Authentic Parenting

Screens—and managing them—have become one of the biggest daily struggles for parents today. In today's episode, I'm joined by Michaeleen Doucleff, author of Dopamine Kids, and this conversation felt both grounding and eye-opening. Like so many of us, she found herself struggling with screens and ultra-processed foods in her own homeand instead of blaming or restricting harder, she got curious about what's really going on underneath. We talk about what dopamine actually isand the myths we've gotten wrong. Why the pull toward scrolling and "easy" rewards is so powerful, and what it really means to help kids (and ourselves) do hard things. She introduces her model for understanding what she calls "dopamine magnets," how to curate the cues in our environment, and why resistance alone doesn't work.

Lisa Katayama, author and mom on what we can learn from the Japanese approach to parenting. Get her book: The Japanese Way of Parenting: And What It Taught Me About Raising (Mostly) Calm, Caring, Capable Kids OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE What Cultures Around the World Can Teach You About Parenting with Marina Lopes Motherhood Is Political: Parenting, Policy, and Cultural Expectations with Abigail Leonard Are We Over-Parenting in America? The Danish Way of Parenting The my initial conversation The Japanese Way of Parenting LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur

We hear a lot these days about boundaries, self-care, and protecting our energy. But what about generosity? In this episode, Kristy Lauricella and I explore generosity—what it means, how it shows up in everyday life, and why noticing it can quietly transform how we experience the world. We discuss generosity as a mindset, not just big acts of giving; how to receive it from others; why acknowledging small acts of kindness matters; and the connection between generosity, gratitude, and happiness. OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE Death and Cupcakes with Kristy Lauricella Why We Need To Connect More with Kristy Lauricella How to Connect Deeply wiht Yourself and Others with Kristy Lauricella Navigating Adult Friendships Colonoscopy and Cannolis A Year in Review: Pausing, Reflecting and Looking Ahead The Power of Vulnerability to Create Intimacy LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur.

Board-certified physician Dr. Heather Hirsch on the symptoms of perimenopause, hormonal therapies, and what women need to know about this often misunderstood stage of life. In this conversation, we explore common perimenopause symptoms—including anxiety, insomnia, mood changes, brain fog, and shifts in energy and why these hormonal changes in women are often mistaken for depression or anxiety disorders. Dr. Hirsch explains what happens to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during perimenopause, when this transition typically begins, and how menopausal hormone therapy may help some women feel like themselves again. Get her book: The Perimenopause Survival Guide: Make Sense of Your Symptoms and Build Your Personalized Treatment Plan Listen to: The TRUTH About Menopause: Symptoms, Solutions & Finding the Gifts in Midlife! with Tamsen Fadal LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur.

Dr. Ross Greene breaks down why more kids are struggling today and why it's not just social media's fault. He explains developmental variability, why meeting kids where they are isn't lowering expectations, and what really drives anxiety, depression, and distress in children. A must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the next generation. Listen to Dr. Green's first interivew: Parenting Your Challenging Child with Dr. Ross Greene LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur.

Devon Kuntzman from Tranforming Toddlerhood on how can you respond to your toddler with both firmness and compassion, the three ingredients of effective parenting, and how to use discipline that actually works. What toddler tantrums really mean The truth about the "terrible twos" Why toddlers communicate through behavior How to set limits while staying connected Discipline strategies that work in real life LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur.

To close the 10-year anniversary series, I'm sharing the very first episode of the Authentic Parenting podcast, recorded in 2015 and lost for many years. Listening back, I was surprised that it began with such a humble and honest conversation about overwhelm in the lives of busy mothers. Thank you for being part of the Authentic Parenting global community. Here are the other episodes in the 10-year anniversary series: Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 10 Years of Podcasting: Revisiting Our 100th Milestone Episode 10-Year Celebration: Parenting, Podcasting & the Green Stroller Moment Ten Minutes, Ten Years Ago: A Conversation With My 10-Year-Old Traditions, Transitions, and Why 2017 Was an Important Year for the Authentic Parenting Podcast Milestone Episode 300: Listener Voicemails, Podcast Evolution, and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets 10 Years of Authentic Parenting: A Monthly Special Episode with Real Parenting Stories Episode 400: The Listeners Put Me on the Spot - 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Continues LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur.

In this special 400th episode, Anna is joined by three longtime listeners and friends from the Authentic Parenting community. Together they laugh, reflect, and turn the tables in an honest conversation about connection, growth, and what makes this podcast so meaningful. Check out the earlier 10-year anniversary episodes: Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 10 Years of Podcasting: Revisiting Our 100th Milestone Episode 10-Year Celebration: Parenting, Podcasting & the Green Stroller Moment Ten Minutes, Ten Years Ago: A Conversation With My 10-Year-Old Traditions, Transitions, and Why 2017 Was an Important Year for the Authentic Parenting Podcast Milestone Episode 300: Listener Voicemails, Podcast Evolution, and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur.

Celebrate 10 years of the Authentic Parenting Podcast with this special re-release of episode 300. I reflect on the podcast's evolution, share listener voicemails that are honest and heartwarming, and give you a peek behind the scenes—how episodes come together, special moments from live events, and the stories that make the podcast what it is. Check out the earlier 10-year anniversary episodes: Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 10 Years of Podcasting: Revisiting Our 100th Milestone Episode 10-Year Celebration: Parenting, Podcasting & the Green Stroller Moment Ten Minutes, Ten Years Ago: A Conversation With My 10-Year-Old Traditions, Transitions, and Why 2017 Was an Important Year for the Authentic Parenting LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

This episode is such a sweet throwback. We recorded this short, 10-minute conversation with my daughter seven years ago when she was turning 10—and honestly, I had completely forgotten about it. The title says "Two Productivity Secrets from a 10-Year-Old," but what surprised me most wasn't just her insights—it was hearing her sweet voice and noticing how I talked to her. The way I spoke to her then is the way I still speak to her now. Check out the earlier 10-year anniversary episodes: Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 10 Years of Podcasting: Revisiting Our 100th Milestone Episode 10-Year Celebration: Parenting, Podcasting & the Green Stroller Moment

What did it really mean to reach 100 episodes in the early days of podcasting? As part of our 10-year podcast anniversary, we're revisiting the 100th episode—a major podcast milestone at a time when most shows didn't last beyond a few episodes. This special throwback episode includes listener participation, the original podcast intro, and early production from the show's beginnings. A meaningful look back at how this podcast started, what it was built on, and why honoring the past matters as we continue to grow. LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

This is our final episode of the year, and today I'm doing something I always love—looking back and reflecting. I'll be revealing the Top 10 most downloaded episodes of 2025, sharing why these conversations resonated so deeply, and highlighting a couple of episodes and guests that were personal favorites for me. Top 10 Mastering the Art of Validation: How to Make People Feel Seen and Understood with Caroline Fleck, PhD How to Raise Capable and Resilient Children with Sheryl Ziegler Raising Emotionally Aware Boys Who Turn into Strong Men with Tosha Schore Reclaiming Your Inner Child: Heal the Past and Live Fully with Nina Mongendre The Family Dynamic: The Mystery of Sibling Success with Susan Dominus Why Kids Are Struggling—and How to Help Them Thrive with Ned Johnson Stop People Pleasing: How to Value Yourself and Your Needs with Amy Wilson How to Recover from Burnout by Regulating Your Emotions and Nervous System with Michelle Grosser How to Connect Deeply With Yourself and Others with Kristy Lauricella 7 Ways to Improve Well-Being, Reduce Stress, and Stay Grounded in Difficult Times with Anna Seewald and Laura Froyen LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services. Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

Jeff Hittner on the invisible pressures dads carry every day—balancing ambition with presence, holding emotions they were never taught to express, feeling the weight of being a provider while wanting to be deeply connected, and silently wondering whether they're doing enough. 03:18 — Why dads default to fixing 06:10 — How conflict exposes emotional patterns you didn't realize you were repeating 09:27 — What happens inside your body in the first seconds of reactivity 12:55 — How shame hides in anger or withdrawal and shifts your parenting 16:40 — Why ambition and presence feel at odds—and how to hold both 19:12 — How the definition of "providing" can create hidden distance 22:03 — What kids actually need from you when they're dysregulated 26:44 — How small repairs rebuild connection after hard moments 29:58 — Why dads often hide their struggles and how vulnerability helps 33:21 — How real-time emotional attunement works—and what derails it 37:49 — What regulated fatherhood looks like in everyday interactions 41:30 — Why self-compassion matters more than perfect parenting 44:56 — How tiny daily habits build long-term emotional resilience 48:20 — What keeps parents stuck in reactive cycles and how to break them LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail. info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.