The Gentle Year

Parenting is both universal and deeply personal. The Gentle Year is a podcast from Turning The Tide Tutoring, created to give parents a space to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs from all around the world.

Hosted by Knikki Hernandez, The Gentle Year explores real stories of raising children — from discipline and detachment to resilience, love, and loss. Each conversation invites honesty, curiosity, and compassion, reminding us that there is no single “right” way to parent, but there are countless ways to grow together.

Whether you’re a new parent, seasoned caregiver, or simply curious about the many shapes family life can take, this podcast offers connection, perspective, and gentle encouragement for the journey.

Ready to take your parenting journey deeper? Join The Gentle Year course from Turning The Tide Tutoring here: https://tinyurl.com/y9vhny39

**DISCLAIMER**

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on The Gentle Year podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Turning the Tide Tutoring. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice in any form.

Listeners are encouraged to use their own judgment and seek appropriate professional guidance when necessary. By listening to this podcast, you agree that neither the host nor Turning the Tide Tutoring is responsible for any decisions made based on what you hear.

Episodes

17 episodes

God Didn’t Stop My Kids From Dying: How Fathers Can Prepare for the Unthinkable | James Moffitt

In this episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with James Moffitt, a husband, father, and man of Christian faith who has buried two children. One after a long battle with childhood cancer. One after weeks in the ICU as an adult....

January 25, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 6 • 1:06:26

How Modern Life is Shaping the Teenage Mind | Dara Wax

In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with Dara Wax—global health expert, founder of SAM+LEO, and mom of two teenage boys—for an unfiltered conversation about what teen mental health actually looks like.This isn’t a clinic...

January 17, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 5 • 1:20:31

Why Kids Don’t Feel Safe Talking to Adults | David Marcus

Stop Trying to Make Them Feel BetterWhen your child is overwhelmed, your instincts probably tell you to fix it, explain it, or shut it down. But what if those responses are actually making things worse?In this episode of

January 13, 2026 • 1:34:43

When Education Becomes Anti-Thinking and Anti-American | Ted Lamb

What if the biggest problem in education today isn’t failing schools—but a system that no longer teaches kids how to think?In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with veteran educator, former school board member, a...

January 10, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 3 • 1:11:11

Teaching Kids About Money Without Passing Down Fear | Albert Butler

Money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fear, identity, habits, family, and the stories we inherit.In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with Albert Butler, CPA, for a deeply human conversation about finances, f...

January 03, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 2 • 1:17:10

Choosing Family Over Status: The Risk Most Fathers Are Afraid to Take | Tony Berardo

What does it really mean to provide for a family, and who gets to define that?In this episode of The Gentle Year, host Knikki Hernandez sits down with Tony Berardo, a father, entrepreneur, and creator who made the unconventional...

December 31, 2025 • Season 2 • Episode 1 • 1:14:40

Inner Power or Emotional Pressure? When Choosing Happiness Helps (and When It Harms) | Terry Bean

In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with Terry Bean—children’s book author, life & executive coach, and caregiver to her 91-year-old mother—for a candid conversation about positivity, power, and em...

December 25, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 8 • 1:18:27

Stop Saving Your Kids—Start Seeing Them | Kimberly Lechnick

In this episode of The Gentle Year, Kimberly Lechnick joins Knikki Hernandez to talk about one of the hardest lessons in parenting: letting go. From quitting baseball to giving up swimming, Kimberly shares how she learned to stop contr...

November 08, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 7 • 1:18:05

Learning to Love When You Were Never Wanted | Tanya Bunting

What happens when the person who gave you life never really wanted you?In this raw and unflinching conversation, we talk about what it means to grow up unwanted — and how that pain echoes into adulthood, parenting, and love itself. ...

October 28, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 6 • 1:08:30

The Real Talk on Marriage, Money, and the Mindset to Make It Last | Albert Smith

What does it really mean to stay committed — to your marriage, your kids, your faith, and your purpose — even when life gets hard?In this powerful episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Albert Smith, a husband of 23 ...

October 14, 2025 • 1:14:41

Not Black Enough, Not White Enough: Navigating Faith, Fatherhood, and Autism | David Fowler

In this moving conversation, host Knikki Hernandez sits down with David Fowler, a teacher, father of three, and husband in a biracial marriage, to talk about the beauty and challenges of raising a child with autism. David opens up about ...

October 06, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 4 • 1:09:09

Parenting Boys in a Screen-Obsessed World | Amber Trivedi

In this thoughtful episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Amber Trivedi — a parent, leader, and lifelong learner — to talk about parenting in a world where screens dominate so much of our children’s lives.Amber shares how t...

September 25, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 3 • 59:12

Learning to Be Present: Parenting, Grief, and Growth | Shara Ruffin

In this heartfelt episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Shara Ruffin — an African American parent, LinkedIn consultant, and entrepreneur — for a candid conversation about parenting, healing, and the power of emotional work.

September 14, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 2 • 53:40

Breaking Cycles: Love, Loss, and Authenticity | Rebecca Norrington

In this first episode of Turning The Tide Tutoring Podcast, host Knikki Hernandez sits down with Rebecca L. Norrington — parent, writer, and self-proclaimed “happiness specialist.” Together, they explore some of the most challenging an...

September 06, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 1 • 1:06:34