Episodes

If you are frustrated by constant conversations about your child’s eating habits, this episode is for you. In this episode of Family in Focus, I explain why focusing on habits often keeps families stuck and how shifting your attention to patterns can completely change the way you approach eating behaviors at home. Because it is rarely just about habits. What looks like a habit on the surface is often the visible tip of a much larger pattern shaped by stress, emotions, relations...

If you are worried about eating disorders, disordered eating, dieting, or the intense focus on weight in today’s culture, this episode is for you. In this episode of Family in Focus, I explore what actually happens when weight becomes the hidden focus in your home and how that quiet shift can shape your child’s relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. Because it is rarely just about weight. When weight becomes the center of conversations, concerns, or decision-making, i...

If you are struggling with your child’s eating habits, mealtime battles, picky eating, or concerns about weight, this episode is for you. In this episode of Family in Focus, I share 3 simple steps to transform your child’s relationship with food by addressing the emotional patterns and nervous system dynamics happening at home. Because it is not just about the food. It is about the patterns. Your child’s eating habits are shaped by stress, autonomy, family dynamics, and emotional regulation. ...

If you are worried about childhood obesity, BMI percentiles, or your child’s eating habits, this episode is for you. As a pediatrician, I see how often parents are told to focus on weight, growth charts, and body mass index, or BMI. But when we focus only on the number, we miss the deeper factors influencing your child’s health, emotional eating patterns, and relationship with food. In this episode of Family in Focus, I explain why weight is often just the tip of the iceberg and what parents n...

Some days, parenting does not just feel hard. It feels confusing. You are trying to do the right thing for your child, especially around food and health, but the messages are overwhelming. Eat this. Do not eat that. Worry about weight. Do not talk about weight. Move more. Stress less. Somewhere in all of that, it can start to feel like you are failing. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. You are in the right place. Welcome to Family in Focus, where I help parents lead meaningful chang...

If you are trying to help your child make changes and it feels like nothing is working, this episode is for you. I hear it every day from parents. Food feels like a battle. Screens feel impossible to limit. Movement feels forced. And no matter how hard you try, it can start to feel like you are failing over and over again. In this episode, I want to say this clearly. You are not failing. What is failing is the approach that has been handed to you. The plans, prescriptions, and one size fits a...

Hey. I see you. I know the struggle. Let me ask you something. What would it mean if you didn’t feel so much pressure around your child’s eating, growth, or health? What would it be like to stop sorting through advice that feels stressful or even harmful? I’d like to invite you to Family in Focus, a space for parents who want to lead change without harm. We focus on connection over control, emotional health over numbers, and parent-led shifts that actually last, so families can build healthi...

Are you craving authentic connections and meaningful conversations? Me too, which is why I turned to my favorite person (Person!) in the world, Jen Person, to have my first coffee conversation. Jen is a badass executive, leadership and personal development coach, so well-versed in emotional intelligence and.... she is my sister. We connected for a completely unscripted conversation and let it rip! Join us as we delve into the heart of emotions and sisterhood, in our latest podcast episode insp...

Parenting is no joke! It's hard to juggle and figure out all the rules (which none of the kids want to follow). But there are ways to make it easier. Today we're going to do a reflective exercise to understand how becoming aware of and defining your values creates a foundation for making parenting easier. Full show notes available here. YouTube version of Episode #113 here. Join Family in Focus coaching now. Current offerings available here. Weight Loss 101 for Your Whole Family: get starte...

Let's weave this together: celebrating certifications, expertise, and defining how you are an expert in your life, health and family. In today's show, Wendy celebrates achieving the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She discusses the significance of credentials in her coaching journey and emphasizes the importance of authenticity and human connection. Wendy highlights the value of being a genuine, imperfect human being and how i...

I've been destroying the chocolate lately. Specifically, peanut butter M&Ms. In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the process that I'm using to get really clear on the problem and the steps I'm taking to make change. You're welcome to take the simple steps with me to make any change you want to see in your life. Full show notes available here. YouTube version of Episode #111. Join Family in Focus coaching now. Current offerings available here. Weight Loss 101 for Your Whole Fam...

Welcome to my very special listeners, teens! Today I want to share some videos I recently created to answer the question, "What does a supportive relationship look like between an adult and a teen?" Well there are two folks to consider in this question and I answered with what can be considered by teens trying to figure out WHY they would ever want to connect with adults, and how adults can be welcoming and supportive to teens. Please feel free to go to the blog or YouTube to see the video ver...

You're zapped, trying to focus on getting that report done. Or from the kids running on your nerves all day long. And the kids are having a meltdown and just arguing with each other, raiding the cabinets and doing anything but homework. What do you do? In today's episode I explore the concept of the "Shake Off," and I swear I'm not singing Taylor Swift the whole time (I.do.not.sing!). What is shaking it off? What does it do? How does it change your physiology? Why does that matter? Let's dive...

As a parent, are you playing ping pong or chess with your kids? It's not all about the games, it's about the approach to being with them. In this episode we talk about taking some lessons from Improv Comedy and apply them to working with our kids. No one approach is better than another, but is it possible that your go-to (like my strength of being a Maximizer) is keeping you from fully having the experience you want at home? Let's talk about health, habits, strengths (and their downside), the ...

Are you ready to be a member of the secret parent society, "Snack Sneakers... S-nonymous?" Parents are frustrated with snack sneaking and want to know how to fix it. Today we talk about 3 steps that you haven't heard before to get to the root of the question, "What do I do about snack sneaking?" Full show notes available here. YouTube version of Episode #107 here. Calling all Healthcare Professionals: I'm so glad you're here, to benefit yourself, your family, and your patients. The CE experi...

Ever notice how you tend to have a soundtrack playing for your life? The same emotions, same story, same day to day.... and don't get me started on the "I'm bored!" soundtrack. Today we dive into an amazing tool - a game from the world of Improv Comedy - and apply it to our day to day lives. You see, in improv comedy, we are constantly flexing, changing, trying on new possibilities, and we don't have to save that for the stage. I include examples of my own stuck-ness, and how I used this tool ...

We have to admit it: we all (yes, I) have used shame tactics when it comes to health. It's a part of our culture and once we admit it, we can start being on the look for where we are using the tool of shame against us. Because shame doesn't make anyone healthier. Period. It backfires time and again. In this episode, I discuss how shame is being used, often covertly, as well as other ways to address actions that can be changed. As always, there are plenty of examples from real life. Full show ...

What does ending the year mean to you? I used to say that it meant getting ready for new beginnings.... but that was the part of me that was constantly on the move. Now I'm settling. I'm practicing hygge - and talking about what that looks like now with a few months since my introduction. (see Episode #97, Unlocking Your Inner Rebel for the intro to hygge). Now the end of the year means a softening, a coziness, creating a warmth that is supportive of the way I want to feel. What about for yo...

"Holidays = Stress" has become a part of our language. But why are you stressed around the holidays? Today we unpack 6 very common stressors for parents during the holidays: 1) There's so much to do 2) It's so hard to stay healthy during the holidays 3) I have to "make it magical" 4) My .... is so hard to please. (aka meeting other people's expectations) 5) Sensory overload (aka holiday/pumpkin spice everything!) 6) MONEY For each, we explore a question that just isn't asked enough of pa...

We are all struggling with weight, each and every one of us. The focus of our struggle may be our own weight, our loved ones, and professionally the struggle may be for our patients, students and colleagues. Today's episode is an abbreviated version of a chat I did for the local Children's Hospital - yes, these conversations are happening in professional settings as well! The full version is coming shortly. Find out about WHY we are struggling and the steps to take to start changing that toda...

In a world filled with conflicts and crises, how can we navigate the unique challenges of parenting children with big emotions? Join us in this episode as we dive into the crucial topic of recognizing the importance of your child's feelings without comparing them to the chaos of the world. Hear how I have done this very, very wrong (as always), discover practical strategies, expert insights, and heartfelt stories that will empower you to create a safe and nurturing environment for your child's...

Eeek! Today we are celebrating 100 episodes of the podcast and how we got here, amidst overwhelm, insanity and a crazy to-do list. Let's talk about the best way to address overwhelm: little steps. In this episode, I talk about how overwhelm develops, how it is so freaking natural and understandable in today's modern life AND the practice that I'm using every day and sharing with my patients, clients and family. Little steps. That's how I got from episode 0 to 100... and how I'm going forward ...

I love experiments. Anyone who has worked with me in the office or the Family in Focus coaching community has heard me talk about little experiments. Well I want to share with you how I f'd it up. I f'd it up - and now I have learned so much in the process, as did the family. We are constantly learning and growing - as long as we are trying to put ourselves out there to try things and risk failure. Take a listen to see what I learned in the failed experiment. Full show notes available here....

Are you a parent feeling lost in the chaos of modern life, struggling to understand and manage overstimulation and overwhelm in your children? Are you feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated yourself? Let's dive into the world of parenting in the modern age, understanding more about stimulation and overstimulation and the resultant overwhelm. This episode offers insights, expert advice, and real-life stories to help you not only understand overstimulation but also empower you to guide your chil...