The Art of Raising Humans
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© 2025 The Art of Raising Humans
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Kyle and Sara Wester are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) with over 20 years experience working with children and teenagers in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Their podcast will help you parent from a place of freedom, love, and courage. Their passion is to help you uncover areas of fear and shame in your parenting and inspire you to empower your children to become healthy adults.They use the latest research in neuroscience coupled with their own experience raising 3 children.
179 Episodes
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Taking away your child’s phone might seem like the quickest way to discipline, but does it actually work? In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester dive into the common strategy of removing phones as punishment and explore why it often backfires. They discuss how this approach can damage trust, block communication, and fail to teach the self-regulation kids really need. Instead, you’ll hear practical ways to set healthy boundaries around technology, foster intrinsi...
What if your love could rewire their brain? In this powerful episode, Kyle Wester and Sara Wester talk with renowned parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson about the science of interpersonal neurobiology—and how love, connection, and secure relationships literally shape the developing brain. Together, they explore how parents act as meaning makers for their children, how the brain predicts future interactions based on past experiences, and why co-regulation and emotional attunement a...
Few words cut deeper for a parent than hearing your child say, “I hate you.” In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to feel hurt, angry, or even tempted to pull away. But what if those words don’t actually mean what they sound like? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester explore the deeper meaning behind those painful outbursts. Drawing on developmental science and research on emotional intelligence, they share how kids often use strong words when they’re over...
Most parents would say, “Of course I love my child unconditionally.” But what if — without even realizing it — we sometimes make our kids feel like our love depends on their behavior, their grades, or how easy they are to parent? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, we (Kyle & Sara Wester) unpack 13 powerful insights from Alfie Kohn’s book Unconditional Parenting. As we read and reflect on each one, you may find yourself thinking: “Oh wow, I didn’t realize I was doing that...
Are you clearing every obstacle out of your child’s way? In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack snow plow parenting—why it happens, how it holds kids back, and what to do instead. Snowplow parenting is when parents try to remove every challenge or discomfort from their child’s path. While it often comes from love and fear, this approach can unintentionally rob kids of the resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to thrive. Kyle and Sara share why parent...
What if one trip could change the way your child sees themselves—and you? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester reveal how one-on-one trips with your kids can become powerful rites of passage. These aren’t just vacations; they’re intentional experiences designed to build skills, deepen connection, and show your kids you believe in them. You’ll hear how Kyle and Sara structure these trips by balancing fun, tradition, and meaningful conversations so ki...
In this powerful episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack one of the hardest moments in parenting: when your teen triggers a deep emotional reaction in you. They explore why these intense reactions often stem not from the child’s behavior, but from unhealed wounds, old beliefs, and unmet needs carried from our own childhood. Drawing from their experience as counselors and parents, they offer 5 practical steps to help you recognize your triggers, regulate in the...
In this enlightening episode of The Art of Raising Humans, hosts Kyle and Sara Wester explore the transformative journey of reparenting with special guest Shelly Robinson — conscious parenting coach and founder of Raising Yourself. Shelly shares powerful stories and personal reflections from her own healing journey, offering insight into what it means to reparent your inner child while showing up fully for your kids. Together, they discuss how self-awareness, humility, and compassion f...
Do you ever say, “You’re making me so mad”? Or feel like your child’s behavior controls your mood? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara explore a hidden but common parenting pattern, placing your emotional well-being in your child’s hands. Though it often comes from love, this dynamic can create anxiety, confusion, and emotional pressure for kids. Kyle and Sara share real-life examples and 5 practical steps to help you break this cycle and build a h...
In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester talk with college consultant Kerry Roberts about how to prepare kids for college in a way that actually sets them up for long-term success without sacrificing their mental health or your family’s connection. We explore how self-awareness, curiosity, and emotional intelligence can help your child thrive—not just get into college, but become confident in who they are and where they’re headed. You’ll learn how to sh...
In this episode, we dive into what’s really going on inside your teenager’s brain and why trying to control them often backfires. From brain development to boundary-pushing, we unpack the science and the heart behind teen behavior. You’ll learn 5 practical, connection-focused strategies that help you guide your teen without gripping tighter. Because the goal isn’t control, it’s trust. Topics we cover: What brain changes are driving your teen’s behaviorWhy teens push back (and wh...
Big emotions aren’t misbehavior—they’re communication. In this episode, Kyle and Sara explore how to support kids through emotional outbursts without losing connection or control. Learn how brain development, secure attachment, and your own regulation shape how kids handle their biggest feelings. You’ll get practical tools to guide—not shut down—your child during emotional storms. What you’ll learn: – Why no child is “too emotional” – How co-regulation builds emotional safety – ...
In this episode, Kyle and Sara dive into one of the most powerful gifts we can give our kids: emotional intelligence. They unpack what emotional intelligence (EQ) really looks like in everyday family life, why it’s essential for your child’s mental health and resilience, and how to begin building it—even if you’re still growing in it yourself. From common parenting pitfalls to simple, meaningful daily practices, this episode offers honest conversation and practical tools to help your kids thr...
Traveling with kids can be a beautiful opportunity to connect—or a chaotic experience no one wants to repeat. In this episode, Kyle and Sara share realistic, relationship-first strategies to help make road trips and vacations more peaceful and enjoyable. Whether you're flying, driving, or just heading out for the day, these tips will help you approach travel with less stress, more flexibility, and a whole lot more connection. View the full podcast transcript at: https://ww...
In this episode, Kyle and Sara tackle a struggle many intentional parents face: “I want to be gentle and connected… but am I being too soft?” The fear of being too authoritarian often pushes parents toward permissiveness—leading to unclear boundaries, power struggles, and anxiety in kids. But there’s a better way. This conversation is all about loving guidance—a balanced approach that gives your kids structure, emotional support, and room to grow, while helping you stay grounded in your value...
n this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester dive into what it really takes to build a lifelong emotional connection with your child. They explore the subtle ways disconnection shows up—like busyness or emotional unavailability—and share practical strategies to create meaningful rituals, stay present, and repair relationships. If you want your discipline to come from connection, not control, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways: Connection is the foundation of influen...
In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with Tara Bremer, founder and CEO of House Peace, to explore how the state of our homes can deeply affect our parenting, stress levels, and connection with our kids. Tara has been bringing peace into homes since 2013, using her background in psychology and counseling to help families shift from chaos to calm. As a wife and mother of three, she understands firsthand the daily challenges of family life—and brings a comp...
In this thought-provoking episode, Kyle and Sara Wester challenge a common parenting goal: obedience. They explore why obedience might deliver quick results, but often at the cost of long-term connection, emotional development, and a child's capacity for critical thinking. Instead, they advocate for cooperation as a healthier, more empowering goal. Drawing from real-life examples and their work with families, Kyle and Sara share practical strategies to nurture trust, respect, and inter...
In this episode, Kyle and Sara sit down with Lori Sugarman-Li—author of Our Home—to explore how reframing family responsibilities can transform your household. They talk about the emotional labor of parenting, why chores aren’t just tasks, and how involving kids in meaningful work builds connection, confidence, and life skills. 💡 Topics include: Why "helping" isn’t the same as "collaborating"Making invisible labor visibleTeaching kids responsibility through shared careHow shifting lang...
In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester explore one of the most common stressors for families—sibling conflict. Instead of falling into the trap of being a referee, dismissing the drama, or shutting it down, what if you could coach your kids through it? Kyle and Sara break down the three roles parents often play (resister, dismisser, ref) and why they don’t work. Then they share a compassionate, research-backed alternative: coaching kids to build empathy, communication,...
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