Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Dr. Lori Desautels (author, Connections over Compliance: Rewiring our Perceptions of Discipline) helps educators, parents, and adults who work with children shift the way they think about discipline by reaching for sustainable behavioral changes through brain state awareness rather than compliance and obedience. She’s actively pushing back against reactive and punitive practices that can potentially reactivate the developing stress response systems of children, and is advocating for stronger co-regulation practices and regulated brain and body states for adults.  During this conversation, we consider why there is such a powerful foundational belief that discipline and punishment go together, what happens when the traditional methods of punishment are imposed on children who are coming to school with trauma or a heightened nervous system, and why it’s so important for educators to take responsibility over their own nervous system regulation.  Dr. Lori Desautels, has been an Assistant Professor at Butler University since 2016 where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education. Lori’s passion is engaging her students through the social and relational neurosciences as it applies to education by integrating the Applied Educational Neuroscience framework, and its learning principles and practices into her coursework at Butler.  Things you'll learn from this episode: Why there is such a powerful foundational belief that discipline and punishment go together What happens when the traditional methods of punishment are imposed on children who are coming to school with traumas or a heightened nervous system Why we should be moving away from the behavior management model Why it’s so important for educators to take responsibility over their own nervous system regulation Strategies for helping teachers (and parents) better show up for dysregulated kids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I’m talking with Eli Weinstein, a clinical social worker, husband and dad of two, creator of ELIvation, and host of The Dude Therapist podcast, about the pressure cooker that parenthood can create for couples, and what it actually takes to stay connected when life gets loud. In our conversation, Eli and I dig into the expectations, resentment, mental load, and communication breakdowns that can strain relationships during the parenting years, and he shares practical, real-world tools for repair, clearer communication, shared responsibility, and keeping our partnerships strong along the way. About Eli Weinstein  Eli Weinstein, LCSW, is the therapist bringing heart and humor back to mental health. A loving husband and proudly goofy dad of two, Eli is based in Las Vegas and runs a thriving practice serving clients across New York, Nevada, and beyond through his global coaching work. Known for his straight-talking, relatable style, he’s the creator of ELIvation and host of The Dude Therapist podcast, where he dives into the messy, beautiful mix of relationships, parenting, and emotional growth. An international speaker and sought-after guest, Eli has been featured on over 250 podcasts and major media outlets including The Kelly Clarkson Show, Psychology Today, Parents.com, Men’s Health Magazine, and leading relationship and parenting platforms. His debut book, From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage Through Parenting Years (Wiley, 2026), helps couples stay connected when life gets loud. Eli’s mission is simple: make therapy-level wisdom feel human, hopeful, and real. Things you'll learn from this episode  Why becoming parents can expose mismatched expectations, perceptions, and assumptions within a relationship How making the invisible mental and emotional load visible can create more understanding and shared responsibility Why truly sharing responsibilities means allowing your partner to take ownership and do things their own way How setting the table before difficult conversations can reduce defensiveness and make space for honest communication Why tools like a couple’s journal can help partners process feelings and communicate more thoughtfully How benefit of the doubt, active kindness, and simple gratitude can help couples stay connected through burnout and stressful seasons  Resources mentioned Eli Weinstein’s website From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years by Eli Weinstein Eli’s podcast, The Dude Therapist Eli Weinstein on Instagram The Dude Therapist on Instagram The Gottman Institute Dr. Sue Johnson and Emotionally Focused Therapy An Intimate Conversation with Debbie & Derin About Their Co-Parenting Journey (Part 3) (Tilt Parenting podcast) Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 2 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2018) Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 1 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2017) Dr. Phil Stutz Martina Nova Talks About Same Page Parenting (Tilt Parenting episode) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Times' bestselling author Katherine May (Wintering) talks about her new book, The Electricity of Every Living Thing, about her journey of discovering her identity as an autistic woman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Research psychologist Dr. Rachel Kowert comes back to the podcast for a fascinating and updated conversation about kids and gaming, and why so much of what parents hear about video games doesn’t necessarily line up with what the research actually tells us. In our conversation, we dig into Rachel’s new white paper, Raising Good Gamers, and unpack the research around violent video games, gaming disorder, mental health, and the social, emotional, and skill-building benefits gaming can offer. Rachel also shares her SPACE framework, a practical approach for helping parents move beyond fear and toward curiosity, connection, and collaborative boundaries around their kids’ gaming lives. ​ About Rachel Kowert, Ph.D Rachel Kowert, Ph.D is a research psychologist, award winning author, and globally recognized leader in facilitating policy development for more than 15 years through data-driven research focused on mental health and trust and safety in digital games. She has spoken about her work to thousands of people across the globe, including the United States Congress, United Nations, and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Kowert is the founder of Psychgeist, a multimedia content production studio for the intersection of science and games, which includes Psychgeist YouTube channel (200+ videos), Most Recent Save podcast, and The Psychgeist of Pop Culture and Games book series’ published by Play Story Press. She currently serves as the Research Director for Games for Change and is a Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge. Things you'll learn from this episode  How the conversation around kids, screens, and video games is evolving as research challenges common fears and assumptions Why violent video games aren’t directly linked to real-world violence and what “gaming disorder” actually means How increased gaming can sometimes signal underlying mental health challenges or serve as an important coping strategy Why gaming can support friendships, connection, confidence, competency, and executive function skills How the SPACE framework helps parents stay engaged and curious about their child’s gaming world Why collaborative, flexible boundaries can support healthier gaming habits while preserving connection and trust   Resources mentioned Dr. Rachel Kowert’s website Raising Good Gamers website Games for Change Games for Change on Instagram Games for Change on Facebook Entertainment Software Association (ESA) The Truth About Video Games and Your Child’s Physical, Social, and Psychological Well-Being with Dr. Rachel Kowert (Tilt Parenting podcast) A Parent’s Guide to Video Games: The Essential Guide to Understanding How Video Games Impact Your Child’s Physical, Social, and Psychological Well-Being by Dr. Rachel Kowert Purplicious Cow on CurseForge   Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/tilt or use code TILT and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Performance poet and advocate LeDerick Horne talks about his journey with a hidden disability, his advocacy work, and how he found his love for poetry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices