Parenting with Impact

Social struggles are not just about making friends. For many neurodivergent and 2e or “twice exceptional” kids, misunderstood social cues, complex peer dynamics, and hurt feelings can quickly turn into conflict or isolation. In this episode, Elizabeth Smith unpacks what is really happening beneath these interactions and how parents can guide their kids through them with greater clarity and understanding. Dive in to learn how you can help your child navigate social situations, respond confidently to teasing, and feel like they truly belong with peers.

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Parenting a complex teen can feel isolating, exhausting, and hard to figure out on your own. What if you didn’t have to do it alone? In this episode, real parents share how group coaching helped them feel supported, learn practical parenting strategies, and create lasting change in their families. Listen in to find out how support, connection, and the right tools can help you parent with more confidence, calm, and hope.

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You know what to do, but still can’t seem to do it. That gap isn’t necessarily about discipline or motivation. In this episode, Theresa Lear Levine reveals how your nervous system and subconscious patterns can quietly drive your reactions, keeping you stuck in stress, overwhelm, and unhelpful old habits. Listen in to learn how EFT tapping can help you self-regulate, shift into calm, and start responding with more clarity, control, and confidence.

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Supporting your kid starts with supporting yourself, and that’s especially true if you’re a neurodivergent parent. In this episode with Taylor Heaton, we’ll explore the importance of rest, routines, and trusting yourself when it comes to self-regulation, and what a later-in-life diagnosis can do for parents who might be struggling. Join us for insights on understanding yourself to parent with clarity and confidence.

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Struggling with screen time, online safety, or other tech battles at home? It might not be about increasing control. In this episode, Elaine and Diane explore how shifting from fear to curiosity, and prohibition to cooperation, can help kids build healthy, sustainable relationships with technology. Press play to learn how communication and empowerment can change everything.
 
 

What to expect in this episode:

●     How to build a healthy relationship with tech beyond setting screen limits

●     Why agreements work better than rules for managing technology use

●     How to stop treating technolo...

Not every student is ready to go straight from high school to college—and that doesn’t mean they are falling behind. In this episode, Jason Sarouhan explains how taking intentional time after high school can help neurodiverse young adults build confidence, resilience, intention, and real-world skills before taking their next step. Tune in to explore a more flexible, growth-centered path for your graduating teen.
 
 

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●     What a gap year really is—and why it is more than just taking time off

●     How intentionality, structure, mentors...

Waiting until the last-minute panic hits to finally get things done? In this episode, Dr. Kourosh Dini explores why urgency isn’t the only way to activate focus with ADHD. Learn how using pause, play, interest, and agency can replace force-based productivity with something more sustainable and self-trusting. Press play to discover a calmer, connected, and more intuitive way to engage with your work and your life.
 
 What to expect in this episode:

●     Why the pause helps emotions crystallize into clearer thinking and better decisions

●     How a one-breath “visit” can reduce avoidance and rebu...

What if school refusal is not defiance, but a signal? In this episode, we look beneath the surface at the real reasons kids resist school—from executive function challenges and shame, to sensory overload and fear. Learn how to respond with curiosity instead of control, and how to work with your child to build solutions together. Tune in to solve school battles and restore your kid’s confidence for learning.

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When follow-through keeps breaking down, the answer isn't planning harder. In this episode with ADHD coach Jeff Copper, we unpack why executive function struggles come from ambiguity, not lack of effort, and why direct conversation is a powerful accommodation. Press play to learn what actually helps kids and adults with ADHD move from planning to action.

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ADHD doesn’t look the same for every kid—especially as children grow into teens and young adults. In this episode, Dr. Janina Maschke explains how gender, stigma, and internalized behaviors can shape diagnosis, coping mechanisms, and self-esteem. Press play to understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how parents can offer the support their kid really needs.

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Feeling quick to anger or stuck in constant conflict with your child? It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, we'll explore how leading with curiosity can help parents slow down, regulate emotions, and understand what's really driving their complex kids' behavior. Press play to learn how getting curious can restore calm, connection, and clarity to your home.
 

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If school feels like a constant battle, you’re not alone. When your child struggles in school, it’s easy to feel lost, frustrated, or blamed. In this episode, Scotti Weintraub shares how understanding your child’s brain and reframing diagnosis as empowerment can turn that frustration into confidence. Tune in to learn how small mindset shifts and stronger partnerships with teachers can transform your child’s school experience.

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What if the secret to thriving isn’t fixing your brain but befriending it? Neuroscientist Rachel Barr shares powerful insights on how curiosity, compassion, and small daily shifts can unlock calm, clarity, and confidence. Discover why pushing harder keeps you stuck and what actually helps your brain work for you. Tune in to learn how to make your brain your greatest ally starting today.

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One small shift can turn family tension into trust. In this episode, parent mentor Georgia F. shares how curiosity, collaboration, and assumed best intentions transformed her family after an autism diagnosis. You’ll hear practical tools for calmer communication, stronger relationships, and raising confident, independent kids. Press play to learn how changing how you show up can change everything.

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Trying everything but still feeling stuck with your complex kid? The problem may not be your strategy, but how you are managing yourself. In this episode, we break down why information alone does not create change and what actually helps families move forward. Press play to rethink what support really looks like.

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Is cannabis really harmless for teens? Neuroscientist Dr. Yasmin Hurd reveals what parents need to know about today’s high-THC products, brain development, and the real risks of early use. Learn how addiction can form, why anxiety and psychosis are rising, and the signs parents should watch for. Press play to hear the truth behind the science and how to protect your teen with facts, not fear.

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Many of the challenges families face are more connected than they appear. In this episode, we bring together key insights from this year to explore how executive function, nervous system regulation, and sleep shape behavior and daily life. You’ll hear why surface-level strategies fall short and what helps families move forward with intention. Tune in to connect the dots.

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Do you ever feel like your needs and your child or young adult’s needs are constantly clashing? In this episode, Dayna Abraham shares how small daily steps, honest conversations, and self-awareness can ease tension and rebuild trust. Listen now to discover one powerful shift that brings more calm, clarity, and connection at home.

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Ever wondered what it feels like to be surrounded by more than a thousand people who truly get the ADHD experience? In this episode, we explore the energy, connection, and unexpected moments that shaped our time at the International Conference on ADHD. We share what community support really looks like and why being in the room matters more than you think. Press play to hear the insights and inspiration we brought home from this powerful event.

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If homework battles and school stress feel never-ending, you’re not alone. This episode reveals how educational therapy helps kids build confidence, strengthen executive function, and become independent learners. Discover how small shifts, the right timing, and a coach approach can turn daily struggles into lasting success at home and school.

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Does parenting sometimes feel overwhelming or chaotic? In this episode, Dr Chris Willard shares how mindfulness, humor, and small daily practices can shift the tone of your home and build resilience for kids. He explains why calm begins with you and how presence matters more than perfection. Listen now to discover one simple shift that can bring more peace and connection into your family life.

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If you feel like someone in your home is always shutting down, melting down, or firing back, you’re not imagining it. Reactivity takes over fast, especially in stressed or neurodiverse families. In this episode, we’ll explain why it happens, how to spot each SODA pattern, and what to do in the moment to create safety and calm. Tune in to learn one shift that can lower stress for everyone in your home.

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Can changing a few words in an IEP change a child’s future? Speech Dude Chris Wenger shares how to reframe support plans to empower neurodivergent kids instead of pushing them to mask. Learn why connection, regulation, and self-advocacy matter more than compliance and how actually to build those skills into your child’s education plan.

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Ever been told your child has “mild ADHD”? In this episode, we’ll talk about why no ADHD is ever “a little” and how understanding it early can change everything. You’ll hear how small shifts in awareness and support can help your child feel more capable and connected. Tune in to discover a new way to see and support your child’s unique brain.

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Is school preparing kids for the future or just training them to chase scores? In this episode, Ted Dintersmith reveals why outdated priorities fail students and how creativity, agency, and happiness are the real keys to success. Tune in to discover what kids truly need to thrive in an AI-driven world.

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Why does rejection hit so hard for people with ADHD? In this episode, Rick Green joins us to unpack the emotional toll of rejection sensitivity. We’ll explore how it shows up in daily life, why it’s often misunderstood, and what can actually help. With humor, insight, and real-life examples, this conversation sheds light on a powerful but often hidden struggle.

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What if the real reason your child struggles to regulate emotions or stay focused isn't behavior at all? Dr. Marielly Mitchell reveals how airway health, mouth breathing, and sensory processing play a surprising role in brain development. This episode challenges what you think you know about sleep, stress, and why your child just can’t seem to sit still.

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Struggling with motivation, time management, or emotional outbursts? It might not be what you think. In this episode, we will unpack the real impact of executive function and why it matters more than ever. Tune in to learn what’s really going on behind the behavior, and what parents can do differently starting today.

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Summary
What if the real breakthrough in parenting starts with you? In this episode, discover how the power of pause, play, and presence can reshape your relationship with your tween. Instead of rushing to fix behavior, you’ll explore how shifting your own approach creates space for growth, connection, and lasting change. Tune in and uncover what truly moves the needle in your family dynamic.

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What if growing up doesn’t follow a straight line anymore, and that’s perfectly normal? This episode explores the evolving journey of emerging adulthood, the hidden challenges today’s young people face, and how parents can support them without falling into outdated expectations. From delayed independence to collaborative planning, discover why there's no one-size-fits-all path to thriving.

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Homework struggles aren’t always about motivation. Sometimes, the biggest obstacles are invisible, like executive function challenges or stress overload. In this episode, we will discover what’s really going on when kids avoid or resist assignments, why your go-to solutions might not be working, and how to take a fresh approach that actually helps. If you’re tired of nagging and want a smarter way forward, this is your next listen.

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What if the change your child needs starts with you? This episode explores how rethinking your role through an attachment lens can unlock new ways to connect, support, and truly understand your child. Discover what happens when you stop trying to fix and start seeing differently. You may never look at parenting the same way again.

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Struggling to get things done might not be about effort; it could be something deeper. Psychologist Ari Tuckman uncovers the emotional roadblocks behind productivity, from shame to decision paralysis. Discover how to rethink prioritization and tap into meaningful motivation. A must-listen for anyone who wants to work smarter, not just harder.

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Back-to-school season brings more than sharpened pencils and new routines. It is a full-spectrum shift in structure, emotion, and identity. This episode unpacks what is really happening beneath the surface for both kids and parents during this transition. From resistance to readiness, discover why slowing down, tuning in, and getting curious might be the most powerful back-to-school tools of all.

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What if doing nothing is exactly what your nervous system needs? In this episode, meditation teacher Jeff Warren joins the conversation to explore mindfulness, emotional regulation, and the power of presence. Learn why fewer thoughts can mean fewer problems and how simple grounding moments can shift the way you parent. This isn’t about fixing; it’s about noticing, being, and allowing space for something new to emerge.

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Today’s kids are growing up online, and parenting hasn’t kept pace. In this episode, Betsy Bozdech from Common Sense Media unpacks the real challenges of raising digital natives. From screen time to AI, the conversation dives into what families need to know but rarely talk about. If you think tech is the problem, think again.

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In this special anniversary episode, Parenting with Impact celebrates four years of podcasting and 14 years since the launch of ImpactParents.com. We will reflect on how the coaching model has grown, what core truths continue to guide us, and why emotional regulation and collaborative parenting matter now more than ever. From tech challenges to teen transitions, the conversation offers timeless guidance for today’s families. Celebrate with us and see why this journey is only just beginning.

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If your child dreads math, the problem may not be numbers—it may be a hidden gap in understanding. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Aditya Nagrath explains why math anxiety is more about language and belief than ability. Discover what happens when kids stop feeling “stupid” and start feeling seen, supported, and capable.

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There’s more to your child’s behavior than what you see. What if the real struggle isn’t defiance but the way the world feels to them, both inside and out? This episode offers a powerful new lens on neurodivergence, gender, identity, and safety. It’s a conversation that invites you to pause, reconsider, and stay curious from beginning to end.

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When parenting feels like a constant battle, is there another way forward? In this episode, Marina G. shares her powerful shift from stress and control to calm and connection. Listen until the end and discover what happens when, through subtle but meaningful changes, a parent chooses curiosity over command.

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