Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Parenting through mental health challenges can feel heavy—but it’s not failure, it’s simply a call for calm.
My parenting podcasts share short heart-centered episodes that blend neuroscience with compassion. They offer simple tools for more regulation and resilience at home. When we calm the brain first everything else follows.
What Makes These Parenting Podcasts So Helpful?
Each episode begins with one simple truth: behavior is communication, not defiance.
When a child’s nervous system feels unsafe, logic, focus, and calm slip away—for them and for us.
I blend clinical expertise with everyday parenting wisdom so you can shift from reacting to regulating. My podcasts are:
- Simple and easy to digest
- Warm, encouraging, and full of hope
- Designed for families navigating ADHD, OCD, anxiety, or autism
Because when we calm the brain first, everything else follows.
Episode 179: Parenting Neurodivergent — Helping Your Child Become a Successful Adult (with Zhara Astra
Listen to this parenting podcast.
Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel like a maze of mixed advice and daily stress—but you’re not alone.
In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker and advocate Zhara Astra, who shares her powerful journey raising a child with autism and oppositional defiant disorder—while also discovering her own neurodivergence.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to embrace neurodiversity as a strength, not a struggle
- Why supportive environments and friendships matter so much
- Practical ways to foster self-regulation and empathy in neurodivergent kids
Parent Story:
When Zhara stopped trying to “fix” her son and instead built safety and understanding around his sensory needs, she watched his confidence soar. It wasn’t about control—it was about connection.
Takeaway: Celebrate differences. The goal isn’t to make your child “fit in,” but to help them thrive as they are. When we calm the brain first, everything else follows.
Episode 108: Is Negativity Affecting Your Parenting?
Listen to this parenting podcast.
We all have days when frustration wins—but chronic negativity can quietly shape how we parent. In this episode, I explore how our past experiences and inner self-talk influence the way we respond to our children.
What you’ll learn:
- How negativity bias impacts your ability to notice progress
- Simple ways to spot subconscious parenting patterns
- Tools to replace criticism with compassionate correction
When we shift from “What’s wrong?” to “What does this behavior need?” everything changes. The energy in the home softens, and connection grows.
Episode 99: Ways to Cultivate Flexibility in Kids: Parenting Hacks
Listen to this parenting podcast.
Raising flexible kids in an unpredictable world isn’t easy—but it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give them. In this episode, I share simple, brain-based parenting hacks that help children build adaptability and resilience in everyday life.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why modeling flexibility and problem-solving matters more than perfection
- How positive reinforcement and consistency support adaptive behavior
- Ways to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities instead of setbacks
When parents create structure and predictability while staying open to change, kids learn that flexibility feels safe.
Parent Story:
One mom I worked with, Lisa, realized her son with ADHD melted down whenever plans shifted. She began calmly narrating changes—“The plan changed, and that’s okay”—and he started mirroring her calm. It wasn’t magic; it was nervous system regulation in action.
Takeaway:
Flexibility starts with us. When we model calm and adaptability, our kids learn to do the same. That’s how we build resilience—one regulated moment at a time.
Episode 88: Overcoming OCD — A Therapist’s Perspective (with Michele Bernal)
Listen to this parenting podcast.
OCD can feel like an invisible force hijacking your child’s peace and your family’s calm.
In this episode, I sit down with lead OCD therapist Michele Bernal to unpack what OCD really is, why it’s often misunderstood, and how the right tools can help your child reclaim control.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How OCD can hide behind anxiety, depression, or ADHD
- Why QEEG brain mapping is so helpful in uncovering the root cause
- How Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and mindfulness-based tools support healing
Michele and I talk about how avoiding triggers only strengthens OCD’s grip. Real progress comes from compassionate consistency—helping kids face fears in small, supported steps while staying grounded in calm.
Takeaway:
With understanding, patience, and structure, kids can take back control from OCD—one thought, one calm breath, at a time.
Episode 68: Calm Brain Parenting Brain Hacks
Listen to this parenting podcast.
Every parent knows that moment when their child’s emotions explode—and yours nearly do too.
In this episode, I talk about how to calm a dysregulated brain (your child’s and your own) before trying to correct behavior. Because real change always starts with regulation.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to recognize overstimulation versus understimulation
- Simple, effective brain-calming hacks like breathwork, movement, and sensory breaks
- Why your calm is your child’s greatest regulation tool
I also highlight the importance of magnesium in supporting brain health—echoing the research of experts like Dr. James Greenblatt, who notes, “Magnesium deficiency can worsen irritability and focus issues in children with ADHD.”
Takeaway:
You can’t teach calm if you don’t feel it. Start by regulating your own nervous system first—because when your brain is calm, your child follows.
Why Do These Parenting Podcasts Work?
These episodes fit real life—morning drives, dishwashing, or quiet walks. Each one blends science with compassion, helping you understand the brain beneath the behavior.
My parenting podcasts for mental health are especially powerful because they:
- Normalize neurodiversity and emotional challenges
- Share simple, actionable tools to support regulation at home
- Offer hope grounded in neuroscience—not judgment
Because when we calm the brain first, connection and learning naturally follow.
Parent Action Steps
FAQs
How often should I listen?
Even one short episode a week can shift your mindset and help you stay consistent with calm parenting tools.
Can podcasts replace therapy?
No—but they’re powerful supports. They offer education, insight, and encouragement while you seek professional help.
How do I involve my partner?
Share short clips or episode takeaways. Listening together builds understanding and helps you parent as a team.
Which episodes are best for ADHD or anxiety?
Start with Episode 68 (Calm Brain Parenting Brain Hacks) and Episode 179 (Parenting Neurodivergent Kids) for practical, brain-based strategies.
Are podcasts suitable for educators too?
Absolutely. Teachers use these insights to understand dysregulation and strengthen co-regulation in the classroom.
Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert in Parenting Neurodivergent Children and Teens who frequently is in the media:
- Sparking Wholeness (Audio) Parenting Anxious Kids
- Coronavirus with Saul Podcast Parenting when Sheltering in Place
- Different Thinking Different Learning How Low Demand Parenting Can Reduce Stress and Support Neurodivergent Youth with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
Are you looking for SOLUTIONS for your struggling child or teen?
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©Roseann Capanna-Hodge
