If you’ve ever felt that homeschooling can slip into a checklist of math pages and grammar drills, you’ll love this conversation. Pam Barnhill, a veteran homeschooling mom of over 15 years, reminds us what education can truly be: a chance to connect deeply with our kids and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

Resources We Mention for Homeschool Routines 

• Get Pam’s free Advent Morning Time Plans
• Check out her books: Gather; Better Together (Amazon/Bookshop.org); Plan Your Year (Amazon/Bookshop.org); The Confident Homeschooler 
• Is homeschooling right for me? 
• What is a morning basket
• Nurturing Young Skeptics
• Get on the wailist for Teens Cook Real Food
• Visit Pam on her website Homeschool Better Together, and follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

The very morning I did this interview, my husband was complaining about how badly he felt because of a certain number...and when I heard Heidi's final "practical" challenge to parents, I knew we had to do it. This interview was a HUGE paradigm shift for me, and you will alternately want to turn it off as it gets challenging and find yourself cheering out loud!

Heidi Schauster, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S is an expert on eating disorders and talks with me today about how we as parents can foster a healthy relationship with food for our kids. We cover risk factors for eating disorders, mindful eating, how to handle treats at school and elsewhere, what "rules" parents should (and should not!) have for food in the home, the quickest way to make your child into a binge eater, how we should talk about weight and body image with our kids, and so much more.

This is a MUST WATCH interview because our entire culture is disordered in how to think and talk about body image, so we have a LOT of work to do to make positive change! 

Heidi and I continued to talk after I ended the recording and I kept catching myself using the wrong language about food. She said, "This is great - you're creating new neural pathways right in front of my eyes!" 

Resources We Mentioned for Healthy Relationships with Food:

• Heidi's books: Nourish: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food, Body, and Self (Amazon/Bookshop.org) and Nurture: How to Raise Kids Who Love Food, Their Bodies, and Themselves (Amazon/Bookshop.org)
• More on Ellyn Satter's division of responsibility in feeding
• Health at Every Size
• The No More Picky Eating Challenge
• What happened when the 8-year-old sneaked Halloween candy?
• Visit Heidi's website here or follow her on the socials: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year ... or the most overwhelming. Between the excitement, the sugar, the schedule changes, and the constant stimulation, even the calmest kids can start to unravel. And let’s be honest, parents can too!

In this episode, I sat down with JoAnn Crohn, a former school teacher who’s now on a mission to help overwhelmed moms rediscover joy and raise healthier, happier families. She has a gentle, realistic way of helping moms shift from chaos to calm, especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. You might recognize JoAnn, as she's been a camp leader in all four seasons of #LifeSkillsNow!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How JoAnn helps overwhelmed moms find joy and balance again
• Why self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential to being an effective parent
• What holiday overstimulation does to kids (and how to help them recover)
• Simple ways to validate your child’s emotions without giving in to every whim
• How to prepare kids for the changes and disappointments that come with the holidays
• Why calm-down strategies work best when practiced before the meltdowns
• The easiest ways to bring your kids into holiday traditions so everyone feels connected

You’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh mindset to make this holiday season feel more joyful and a lot less stressful.

Resources We Mention for Helping Kids Manage Holiday Emotions

• Register for the Happy Holidays, Happier Kids Challenge that starts November 9!
• My interview with Tina Payne Bryson, and her book The Whole-Brain Child (Amazon/Bookshop.org)
• My Reasons I Think the Grinch Was a Highly Sensitive Person
• My favorite Christmas cookie ever: Kifli
• Visit JoAnn Crohn on her website No Guilt Mom, or follow her on social media: Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Our digestion happens every day and REALLY can impact how we feel, think, and treat others!

So let’s talk all about poop. :)

My guest today is brimming over with practical tips about assessing your digestive output (aka poo) and solving issues in gut health based on what you see.

Genevieve is a wealth of knowledge on gut health and poop and so generous with her time and practical tips. If you’re a fan of healthy living without being too complicated or spending too much money, this is the interview for you!

Resources We Mention for Gut Health for Families

• Purchase The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth (Amazon/Bookshop.org)
• If you’re expecting, check out the Mama Natural Birth Course
• Chickpea Pizza Crust that is a favorite in our house.
• Morning sunlight for busy moms
• Quick Change Tastebuds, Gut Health, and Picky Eating with Elissa Arnheim
• Products Genevieve Recommends: Mama Natural probiotics, Northwest Wild Foods berry powders, Garden of Life Turmeric gummies, Eden foods canned beans, Psyllium husk powder, Standard Process Betafood, Betaine HCl tablets, Digestive bitters, Mother Earth Minerals magnesium
• Visit Genevieve on her website MamaNatural.com, or on social media: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Let’s talk toddlers.

If you’ve ever thought, “What on earth is happening in that tiny human’s brain?”—this episode is for you.

Here’s a taste of what we explored:

• Why “all behavior is communication” might be the most important parenting mantra you’ll ever adopt
• What really happens when you distract your toddler—and how to do it well
• The surprising power dynamic at play in your home (hint: it’s not what you think)
• How setting boundaries doesn’t stifle toddlers; it sets them free
• What it looks like to parent through a lens of development, not discipline
• Why your toddler’s big feelings are not your job to fix
• The secret sauce for turning chaos into connection (and it might just be curiosity)

Devon helped me see toddlerhood not as a survival zone, but a golden window to build trust, independence, and yes – life skills. And if we get it right, this season can be magical.

You’ll leave this episode feeling a little more confident, a little less alone, and with a few new tools to navigate your toddler’s big emotions (and your own).

Resources We Mention for Understanding Toddler Behavior

• Find Devon’s book Transforming Toddlerhood on Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Grab the one-page “cheat sheets” for each podcast episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook
• Diagnosing the Root Cause of Meltdowns & How to Calm Tantrums with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
• Why Teaching Children to Cook Before Age 5 is Vital for Parenting
• The Top 5 Reasons for Toddler Tantrums
• Teaching Social and Emotional Learning Skills During Mealtimes
• Join the No More Picky Eating Challenge for free!
• Connect with Devon on her website Transforming Toddlerhood or on social:

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Did you know we’ve lost 80% of the nutrients in vegetables in the last 100 years?

As farming has become big agriculture focused on scale, transportation, and profit, human health has suffered along with soil health.

Farmer Lee Jones has become one of regenerative farming’s most enthusiastic promoters, and to hear him wax poetic about butternut squash and the way Brussels sprouts grow is like a sports announcer commentating on the game-winning score!

In this highly entertaining episode (I can see why Rachael Ray offered him a show through her production company!), you’ll get to hear about:

• the unique microclimate along Lake Erie
• the changes in farming and grocery stores in the last 75 years
• how the Jones family has turned many failures into better health for all of us at the Chef’s Garden
• what regenerative farming is, and how even small home gardeners can tap into this traditional, lost wisdom!
• why so many farmers are trapped and hurting the soil
• how the whole mess got started (and who’s behind it)
• how to harness the energy from the sun to create nutrient-rich soil, and how the Chef’s Garden research facility makes old-fashioned farming high tech (without losing the good parts)
• what’s ice spinach???
• how the on-farm chef has figured out the art of using all the parts of the plant, the vegetable version of “nose to tail” cooking

It’s rare to have so much fun on an interview AND learn so much. Farmer Lee Jones does not disappoint!

Resources We Mention for Regenerative Farming Methods

• Purchase The Chef’s Garden: A Modern Guide to Common and Unusual Vegetables–with Recipes on Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Watch The Chef’s Garden on Amazon or on A&E!
• A Beginner’s Guide to Regenerative Agriculture
• Growing Food in Containers Using Permaculture
• Visit Farmer Lee on his website or on social media: Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, TikTok

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

It shouldn’t be controversial to make your own healthcare decisions!!

Informed consent has become a buzz word for no good reason.

When it comes to informed consent, I personally follow 2 rules:

1. Ask all the questions.
2. Don’t make quick decisions.

I hesitate.

About everything.

If I don’t feel 100% peaceful about something, I don’t do it. You’ll hear my shocking realization about where that response may have been birthed in this interview as I figure it out myself while talking with Alexandra.

Hesitancy.

There’s another word that should be positive or neutral unless you’re a military 

Alexandra is the real deal, so knowledgeable and so generous with her knowledge. You’ll hear her talk about a course she has on her website to help you develop the skill of researching product inserts, and not only is it free, but you DON’T even have to put in your email address!

Huge thanks to Alexandra for all her research and for sharing it with us. Visit her at justtheinserts.com.

Resources We Mention about Informed Consent for Parents

• Is medical trauma affecting your health?
• What is medical gaslighting, and what can you do about it?
• Understanding direct primary care, a patient-centered approach
• Visit Alexandra’s website, Just the Inserts and look into the free course (with audio available in English and Spanish) here.
• Grab her book Well Considered at the Just the Inserts shop or read the first chapter for free
• Follow Alexandra on social media: @justtheinserts or @justthealternatives on Instagram, or @justtheinserts on X.

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Do you know any mom who ISN’T feeling a little overwhelmed by all the tasks she’s juggling, who’s NEVER thought, “My house isn’t clean/organized/gorgeous enough,” or who doesn’t think she has a lot of improvement to make on homemaking?

I thought so.

My guest today, Mystie Winckler, speaks to moms who are overwhelmed or paralyzed by perfectionism, who know their lives will never look like their favorite Instagram influencers, and who are tempted to just give up at home.

(Me! Raises hand…)

In case you’re looking for just the perfect system that will help you out of that, or if you’re hoping Mystie has a cleaning checklist you can try – because surely the next one you try will work even though others haven’t – you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Mystie starts somewhere else, and I believe her method is easier and more difficult at the same time.

For a positive conversation and a lot of encouragement for your home, tune in to this week’s episode!!

Resources We Mention for Beating Perfectionism in Homemaking

• Check out Mystie’s books: Simplified Organization, The Convivial Homeschool, How to Use a Planner without Wasting Time, and Rejoicing in Repetition
• 3 Reasons Giving Kids Responsibility is a Gift
• Teaching Your Kids Chores and Life Skills Is NOT Taking Advantage of Them
• 5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Cook
• Macro vs. Micro-Organizing: What’s the Difference? 
• Try the Bust Out of Burnout Bingo Challenge (with prizes!)
• Visit Mystie’s website Simply Convivial 

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

You get to sit in on what turned into a college class in food history and nutrition label reading!

This interview is high-energy, high impact, and will fill both your academic brain and your mama heart.

Becky Wells of Hippie Moms is passionate about helping other mamas understand their food and build a healthy foundation for their families, and she cuts through all the marketing confusion and teaches us how to Just. Eat. Food.

I thought this interview might be more for the rookies to healthy living among us, but let's just say that I learned multiple new facts that I'm implementing immediately, so this is 100% for everyone, wherever you are on your journey!

You can look forward to:

• Understanding the 6 major milestones in the evolution of food and how we got to this complicated modern food landscape
• What first baby steps should be to reverse the problems we see in our health
• Label reading 101: What’s important in the ingredients
• Label reading 201: What words mean absolutely nothing and why to skip the numeric data on the Nutrition Facts
• Label reading 301: Organic and non-GMO certification
• Label reading 401: Hot tip on an “ingredient” to avoid and how to make the nuanced decisions about how important various commitments are in the grocery store
• How to explain to our kids the importance of listening to our bodies, understanding the connection between food and how we feel, and how to assess food marketing

I love Becky’s approach and her dedication to making this easier for moms, and I’m so honored by her time today. I know you’ll learn a lot and can’t wait to hear more about you and your kids making food with “just ingredients” and what baby steps you choose to take!!

Resources We Mention on the Evolution of Food

• Grab your kids to watch this video on reading nutrition labels
• Check out this episode on how organic food is labeled and might be deceiving you
• Following the dirty dozen and clean fifteen
• What’s the problem with polyunsaturated oils?
• Becky’s website
• The Hippie Moms Podcast
• Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Alzheimer’s and dementia are some of the scariest realities for adults to consider. No one wants to feel like they’re going to lose their mind!

But in this day and age, it feels like cognitive decline is inevitable for many of us, “just a normal part of aging.”

Similarly, our culture has come to accept that many kids are neurodivergent, that their brains are wired differently. We diagnose it as ADHD or ASD, or we see that 1/3 of our teens have clinical anxiety and we think, “It’s just the way the world is. We’ll help them navigate.”

My guest today, Dr. Kristine Bosnar, wants us all to push back against acceptance. In fact, she says that the neuro-inflammation at the root of Alzheimer’s and dementia is the SAME as what we see in kids with ADHD and other mental health struggles! Their brains are on fire.

Buckle up and get ready to learn:

• why brain health is in a steep decline the last 20-30 years
• how it’s affecting kids and the projected statistics
• alarming correlations between the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and ADHD, autism, anxiety
• clear red flags of brain inflammation that we mustn’t ignore in our kids
• what to DO to help kids thrive and reduce neuro-inflammation
• how the 3 S’s - sugar, sedentary lifestyle, and sleep - are pivotal players in the inflammation game
• simple tips for how to start the day right for brain health
• the epidemic of loneliness that we must stop NOW for our kids' generation
• why cooking together with your kids is a powerful (and efficient) step toward brain health for the whole family

Resources We Mention for Brain Inflammation in Kids

• Get Dr. Kristina’s Brain Boosting Foods for Kids resource
• 3 Ways Parents Can Help Prevent Depression in Their Kids
• Hear more on ADHD from Mike McLeod and Dana Kay
• Subscribe to the Monday Missions for quick tips to more natural living! And start with safe sunscreens and green cleaners for your home. 
• Make-ahead egg cups have a ton of protein for breakfast!
• The Science of Friendship (and Why That Matters to Our Health) with Psychologist Dr. Marisa G. Franco
• Visit Dr. Bosnar’s website or find her on Instagram

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Do you eat organic food?

If you do - even a handful of fruits and vegetables - you might be in for a rude surprise when you listen to this interview.

Max Goldberg is the founder of Organic Insider and one of the nation’s leading organic food experts. He sees significant room for improvement, really a NEED for improvement, when it comes to the USDA Certified Organic label.

Max and I dove into policy, reality, and labeling in the organic industry, and I for one learned a LOT.

You can learn too:

• the biggest misconception about organic foods
• a major issue in organics that has the potential to limit our choices at the grocery store and even disintegrate the entire industry
• how we as consumers can avoid this issue at the grocery store
• the best way to find “real” organic food, and why it’s actually better for your family
• what shocking toxin is getting into organic foods (and how to avoid it)
• the first step families can take if you’re not eating organic food already (and a really budget-friendly tip)
• the next step families should take if you’re already making some organic food choices

Resources Mentioned for Problems with Organics

• Cornucopia’s organic score cards
• Healthy, whole grain soaked pancakes (and more breakfast ideas here)
• Memorize the Dirty Dozen produce list & how to clean produce
• Is organic food really better?
• Max has a free newsletter with policy-focused updates called Organic Insider, or find out more on his website Living Maxwell
• Find Max on Instagram @organic_insider

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

You've heard the figure that most MDs get less than 10-20 hours of nutrition and food training in medical school, and Dr. Katja Rowell (MD!) thinks this is a tragedy.

There are some tough moments to hear in this interview, but important ones as we work to raise healthy, independent kids into adulthood.

We talked about:

• What "extreme" picky eating is 
• How bad therapy can hurt a child's relationship with food and family to his/her great detriment, and how you can identify it.
• Why responsive feeding is different, respectful to the child, and ultimately worlds more effective.
• Some of the good doctor's regrets about her early years in practice 
• The perils of diet culture for all ages and how we can begin to protect our youth through using the right language and expectations
• How we need to work with extreme and mild picky eaters differently (Spoiler: we don't!)
• The 5 foundations a good responsive feeding approach boils down to, and how so many families see success 

Dr. Rowell also said that sugar isn't addictive and doesn't need to be villainized as unhealthy...and with the knowledge and experience I have at this very moment in time, I disagree.

But I think it's wonderful that we can learn so much from experts yet also learn to filter everything through our own intellect. I'm totally open to change on this issue, but I also believe it's ok to disagree.

Resources We Mention for Extreme Picky Eating

• Dr. Rowell's books: Helping Your Child With Extremely Picky Eating, Conquer Picky Eating for Teens and Adults
• Take the free No More Picky Eating Challenge now!
• Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibilities
• More on feeding a child with sensory processing difficulties, highly sensitive children, and autism from a functional medicine perspective
• You can connect with Dr. Rowell online at The Feeding Doctor or Extreme Picky Eating
• Follow her on YouTube
• More resources Dr. Rowell sent me after our interview:
  • Dieticians 4 Teachers
  • The Feeding Humans Podcast

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

If having a strong family and raising kids who know how to serve others is important - or necessary - to you, my guest today will inspire, encourage, and challenge you to reach those goals!

He prefers the word "invite" over "challenge," so I'm curious to hear what you think! :)

I was beyond honored to sit down with Fr. Leo Patalinghug, "the cooking priest," to talk about family dinners, sharing responsibilities in the home, building memories around food, and how he's serving many communities at once with his new food truck project.

You'll hear:

• Why being a priest and a chef are basically the same calling
• Fr. Leo's strong thoughts about family dinners and a strict boundary he encourages parents to set about dinner conversation
• The science behind the necessity of gathering together around food
• What Fr. Leo says to adults who don't know how to cook and the impersonal tragedy of processed/delivered food
• A priest's prescription for date nights to keep the marriage strong (and be a good example for the children)
• The Plating Grace and Grub food truck and how many communities and needs it serves (plus, YUM, I'm drooling over the menu!)
• Some pointed words about media consumption, how we digest the words we're told, and what we really need a revival of in America
• Fr. Leo's family experience with food saving relationships

There's a reason Fr. Leo is an internationally renowned speaker and a TV host—he's so great to listen to and has a LOT to say. Take notes!

I'm also so jazzed that he is quoted in my upcoming book on picky eating, coming in fall 2026!

Resources We Mention for Building Strong Families

• Father Leo's book Saving the Family
• Family dinner rituals to promote mental and physical health
• The importance of family dinners
• 10 ways to make veggies more appealing to kids
• More about connected parenting with Jennifer Kolari
• To support Father Leo's food truck ministry, head over here
• Check out his podcast and books
• Follow Father Leo on Instagram and Facebook

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We need to connect with our family members to help them learn and grow beyond meltdowns, and Dr. Bryson will help us do that in the most effective, brain-based way.

There is a reason for the meltdowns, and she’ll help us find the root cause today!

Strap on your science geek hat and get ready for a class in neuroscience for parents 101. 

I could listen to Tina teach all day, and I hope you can grab a piece of paper and take notes to help your own brain retain all this info. But even if you can’t, listen and try out some strategies with your own family – practice makes progress!!

Tina’s books are amazing, and after you listen I know you’ll want to get some from your local library or bookstore. If you prefer Amazon, here are some links to The Whole-Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline, Bottom Line for Baby, The Power of Showing Up, and her newest book, The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids.

They include “refrigerator sheets” with a quick summary of key points for the whole book for folks like me who love to have something visible in my way as a reminder. We’re working on having those for the Healthy Parenting Handbook! Make sure you’re on our email list so you can get them for all the episodes soon. 

More Resources for Calming Tantrums in Your Family

• More on the different parts of your brain and how they work together
• Is sensory processing disorder behind your child’s behavior challenges?
• 5 reasons why toddlers have tantrums
• Master your stress with your breath
• Dr. Tina Bryson’s website for more
• Connect with Dr. Bryson on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

My youngest got his first concussion at age 3.

After this interview, I’m wondering if another child of mine has some post-concussion symptoms that we never realized had to do with a knock on the head!

This interview is for parents of contact sport athletes FOR SURE but also anyone who wants to strengthen their family’s brain health.

What’s brain health? It’s the development of your kids’ brains, the avoidance of cognitive decline as we age (yes please!), and everyone’s mental health.

Here’s a little peek at what you’ll learn:

• Why a brain after a concussion is a bit like a sprained ankle
• How many patients are surprised that their daily symptoms end up being connected to an unresolved concussion in their past!
• What modern conventional medicine gets wrong about concussions (spoiler: not much right at all!)
• The worst possible thing to do (and the second worst) for concussion recovery
• A shocking fact about the CT scan you’ll get in the ER after a concussion
• Connections from brain health to mental health
• A GOLDEN 30-second process you need to put your kids through at the beginning of every contact sport season (I’m going to start telling everyone this!)
• How to make any exercise (and even cooking with kids!) into a brain exercise

Your science geek brain and your practical brain will be so happy to learn all this information! With kids, it feels like it’s not a matter of IF your family will experience a concussion, but WHEN. Be ready with knowledge, and start to build your family’s brain health NOW, because like Dr. Zimmerman says: “The stronger you go into something, the better you’ll be coming out of it.”

Resources We Mention for Building Strong, Healthy Brains

• Get Dr. Spencer’s book Brain Reset at Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Visit his website here
• Concussions are on the rise, but it’s not why you think
• The Best Way to Heal from a Concussion: How to Start Recovery Immediately After a Bump on the Head!
• One great supplement for brain health is Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil. 
• Brain science can make you a better parent!
• Find Dr. Spencer online: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok,

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I always thought menopause was something “older” women dealt with. You know, once the kids are gone and you’ve got gray hair and bifocals.

But then... I hit 40.

And weird stuff started happening.

Was it perimenopause? Hormones? Stress? Just a fluke? Honestly, I didn’t know. I wasn’t even sure how to know—because no one really talks about this stuff in detail. 

This week on the Healthy Parenting Handbook podcast, I got to sit down with Jenn Pike, a brilliant practitioner with a background in exercise science and a passion for helping women understand their bodies, hormones, and how to feel strong again—especially in our 40s and 50s. 

Here’s a sneak peek at what we covered:

• The real definition of perimenopause
• Why your workouts might stop “working” and how to adapt after 40
• Unexpected early signs of hormone shifts 
• What kind of exercise actually helps your hormones... and what might be hurting them
• How to start small and build sustainable health habits during this transition
• Why skipping breakfast is the worst idea for women
• What to eat, when to eat, and how often to fuel your body the right way

If you’re in your late 30s or 40s and you’ve been wondering, “What is happening to me?”... this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.

Resources We Mention for Perimenopause Symptoms

• Check out Jenn's Synced fitness membership program! Get 10% off with code KATIE10.
• Hormone Health Is Not Just about Fertility
• Women Metabolize and Build Strength Differently Than Men
• Healthy Sleep Routines for the Whole Family
• Some favorite helps for sleep: Magnesium Lotion Shop lotion; Earthley Good Night Lotion
• Check out Jenn’s books: The Simplicity Project, The Simplicity Body, and The Simplicity Kitchen.
• Find Jenn at her website or on her podcast, The Simplicity Sessions.
• Follow on socials: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I’ll be honest: I’ve never had a consistent bedtime routine.

I teach kids to cook real food, I help families get healthier... and yet when it comes to sleep? Total kryptonite. That’s why I knew I needed to bring in a real expert—someone who doesn’t just say, “You should get more sleep,” but actually shows us how.

Dr. Whitney Roban is a clinical psychologist turned sleep consultant who works with families, schools, and even corporations to teach the why and the how of better sleep. And friends, her tips are not only practical but wildly doable, even if your current sleep situation feels like a disaster.

She breaks down:

• how to figure out your (and your child’s) ideal amount of sleep
• the real reason your teen can’t fall asleep before 11 p.m.
• what you should (and shouldn’t) do right before bed
• the surprisingly simple “test” to know how sleep deprived you are
• how to rewire your habits without overhauling your entire life
• what’s sabotaging your melatonin (hint: it’s probably in your hand right now)
• how sleep deprivation hurts more than just your mood
• and why it’s never too late to start respecting sleep in your household

This conversation was such a conviction for me and maybe it will be for you, too.

You’ll hear me admit my own struggles with sleep, the late-night screen time I know I shouldn’t do, and the tiny changes I’m working on. (I even share a little “mom guilt” about bedtime routines and my husband... can you relate?)

So if you’ve been meaning to “get better sleep” but have no idea where to start - or you’re just tired of being tired - this episode is your permission slip to pause and reset.

Let’s solve our sleep one baby step at a time!

Resources We Mentioned for Healthy Sleep

• Dr. Whitney’s website
• Dr. Whitey’s books that teach kids the importance of sleep
• Interview with Christine Hansen about sleep for parents
• The secret to healing sleep
• 5 weird tools to improve your sleep
• 8 strategies to improve sleep quality
• Blue light glasses I love
• Finding a non-toxic mattress
• Follow Dr. Roban on X, Facebook, Instagram

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Let’s be honest, teaching kids about money can feel intimidating.

This episode is packed with practical strategies and empowering encouragement.

Here’s what you’ll take away from our conversation:

• Why budgeting is essential for teens
• How emotional language can help kids process money stress
• One simple phrase that opens the door to healthier financial habits
• How to model smart financial decisions—even when you make mistakes
• A free tool that empowers teens to track their money in just one hour

You don’t have to be a financial whiz, you just need to be willing to have the conversation.

Resources We Mentioned for Money Management for Teens

• One Hour Budget for Teens (Use code LIFESKILLS for $19!)
• 10 side hustles for teens freebie
• 15 financial skills for teens freebie
• Get Crystal's books
  • The Time-Saving Mom: Azon, Bookshop
  • Love-Centered Parenting: Azon, Bookshop
  • Money-Making Mom: Azon, Bookshop
  • Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: Azon
  • The Money Saving Mom's Budget: Azon, Bookshop
  • 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life: Azon

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

"I don't like fish."

How many of us have a child, spouse, or self who says that?

My guest today says that's off course - no one can accurately say they "don't like" "fish" - and I love her reasons!

Whether you love fish or haven't learned to love it yet, this non-fishy interview all about the fish of the sea is a winner:

• Have you ever gotten to know your fisherman? Watch my surprise as I do for the first time...
• How to find the best fish for the biggest health benefits
• Why some fish are harder to cook well (and deliciously) than others
• What to look for in a store or restaurant to make sure you're getting sustainable, healthy fish
• Why ocean stewardship is of primary importance for fishermen and their families

Find well-fished seafood with all the omega-3s at Sena Sea Seafood!

Resources We Mention for Sourcing Sustainable Fish

• Get Sena Sea Seafood on their website
• Find the best natural mineral sunscreen that's safe for the oceans!
• Follow Sena on Instagram 
• When you sign up for Sena's email list, you'll get a free cookbook to expand your fish repertoire 

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

My oldest struggled with eczema from time to time, but when our house presented us with a toxic mold issue, he really flared up.

It was the worst we’d ever seen, and after 3 weeks of completely ditching gluten, dairy, and sugar (by his own choice and motivation), nothing had changed. It was heartbreaking!

I can only imagine how tough it is for parents of toddlers with eczema who can’t even communicate their pain.

My guest today digs DEEP into eczema and all the potential root causes, the importance of testing, and the wide variety of pathways to healing individual children might need.

She says a lot of parents do research and get really really close to the answer their kids needs…and then get stuck. That’s where she comes in.

Here is just a tiny preview of what we’ll touch on:

• “Parasites overgrow in the body when there is a toxic burden!”
• “Bowel movements are the primary elimination pathway in the body.”
• “If kids are not having a bowel movement daily, figure out WHY that’s happening!”
• “Mold impacts the way the brain functions and communicates with the GI tract.”
• “Elimination depends on pooping, liver function, kidney function.”
• “If kids have skin issues, it’s typically a sign that there’s a liver stagnation issue - like the body is pulling the emergency brake.”

If your little darlings are struggling with eczema or other skin issues, or you know someone who needs this podcast, don’t hesitate to hit play or pass it on!

Resources We Mentioned for Eczema in Kids

• Deidre's book: Toxic Infertility: Detoxification Solutions to Improve Natural Fertility: Amazon, Bookshop
• Get to the root of eczema
• Healing inflammation from the inside out
• Find Deidre online
• Work with her for pediatric GI healing and skin health
• Follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook, (her other Instagram focusing on infertility)

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

ADHD is not just an attention disorder; it's an executive functioning disorder.

The myths abound!

If you’ve always thought of kids with ADHD as those who struggle in school, think again.

If you expect ADHD kids to have trouble focusing, wrong again.

If you think kids with ADHD are destined to struggle more throughout life, Mike McLeod is here to tell you that ADHD is not a limitation, just a different path.

The ADHD brain is truly different from neurotypical brains, although some truths apply to both groups, like:

• Children learn best through play and unstructured time.
• Outdoor play is vital for developing real-world skills.
• Boredom is essential for self-regulation and creativity.
• Cooking teaches kids self-sufficiency and life skills.
• Unstructured time is crucial for children's development.
• Parents should set high expectations for their children.
• Removing screens can reveal hidden talents in kids.
• Parents need to place more importance on chores & balancing structure and freedom.

Parents of kids with or without ADHD need the information in this episode, but especially stuff like this:

• Screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, but it does not cause ADHD.
• The ADHD brain struggles with self-regulation and motivation for NON-preferred tasks.
• Varied experiences are vital for skill development.
• Executive functions are crucial for success in life.

I love Mike’s energy and expertise, like sitting at the feet of a master. What an honor to work with him both for this podcast and as a #LifeSkillsNow Season 4 camp leader! 

Resources We Mentioned for ADHD Myths

• Interviews I've done on ADHD: Does ADHD always mean medication? and Practical Solutions for ADHD
• Check out four free life skills workshops now!
• Find Mike online: GrowNOW ADHD
• Instagram, Facebook

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Emily’s stories are going to get your head nodding in empathy and connection - we’ve all been there with the kid who just will NOT put their shoes on, brush their teeth, or do as we ask!

If you’ve ever felt the guilt after exploding all over your kids, those little beings you LOVE so much, you need this interview.

We talk all about emotional regulation, how moms need to work on their own big emotions so that they can better help their kids, and how to raise emotionally healthy families. Today, we touch on:

• Motherhood is no joke! It’s way harder than it looks from the outside, especially when your own emotions get involved.
• In the heat of a meltdown, kids aren’t being “bad,” they’re stuck in their emotional brain, not their thinking brain.
• There’s no perfect time to work on emotional growth. Start where you are.
• Getting support isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.
• Kids learn emotional regulation by watching us. Imperfect parenting still teaches powerful lessons when we’re honest and intentional.
• Raising critical thinkers and independent problem-solvers starts with slowing down, naming emotions, and solving problems with our kids.

Resources We Mention for Emotional Regulation

• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
• The kitchen is a good place to build social emotional skills
• The Explosive Child by Ross Green
• Find Emily online
• Follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook
• Listen to her podcast
• Emily's free masterclass on Emotional Regulation for Neurodivergent Kids
• Get four free life skills classes now!

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

If you’ve ever passed kefir in the grocery store and wondered, “Is that stuff actually good for you?”—you’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who shares how this tangy, probiotic-rich drink became a lifeline for her immigrant family—and a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness.

Julie dives into the science behind fermented foods, the gut-brain connection, and why kefir might be one of the most underrated health foods on your shelf. We also talk mom-to-mom about raising adventurous eaters, the role of dairy in women’s health, and the importance of modeling self-care for our kids.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why kefir supports gut health, immunity, and even mental health
• How fermented dairy reduces inflammation, and why that matters
• What women should know before cutting dairy from their diet
• How to introduce kids to kefir and other healthy foods
• Why kefir is 99% lactose-free (yes, even for sensitive stomachs)
• How food, family, and culture shape our health journeys
• Practical self-care tips for busy parents

Whether you're curious about the benefits of kefir or looking for real-life tips on raising healthy kids, this conversation will leave you inspired.

Resources We Mention for a Healthy Lifestyle

• Information on Dr. Elie Metchnikoff's studies on fermented milk and kefir from 1904
• Read more about the effects of antibacterial everything
• Here's a study on fermented milk and colon cancer
• A kid's perspective on going dairy-free
• Find Lifeway online
• Follow Julie on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn
• Check out Julie's cookbook: The Kefir Cookbook: Amazon, Bookshop, eBook

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We may all think and process information differently, but it’s true that some diagnoses make parenting feel a lot more difficult on a day-to-day basis.

You’ll receive a heavy dose of empathy and understanding from this interview, along with some very practical strategies to create an environment in which your children can thrive.

Ginny and I talked about:

• How ND kids struggle with executive function, big emotions, and emotional regulation, but can often be gifted with exceptional creativity, intellect, and problem-solving abilities.
• Why “routines” include both structure and flexibility
• Why a growth mindset must be in your toolbox
• The beauty of suffering, how to infuse challenges with meaning
• Where to find role models with differently wired brains for your kids!

Resources We Mention for Neurodivergent Parenting

• Ginny uses Ellyn Satter's division of responsibility
• Get my best tips for picky eaters here
• Ginny has a list of saints who had some type of neurodivergence
• Get Ginny's books
  • Blink and We'll Miss It: Amazon, Bookshop
  • God's Kintsugi: Amazon, Bookshop
• Find Ginny online: Quirky Catholic Kids, GinnyKochis.com
• Follow her on Instagram

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We tend to think of "eyesight" as just needing glasses or not. But what if I told you that vision is actually a brain function, and if our kids are struggling visually, it could be impacting their learning, attention, and even behavior?

In our chat, Dr. B doesn’t just talk science — he gives us practical tips that any parent can use to support healthy vision for kids, especially in our screen-soaked world. He unpacks the sneaky signs of vision issues, why screen time isn’t just an eye problem, and what we can actually do about it.

But here’s what might surprise you…

• Many children are misdiagnosed with attention issues when the root problem is vision-related.
• Eyesight and vision aren’t the same thing (and that distinction is life-changing).
• The rise in screen time is truly affecting how our kids’ eyes — and brains — develop.
• There’s a simple at-home test you can do to check for red flags in your child’s vision.
• Vision therapy is not just for kids with glasses — it’s for brains that need support.
• Outdoor time isn’t just "nice" — it’s necessary for strong visual development.
• Functional eye doctors approach vision differently, and it’s exactly what so many kids need.
• And yes, the 20-20-20 rule? It’s real, simple, and super helpful!

We also talk blue light, digital performance glasses, and how to balance a tech-filled life without turning into a screen-time tyrant. 😉

So if you’re ready to understand what’s really going on behind your child’s eyes — and empower yourself with tools to help them thrive — don’t miss this one.

Resources We Mentioned for Healthy Vision

• Try out ScreenFit for your family (get a discount with code "KCRF")
• How vision problems can be misdiagnosed as ADHD
• Here is the directory of eye doctors Dr. B mentioned
• Here's my review of the best blue light glasses I've found
• Find Dr. B online
• Follow him on social media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok

Shop Thrive Market right here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/thrive

Get four free workshops at kidscookrealfood.com/skills today.

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates
• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!