Struggle Care

Natasha Daniels, a social anxiety therapist and author of the memoir *Out of My Shell*, shares her personal journey with social anxiety. She distinguishes between introversion and social anxiety, highlighting how everyone may experience social anxiety to some degree. Natasha discusses the effects of social media trends on children, and how social anxiety can serve as a defense mechanism. She also emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and offers insights into building resilience and navigating social challenges.

Nicole Bedera, a sociologist and author focused on sexual violence in educational settings, shares her insights on how universities can better address this pressing issue. She discusses the challenges faced by institutions when navigating sexual violence cases and the importance of prioritizing survivor safety. Bedera highlights the myths surrounding perpetrators and emphasizes the need for accountability and transformative change. Through her research, she reveals that many men could stop perpetrating if they faced real consequences, advocating for a cultural shift to prioritize healing and justice.

Mara Mintzer, Co-founder and Executive Director of Growing Up Boulder, champions the idea of including children in city planning. She discusses how involving kids can reshape urban spaces to be more engaging and safe for their needs. Listeners learn about the surprising requests from children for their public spaces and the importance of culturally relevant areas for play. Mintzer also highlights the significance of slowing down to appreciate our environments and the impact of more relaxed parenting styles found in other cultures.

Returning to school as an adult with ADHD comes with unique challenges and insights. The journey includes overcoming misdiagnoses and internal barriers while finding empowerment in self-advocacy. Personal stories reveal struggles with societal stigma and the importance of academic accommodations. The conversation shifts to the value of embracing education at any age and discovering personal growth through new experiences. Listeners are encouraged to pursue their educational paths with confidence, despite past setbacks.

Lindley Gentile is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of How to Have the Best Fight of Your Life. In this engaging conversation, she discusses why couples often struggle with conflict and how to improve their 'fighting skills.' Lindley emphasizes the dangers of seeking who's right or wrong and champions using 'I' statements over 'You' statements. She introduces the WWC framework—witness, witness, collaborate—as a pathway to better communication. The importance of empathy during disagreements and the need for a pause in conflicts are also highlighted, offering listeners valuable insights.

Natasha Daniels, an anxiety and OCD child therapist with over two decades of experience and a mother to three children facing similar challenges, shares invaluable insights on childhood OCD. She highlights the distinct differences between OCD and general anxiety, emphasizing the need for nuanced therapies. Discussing common OCD signs in kids, including repetitive questioning, she also addresses the complexities of identifying OCD versus autism. Natasha offers practical strategies for parents to support their children without amplifying their anxiety, blending professional wisdom with heartfelt anecdotes.

Stacy Rebeck, an adult adoptee and advocate for reform, shares her compelling journey and challenges regarding private infant adoption. She addresses the emotional and systemic issues faced by birth mothers and the ethics of the adoption industry. Stacy highlights the stark realities of the adoption system, discussing the pressures on pregnant women and the need for more open conversations about adoptee experiences. Her insights urge a reevaluation of adoption narratives and advocate for a child-centered approach in this sensitive topic.

Cam, a child of an early family vlogger and an international advocate, returns to discuss California's new Family Vlogging Law. She highlights how the law aims to protect child influencers and the legal implications of the '30% rule.' Cam shares her insights on the lack of boundaries she experienced growing up online and the emotional challenges linked to her past, including a recent health scare. She emphasizes the need for broader protections in the industry, particularly regarding the 'right to forget' and ethical responsibilities of parents.

Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist and author specializing in children’s emotional health, discusses the critical distinctions between bullying and ordinary meanness. She emphasizes how mislabeling conflicts can affect resilience. The conversation explores parenting strategies for teaching self-compassion and the significance of understanding online negativity. Dr. Eileen shares techniques to help kids navigate feelings and establish connections, advocating for empathy and acknowledgment of emotions.

In a lively conversation with Jill Sirianni, co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast and co-author of 'Buy What You Love Without Going Broke,' the hosts explore the inefficacy of traditional budgeting, especially for neurodivergent minds. Jill shares insights about the concept of being a 'financial goldfish' and discusses the psychological traps of impulse buying. They advocate for values-based spending and offer practical strategies like conducting a 90-day transaction inventory and creating pauses before purchases to foster mindfulness in financial decisions.