Domestic violence is often misunderstood as being limited to physical harm, but the reality is far broader and more complex. This week on All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews domestic and family violence researcher and Professor Susan Heward-Belle to answer the critical question: is emotional abuse a form of domestic violence?

Based at The University of Sydney, Professor Susan Heward-Belle has a longstanding track record of research, teaching, advocacy and social work practice at the intersections of the family violence, law and child protection systems. Her work pertains to improving not only legal, policy and practice responses that center dignity for victims-survivors, but also accountability for those who use violence and coercive control. Currently, Professor Susan Heward-Belle leads multiple large research projects that contribute to knowledge for improved policy and practice responses to survivors of domestic, family and sexualized violence.

In this episode, Professor Susan Heward-Belle sheds light on what domestic violence and emotional abuse look like within a family, along with the potential long-term consequences for children who grow up in such environments. Additionally, Professor Susan Heward-Belle offers advice for those who may be experiencing any kind of abuse, or have loved ones who are.

Together, Marie and Professor Susan Heward-Belle answer questions from the internet about emotional abuse and domestic violence within families, and discuss useful habits for maintaining positive family functioning. So, tune in for an episode that shines a light on the hidden realities of emotional abuse, and discover knowledge and resources for building safer, healthier relationships!

Follow Professor Susan Heward-Belle’s work: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/about/our-people/academic-staff/susan-hewardbelle.html

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What if the real key to aging well isn’t found in a pill—but in how you move and what you eat?

Aging is inevitable, but science is showing that how we age—and how well we live as we grow older—can be influenced by two powerful tools: nutrition and exercise.

This week on All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Sabrina Oktavelia is joined by Professor James McKendry, Ph.D., an expert in muscle biology and healthy aging, to unpack how diet and movement shape our health span—the years we live not just longer, but better.

Currently part of the Food, Nutrition, and Health Program at the University of British Columbia, James McKendry, Ph.D.'s research focuses on skeletal muscle preservation, nutrient signaling, and optimizing physical function in aging adults. His work aims to extend the health span by exploring how targeted nutrition and exercise can protect muscle mass and vitality as our family grows older.

In this episode, James McKendry, Ph.D. breaks down common misconceptions about aging, the critical distinction between lifespan and health span, and why that difference matters. James McKendry, Ph.D. and Sabrina dive into nutrient timing, protein intake, and evidence-backed dietary patterns that support longevity—alongside practical guidance on the types of physical activity that offer the greatest benefit as we age.

Whether you’re in midlife, retirement, or simply planning for a healthier future for your loved ones, this conversation offers science-backed insights and actionable strategies for maintaining strength, independence, and quality of life for years to come.

Tune in this week to discover how smart movement and intentional eating can help you and your family age less and live more.

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The journey to attaining wealth for our family often comes with occupational stress and burnout. How can we balance our family’s materialistic needs and well-being? In this episode of All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Sabrina Oktavelia dives into this topic with professional counselor Mandy Doria. Together, they explore how personal resilience can be nurtured through the approaches for wellbeing and occupational induced burnout amidst capitalistic strain in supporting family wellbeing.

Mandy Doria is a professional counselor, yoga teacher and assistant professor of psychiatry, currently practicing at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus near Denver. With 14 years of experience in psychiatry helping individuals who are struggling with complex trauma and grief, providing a compassionate approach to sessions and training, guiding others to reduce occupational stress and balance family dynamics with new understandings.

In this conversation, Mandy Doria explains how to attain well-being by having a good relationship with the family function can help reduce the possibility of burnout. She discusses the importance of a shift in focus to be more present with family. She emphasized the need for self care through being joyful, having enough sleep, and time alone.  

Mandy Doria also shares practices for cultivating long-term resilience in maintaining balance within the family dynamics in this capitalistic society by budgeting energy, time and money. This episode offers practical advice for anyone seeking ways to pursue wellbeing and how to tackle burnout caused by occupational stress. 

Follow Mandy Doria’s work at:

Collective Care for Communities www.cc4c.co 

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Having different people, with different roles, expectations and mindsets can create a dynamic that won't last too long. Without healthy boundaries, family members can seem more like housemates, that frustrate each other to no end, than a family that cares for and respects each other. Our expert in this area is professor Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT™, whose expertise involves marriage and family therapy, as well as financial therapy. 

Teaching courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels at Kansas State University, Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT™ has published over forty articles in top-tier mental health, family science, financial counseling, and financial planning journals

In this episode, Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT™ gives advice on having conversations about money, setting boundaries and managing conflict.

Together, Marie and Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT™ discuss how writing down your financial worries and having a plan before going into a conversation can really assist in having productive conversations and better problem solving.

Follow Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT™’s work here: https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/pfp/about/people/meganmccoy/

Follow Megan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFT, AFC®, CFT™ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mccoy-phd/

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Fluctuations in sexual desire throughout life are natural, yet often left unaddressed between couples. So, this week on All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews psychoanalyst Roberta Satow for advice on navigating these tough times.

Serving as professor emerita of sociology at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Roberta Satow, Ph.D. also practices psychoanalysis in Washington, Connecticut. Additionally, Roberta Satow, Ph.D. is the author behind two novels, ‘Our Time is Up’ and ‘Two Sisters of Coyoacan’, as well as non-fiction book ‘Doing the Right Thing: Taking Care of Your Elderly Parents Even if They Didn’t Take Care of You’.

In this episode, Roberta Satow, Ph.D. highlights the connection between sexual desire and family, as well as the importance of communication between partners. To add, she discusses communication techniques for discussing changing needs with your partner.

Together, Marie and Roberta Satow, Ph.D. weigh up practical tips for rekindling intimacy and maintaining a satisfying sex life. So, whether you’re a newlywed, long-term couple, or somewhere in between, tune in to this episode for valuable insights on navigating these natural changes!

Follow Roberta Satow, Ph.D.’s work via the following links:

PsychologyToday: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/contributors/roberta-satow-phd

Connect with Roberta Satow, Ph.D. via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertasatow/

Produced by the Family Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Effective communication is the cornerstone of strong family relationships, but as life’s complexities increase, miscommunication, misunderstandings, and unresolved conflicts can strain even the closest bonds. In this episode, host Marie Stella interviews diplomat coach Eric Maisel, Ph.D. on how relationship coaching helps to strengthen communication within families.

Having written over 50 books and edited several more, Eric Maisel, Ph.D. is not only a diplomat coach, but also lead editor for the Ethics International Press Critical Psychology and Critical Psychiatry Series, presenting solicited chapters from international experts on a wide variety of underexplored subjects. Furthermore, he pens a blog on Psychology Today, ‘Rethinking Mental Health’, which has garnered over three million views.

In this episode, Eric Maisel, Ph.D. addresses the everyday consequences of communication — or lack thereof — within families, as well as the challenges of internal conflicts. Additionally, he highlights the importance of strong family bonds, and sheds light on what relationship coaching can bring to the table.

Together, Marie and Eric Maisel, Ph.D. discuss how gratitude and rituals can assist in everyday communication in relationships and families. So, tune in to this episode to learn more about how relationship coaching can transform the way families communicate!

Follow Eric Maisel, Ph.D.’s work on his website: https://ericmaisel.com/

Produced by the Family Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs.

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Following the loss of a friend or family member, sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re grieving or stressed — it could very well be both! While these are very natural responses to a difficult time, letting them completely take over isn’t the best solution either. In this episode, host Marie Stella is joined by clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst Corinne Masur, Psy.D. to discuss what it takes to manage family stress during trying times.

For over 40 years, Corinne Masur, Psy.D. has treated young children and their parents, adolescents, and adults, in her private practice in Pennsylvania. She also runs parenting groups, is on the faculty of The Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, and has written on many subjects including childhood bereavement. Furthermore, she’s the brilliant brains behind two blogs, Thoughtful Parenting, and Parenting Matters on Psychology Today, as well as books including ‘How Children Grieve: What Adults Miss and What They Can Do To Help’.

In this episode, Corinne Masur, Psy.D. stresses that there is no one way grief can impact a family. There are many ways that dynamics can change, and potentially become dysfunctional. Corinne Masur, Psy.D. notes the importance of being self reflective and honest about how you are feeling.

Together, Marie and Corinne Masur, Psy.D. discuss the importance of self-awareness, communication, and outlets that serve as stress relievers. So, tune in for an episode packed with insights on taking the edge off family stress during periods of mourning.

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International adoption has plummeted by over 80% since its peak in 2004, leaving countless children in orphanages and prospective adoptive families facing more barriers. But why has this happened and what can we do about it? This week on All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews economics professor emeritus Mark Montgomery to learn more.

Serving as Professor of Economics Emeritus at Grinnell College in Iowa, Mark Montgomery teaches subjects such as the economics of education and environmental economics. In the book ‘Saving International Adoption: An Argument from Economics and Personal Experience’ which Mark co-authored, he offers his knowledge and prowess on the economics of international adoption, alongside real-world studies and personal anecdotes. Above all, he is a father to three children—two of whom are adopted; one domestically, and one internationally.

In this episode, Mark Montgomery addresses the challenges of adoption—whether domestic or international—that prospective adopters should expect to face, from financial hardships to birth order. That aside, he sheds light on the studies cited in his book that have contrasted common concerns about the harms of transracial adoption.

Together, Marie and Mark Montgomery discuss the various considerations to make, as well as habits to practice if adopting domestically, internationally, or transracially. So, whether you’re looking to adopt or simply curious about the economics of adoption, tune in to learn how this crisis affects families worldwide, as well as what families should consider when adopting!

Follow Mark Montgomery’s work via https://montgomerypowell.com/ 

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Did you know that you don’t need to have sex every single day in order to get pregnant? This week on All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella consults registered nurse Dr. Karin Hammarberg on what fertility awareness is, and how it can help couples achieve their reproductive goals.

With over 20 years of experience as clinical coordinator of IVF programs, Dr. Karin Hammarberg is currently a senior research fellow at Monash University. Her research interests primarily involve the promotion of fertility and preconception health, the psychosocial aspects of infertility and infertility treatment, as well as the health and development of children born after assisted conception.

In this episode, Dr. Karin Hammarberg sheds light on the biggest misconceptions about fertility, and highlights various fertility awareness-based methods of family planning. Additionally, she delves into what both men and women need to know about fertility to optimize their family planning goals—be it multiple children, or none at all.

Together, Marie and Dr. Karin Hammarberg explore the science behind the menstrual cycle, as well as habits that may prove useful in tracking fertility. So, whether you’re hoping to welcome a new family member or simply curious about your body’s functions, tune in for an informative discussion!

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Global migration has steadily increased over past decades, and with that, brings the merger of family systems across various cultures. This week on All Together: The Family Science Insights Podcast, host Joahanna Wickramaratne is joined by sociology professor Deborah J. Cohan, Ph.D. to examine the shifts in family dynamics around the world, along with practical advice for approaching it.

An award-winning public sociologist, Deborah J. Cohan, Ph.D. serves as a sociology professor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Additionally, she is the author behind the critically acclaimed sociological memoir, ‘Welcome to Wherever We Are: A Memoir of Family, Caregiving, and Redemption’. Her work has graced the pages of various media outlets, from The New York Times to PsychologyToday, as well as Teen Vogue.

In this episode, Deborah J. Cohan, Ph.D. outlines conventional family dynamics and how they have shifted along with the steady rise of global migration. She sheds light on the common struggles families face in adapting to new cultures and dynamics.

Together, Joahanna and Deborah J. Cohan, Ph.D. explore the role of extended family and communities in a family’s adaptability. So, whether you’re curious about your own family’s evolution, or simply interested in understanding global perspectives, tune in this week for valuable insights and engaging discussions!

Follow Deborah J. Cohan’s work: www.deborahjcohan.com 

Connect with Deborah J. Cohan via the following platforms:

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