Parenting Collective
Hey beautiful parents, welcome to the Parenting Collective Podcast! I am your host, Donna Moala and around here we believe it takes a village, so I have brought to you a village of experts who give you all the tools around anything parenting and beyond.Each episode, I invite brilliant minds in parenting, health, relationships, and beyond to share their knowledge and support you in creating calmer homes, stronger connections and more rested nights. Think of this as your weekly coffee date with people who really get it and who can give you the tools to thrive, not just survive...
EP: 104 How to Reconnect With Your Teenager: Building Stronger Mother-Child Connections
How do we stay connected to our teenagers as they grow up, become more independent, and start pulling away?
Parenting teens can feel challenging, but what if strengthening your relationship isn't about trying harder to control their behaviour, but about creating more space for connection?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Daniela Cooper, founder of The Gather Project, to explore how we can build stronger mother-child relationships, reconnect with our teenagers, and create the sense of community so many families are missing.
As...
EP: 103 How to Raise Money-Smart Kids | Financial Literacy for Children
How do we raise financially confident children in a world where the cost of living keeps rising and owning a home feels increasingly out of reach?
In this episode of The Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Brooke Roberts, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sharesies, to explore how parents can teach kids about money, build healthy financial habits, and create opportunities for their family's future.
In this conversation, we explore:
How to teach children about money, saving, spending and investing from an early age.Why raising financially confident...Ep: 102 When Your Child Triggers You: Childhood Trauma & Conscious Parenting
How does childhood trauma shape the way we parent? And how can we break generational cycles to build stronger, healthier connections with our children?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala, conscious parenting coach and secure sleep specialist, sits down with Dr. Kalyani Gopal, Founder and President of the SAFE Coalition for Human Rights and President of the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations.
An award-winning speaker and international trainer, Dr. Gopal specialises in trauma, foster care and adoption, child protection, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Together...
Ep: 101 Baby Milestones, Development Created By A Paediatric OT
Are you worried about your baby’s milestones? Googling every little thing and wondering, “Is my baby on track?”
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala chats with Alaskah Hindry, a paediatric Occupational Therapist, mother and founder of Evergrow App, about baby development, developmental milestones and the overwhelm so many parents experience.
Alaskah shares why baby milestones have such a wide range, when parents should seek professional support, and why comparing your baby to other children can create unnecessary anxiety.
They also talk about the realit...
EP: 100 Losing a Child: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief, Healing & Hope
What happens when a parent loses their child? How do you keep going, navigate grief, and find a way to carry your child’s memory forward?
In this deeply moving episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Jess Yugovich, Founder and CEO of The Aliyah Mae Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established following the tragic and unexpected loss of her daughter, Aliyah Mae, in 2024 at just three years old.
Jess shares her deeply personal journey through child loss, grief and healing, including the story of Aliyah, the sp...
EP: 99 Speech Delays, Mouth Breathing & Early Intervention: What Parents Need to Know
What if the signs your child is struggling with speech, breathing, sleep, or development are easier to miss than you think?
In this episode of The Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Luba Patlakh, a passionate child and family advocate, dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist, Myofunction Therapist, and Founder & Director of Kidology, Inc. Luba is also the host of The Growth Lab Podcast, where she has real conversations about speech delays, feeding, IEPs, sensory processing, and everything in between.
Together, Donna and Luba explore:
✨ Speech delays and...
EP: 98 Kids, Smartphones & Social Media: How to Keep Them Safe Without Fear
Kids, smartphones, social media and AI are changing the world our children are growing up in. But how do we help our kids navigate technology safely without parenting from fear?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with Kirra Pendergast, Founder and Chief Strategist of Safe on Social and Ctrl+Shft, and one of the world's leading voices on digital safety, online harm and AI-era risk.
Kirra has spent decades working in technology, cybersecurity and digital safety, helping families, schools and communities understand the risks and...
EP: 97 How to Be a Better Dad: The Modern Fatherhood Guide for Ambitious Men
How to be a better dad, become a more intentional father, and balance fatherhood with a successful career — what does modern fatherhood really look like for ambitious men?
On this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Jeff Hittner, leadership expert, executive coach, and founder of Ambitious Dads, for an honest conversation about modern fatherhood, parenting for dads, fatherhood and career, emotional regulation, intentional parenting, and becoming a better dad.
After interviewing more than 200 fathers, Jeff noticed a pattern: ambitious men often feel pulled between the ca...
EP: 96 Stop Trying to Be a Perfect Parent: Play & Connection Matter More
What if being a good parent doesn’t mean being a perfect parent?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala is joined by Monique Cohen, a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist and Play Therapist, and author of Planet Parent, for a warm and honest conversation about playful parenting, parent-child connection, emotional regulation and the pressure to get parenting “right.”
Together, Donna and Monique unpack the myth of perfect parenting and explore how play can help children feel connected, safe and understood. They talk about child-led play, emotional regulation, anxiety, school refusa...
EP: 95 First-time Dad: The Side Men Rarely Talk About
What does it really feel like to become a dad for the first time?
On this episode of The Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with Zachary Perez, first-time father, screenwriter and author of Becoming Dad, for an honest and deeply relatable conversation about the side of parenthood men don’t always talk about.
Zachary became a dad at 41 and began documenting his journey through pregnancy, birth and the first 50 days of fatherhood, capturing the emotions, uncertainty, anxiety, joy and complete overwhelm of becoming a new dad in real time.
...EP: 94 Stop Chasing Grades. Instead Help Your Child Find Their Passion & Purpose
What if your child’s path to success has very little to do with getting straight A’s?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with @Margot Machol Bisnow, author of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams, 99 Stories from Families Who Did, to explore what it really takes to raise confident, resilient and fulfilled children.
Margot spent years interviewing successful entrepreneurs and their families to uncover the common threads in how thriving entrepreneurs were raised. What she discovered may challenge the way many pare...
EP: 93 SCHOOL: Mainstream v’s Homeschooling - How to Choose What’s Right for Your Child
Choosing the right education path for your child can feel like one of the biggest parenting decisions you'll ever make. Should you choose mainstream school, homeschooling, or another alternative education option? And how do you know which path truly suits your child and your family?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, I sit down with Emma Gentle, an Emotional Intelligence & Nervous System Coach and former school leader, to explore the growing conversation around homeschooling vs mainstream school.
Drawing on her experience as a teacher, school leader, coach and mum, Emma shares...
EP: 92 Grocery Shopping Secrets - Save Your Family Hundreds
Are rising grocery bills putting pressure on your family budget?
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with Carol Ann Kates, award-winning author and grocery shopping expert, to uncover the grocery shopping secrets that can help families save money, reduce food waste, and make every dollar go further.
Drawing on decades of experience as a former grocery store owner, Carol Ann shares practical tips on how to shop smarter, choose the freshest produce, store food correctly, and plan meals that stretch your grocery budget, without sacrificing healthy family m...
EP: 91 Newborn Mothers Need a Village: Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Support
Pregnancy, birth and postpartum can be some of the most transformative and vulnerable seasons of a mother’s life. But no mother was ever meant to do it all alone.
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Deyana Salib, Midwife, Owner & Director of Pregnancy Practice Perth, for a heartfelt conversation about why mothers need a village before, during and after birth.
Deyana shares her journey as a midwife and the inspiration behind Pregnancy Practice Perth , a community-focused model designed to support women from early pr...
EP: 90 How Can Parents Help Their Kids NOT To Lose Their Authentic Self
Why do so many children lose their authentic selves and what can parents do to protect them?
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with Alexander Kopelman, social entrepreneur, advocate, whole-being coach, and author of For Real: Helping Children Remain Their Authentic Selves in a Limiting World, to explore how modern parenting can either nurture or unintentionally suppress a child's true identity.
As the founding President and CEO of the Children's Arts Guild, Alexander helped build a nonprofit dedicated to helping children discover, express, and develop their...
EP: 89 Annabel Karmel on Turning Tragedy into the World's Most Trusted Family Food Brand
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with @Annabel Karmel MBE, the world's best-selling children's cookbook author, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential voices in child nutrition.
Annabel shares the deeply personal story that changed her life forever. After the heartbreaking loss of her baby daughter, Natasha, she transformed unimaginable grief into a mission that has helped millions of families around the world feed their children with confidence. Today, her books have sold more than 5 million copies, and her advice has shaped the way parents approach baby...
EP: 88 Raise Emotionally Stronger Children with Conscious Parents
What if raising emotionally resilient children begins with transforming ourselves first?
In this episode of Parenting Collective Podcast, Conscious Parenting Coach Donna Moala explores the power of mindfulness, emotional awareness, and conscious parenting with special guests Mayra Clay, author of The Boy and the Pink Light, and Marc Krusin.
Mayra and Marc are meditation teachers with The Bright Path Ishayas and independent publishers through BookPath, where they share books and tools designed to support emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and conscious living.
Together, Donna, Mayra, and Marc discuss how...
EP: 87 The Hidden Crisis Facing Working Parents Today | Work, Burnout & Family Balance
Are you a working parent struggling to balance career, family life, and your own wellbeing?
You are not alone.
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with workplace and family wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine to explore the hidden crisis facing working parents today: burnout, stress, mental load, and the impossible pressure to "do it all."
With more families than ever relying on two working parents, many mums and dads are finding themselves overwhelmed by work demands, school commitments, childcare responsibilities, sporting schedules, technology challenges, and...
EP: 86 When Traditional School Stops Working: Accidental Homeschooling
School refusal. Anxiety. Bullying. Neurodiversity. If your child is struggling in traditional school, this conversation may give you hope.
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, I sit down with Alexander Cork from Crimson Global Academy (CGA) to talk about online schooling, accidental homeschooling, and why more families are exploring flexible education options for children with ADHD, anxiety, school refusal, and other neurodiverse needs.
As a parent and conscious parenting coach, I know how heartbreaking it can be when your child is unhappy at school. We discuss why...
EP: 85 Breaking Toxic Patterns & Build A Connected Relationship | Lauren, Lieve & Donna
What if the same patterns and cycles showing up in your relationships aren’t the problem, but an invitation to understand what is under them and work towards healing.
In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Donna Moala is joined by two incredible women she is fortunate to call both colleagues and dear friends: Lauren Dry, founder of RISE, and Lieve De Lint, psychologist, educator, and head coach based in Belgium.
Together, the three of them support people around the world inside RISE, helping individuals and couples navigate relationship challenges, he...
EP: 84 Changing Learning for Aussie Kids: Manny & Sarah, the Creators Behind Pevan & Sarah
What happens when two passionate educators combine music, movement, storytelling and play to help kids learn?
In this beautiful conversation, Donna Moala sits down with Sarah and Manny Kechayas, educators, musicians, and the creators behind Pevan & Sarah, to talk about how they went from primary school teaching and working out of their garage to becoming one of Australia’s most loved educational children’s brands.
Together, they share the inspiring story behind Pevan the Tiger, why music and movement are so powerful for children’s learning (especially neurodiverse kids), and how their educational platfo...
EP: 83 Roblox’s New Safety Features for Kids Explained | What Parents Need to Know
If you are a parent wondering whether @Roblox is safe for kids, this conversation is a must watch.
In this episode, Donna Moala sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Roblox’s Global Head of Parental Advocacy, to unpack Roblox’s biggest child safety update yet, including the launch of Roblox Kids (ages 5–8) and Roblox Select (ages 9–15).
Australia is the FIRST country to receive these new safety features, designed to help parents confidently navigate the digital world with their children.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Back Elizabeth
00:16 Why Roblox Safety Matters
01:51 May 19 La...
EP: 82 When your Child Hits, Yells or Melts Down, What To Do | Real Parenting Tools
If your child is hitting, yelling, refusing, or melting down, this conversation will completely shift how you see their behavior.
In Part 2 of this powerful episode, parenting expert Gen Muir, founder of @connectedparentingau joins Donna Moala to break down what’s really going on beneath “bad behaviour” and why boundaries are not about control, but safety.
You’ll learn:
Why anger is often a “bodyguard” for deeper emotionsThe biggest misconception about gentle parentingHow to set firm boundaries without punishmentWhat to do in real moments of hitting, biting, and escalationWhy neurodiverse and strong-willed kids need mo...EP: 81 Big Feelings, Boundaries and Better Parenting - What No One Told Us
Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially when you know the kind of parent you want to be, but at the moment, your reactions do not match.
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala sits down with Connected Parenting founder and expert @GenMuir to unpack what’s really happening beneath challenging behaviour, for both kids and parents.
Together, they explore:
– Why even the most self-aware parents can become dysregulated and even loose their temper
– How your own childhood generational patterns shows up in parenting
– The difference between authorit...
EP: 80 Better Maternity Leave, Family Friendly Work Places with Parent Advocate - Georgie Dent
Parenting today isn’t just busy, it is overwhelming.
In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with Georgie Dent, CEO of @theparenthood, to explore why modern parenting feels harder than ever before.
From parenting burnout and mental load to the rising cost of living, lack of support, and unrealistic expectations, this conversation dives deep into the real pressures families are facing right now.
If you are a parent feeling exhausted, stretched thin, or like you are constantly “on” you are not alone. This episode...
EP: 79 Roblox Safety and Parenting with Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Global Head of Parental Advocacy at @roblox, to unpack one of the biggest concerns modern parents face, keeping kids safe online without fear-based parenting.
With over 15 years in digital safety, Dr. Elizabeth shares what’s really happening behind the scenes at Roblox, from advanced AI moderation and facial age estimation to parental controls designed to empower families, not overwhelm them.
If you have ever worried about:
Is Roblox safe for kids?How do I manage gaming during school ho...EP: 78 Calm Your Nervous System When Parenting Through Chaos
Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially when you are exhausted, triggered and trying not to yell.
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala, a Certified Sleep Specialist & Conscious Parenting Coach sits down with Dominique Fletcher (@heldbydominique) a nurturing coach that supports women with overwhelmed souls, to help them explore how nervous system regulation changes everything in parenting.
If you have ever:
• Felt rage bubbling under the surface
• Tried to “fix” everything for your child
• Felt guilty after losing it
• Been stuck in people pleasing or...
EP: 77 Parenting Teens Through Mental Health Challenges
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses teen self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Teen mental health is in crisis. Many parents feel overwhelmed and unsure how to respond when their teen is struggling with self-harm, suicidal ideation, anxiety, or intense emotions.
On this episode of The Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna speaks with licensed therapist and author Katie K. May, who works with high-risk teens and their families.
They explore:
Why teens self-harmThe real function of self-destructive behaviorWhat “big emotions” actually meanHow validation calms the nervous systemThe difference between emotion and behaviorSetting boundaries without losing c...EP: 76 What It Was Like Feeling Different - Mum & Daughter’s Convo Part 2
⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This episode includes discussion of mental health, depression, suicidal ideation and coming out. Please listen with care.
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with her daughter Eloise for an honest mother–daughter conversation about mental health, sexuality, identity and conscious parenting.
Eloise shares her lived experience with ADHD, anxiety, severe depression, suicidal ideation, and the challenges of growing up feeling different. Together, Donna and Eloise discuss the journey of realising she is gay, coming out during high school, masking, people, pleasing, and th...
EP: 75 A Real, Authentic Conversation With Mum and Daughter Part 1
**Content note:**
This episode includes discussions around ADHD, anxiety, mental health, and emetophobia. Please listen with care.
This episode is deeply personal — and one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever recorded.
In Through My Eyes, Through Yours, I sit down with my daughter for an honest mother–daughter conversation about growing up with ADHD, anxiety, and feeling different in a world that doesn’t always understand neurodivergent kids.
We talk openly about the parts of childhood and adolescence that often go unseen:
- Being labelled “the easy child” and...
EP: 74 Dr. Shefali on Conscious Parenting: Why Your Child’s Behaviour Is Not the Real Problem
What if your child’s behaviour isn’t the real problem?
In this powerful conversation, Donna Moala is joined by Dr. Shefali (@doctorshefali), clinical psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of the Conscious Parenting movement, to explain why behaviour management alone doesn’t work, and what actually creates lasting change in families.
Together, they unpack:
What conscious parenting really means (and what it doesn’t)
Why behaviour is a signal, not the issue
How parents unknowingly project their own childhood wounds
Why connection, not control, builds r...
EP: 73 Breaking the Burnout Cycle: The Truth About Saying No
Do you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or guilty every time you try to say “NO”?
Burnout does not happen overnight, it is built through years of people pleasing, overgiving and ignoring our own needs.
In this powerful episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, host Donna Moala sits down with mindset coach @annmanifis to unpack the real reason so many women struggle to set boundaries and why learning to say “NO” is essential for emotional wellbeing, leadership and sustainable success.
With over 25 years in the corporate world, Ann shares practical insights on burnout recovery, self worth an...
EP: 72 Parenting Children with Anxiety or Big Emotions: Here’s the Hope You have Been Searching For
In this episode, I am thrilled to speak to Jenny Brown from the Parent Hope Project @parenthopeproject about why “fixing” our kids doesn’t work and the powerful shift that actually brings calm, connection and hope back into the home. Working with Parents closely to change generational patterns that just are not working.
Parenting a pre-teen / teen with anxiety, big emotions or constant overwhelm can feel frightening, confusing and incredibly lonely.
Together, they unpack:
✨ Why teens spiral into anxiety or big reactions
✨ The hidden patterns that keep families stuck
✨ How parents ca...
EP: 71 School Refusal, Neurodivergent Kiddos - How To Get Them To Love Reading
In this heartfelt chat, Donna sits down with learning specialist Emily Fogg from Wise Owl Education to unpack what life is really like raising and supporting our beautiful neuro-spicy kiddos.
From ADHD and dyslexia to school refusal, big emotions, and the endless battle of bedtime we dive into why our kids struggle, how their brains work, and what actually helps them thrive.
Emily shares her experience as a former teacher who now supports children with reading difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD and more. We talk about the power of decodable books, routine, movement, emotional regulation and how s...
EP: 70 Real Talk on Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids & How To Parent Them
In this heartfelt conversation, Donna Moala - @parentingcollective, sits down with family psychologist Ashleigh Warner - @raisinghumanskind, to unpack one of the biggest struggles for parents today, what to do in the heat of the moment when our kids lash out, melt down, fight with siblings, or show aggression and how to understand where the source of the matter underneath it all is.
Together, we explore:
✨ Why big emotions show up as aggression or anxiety
✨ How to stop behaviour firmly but compassionately
✨ The importance of leadership, boundaries, and connection
✨ Why mode...
EP: 69 Empowering New Mums: Finding Sleep Solutions
Hey beautiful Newborn mummas 👋💛
Do you feel like your newborn will never sleep unless they are on you? 😅 You are not alone. In this heartfelt chat, I sit down with beautiful new mum Dani (@danielle_jenkinson17), who went from contact naps, reflux, and sleepless nights, to calm, connected, and blissful sleep, all with nurturing, supportive & gentle support. 🌙
We unpack what is really going on in those early weeks, how to trust your mumma instincts, and why Google is NOT always your best friend at 3am 😉
✨ Watch this episode to learn:
How to help your baby sle...EP: 68 Raising Girls And Boys Who Like Themselves l Kasey Edwards, Bestselling Author
Donna Moala and bestselling author Kasey Edwards (@kaseyedwardswriter) unpack why your relationship with yourself is the foundation for calm, connected parenting. 💛
Together, they dive deep into how self-love builds confidence, connection, and calm, not just for mums, but for the whole family. You will hear real, evidence-based insights on raising children who genuinely like themselves, and why letting go of perfectionism and people pleasing is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids. 💛
💬 In this episode:
✨ How your self-worth influences your parenting style
✨ The link between confidence, resilience, and emotional wel...
EP: 67 Redefining Success: How to Find Fulfillment in Your Career After Motherhood
Ever felt stuck in your career after becoming a mum? You’re not alone. In this episode, Donna Moala chats with career counsellor Anna Black (www.strategiccc.com.au), who helps women and mid-career professionals rediscover what truly lights them up — and create a work life that fits who they are now.
Together, they dive into:
✨ How motherhood shifts your sense of purpose and priorities
✨ Why “work–life balance” is a myth (and what actually works)
✨ How to confidently change direction without starting over
✨ Making career decisions that align with yo...
EP: 66 ✨ From Corporate Burnout to Business Owner: A Journey Through Motherhood & Safety Culture ✨
Are you a career mum juggling work, family, and purpose?
In this episode, join me and my very special guest, Amanda Amaral - @gotsafem - as we dive into the inspiring journey from corporate burnout to becoming a business owner and how motherhood sparked a mission to transform workplace safety culture.
You’ll hear powerful insights on:
✅ Balancing career and motherhood in high-pressure industries like mining, oil & gas, and logistics
✅ Overcoming the mental load and challenges of being a worki...
EP: 65 Step-Parenting with Love: Navigating Blended Families & Conscious Parenting
Parenting is hard enough, but what happens when you’re navigating a blended family? In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the realities of step-parenting, co-parenting across two homes, raising teens and toddlers with love, boundaries and conscious parenting tools.
Join host Donna Moala as she sits down with Kris Byrnes @insideoutwithkris a mindset coach, mom, and stepmom, to unpack:
✅ How to build strong, loving bonds with stepchildren
✅ The challenges (and joys!) of blended families
✅ Tools for managing...
