Madeleine chats with Tiffany Westphal from School Can’t Australia about what happens when a young person finds it too hard to attend school. Tiffany shares her lived experience as a parent, the common challenges families face, and how peer support can make all the difference. Together, they explore advocacy, self-care, and the importance of understanding that parents are not alone in this journey.

In this insightful conversation, Madeleine speaks with Dr. Anthony Rigney about the power of connection, curiosity, and emotional regulation in parenting. Anthony shares practical strategies for building epistemic trust— a young person’s openness to receiving guidance — through everyday acts of understanding and kindness.

To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/tell-me-more-about-that

In this episode, Peter Coyle shares his journey from corporate life to becoming a psychotherapist and introduces the concept of heart-centred listening. Peter explains how listening with empathy, awareness of your own nervous system, and understanding the Polyvagal response can help parents and carers create safe, meaningful connections with their young people.

To view the episode transcript, go to the EPIC Website at https://www.empoweringparentsincrisis.com/epic-conversations-podcast/heart-centred-listening

In this episode, Josh Dunn shares his late-diagnosis journey with neurodiversity and the challenges of masking through school and early adulthood. He offers powerful insights for parents, encouraging them to slow down, step back, and view their child’s behaviour through a logical, not emotional lens.

Conversation with Skye from the Youth Engagement Project about strategies and mindset to engage with young people.

To learn more about the Youth Engagement Project visit their website at www.youthengagementproject.com 

Episode eight of EPIC Conversations is a panel discussion relating to depression and anxiety in young people and strategies for parents to understand and support them.  Led by Siba from EPIC, we gain insight from Ryan Usher from Headspace, Anthony Rigney from KYDS and Sarah from The Northern Centre.  This episode is the second in a series of 4 podcasts created from the Parent Support Online Expo webinar held in November last year (2023).

Organisations present for the expo were:

• The Northern Centre

To view the webinar and see the full transcript, please visit the EPIC Conversations web page here

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact EPIC via email on [email protected] 

Episode seven of EPIC Conversations is an introduction to 10 of the local youth and family support organisations in the Northern Sydney Region.  It is the first in a series of 4 podcasts created from the Parent Support Online Expo webinar held in November last year (2023).

In this episode, you will hear from: 

• The Northern Centre

To view the webinar and see the full transcript, please visit the EPIC Conversations web page here

Episode six of EPIC Conversations we talk with Fay Bird from Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney and address the topic of burnout.  Burnout is now being discussed more often following everyone’s experience with COVID lockdowns and isolations. However, it’s not only connected with COVID. It’s now more broadly spoken about in terms of work, school, and it’s definitely a side effect of living with a teenager in crisis.

For the full transcript go to this EPIC Conversations web page here

Episode five of EPIC Conversations addresses the topic of gambling and young people. We invited Cathy Ellis, Community Linker from Gamble Aware, to speak on this topic.  Cathy shines the light on the issues that contribute to youth gambling, how common youth gambling is and how parents and carers can support young people who are engaging with gambling.

For the full transcript go to this EPIC Conversations web page HERE

Episode four of EPIC Conversations is an interview with Sam, a school student support officer. We discuss the supports that may be available within your teenager’s school and how parents and carers can work together with schools to support teens when challenges arise.  

For the full transcript go to this EPIC Conversations web page HERE