Our brains hold our relational history—all the joys, all the ruptures, all the repairs. And even in the most difficult childhood or parenting circumstances, the science of relationships and connection can give us hope for whole-brain and whole-life transformation.

Therapist, bestselling author, and mom—Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is seeking a connection revolution that brings neurobiology and practical relational wisdom to bear on both how we were parented, how we parent, and how we relate throughout our lifespan.

In this conversation with Tina Bryson, we discuss:

• The science of childhood relational development and growth into strong, adaptive adults


• The brain as our most social organ—capable of holding a lifetime of relational and emotional history


• How to emotionally co-regulate with another person to achieve a calm, peaceful, and vibrant relationship


• Neuroplasticity and our ability to change with intention toward our deepest held values


• And we explore how the science of connection, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology sheds light on how we were parented, and impacts how we might parent ourselves and how we relate to everyone.

Books by Dr. Tina Bryson

• 
  The Way of Play (Tina’s latest book!)


• The Whole-Brain Child


• No-Drama Discipline


• The Yes Brain


• The Power of Showing Up

Follow Tina Bryson

TinaBryson.com Instagram X The Center for Connection

Show Notes

• 
  What Do You Say?: How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home, by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson

• 
  Secure Relating: Holding Your Own in an Insecure World, by Sue Marriot and Ann Kelley

• 
  The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child, Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

• 
  *Parenting from the Inside Out,* Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell


• 
  *The Power of Showing Up,* Dan Siegel and Tina Bryson

About Tina Bryson

Dr. Tina Bryson is an expert in applying interpersonal neurobiology and neuropsychology to maybe the most central part of human life: our closest, most intimate relationships. A bestselling co-author (with Dan Siegal) of THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE, she has written several other books on parenting and the brain. Her latest book on the science of play came out in January 2025.

Tina is a psychotherapist and the Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Connection. She speaks and advocates widely, has appeared across media outlets like TIME Magazine, “Good Morning America,” Huffington Post,Redbook, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Her doctoral research explored attachment science, childrearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology. But Tina emphasizes that before she’s a parenting educator, or a researcher, she’s a mom.

Tina is an absolutely brilliant and motivating and encouraging communicator, breaking down the science of connection in a way that’s clear, realistic, humorous, and immediately helpful.

For more resources from Tina, including her books, and science-packed relationship tips, visit https://www.thecenterforconnection.org/ and tinabryson.com.

About the Thrive Center

• Learn more at thethrivecenter.org.


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About Dr. Pam King

Dr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.  Follow her @drpamking.

About With & For

• Host: Pam King


• Senior Director and Producer: Jill Westbrook


• Operations Manager: Lauren Kim


• Social Media Graphic Designer: Wren Juergensen

Special thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.