If you’re a parent, partner, teacher—or simply a human curious about how our brains and emotions shape our lives—this episode is for you. (ps, there are diagrams too)!

Our guest, Sarah Raslan, Co-Founder of Wise Parent, brings a rare blend of academic expertise and practical wisdom to the conversation. Sarah holds double MSc degrees in Neuroscience and the Psychology of Mental Health, as well as a third MSc in Post-Conflict Development. Through her work with Wise Parent in Dubai, she helps families access tools that make parenting more grounded, connected, and effective.

In this episode, we explore:

• The fascinating differences between the male and female brain

• How gender and past experiences influence our emotional patterns

• What self-regulation looks like in both children and adults

• Practical ways we can nurture more connected, compassionate families—at home and beyond

  Chapters:00:00 – Intro

  00:28 – Guest Introduction: Sara & The Wise Parent

  01:54 – The Birth of The Wise Parent Program

  03:46 – Humanitarian Work & Trauma in Families

  05:29 – Why Study the Brain?

  06:42 – Brain Basics: Lower, Middle & Upper Levels

  09:41 – Childhood Brain Development & Regulation

  10:42 – Emotional Growth & Maturity

  13:18 – Understanding Children’s Tantrums

  13:24 – Boys vs Girls: Emotional Regulation Differences

  15:35 – Culture, Gender & Emotional Socialization

  16:12 – Parenting in the Middle East vs the West

  18:28 – Reparenting Ourselves & Breaking Cycles

  19:20 – Red Zone vs Green Zone: Self-Regulation Explained

  21:18 – Parenting in the Moment vs Outside the Moment

  22:38 – The Myth of Perfect Parenting

  24:20 – Apologizing & Repair in Parenting

  25:12 – Healing Childhood Trauma & Neuroplasticity

  28:41 – Inner Child Meditation & Rewiring

  31:09 – Modern Parenting: Balance Between Validation &Regulation

  33:26 – Takeaways: Learning About the Brain &Relationships

  34:20 – Rapid Fire Round

  35:14 – Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn?

  36:22 – Stress, Cortisol & the Brain

  37:13 – Emotional Superpower: Repair

  38:06 – Daily Brain Need: Joy

  38:38 – Rewiring Moments: Becoming a Parent

  39:23 – How to Connect with Sara & The Wise Parent

  39:40 – Closing & Thanks

About Sarah:

Raslan holds a double MSc in Neuroscience and the Psychology of Mental Health, and another MSc in Post-Conflict Development and is co-founder of Wise Parent in Dubai, a children's development program, which focuses on highlighting practical tools for parents in their parenting journeys.

Raslan had spent over 15 years working in the humanitarian field—evaluating programs for families affected by war, conflict, and trauma. And now, she’s channeling all that expertise into creating a trauma-informed parenting program to help raise emotionally resilient children.

Listen at @balancednotboringpodcast on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

Follow us on IG at @balancednotboringpodcast and TT at @BNBPodDubai and connect with Sarah at @thewiseparent on IG.