Episode SummaryIf yelling worked, you’d only have to do it once... but it doesn’t.When emotions run high, your body goes into survival mode, and calm suddenly feels out of reach. In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl breaks down the science of yelling, explaining what’s really happening in your body when you’re triggered and how to use your nervous system to find calm again.You’ll learn about the vagus nerve, vagal tone, and why your body’s alarm system makes it so hard to stay composed in the heat of the moment. Then, Alex shares powerful tools, from breathing and cold exposure to laughter and humming, that will help you move from reactive to regulated, and from guilt to growth.In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhy yelling doesn’t work from a neurological standpointHow your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems impact emotional controlWhat vagal tone is and how to strengthen itBody-based tools to calm yourself when triggeredHow to repair after yelling to rebuild connection and trustKey TakeawayYou can’t outthink a triggered body, you have to calm it first.When you learn to regulate your own nervous system, you model safety for your child and teach them how to return to calm after conflict.Try This WeekNotice when your body starts to move into fight-or-flight: a racing heart, tight shoulders, shallow breath.Pause and practice one of these techniques:The physiological sigh (two inhales, one long exhale)Splashing cold water on your faceHumming, laughing, or even buzzing your lipsThen, if yelling does happen, take a moment to repair: own what happened, empathize with your child, and reconnect with love and accountability.Visit Our Website7 Simple Phrases to Help Your Child Calm Down Without Power Struggles - Download your FREE guide now!
Episode SummaryWhen emotions run high, it’s easy to go straight into correction mode — but what if connection is actually the key to real behavior change?In this episode, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl shares how leading with empathy builds trust, strengthens cooperation, and helps your child’s brain learn from mistakes.You’ll discover the science behind attachment and safety, learn the Connect–Validate–Guide framework, and walk away knowing how to discipline with structure, not shame.In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhy correction without connection doesn’t workHow attachment and brain safety make kids more open to learningThe Connect – Validate – Guide framework you can use todayWhat reflective language and validation really sound like in practiceHow to guide your child with structure instead of shameThe truth about why connection first doesn’t mean letting things slideKey Takeaway""Connection doesn’t excuse behavior — it creates the safety that makes behavior change possible."When your child feels seen and safe, their brain can shift from protection to cooperation.That’s when discipline becomes teaching, and parenting becomes connection.Try This WeekChoose one moment to practice the Connect–Validate–Guide method.Start with presence, use reflective language to name the feeling, then guide calmly once everyone’s regulated.Share what you notice — tag @raisestrongpodcast on Instagram or message your story.Visit Our Website7 Simple Phrases to Help Your Child Calm Down Without Power Struggles - Download your FREE guide now!
Episode SummaryWhen emotions run high, it’s easy to get swept into your child’s storm.In this first episode of Raise Strong, school psychologist and parent coach Alex Anderson-Kahl shares the real-world story of a classroom in chaos—and how one moment of calm changed everything.You’ll learn the psychology behind emotional regulation, discover why your nervous system sets the tone for your child’s, and walk away with a simple, science-backed tool you can use right away to bring peace back to your home.In This Episode You’ll LearnWhy your child’s big emotions are biological, not bad behaviorHow your calm helps your child’s brain feel safe enough to learnWhat co-regulation really means and how to use itA step-by-step guide to the Pause and Name Method for staying groundedOne common mistake that keeps parents stuck in power struggles—and how to fix itKey TakeawayYour calm teaches your child what safety feels like. The more you practice pausing before reacting, the stronger your connection becomes.Try This WeekNotice one moment when your stress rises—at home, at work, anywhere—and practice the Pause and Name Method before responding. Then tell Alex how it went! Message him or tag @alexandersonkahl and share your story.Visit Our Website7 Simple Phrases to Help Your Child Calm Down Without Power Struggles - Download your FREE guide now!
When your child loses control, it can feel like they’ve pulled the whole house into their storm.If you’ve ever thought, “I know yelling doesn’t help… but I just don’t know what else to do,” this podcast is for you.Welcome to Raise Strong — the show that helps you turn parenting stress into strength and power struggles into moments of connection. Hosted by Alex Anderson-Kahl, a school psychologist and parent coach, each episode blends child psychology, empathy, and real-life strategies to help you stay calm, confident, and connected — even on the hardest days.You’ll learn:💙 How to stay calm when your child isn’t💙 What to say instead of “You’re fine”💙 How to set boundaries without shame💙 How to raise resilient, emotionally intelligent kidsBecause strong kids start with supported parents.Take a deep breath — you’re doing better than you think.🎧 Follow Raise Strong wherever you listen to podcasts and join us each week for calm, connection, and growth. 7 Simple Phrases to Help Your Child Calm Down Without Power Struggles - Download your FREE guide now!