Family Dialogues

By Dr. Taniesha Burke

When love feels strained, kids are struggling, and your home feels divided, it’s easy to wonder if peace and joy are still possible. The Family Dialogues Podcast reminds you they are. Each e... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Family Dialogues:

How many episodes does Family Dialogues have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.

Family Dialogues episodes:

September 22, 2026How to Parent With More Joy: 8 Practices for Calmer, More Connected Families | Marguerite Orane
What if becoming a calmer, more connected parent doesn’t require changing your children, but changing how you lead yourself?
Leadership expert Marguerite Orane shares practical ways to reduce parenting stress, create more joy at home, and build stronger relationships with your children.
Parenting can leave us exhausted, overwhelmed, and reacting in ways we later regret. But what if some of the same practices that help great leaders thrive could also transform how we lead our families?
In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with executive leadership coach, author, and Harvard MBA Marguerite Orane about bringing her eight essential practices for leading with joy into parenting and family life.
Marguerite explains the difference between happiness and joy, why children naturally bring joy into family life, and how parents can unintentionally suppress that joy through fear, stress, overcontrol, and constant correction.
You’ll discover how practices such as reflection, forgiveness, acceptance, asking for help, silence, celebration, grounding your day, and making peace with time can help you become a more intentional and emotionally grounded parent.
Marguerite also shares practical strategies for real family life, including:
A simple six-minute morning ritual for mind, body, and spirit that can help parents begin the day more grounded.
Why asking for and accepting help is essential, especially when parenting feels overwhelming.
How moments of silence can prevent conflict from escalating with children or partners.
Why celebrating who your child is, rather than only what they achieve, can strengthen family connection.
Why comparing siblings can steal joy and damage relationships.
How parents can connect with teenagers by taking genuine interest in what brings them joy.
Why taking care of yourself is not separate from good parenting; your children are watching how you live.
Whether you are raising toddlers, navigating the teenage years, parenting adult children, or trying to break patterns of stress and reactivity, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder: joyful parenting does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It means becoming more conscious about how you respond, connect, and lead your family.
Resources Mentioned
Marguerite Orane’s Website
Marguerite Orane on LinkedIn
Marguerite Orane on Instagram
Transform Your Leadership: Eight Essential Practices for Leading with Joy
Wednesday Joy Mail / Joy Reset Newsletter Marguerite Orane’s weekly newsletter

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
1h 10min
September 15, 2026Teen Burnout: Why Teens Are Exhausted and How Parents Can Help Them Recover | Dr. Naomi Fisher
Is your teenager exhausted, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or suddenly struggling to cope with school and everyday life? Teen burnout may be their brain and body signaling that the pressure has become too much.
In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Naomi Fisher about teen burnout, academic pressure, stress, social media, sleep, and how parents can help teenagers recover without making them feel like they are failing.
Dr. Fisher explains why burnout isn't simply laziness or a lack of motivation. She describes it as a response to prolonged stress, often showing up as exhaustion, lack of motivation, feeling incapable, and seeing everything through what she calls “mud-colored spectacles.”
In this conversation, you'll learn:
Why today's teenagers may be especially vulnerable to burnout and chronic stress
How school pressure, exams, perfectionism, comparison, and social media can contribute
Why removing everything a struggling teen enjoys may actually make burnout worse
How to use the “bucket” approach to identify what drains your teen and what replenishes them
Why rest, sleep, play, friendships, hobbies, and unstructured time matter
How parents can support a struggling teenager without becoming another source of pressure
Ways to advocate for greater flexibility at school
Why burnout can become an opportunity to rethink success and build a more sustainable life
One of the most important shifts for parents is moving from “How do I get my teenager back on track?” to “What would a sustainable way forward look like for this particular young person?” Dr. Fisher emphasizes that parents don't always need to fix the problem; sometimes their most important role is to stay alongside their teenager, maintain hope, and continue communicating that their value is bigger than their academic performance.
Resources Mentioned
Dr. Naomi Fisher's Website
The Teenager's Guide to Burnout by Dr. Naomi Fisher
The Teenager's Guide to Taking Control of Your Education by Dr. Naomi Fisher
Let's Talk Neuroscience Podcast — Dr. Naomi Fisher & Dr. Danny Drinkwater
Dr. Fisher's Instagram

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
55min
September 08, 2026AI, Deepfakes & the Attachment Economy: Protecting Kids in a Digital World | Julia von Weiler
AI is changing childhood, and the risks go far beyond screen time. What happens when technology stops competing only for your child’s attention and starts competing for their attachment?
In this episode of Family Dialogues with Dr. Burke, psychologist and child-rights expert Julia von Weiler joins Dr. Taniesha Burke to examine what parents need to know about AI, deepfakes, online safety, child privacy, AI chatbots, and digital relationships.
Julia explains why families may need to rethink everything from sharing children’s photos online to allowing kids and teens to build relationships with AI companions. The conversation explores the shift from the “attention economy” to the “attachment economy,” in which AI systems can appear supportive, empathetic, and endlessly available, potentially changing how developing children understand relationships and human connection.
They also discuss AI-generated deepfakes and child sexual abuse material, children’s right to their own image, the risks of “sharenting,” and why parents need to understand technology well enough to guide, not simply restrict their children.
ulia’s practical starting point for overwhelmed parents is simple: examine your own technology habits, talk openly with your children about how they use AI, and intentionally create regular moments of undivided human attention.
Connect with Julia von Weiler
Julia von Weiler’s website
Julia von Weiler on LinkedIn
Resources & Organizations Mentioned
Center for Humane Technology
Your Undivided Attention Podcast
The Amazing Generation — Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price
The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt
Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now — Jaron Lanier
Internet Watch Foundation
INHOPE
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
AI Justice League

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke
Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
56min
September 01, 2026Is Dopamine Hijacking Your Child? Screen Time, Ultra-Processed Food & Raising Healthier Kids | Michaeleen Doucleff
Why does your child keep reaching for screens even when they’re no longer having fun? And why can ultra-processed snacks be so difficult to resist?
NPR science correspondent and Dopamine Kids author Michaeleen Doucleff explains what parents misunderstand about dopamine and how to help children build healthier habits without constantly battling over screens and food.
In this episode of Family Dialogues, Michaeleen breaks down the neuroscience of dopamine, screen addiction, social media, video games, ultra-processed foods, motivation, sleep, and family connection.
Michaeleen also challenges parents to reconsider a powerful assumption: just because children desperately want more screen time does not mean it is making them happier.
Instead of simply taking pleasurable things away, she encourages families to build lives filled with more satisfying offline experiences, stronger relationships, better sleep, nourishing food, and meaningful family memories.
Resources Mentioned
Dopamine Kids — Michaeleen Doucleff
Hunt, Gather, Parent — Michaeleen Doucleff
Michaeleen Doucleff’s website — resources and newsletter

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU
-----------------------
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke
--------------------
Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
1h 6min
August 25, 2026How to Help an Addicted Loved One Without Enabling Them | Amber Hollingsworth
When addiction enters a family, everyone is affected, but families are not powerless. Addiction expert Amber Hollingsworth explains how parents, spouses, and loved ones can respond strategically without sacrificing their own well-being.
In this episode of Family Dialogues, we explore the complex dynamics of substance use disorder, addiction recovery, family boundaries, enabling, and supporting a loved one with addiction.
Amber explains why confrontation, monitoring, gathering evidence, and repeatedly rescuing someone from the natural consequences of substance use can unintentionally reinforce the cycle. Instead, she shares how emotional regulation, empathy, realistic boundaries, and allowing appropriate natural consequences can help create conditions for change.
We also discuss teen substance use, including marijuana, vaping, inhalants, and misuse of accessible medications, and why honest, ongoing conversations are more effective than fear-based warnings. Amber encourages parents to lead with curiosity, maintain credibility, and create an environment where teenagers feel safe telling the truth.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why addiction can destabilize the entire family system
The difference between natural consequences and punishment
How helping can unintentionally become rescuing or enabling
What healthy boundaries with an addicted loved one actually look like
Why empathy does not mean condoning harmful behavior
How to talk with teenagers about drugs, alcohol, marijuana, and vaping
Why “bargaining” can be part of the addiction recovery process
When distancing or no contact may be necessary and why it should not be used as a threat
How families can find the right support without involving people who may make the situation more difficult
Why families have more influence in the recovery process than they may realize
Amber’s central message is one of hope: you are not powerless. Families can influence change when they understand addiction and learn to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.
Resources Mentioned
Put the Shovel Down — Amber Hollingsworth’s YouTube channel
Hope for Families Recovery Centre
Family Recovery Academy
Amber's Instagram
Amber's Facebook

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
1h 4min
August 18, 2026 Raising Bilingual Children: Protecting Home Language, Identity & School Success
Can speaking more than one language confuse a child? In this episode, bilingual education specialist Ms. Yulia explains why parents do not need to abandon their home language and how they can support children learning the majority language without sacrificing identity and connection.
Learn practical strategies for raising bilingual and multilingual children, navigating schools, advocating for your child, and creating a language-rich home even when family life is busy.
In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with Ms. Yulia, a German and English teacher with a master’s degree in childhood education and a specialization in bilingual education. Drawing on nearly 10 years of experience supporting multilingual families, she challenges common myths about bilingual child development, language acquisition, multilingual education, and home-language use.
We discuss an important challenge facing immigrant and expat families: children sometimes being judged academically based on their proficiency in the country’s majority language rather than their broader abilities. Ms. Yulia explains why parents may need to advocate for appropriate academic placement and why schools need to distinguish between a child who does not yet have the language to express what they know and a child who does not understand the underlying concepts.
For parents raising children across languages and cultures, this conversation offers encouragement and practical tools to support bilingualism, multilingualism, language development, cultural identity, and educational success without fear or guilt.
Resources Mentioned
Hello Multilinguals – Ms. Yulia’s website for consultations and multilingual-family resources.
English for Young Learners Parent Guide – A resource created by Ms. Yulia with activities, routines, resources, and links for families supporting English and other home languages.
Instagram – Hello Multilingual Classroom – Bilingual and multilingual education advice, family experiences, myths and facts.
TikTok – Hello Multilingual Class

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

...more
55min
August 11, 2026Overwhelmed Working Mom? Project Management Strategies to Reduce Mental Load with Nionila Ivanova
Feeling overwhelmed trying to manage work, motherhood, family responsibilities, and your own goals? What if project management strategies could help you reduce the mental load and create more harmony at home?
In this episode of Family Dialogues with Dr. Burke, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with Nionila Ivanova, certified Project Management Professional, entrepreneur, and founder of IT Project Management Training for Women, about applying project management principles to work, parenting, and family life.
Nionila challenges the idea of perfect work-life balance, encouraging parents, especially working mothers, to pursue work-life harmony instead. She shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, identifying non-negotiables, advocating for flexible or remote work, protecting family time, and managing competing priorities without constantly feeling depleted.
You’ll also discover how familiar project management tools can make family life more manageable, including the Eisenhower Matrix, MoSCoW prioritization, the Pomodoro Technique, shared calendars, delegation, risk planning, and clear communication. Nionila explains why parents should involve children and partners in household responsibilities rather than carrying the entire physical and mental load themselves.
The conversation also explores women in leadership, entrepreneurship, career changes, and working in tech, including why motherhood can develop valuable skills in communication, adaptability, stress management, and leadership.
In this episode:
How to create realistic work-life harmony
Setting boundaries at work and at home
How working parents can advocate for flexible or remote work
Using project management to organize family life
Reducing the mental load through delegation
Teaching children responsibility through age-appropriate household tasks
Using the Eisenhower Matrix and Pomodoro Technique for time management
Improving communication with shared family calendars
Making career changes and entering the tech industry as a mother
Developing an entrepreneurial mindset and learning to pivot after failure
Resources & Tools Mentioned
IT Project Management Training for Women: ITPM.training
Eisenhower Matrix – prioritizing tasks by urgency and importance
MoSCoW Method – Must Have, Should Have, Could Have, Won’t Have prioritization
Pomodoro Technique – focused work periods followed by short breaks
Shared Digital Calendars – coordinating appointments, activities, and family responsibilities
Return-to-Work Programs – programs for professionals re-entering the workforce
Connect with Nionila Ivanova: ITPM.training

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
56min
August 04, 2026Stop Arguing, Start Negotiating: How to Save Your Marriage | Joe Dillon
Most marriages do not break down because love disappears; they unravel after years of unresolved decisions, growing resentment, and conversations that repeatedly become arguments.
Divorce mediator Joe Dillon reveals how couples can replace conflict with structured negotiation to strengthen their marriage, protect their children, and make decisions as a team.
In this episode of Family Dialogues, Joe explains why arguing is focused on winning, while healthy negotiation is focused on finding a solution that respects both partners.
You will learn:
The critical difference between arguing and negotiating in marriage
How the dangerous “I’ve decided” pattern creates resentment and disconnection
Why couples must discuss money, careers, parenting roles, household responsibilities, and family expectations
How to use Joe’s POWER-UP Method to prepare difficult conversations
Why acknowledging your partner’s perspective can reduce defensiveness
How to make requests while offering something of comparable value in return
Why unresolved “small” conflicts can eventually lead to separation or divorce
How healthier conflict resolution benefits children and strengthens the entire family system
How these negotiation skills can also support more cooperative co-parenting
Joe also shares a practical challenge: identify one important conversation you have been avoiding, write out how you want to approach it, and invite your partner to try a different way of communicating.
This episode offers practical marriage advice for couples experiencing frequent arguments, communication problems, emotional disconnection, resentment, unequal mental load, parenting disagreements, or conflict about money and careers.
Resources and Programs Mentioned
Joe Dillon’s Official Website
Equitable Mediation Services
Every Marriage Is a Negotiation - forthcoming book by Joe Dillon
Joe Dillon on LinkedIn
The Joe Dillon on Facebook
The Joe Dillon on Instagram
The POWER-UP Method

----------------------------
Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
1h 7min
July 28, 2026How to Co-Parent With a Difficult Ex Without Losing Your Peace with Sol Kennedy
One message from a difficult ex can trigger anxiety, anger, and hours of emotional distress, but high-conflict co-parenting does not have to control your life.
Learn how to communicate calmly, establish healthy boundaries, protect your children from parental conflict and reclaim your peace after divorce or separation.
In this episode of Family Dialogues with Dr. Burke, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with Sol Kennedy, founder of the Best Interest AI co-parenting app and host of the Co-Parenting Beyond Conflict podcast. Drawing from his own high-conflict divorce, Sol explains how reactive communication can prolong conflict and prevent parents from being emotionally present with their children.
You will learn why pausing before responding is one of the most effective co-parenting boundaries, how to move from a victim mindset toward greater personal empowerment, and how mindfulness can help regulate emotionally triggering interactions.
Sol also discusses how hidden parental conflict affects children, why children may blame themselves for a divorce, and how parents can communicate honestly without oversharing, criticizing the other parent or placing children in the middle.
The conversation explores how the Best Interest app uses AI to filter inflammatory language, provide feedback on outgoing messages, preserve child-focused information and help parents communicate more clearly even when the other co-parent does not use the app.
This episode offers practical guidance for reducing co-parenting stress, managing a contentious ex and creating a more peaceful post-divorce family life.
Resources Mentioned
Best Interest co-parenting app
Best Interest website
Best Interest Co-Parenting App on Instagram
Best Interest Co-Parenting App on YouTube
Co-Parenting Beyond Conflict podcast

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
53min
July 21, 2026The Truth About Blended Families: Why Love Isn't Enough with Ron Deal
Blended families don't fail for lack of love; they struggle because most parents don't understand the unique challenges stepfamilies face. In this powerful conversation, family therapist and bestselling author Ron Deal explains why building a thriving blended family requires patience, trust, and a completely different approach to parenting.
If you're dating, remarried, co-parenting, or navigating life in a stepfamily, this episode will help you understand loyalty conflicts, discipline challenges, grief, trust, and what it really takes to create a connected family that lasts.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why children often struggle more with a parent's remarriage than the original divorce
• How grief continues to impact children years after separation or loss
• The biggest mistakes parents make when introducing a new partner
• Why blended families need 5–7 years to develop a true sense of family identity
• How to support children experiencing loyalty conflicts between parents and stepparents
• The role of trust, safety, and emotional security in stepfamily success
• Why stepparents should focus on connection before correction
• Practical strategies for co-parenting with an ex-partner after divorce
• How to navigate discipline, boundaries, and authority in blended homes
• What couples should know before moving in together or remarrying
Whether you're considering remarriage, raising stepchildren, or trying to strengthen a blended family, this conversation offers research-based insights and practical tools to help your family thrive.
About Our Guest
Ron Deal is a licensed marriage and family therapist, bestselling author of The Smart Stepfamily and The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart, speaker, and president of Smart Stepfamilies. For more than three decades, he has helped blended families navigate the complexities of remarriage, step-parenting, co-parenting, and family integration.
Resources Mentioned
Smart Stepfamilies
FamilyLife Blended
The Smart Stepfamily (book)
The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (book)
Dating and the Single Parent (book)
The Mindful Marriage (book)
FamilyLife Blended Podcast
FamilyLife Blended YouTube Channel

Episode feedback: [email protected]
Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://tanieshaburke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke

Our Journals on Amazon
Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE
Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt
Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E
...more
1h 13min

FAQs about Family Dialogues:

How many episodes does Family Dialogues have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.