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Clarity & hope for parents in these anxious times with Dr Jenny Brown. This podcast features examples from the frontlines of parenting, plus discussions with parents and helpers considering how best to be a positive resource for their child’s wellbeing. It draws from research and Bowen family systems theory revealing that families do best when the parent focuses on managing themself and clarifying parenting principles rather than changing the child.
42 Episodes
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Briony Scott, renowned educator and advocate for young people, to unpack the growing tendency to pathologise normal teenage emotions. Are we too quick to label sadness as depression or worry as anxiety? Briony explores how this rush to intervene can sometimes do more harm than good—and what parents can do instead to raise emotionally resilient children. From navigating girlhood emotions to tackling toxic masculinity , this episode is an essential conversa...
This episode explores how parents can become confident, empowered partners in their child’s education. Through insights from an educator and head of student wellbeing, we unpack the real challenges both parents and teachers face when trying to connect—and what helps bridge the gap. You'll hear practical strategies for building trust, improving communication, and creating a shared sense of purpose between home and school as part of a broader commitment to student wellbeing. Jenny Brown in conv...
How do you help teens to raise their own awareness to the impacts of their screen addictions and to motivate them to stop doing it if they're refusing or denying that the phone's the problem? In this follow up episode (see Episode 5), Vicki Wilkins and Jenny Brown respond to questions sent in at the end of a recent webinar. They offer practical advice, urging listeners to consider a shift from reactivity to presence - focussing on setting digital boundaries, rooted in values and not panic. If...
In this timely episode, facilitator Vicki Wilkins interviews Dr. Jenny Brown — founder of the Parent Hope Project — to explore how parents and educators can reclaim calm, confident leadership amidst the chaos of the digital age. Rather than focusing on fear-based data that leaves parents feeling overwhelmed or caught in rigid control efforts, Dr. Brown offers a refreshing perspective: real influence starts with self-management, not child-management. Through insights and practical ...
Bridging the Gap: Parents Relating Positively to their Child’s Mental Health Service In this episode, Jenny Brown and Dr Annemaree Bickerton explore how parents can effectively engage with mental health clinicians supporting their children. We discuss what parents can expect in terms of involvement, the different types of involvement that empower parents as key contributors to their child’s recovery, and how shared information builds trust. The episode also addresses the challenges pare...
In this episode, we explore a modern parenting paradox: how to be a supportive parent without overdoing it. Joining us again is researcher and family systems therapist Phil Kelver from Kansas, USA, sharing insights from his 20-year study of 50 families. Together, we unpack his fascinating research about the effects of over-investing in our children, how parents can spot the subtle signs of doing too much, and what it takes to find a healthier balance in today's high-pressure parenting culture...
Discovering that your child is self-harming is understandably fear- inducing for any parent. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, PHP invites parents to consider first how they are responding when safety fears are raised – rather than focusing on the details of the self-harm and diagnoses. In this podcast Jenny Brown interviews leading Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Annemaree Bickerton about parenting when a child is self-harming. They cover some of these questions: What are the diff...
Goal setting – how parents setting applicable goals helps a family to function In this first episode of 2025, Jenny Brown interviews Philip Klever, a clinician and researcher from Kansas City in the USA. Philip describes his research and what it reveals about the variations in what goals parents set and together they explore how goal settings and principles are connected for parents. In the Parent Hope programs, parents are asked to consider their principles when deciding on their...
In this episode, Jenny Brown delves deeper into Differentiation-Based Parenting, exploring how this approach extends beyond the parent-child relationship to include the dynamic between parenting partners. Grounded in Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation-Based Parenting shifts the focus from solely addressing children’s needs and vulnerabilities to encouraging parents to develop greater self-awareness while maintaining a calm and connected presence with their children. By prioritising ...
In this episode, Jenny Brown introduces a title for the Parent Hope Project's parenting approach. Part one of this series asks the question: Is this just another parenting style with a whole lot of techniques? Part two will explore what this approach looks like beyond the parent-child relationship, extending into the parenting partnership. Differentiation-Based Parenting, rooted in Bowen family systems theory, emphasises the value of parents becoming more self-aware while maintaining a non-an...
In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny Brown sits down with Clinical Psychologists Ahmed Tohamy and Samantha Pilcher to explore the challenges of school avoidance and how families can support children in re-engaging with education. Ahmed, who recently spoke at the sold-out School-Link Forum Day Event in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, NSW, shares his experience piloting the Parent Hope Project, a family-based intervention aimed at addressing school refusal. Samantha brings valuable insights from ...
In this Episode Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero. Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan’s rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members - including its children. This conversation builds on Dr Papero’s keynote addresses at the 21s...
In this episode, the tables are turned again as Vicki Wilkins, the Parent Hope Project Professional Programs Coordinator, interviews Dr. Jenny Brown. They discuss the topic of limit setting and responding to children's misbehaviour. Does the family systems approach recognise that parenting involves responding to children’s misbehaviours? This question seems to come up so much at parent events and in our parents' hope for professional training – It speaks to parent uncertainty abou...
In this episode the tables are turned! Last week's guest, Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss: The importance of co-regulation in parenting.What is co-regulation?Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation?Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting.Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion.To hear more about Michelle go to Season 2 Episode 4 or see links below. About Dr Jenny Brown: Dr Jenny Brown has over 35 years of ...
In this Episode Jenny and Guest Michelle Varcoe discuss tantrums, sleep issues and exhaustion - staying steady (enough) during the early parenting years. Michelle brings her insight into what she sees as the main challenges in trying to stay steady in these very intense, exhausting parenting years. Michelle Varcoe is a mother who is just coming up for air from the early parenting years. She is a seasoned mental health clinician, one of the specialist Parent counsellors at the Parent Hope C...
In today's episode, Jenny will discuss Marriage and Parenting with a seasoned family therapist, author, Father and Husband, Arum Nadigel. With a special emphasis on Dads, they will explore what it takes to keep a marriage intact through the stresses and strains of the parenting years? They discuss big questions Like: What are the main stressors that parenting puts on a marriage? Are there particular stressors in today's stress-laden climate (dual income stress – living awa...
In this episode we will discuss an important finding from Bowen family systems theory: parents can detour our troubles onto our children. This is described as parents projecting the worry onto the offspring. Dr Carrie Collier will help us to think about this issue and address our build up of worry about children. How to make sense of the way issues in broader family relationships can increase a worry focus on children.How issues with our siblings, cut-offs with parents, or the dea...
In this Episode of the Parent Hope Podcast Jenny Brown explores “How parents can partner with schools to increase student and family confidence” with Robin Shultz. What makes for a positive partnership between parents and schools? What can get in the way of this? How can parents best deal with worries about how their child is doing at school? Robin Shultz Bio Robyn is a retired school social worker with 20 years of experience working in schools in the Chicago area. Now a private...
The Summer Theme - Parents promoting responsible, age-appropriate independence & avoiding futile power struggles. These themes are relevant, whatever the age of your child. Adolescents present unique challenges for parents. For example, the reactive push for independence can be triggering for parents. In this podcast, Jenny reveals how parent efforts to correct behaviours can inadvertently reinforce a conflict cycle that can fuel a teen's physiological reward system: (sensat...
The Summer Theme - Parents promoting responsible, age-appropriate independence & avoiding futile power struggles. These themes are relevant, whatever the age of your child. Enjoy this rebroadcast of “Toddler in meltdown- The first push for independence” With toddlers the challenge is managing our responses to their huge learning spurt and push towards independence. This podcast describes 2 different parent toddler interactions involving a toddler not getting what they want. What is in ...
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