Authentic Parenting

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma therapist Estefana Johnson shares what makes CMI unique, how it differs from other trauma modalities like EMDR, why our nervous system often overrides logic, and how tuning into ‘signals’ — rather than symptoms — can transform healing. (00:00) Introduction to CMI — what Critical Memory Integration is and how it reframes “symptoms” as “signals.” (03:45) Difference Between CMI and EMDR — how CMI diverges from EMDR in theory, process, and focus on organic experience processing. (08:20) The Roots and Creation of CMI — how the model emerged from integrating multiple trauma modalities into one cohesive approach. (11:10) Present-Day Focus — why CMI starts with current discomfort rather than diving directly into past memories. (14:25) The Mind vs. the Nervous System — why mindset alone isn’t enough and how the nervous system shapes perception and healing. (18:40) Understanding “Critical Memories” — what makes some memories so influential and how they form lifelong behavioral patterns. (22:15) Beyond “Big T” and “Small T” Trauma — why trauma categories are subjective and how CMI honors each person’s lived experience. (26:00) The CMI Process — how clinicians assess tolerance for discomfort and guide clients through following body-based signals. (33:10) A Self-Guided CMI Practice — a simple exercise for tuning into sensations and emotions with curiosity and compassion. (40:00) Integration, Compassion, and Regulation — the role of self-compassion, co-regulation, and practical tools like breathwork in healing. (45:30) Closing Reflections — trusting your body’s wisdom and learning more about CMI training through Arise Alliance. 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. 

Dr. Amy Apigian on the fascinating and often overlooked—biology of trauma.  [00:00] Introduction and shared connection around trauma, resilience, and Armenian heritage. [05:00] Story of becoming a foster parent during medical training and first encounter with childhood trauma. [15:00] Struggles of supporting traumatized children without adequate tools or professional guidance. [25:00] Personal health breakdown leading to chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and a deeper look into trauma biology. [35:00] Discovery that therapy alone wasn’t enough — biology and physiology also play key roles in trauma. [45:00] Explanation of stress at the cellular level, mitochondria changes, and the “cell danger response.” [55:00] Distinction between stress, overwhelm, trauma, and how burnout develops. [01:05:00] How trauma is stored in memory and physiology, with a personal story illustrating hidden trauma. [01:20:00] Exploration of chronic pain, sleep issues, IBS, and how they relate to a dysregulated nervous system. [01:35:00] Survival mode shuts down detoxification and accumulates toxins over years, leading to illness. [01:45:00] Why nervous system regulation is the essential first step in healing — but not the full solution. [01:55:00] Introduction of cellular repair to address oxidative stress, DNA damage, and generational trauma. [02:10:00] A holistic framework for healing: mind, body, and biology working together (“small hinges move big doors”). [02:25:00] Guidance on where to start: choosing manageable steps that build momentum and confidence. [02:35:00] Closing reflections on living more fully alive, plus resources, book, and social links. 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. 

Todd Sarner is a parenting coach and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping families turn daily power struggles and emotional chaos into connection, calm, and cooperation at home. [00:00] Introduction — why quick fixes on social media backfire [02:35] What parents really need instead [05:10] The foundational role of attachment [08:25] “Collect before you direct” explained [12:00] Walking the middle path between chaos and rigidity [16:40] Parenting as our kids (and we) grow and evolve [20:15] What children need most from us today [24:50] How Todd’s philosophy has shifted over time [29:30] Practical tools: bridging and matchmaking [34:15] The Disney Hug Rule for connection [38:20] The magic of satiation hugs [42:00] Closing reflections and takeaways   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.   

What if the biggest thing standing in the way of the parent you want to isn’t your lack of patience, or the right parenting strategy—but your own unresolved trauma? My guest today, Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, is a clinical child psychologist, trauma expert, and author of Post-Traumatic Parenting. She explains how the “trauma app” we download in childhood keeps running in the background of our parenting—and how to finally rewrite it. 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.   

Please note: This episode was originally a live keynote talk and wasn't intended for the podcast, so the audio quality and editing may not meet our usual standards. However, we feel the message is valuable and hope you still find it inspiring. Thanks for your understanding! Anna Seewald invites teens to learn how action creates motivation, not the other way around. She explains how to befriend fear, become your own coach instead of your own critic, do hard things, and build confidence one small brave step at a time. She reveals how embracing challenges and discomfort helps you grow stronger.  With stories from her podcast journey and advice on self-compassion, Anna shows how courage grows after you face fear. The talk ends with a special gratitude letter from her daughter.  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.   

Leora Tanenbaum, author of Sexy Selfie Nation, on how slut-shaming has evolved—and worsened—in the digital age. She unpacks how what was once a whispered insult has become a widespread, inescapable form of abuse—amplified by smartphones, social media, and AI-powered deepfakes. She talks about how “self-sexualizing” can feel like control—but isn’t, the three systemic forces fueling non-consensual sexualization, and how parents can approach these tough conversations with empathy—not shame.  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.   

Clinical psychologist and the author of the award-winning book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World on healthy entitlement for girls, how to recognize and combat sexism in our own parenting, how to talk about misogyny, stereotyping, objectification, and consent with kids of all ages and much more.  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. 

The Authentic Parenting Podcast is turning 10 years old this August.  🎉 👉 Would you consider sending me a short voice note? Here are a few prompts to guide you: What do you love about the show? What are your favorite topics or episodes? What lessons or insights have stayed with you? (Be specific—I’d love examples!) What sayings or ideas do you come back to? (One of mine: “Trauma blocks love, love heals trauma.”) Why do you keep listening? What makes Authentic Parenting your favorite podcast? You can: Record a voice note on your phone and email it to me at info@authenticparenting.com Use the SpeakPipe tool to send it directly: authenticparenting.com/contact Or call 732-763-2576 and leave a voicemail 📅 Please submit your voice message by August 21. Your voice will be featured in our celebratory episode. Want to help us celebrate? 🙌 We don’t work with sponsors or advertisers; we rely on listener support. If this show has brought you insight, comfort, or inspiration, please consider supporting us: Make a donation in any amount at: authenticparenting.com/support Join us on Patreon: patreon.com/authenticparenting 💬 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app—it helps others find the show. 📲 Share your favorite episode on social media and tag me using #authenticparenting  

Can the profound absence of a father in childhood pave the way for a deeper, more intentional path to fatherhood? Charles C. Daniels Jr., PhD, the co-founder and CEO of Fathers’ UpLift, on how inner child work empowers fathers to meet their unmet emotional needs and become more present and emotionally attuned caregivers.  His book: Present: The Crisis of American Fatherhood and the Power of Showing Up New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more.  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.   

Susan Dominus, long-time staff writer for The New York Times Magazine on why individual parenting decisions may have less influence on our children’s achievements than we tend to think—and why we should have more appreciation for how siblings can impact each other’s lives. What's the secret behind high acheiving families? What do they do differently? Are their common factors? Some of the surprsing factors were parental expectations, family cutlure, values, how siblings inlfunce one another, and family mottos. Her book THE FAMILY DYNAMIC: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success  New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more.  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. 

We also talked about her journey into parenthood without her own parents, how she’s navigated the anxiety of nearing the age they died, and the profound transformation that came with raising her son. Today’s guest, Lauren Sisler, shares her deeply personal and moving story of loss, healing, and purpose. Lauren is an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, ESPN sideline reporter, author, and keynote speaker—also known for her signature sideline shimmy. But behind her professional success lies a hidden chapter she kept quiet for years: the shocking loss of her parents to opioid addiction. New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more.  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.   

Nina Mongendre on healing the inner child. Release what no longer serves you, transform generational patterns and live fully.  Pre-order her book Reclaiming Your Inner Child:  A Journey of Childhood and Ancestral Healing The podcast is turning 10!  10th Anniversary Retreat Interest Form To celebrate a whole decade of the podcast and the amazing community we’ve built together, we're planning something very special — a retreat! This will be a beautiful opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, connect in person, reflect, laugh, and celebrate all that we’ve created together over the years. If your heart’s saying “yes!” — even just a little — we’d love to know. Fill out this quick form to let us know you’re interested and want to be kept in the loop as details unfold. Note: This is not a reservation — just a way to say, “Keep me posted!” New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE What is Home? A Philosophical Exploration How Changing Your Story Can Change Your Life with Nina Mongendre Who We Are and How We Heal with Nina Mongendre 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.   

Have you ever felt an instant connection with someone—like your energies just aligned without needing words? And other times… you've had to work to connect, even with the people you love most? What is connection? How does it feel to truly connect with someone? What’s the difference between connection, relationship, and love? In today’s episode, we explore what it takes to build deep emotional connection with others. How do we know when we’re genuinely connected? What does disconnection feel like, and how can we rebuild a lost connection? New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE Why We Need to Connect More Death and Cupcakes The Healing Power of Storytelling Colonoscopy and Cannolis 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.  Read my article: 9 Ways to Truly Connect with Your Teen

What if recovering from burnout isn’t about doing more—but learning how to regulate what’s already happening inside you? New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. OTHER EPSIODES YOU MAY ENJOY Befriending Your Nervous System with Deb Dana How to Regulate Your Nervous System Jen Mann How to Help Kids with Emotional Self-Regulation with Mona Delahooke, Ph.D The Secret Language of The Body with Jenn Mann and Karden Rabin 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.   

Have you ever wondered how the experience of motherhood changes depending on where you are in the world — and how much of it is shaped by culture, politics, and community rather than just personal choice? Today’s conversation might just change the way you think about parenthood, support systems, and even policy. New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. 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. 

Are your expectations helping—or hurting—your child? Is your own anxiety fueling theirs? Does your child feel overwhelmed by school, stress, or the pressure to be perfect? If you're unsure how to support your child without adding to their stress, you're not alone. In this episode, Ned Johnson and I explore why so many kids are struggling—and what you can do to truly help. New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. 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.       

Dr. Dan Siegel on the power of showing up, learning to repair after ruptures and the four S's; feeling Seen, Safe, Soothed and Secure.  New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. 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.   

Former podcast guest, author of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges Tosha Schore on how we can help boys develop healthy communication skills and learn emotional intelligence.  Creating safe spaces for boys to express themselves without fear of judgment. Challenging stereotypes and normalizing diverse emotions. Modeling emotional intelligence in everyday moments. The importance of emotional work for parents. Understanding your child’s emotional style and respecting boundaries. Practicing self-reflection to improve emotional parenting. Discussing emotional labor in parenting and supporting each other. New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. 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. 

Brazilian-American journalist and former foreign correspondent Marina Lopes about parenting hacks from around the world. Drawing on her multicultural background and experiences living in various countries Marina explores how different cultures approach parenting, offering practical ideas for American parents.  The Brazilian "birth party" The Chinese tradition of postpartum rest ("sitting the month") The Danish practice of babies sleeping outdoors Swedish parental leave policies Parenting in Mozambique Singapore's reliance on hired help and affordable childcare French universal childcare Giving children real responsibilities and chores Rethinking parental roles and challenging the guilt And so much more Despite exploring parenting practices worldwide, the author and her husband ultimately chose to raise their family in the US to be near their loved ones, emphasizing the importance of "going where the love is" and building community within their chosen location. Get her book: Please Yell at My Kids : What Cultures Around the World Can Teach You About Parenting in Community, Raising Independent Kids, and Not Losing Your Mind New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. 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. 

Clinical psychologist, play therapist, podcast host, and author Sheryl Ziegler on why middle childhood (ages 6-12) is a crucial but often overlooked period for developing emotional regulation and capability.   Earlier puberty trends The importance of parents addressing emotional dysregulation  How to manage their own emotions What is the "window of tolerance"? How to practice co-regulation through a calm presence How to teach children emotional literacy and self-regulation skills Get her book: The Crucial Years: The Essential Guide to Mental Health and Modern Puberty in Middle Childhood (Ages 6-12) Listen to her first epsiode:  Mommy Burnout: How To Reclaim Your Life and Raise Healthier Children in The Process New to the podcast? Not sure where to start? Download our free TRAUMA KIT — a curated guide with live links to 10 powerful, handpicked episodes to get you started. Explore how trauma shapes your body, brain, nervous system, and relationships — and discover pathways to healing and transformation. Featuring world-renowned experts like Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Thema Bryant, Paul Conti, and more. 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.