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
40 episodes
Can You Afford to Homeschool? The Honest Conversation | Katelyn Deville (Finale)
Is homeschooling only realistic for families with financial flexibility? And how do homeschooled children develop friendships, independence, maturity, and the social skills they need for adulthood?In Part 3 of this conversation, homescho...
Thinking About Homeschooling? Start Here (Part 2) | Katelyn Deville
Thinking about homeschooling can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to figure out state laws, withdrawal procedures, curriculum, record keeping, assessments, transcripts, and whether your child is truly ready for a different educ...
Homeschool Burnout, Routines, and the “Teacher Bestie” Every Mom Needs | Katelyn Deville
Thinking about homeschooling but feeling overwhelmed, underqualified, or unsure where to begin? In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with Katelyn DeVille, founder of The Home Based Method, to talk honestly abo...
Raising Animal Lovers: Lessons from a Wildlife Sanctuary | Sarah Cooperman
What should you do if your child finds an injured bird, orphaned squirrel, or baby rabbit? How can parents encourage a love of animals while teaching respect for wildlife?In this episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Sarah...
The Children We Couldn't Save From Ourselves | Caasi O'Day (Finale)
What if the problem was never that you were "too much"?In this deeply personal conversation, therapist Caasi shares the moment that changed the course of her life. As a teenager struggling with anger, fear, and loneliness, she learned fi...
The Little Girl Who Felt Like Too Much | Caasi O'Day (Part 1)
This episode is sponsored by Your Wish Is Your Command, a transformational succes...
Beyond the Diagnosis: Autism, Purpose, and Adult Life | Jennifer Kaufman (Finale)
Jennifer Kaufman focuses on one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of autism support: transitioning into adulthood. In this segment, Jennifer breaks down why conversations about independence, employment, long-term planning, ...
Autism and First Responders: What Every Police Officer, EMT, and Firefighter Needs to Know | Jennifer Kaufman (Part 2)
Part 2 of this interview with Jennifer Kaufman focuses on autism, public safety, and first responder awareness. This conversation explores how autistic individuals may respond differently during encounters with police officers, EMTs, firefighte...
What Grandparents Need to Understand About Autism | Jennifer Kaufman (Part 1)
Part 1 of this conversation with Jennifer Kaufman explores autism, family dynamics, and the grandparent perspective through both professional and deeply personal experiences. Jennifer is the author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journ...
The Systems That Shape Your Child’s Mind | Raeanne Johnson (Finale)
In the final part of this conversation with Raeanne Johnson, pediatric mental health nurse practitioner and founder of Brain Waves Wellness, the discussion shifts into practical family life and everyday parenting strategies. Raeanne shares conc...
Neuroscience, Scripture, and Emotional Healing | Raeanne Johnson (Part 2)
What happens when neuroscience, faith, emotional healing, and parenting all collide in the same conversation?In part two of this interview, Raeanne Johnson joins The Gentle Year for a deeply thoughtful discussion on the connecti...
What Every Parent Should Know About the Brain | Raeanne Johnson (Part 1)
What if your child’s behavior isn’t something to fix—but something to understand?In part one of this conversation, Knikki Hernandez sits down with pediatric nurse practitioner and child mental health specialist Raenne Johnson to break do...
The Cost of Trying to Fix Everything | Robert DeLena (Episode Finale)
In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with Robert DeLena to explore a powerful and deeply personal parenting journey—one that challenges how we think about behavior, discipline, and what it really means to help...
Raising a Child Who Doesn’t Respond to the Rules | Robert Delena (Part 2)
In this continuation of The Gentle Year, we return to Robert and Ryan’s story and take a closer look at how children are supported when their behavior doesn’t align with expectations at home or in school.Robert reflects on y...
When Your Child Doesn’t Fit the Life You Planned | Robert Delana (Part 1)
What happens when your child doesn’t fit the life you thought they would?In this episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Robert Delana to explore what it means to parent a child who challenges expectations at every turn. Fro...
Autism, Uncertainty, and the Fight to Help Your Child | Paul Voss
What happens when a diagnosis changes everything?In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez speaks with Paul Voss, a father of eight, about raising a child with autism—and how it reshaped his understanding of parenting...
Parenting with Intention in a System Designed for Default | Nathaniel A. Turner
What if the most important thing you ever build… is your child’s life?In this powerful episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with Nathaniel A. Turner—TED speaker, author, and founder of the League of Extraordina...
Speech Delays in Toddlers: What Parents Should Know | Jeaneen Tang
What should parents know about speech delays, toddler language development, and late talkers?In this episode of The Gentle Year, speech-language pathologist Jeanean Tang explains early speech milestones, when to seek early inter...
A Life Too Wild Not to Write Down | Jessica Danel
In this powerful episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with author and entrepreneur Jessica Danel for an unfiltered conversation about trauma, resilience, generational patterns, and what it really means to keep moving ...
Multi-Sensory Learning That Actually Works | Dr. Emily Levy
In this parent-focused episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with Dr. Emily Levy, founder of EBL Coaching, to demystify special education, early reading struggles, and what parents truly need to know. Dr. Levy explains the early...
Healthy Masculinity in a Polarized World: What Are We Teaching Our Sons? | Shaun Dawson
Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue.In th...
Black Patriots and Primary Sources — What Textbooks Left Out | Ted Lamb
Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue.Black...
Parenting Beyond the Grave: Grief, Faith & Parenting Beyond Loss | Val Kleppen
Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue.What ...