting Negative Generational Patterns as the Norm … 00:25:50Change Your Parenting from How You Were Parented … 00:32:52Proactive and Reactive Strategies Take Practice … 00:37:35Communication & Benefits of Modeling Out loud … 00:41:26Mindful Parent Resources … 00:47:45 Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com  

My guest this week is Jason Campbell In this episode, Jason and I discuss how to stay regulated and be less reactive when things don’t go your way, or when your child is in the midst of big emotions and challenging behaviors. The techniques we discuss are by far some of the most important things we can do to support our kids and ourselves, especially when we are experiencing significant stressors and challenges with our kids or in any other part of our life. So today's episode is dedicated to learning and practicing skills to help everyone be more regulated, mindful, and calm overall. Stay and listen until the end where Jason guides us through an extremely effective 5 minute exercise. Guest Bio: Jason's journey into meditation, music and wellness began 43 years ago at the age of eight, when his teacher told him to never listen to notes, but instead to listen to the space in between the notes. He's released over 100 albums, has been number one on multiple billboard and Amazon charts, and has five Billboard Top five albums in a five-month period in 2019. This month, Jason will release his 32nd album in 32 months, titled Zen Piano Correcting Source. Jason is a seventh-degree black belt and co-founder of Zen Wellness. His unique perspective on health, wellness and spiritual growth comes from his lifelong study of both music and the ancient arts of Eastern Health, medicine, meditation, and enlightenment. He is the Director of Music for Genius X Virtual Reality, and writes music and meditation for other organizations, such as Happy ChiliSleep and Focus at Will. His whole adult life has been an effort to combine Eastern Arts, meditation and music. His music and teachings have opened meditation to thousands of people who have never meditated before, or who have tried meditation and failed in their effort to simply sit still and clear the mind. Jason often says, “Be still for one song, five minutes. Close your eyes and breathe with the bell, it can change your life.” Episode Takeaways: Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Jason Campbell, Music, & Meditation … 00:01:25 Thinking Our Way Through Life … 00:07:20 Parents, is Your Headspace is Clear? … 00:10:33 Coregulation & Not getting Stuck in a Mind Loop … 00:15:08 Monkey Mind and Struggling with Thoughts … 00:22:22 Obstacles & Fighting in Opposition Causes Problems … 24:06 5 Minute Breathing Exercise Example … 00:31:40 Satori, a Glimpse or Moment of Enlightenment … 00:39:53 How Long Do You Meditate For? … 00:42:14 Recognizing in Real Life Groundhog’s Day … 00:47:20 Five Element Meditation & Other Resources … 00: 51:37  Episode Wrap up … 00:52:35 Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Instagram Facebook Drbeurkens.com