Family Dialogues

In today’s hyper-digital world, children are growing up immersed in screens and families are feeling the impact. In this powerful episode, Dr. Taniesha Burke sits down with clinical psychologist and author Catherine Steiner-Adair to discuss how technology, smartphones, gaming, and social media are reshaping childhood and what parents can do to reconnect with their children. Based on her bestselling book, The Big Disconnect, Catherine shares research-backed insights on screen addiction, emotional dysregulation, family values, AI companions, and how parents can protect their child’s mental health in the digital age. If you've ever wondered: Is my child addicted to screens? How much screen time is too much? Should I check my teenager’s phone? Are devices affecting my child’s brain development? How do I rebuild connection in my family? This episode is for you. 🔎 In This Episode, We Discuss: What “The Big Disconnect” really means for modern families The neurological impact of gaming and social media on children’s brains Why screen addiction mimics gambling addiction Emotional dysregulation and tech withdrawal meltdowns The rise in anxiety, depression, and body image issues linked to devices Why family dinners are more powerful than parents realize How to create a Responsible Use Agreement in your home The importance of tech-free mornings, car rides, and bedtime routines Should parents monitor their teen’s phone? AI companions and the dangers of outsourcing parenting How to raise confident, self-advocating children in a digital world Why parenting today is an act of rebellion 💡 Key Takeaway Children don’t need parents to be perfect; they need parents to be present. Strong family connection, consistent boundaries, and clearly defined family values are protective factors against digital addiction, online exploitation, anxiety, and emotional isolation.  Parenting in the digital age requires courage, intentionality, and leadership. 📚 Recommended Resources The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent navigating screen time and digital parenting challenges.  Your family connection is worth protecting.

In a world where manners are fading, social skills are declining, and family connections feel harder than ever, could etiquette be the missing link to raising confident, respectful children? In this powerful episode of the Family Dialogues Podcast, Dr. Taniesha Burke sits down with renowned etiquette expert Jackie Vernon Thompson to explore how manners, respect, and social protocols shape children’s confidence, communication skills, and long-term success. Together, they discuss why etiquette is not about class, wealth, or being “old-fashioned,” but about self-worth, emotional intelligence, leadership, and strong family values. Jackie shares real-life insights from her global work with children, families, and professionals and explains how simple daily habits at home can transform sibling relationships, parent-child connection, and children’s readiness for the real world. This episode covers: Why etiquette and manners must start at home How social skills impact confidence, academic success, and career opportunities The hidden cost of screen time, blank stares, and poor communication How family meals and device-free conversations build emotional safety Dressing, hygiene, and non-verbal communication as forms of self-respect Teaching children boundaries, gratitude, responsibility, and courtesy Why etiquette is for every child, regardless of background If you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver who wants to raise respectful, emotionally healthy, and socially confident children, this conversation is essential listening. Programs & Resources Mentioned From the Inside Out School of Etiquette The Polished Society (Membership Program) Etiquette Consultant Certification Program Youth Empowerment Village (Summer Program) Book: Transformative Etiquette by Jackie Vernon Thompson Instagram - From the Inside Out School of Etiquette Facebook - From the Inside Out School of Etiquette TIK TOK - From the Inside Out School of Etiquette LinkedIn - From the Inside Out School of Etiquette  For podcast feedback email: info@tanieshaburke.com  

What does it really take to raise teenagers who still talk to us, trust us, and stay connected even as they push for independence? In this episode of the Family Dialogues Podcast, parenting expert Alyson Schafer joins the conversation to unpack one of the most challenging transitions for families: moving from parental control to parental influence during the teen years. Alyson explains why adolescence begins much earlier than many parents expect, how brain development and neuroplasticity shape teenage behavior, and why conflict often increases just as teens are doing exactly what development requires of them. Drawing from Adlerian psychology and decades of counseling experience, she reframes teenage resistance not as defiance, but as preparation for adulthood. You’ll hear practical guidance on: The three stages of adolescence and what parents should expect at each stage Why fear leads parents to overcontrol and how that erodes connection The critical shift from being the “pilot” to becoming a trusted co-pilot in your teen’s life How strong relationships, not punishment, protect teens from risky behavior Why teens who feel emotionally connected to their parents are more likely to make safer choices How to replace punishment with agreements, consequences, and family meetings Concrete strategies for keeping communication open, even with withdrawn or resistant teens How parents can rebuild trust and connection if the relationship already feels strained This conversation is essential listening for parents of preteens and teenagers, caregivers navigating power struggles, and anyone who wants to raise emotionally resilient teens without losing the relationship that matters most. Recommended Resources & Platforms Mentioned in This Episode Parenting the Adlerian Way Podcast – Hosted by Alyson Schafer Alyson Schafer’s Parenting Books (HarperCollins Canada) Alyson Schafer Parenting Teens Facebook Group Alyson's Instagram Parent Education Classes (Adlerian / democratic parenting approach) Family Meetings (as a structured parenting practice discussed in the episode)

In today's episode of The Family Dialogues Podcast, we explore what it really means to be a "good mother" in a culture that glorifies perfection and the idea of the supermom. Host Dr. Burke sits down with Kate Kripke, LCSW, perinatal mental health therapist and author of Reinventing Supermom, to unpack why high-achieving women are especially vulnerable to anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout in motherhood.  This powerful conversation explores the emotional transition from maiden to motherhood, the hidden costs of achievement-driven parenting, and how a parent's nervous system shapes a child's sense of safety and attachment. Kate explains why children "borrow" our nervous systems, how secure attachment is built, and why placing our emotional well-being on our child's behavior can be harmful—though often unintentional. You'll learn practical, neuroscience-backed tools for emotional regulation, including Kate's 3 Cs framework (Curiosity, Compassion, Choice), which helps parents stay grounded during tantrums, emotional outbursts, and moments of overwhelm from toddlerhood through the teenage years. This episode also addresses cultural and generational beliefs about emotions, why feelings are not the problem, and how repairing ruptures in the parent-child relationship actually strengthens connection. Whether you're a new mom, a high-achieving parent, or navigating emotional challenges with older children, this episode offers compassionate insight, actionable strategies, and reassurance that you don't have to lose yourself to be a loving, secure parent. In this episode, we discuss: Why high-achieving women struggle more with postpartum anxiety The emotional cost of the "supermom" identity Secure attachment and the concept of a safe emotional container How parental anxiety impacts infant and child nervous systems Why children's emotions are not misbehavior The 3 Cs for regulating yourself during tantrums and conflict Supporting emotional regulation from toddlerhood through adolescence Letting go of perfection while strengthening connection Resources & Recommendations Kate Kripke, LCSW – Perinatal Mental Health Therapist Book: Reinventing Supermom: Support, Encouragement, and Strategies for Mothers Who Feel Lost – Kate Kripke Kate's Instagram: @katekripke Kate's Podcast Postpartum Support International (PSI)