Between the "to-do" lists and the emotional demands of raising children abroad, joy can feel frivolous—but it’s actually sustaining. In this episode of Dam Parenting, we sit down with Eva, psychologist and founder of The Joy Embassy, for a warm, honest, and direct conversation about why joy is a vital parenting resource. We explore the 2026 landscape of parenting and how simple, research-backed practices can strengthen your connection with your child and protect your mental health.

Eva explains the science of how joy functions in the brain and body to regulate our nervous systems. We discuss how to hold space for hard emotions without letting them overshadow the small, "glimmer" moments of daily life. This isn’t about being happy all the time; it’s about learning to notice, strengthen, and create moments of presence that help you show up as the parent you want to be. Tune in to discover how to make joy a sustainable part of your 2026 parenting toolkit.

Guest: Eva — The Joy Embassy

Website: thejoyembassy.com

Parenthood doesn't just change your schedule; it changes your soul. In this episode of Dam Parenting, Eva is joined by Ellen Johnson, founder of Evergreen Coaching & Consulting, for a warm, honest, and direct conversation about what happens when your career no longer fits the person you’ve become. Whether you’ve recently relocated to the Netherlands, stepped back from the workforce, or are working but feeling a quiet sense of misalignment, this episode is an invitation to pause.

Building on our recent talks about nervous system regulation, we explore how to find clarity once the "survival mode" of early parenting settles. Ellen shares insights on recognizing when your work is out of sync with your new values, redefining success on your own terms, and re-entering the professional world with intention rather than urgency. If you’re sensing a need for change but aren't sure where to start, join us as we explore how to align your work with the life you’re living now.

Listen with intention — and come back to it when you have space to really sit with the questions.

Head over to Instagram to find out visual support queues Ellen created just for you.

Find Ellen and her work at evergreen-cc.com

Welcome to Dam Parenting in 2026.

Here's a brief overview of who we are, what we do and what you can expect from us.

Raising a family far from home brings a mental load that few people talk about openly. In this episode of Dam Parenting, therapist Rachael Forster joins us to take a warm, honest, and direct look at the chronic stress and anxiety that high-functioning international parents often carry. We explore why living abroad keeps our nervous systems in "fight or flight" mode and how that constant state of alert leads to deep exhaustion and a loss of self.

This isn't a conversation about adding more to your to-do list; it’s about learning to breathe again. Rachael shares simple, body-based tools you can use in the heat of a tantrum or a busy workday to reset your internal alarm. We even include a short, guided regulation reset designed for overstimulated parents. Tune in to discover how to reconnect with the person you are beneath the roles of planner and problem-solver, and find your way back to calm.

January 6th marks Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas—an Irish tradition dedicated to honoring the unseen work women do and reclaiming space for rest after the holiday chaos. In this warm, honest, and direct episode, Eva explores why the "New Year, New You" narrative is often a trap for parents already carrying a heavy mental load. Instead of pushing for productivity and fresh starts, we discuss why mid-winter is biologically and emotionally meant for pausing.

For international parents in the Netherlands, the pressure to "hit the ground running" can feel relentless. This episode is your permission slip to slow down. We dive into the history of Nollaig na mBan, the reality of invisible labor, and how to enter the new year with compassion rather than a to-do list. Whether you’re an expat or raising a family far from your roots, join us for a moment of recognition: you’ve done enough, and now, it’s time to rest.

In this raw and unpolished finale to our holiday series, Eva delivers a warm, honest, and direct "thank you" to the community that has made 2025 such an incredible year for Dam Parenting. Recorded amidst the post-holiday whirlwind—unpacked suitcases, bedtime battles, and the sudden pop of Dutch fireworks—this episode is a real-time reflection of the beautiful, messy reality of parenting abroad.

As we look back on 150+ episodes of sharing birth stories, navigating the Dutch healthcare system, and exploring the depths of matrescence, we also look forward to 2026. Eva shares a sneak peek into the new voices, fresh topics, and exciting shifts coming to the show. Whether you’ve been listening since 2023 or just joined our international village, this is an invitation to stay connected as we continue to build a space where every parent in the Netherlands feels seen. Cheers to a new year of growth, support, and slightly less "last-minute" magic!

Parenting in a foreign country adds a layer of complexity to a relationship that no one truly prepares you for. In this warm, honest, and direct conversation, Eva and Angela dive into the realities of maintaining a strong partnership while living abroad. We explore the "invisible" challenges: the distance from our original support networks, the mental load of navigating a new culture, and the emotional labor that often falls unevenly between partners.

This episode is a grounded invitation to look at how you and your partner communicate under the pressure of international life. Whether you’re dealing with cultural differences in parenting styles or simply trying to find a moment of connection amidst the chaos of a Dutch work-life balance, we offer practical insights to help you stay a team. Originally reshared as a New Year’s reset, this conversation remains a vital resource for any couple looking to move from survival mode to true collaboration.

Why does compromise so often feel like losing? In this warm, honest, and direct conversation, Eva welcomes back clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Gibson to unpack the anatomy of a healthy partnership. For international parents in the Netherlands, the lack of a "village" can turn minor disagreements into deep-seated resentment. We explore why traditional compromise—where both people walk away feeling like they’ve lost something—doesn’t actually work for long-term happiness.

Instead, we dive into practical tools for emotional honesty and teamwork. We discuss how to identify the "non-negotiables," how to communicate your needs without blame, and how to transition from tension to true collaboration as the year winds down. If you’ve found yourself "keeping score" or feeling like the mental load is unfairly balanced, this episode offers the grounded strategies you need to reconnect and parent without resentment. It’s time to stop just surviving your relationship and start thriving in it.

Fatherhood doesn’t always come with a roadmap, and it certainly shouldn't come with a "tough it out" mentality. Originally recorded for Men’s Mental Health Week, this reshared episode brings together two fathers for a warm, honest, and direct conversation about the realities of modern parenting. We dive into the deep end of the paternal experience—from the trauma of NICU stays to the daily challenges of managing ADHD, burnout, and emotional overload.

For international parents in the Netherlands, the lack of a traditional support network can make these struggles feel even more isolating. This episode breaks the silence, proving that vulnerability isn't a weakness; it is the ultimate strength for your family. Whether you are a dad feeling the weight of expectations or a partner looking to understand the fathers in your life, this conversation is a vital reminder that mental health is a village effort. It’s time to stop the silence and start the support.

Does pregnancy and parenthood actually make us "less capable," or is that just a societal myth? In this fascinating episode, Eva sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Elke De Witte to explore how the transition into parenthood physically reshapes the brain. We move past the jokes about "baby brain" to discuss the high-level cognitive reorganizing that happens to help us become better caregivers—a shift that occurs in all parents, not just mothers.

This conversation is a direct challenge to the outdated stigmas that follow parents into the workplace and society. We explore the biological reality of this "upgrade," the power of neuroplasticity, and why understanding the science of your own brain can lead to more self-compassion and support. If you’ve ever felt like you "lost" your pre-kid intelligence, tune in to discover why you are actually more neurologically resilient than ever before. It’s time to stop apologizing for "motherbrain" and start respecting it.