What if discipline isn't about punishment at all? Dr. Allie Donaldson, a 28-year-old surgeon, explains how her parents taught emotional regulation through connection, not control.

Is your teen shutting down? Are you afraid to set boundaries because you don't want to damage them? But here's the truth: not teaching emotional regulation is teaching emotional dysregulation.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allie Donaldson, a former student who's now a general surgery resident. Allie breaks down how her upbringing gave her the emotional regulation she needs in high-stakes surgical situations where missteps have dire consequences.

We talk about: 

• Why connection must come before discipline 

• How her parents modelled emotional regulation without punishment 

• What actually worked when she got in trouble (spoiler: it wasn't grounding) 

• The difference between consequences that build trust vs. ones that break it 

• Why kids actually want discipline (even if adults hate the word)

This isn't about being perfect. It's about being present. When you get on their turf first, discipline becomes something your child wants, not something they fear.

If you're a parent struggling with how to discipline your teen without damaging your relationship, this conversation offers practical mental health tips for parents navigating anxiety, communication breakdowns, and the teen years.

👉 Get my free guide: "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com

#drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf #teensincrisis

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

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Teaching kids self-advocacy may be the single most important skill they learn in school, and most students never get taught how to do it. When kids advocate for themselves with support, they gain confidence, feel seen, build resilience, and perform better at school and beyond.

If your child is struggling in school and not getting what they need from teachers, this episode is for you. Dr. Suzanne Simpson, teacher of 30 years and PhD researcher, shares what teachers wish parents knew and the exact steps to help your child speak up for what they need.

In this episode:

• 5 truths teachers wish every parent and student understood
• Why teachers aren't all-knowing and why that matters
• 4 practical ways to teach your child to self-advocate (easiest to hardest)
• A simple email template your child can use to communicate with any teacher

Help your child find their voice, ask for what they need, and thrive.

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
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An Honest Talk About Domestic Violence and Boys with Eugene Z. Bertrand

Domestic violence against males is real and often invisible. In this powerful conversation, best selling author Eugene Bertrand discusses the hidden epidemic of domestic and intimate partner violence against boys, teens, and men.

Eugene shares his personal experience as a survivor, how childhood trauma shapes self-worth, and why so many men stay silent due to stigma, shame, and cultural expectations around masculinity.

This episode explores:

• How domestic violence affects boys differently as they grow into men
• Why male survivors struggle to report abuse or seek help
• The connection between childhood trauma, behaviour, and later life outcomes
• The role of forgiveness, resilience, and therapy in recovery

If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic or partner violence, you are not alone and your story matters.

Find Eugene at:

• Website: https://eugenezbertrand.com/speaking-engagements-life-coach-eugene-z-bertand/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-bertrand/
• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637658389

👉 Get your free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com

#drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf #malesurvivors #domesticviolenceawareness #childhoodtrauma #mentalhealthawareness #parentingteens

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...

Working Mom, Present Parent: Staying Connected When Life Is Full?

How do working moms stay emotionally connected to their kids when life is full and the to-do list never ends?

In this episode of Get On Their Turf, Dr Suzanne Simpson talks with business leader and mom Lisa Marie Garcia about the real struggles that working parents face. From long work hours to mom guilt and the fear of drifting apart from our kids, this conversation brings honest stories and practical tools to help you keep family connection strong.

Lisa Marie shares how she raised two daughters while leading a national company, navigating marriage, divorce, and big life transitions. She reminds us that kids do not need perfection to feel secure. They need a parent who keeps showing up with presence, honesty, and love.

You will learn:
 • How to stay connected to your kids during busy seasons
 • What secure attachment really looks like in everyday family life
 • Family rituals that build trust and togetherness
 • Why vulnerability helps children feel emotionally safe
 • How to let go of guilt and grow confidence as a working parent

This episode is for every mom who wonders, Am I doing enough?
The answer is yes. When you lead with love and connection, your kids feel it.

👉 Follow and review the show to help more parents find these research-informed tools and real conversations.

Follow Dr Suzanne

Instagram: @drsuzannesimpson
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/

🎧 Listen to more episodes:
 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/get-on-their-turf-with-dr-suzanne-simpson/id1724652932
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SMqMnxwcwrJUk7cATsdQB

Disclaimer

Please note that the contents of this podcast are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...

Why do teenagers shut down, pull away, or get angry with the people who love them most?

In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Simpson shares research from inside a youth psychiatric unit and the honest truths teens told her about what they need from the adults in their lives. Their answers were simple and powerful: support, understanding, and care.

If your teen is struggling with anxiety, emotional overwhelm, loneliness, or disconnection, this conversation will help you understand what is happening underneath the behaviour. You will learn how to talk to your child without judgment, how to reduce conflict at home, and how to strengthen the attachment that makes teens feel safe.

In this episode, you will learn:
• Why teens pull away from parents
• The biggest reason many teens feel disconnected
• How to support a child with anxiety or emotional overload
• How to respond when your teen is shut down or angry
• How to build stronger attachment and reduce conflict
• What you can start doing today to help your teen feel seen and supported

When teens feel genuinely understood, everything changes.
 This episode is part of the Get On Their Turf series, helping parents build calmer, more connected homes.

CONNECT WITH SUZANNE
Instagram: @drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: Dr. Suzanne Simpson
YouTube: Get on Their Turf Podcast

Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this episode are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...

This conversation first aired in September 2024, and I’m bringing it back because it still feels just as relevant now. Brock Johnson offered timeless insight into how social media shapes teen mental health, and so many parents have told me this episode changed how they see their child’s relationship with their phone.

In this powerful conversation, Brock shares what it was like growing up in the first wave of Instagram and how his parents helped him build a healthy relationship with social media—before it took over every waking moment. We talk about what actually matters to teens online, how comparison erodes self-worth, and why kids today crave connection more than likes.

Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your teen’s screen habits or someone feeling “never enough” in your own feed, this episode will help you step back, reset, and remember what’s real.
👉  Follow Dr Suzzane:
Instagram: /drsuzannesimpson   
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/


#drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf #brockjohnson #parentingteens #teenmentalhealthcrisis #socialmediaandmentalhealth #parentingwithpresence #secureattachmentparenting #raisingteens #socialmediaaddiction #parentingadvice

👉 Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this video are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...

How to Reconnect With Your Child: Get on Their Turf and Build Trust Again

When your child feels distant, defiant, or disconnected, it can leave you feeling invisible at home. In this episode, Dr Suzanne Simpson shares a practical way to rebuild trust by getting on your child’s turf, meeting them where they are, and leading with presence. This is not about control or fixing, it is about showing up on purpose so your child feels seen, valued, and safe.

Follow Dr Suzanne
Instagram: @drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/
www.drsuzannesimpson.com

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...

Parent Plan B – Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health When the System Fails with AnneMoss Rogers

When mental health supports aren’t available, too expensive, or impossible to access, what can parents do at home?

In this powerful episode of Get On Their Turf, Dr. Suzanne Simpson talks with AnneMoss Rogers: mental health advocate, TEDx speaker, and author of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Kids at Risk. After losing her son Charles to suicide, AnneMoss turned unimaginable grief into a mission to save lives through education, compassion, and connection.

Together, Suzanne and AnneMoss explore what every parent needs to know when they’re waiting for help that may never come. You’ll learn how to build a “Plan B” that creates emotional safety and trust at home, even when the system feels broken.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
• What parents can do when therapy isn’t available
• Early warning signs of concern versus “normal teen” behaviour
• How to create connection and safety in daily routines
• Ways to model vulnerability without oversharing
• How parents can rebuild trust and hope after crisis

If you’ve ever felt powerless watching your teen struggle, this conversation will help you find confidence and clarity in what you can do — right now, at home.

Guest:
🎙️ *AnneMoss Rogers* — TEDx speaker, mental health keynote speaker and suicide prevention speaker., and author of *Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Kids at Risk.
Visit [EmotionallyNaked.com](https://emotionallynaked.com) to learn more.

https://parentingtips.grweb.site
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/q0eodg6ueibwtefkatj3/
https://mentalhealthawarenesseducation.com/ 

Follow Dr. Suzanne:
Instagram @drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson
Listen to more episodes: linktr.ee/GetOnTheirTurf

If you are in crisis or worried about someone:
• Canada – Talk Suicide Canada 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• USA – Call or text 988
• UK & ROI – Samaritans 116 123

If your region is not listed, contact your lo

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...

When you’re not OK, your kids don’t need perfection – they need your presence. In this conversation with Steve Phillip of The Jordan Legacy, we talk about how to be honest with your kids on hard days, how to listen first, and how vulnerability at home strengthens attachment, safety, and trust.

Steve shares Jordan’s story, the warning signs he wishes he had recognized sooner, and practical ways families can talk about mental health; including how to name suicide responsibly and age-appropriately. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode will help you lead with presence, not performance.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro – why authenticity matters for parents
01:15 Steve’s story – the day everything changed
05:30 Two choices after loss – purpose vs. paralysis
08:10 Three things parents must know about youth mental health
13:05 The signs we missed – sleep, “feeling trapped”, masked distress
17:42 How to get educated as a parent – beyond the broken system
22:18 Talking about suicide safely – language, age awareness, intent
28:40 Getting into your child’s world – listen before you lead
33:55 Modelling “I’m not OK today” without oversharing
39:20 Building secure attachment through everyday honesty
45:02 Family habits that increase connection at home
51:10 Workplaces, wellbeing, and present-eeism
55:28 Final takeaways – make time, drop the ego, stay close

What you’ll learn

Simple language to say “I’m not OK” while staying the steady adult

Early signs parents often miss – and how to respond

How to talk about suicide with care and clarity

Why entering your child’s world first changes the conversation

Daily family habits that build safety, trust, and connection

Watch next

“You Don’t Need Perfect Words – You Need to Show Up”

“How to Listen So Your Teen Feels Safe”

“Connection over Control: Getting on Their Turf”

👉 If this helped, subscribe for more parent education, youth mental health, and family connection conversations. Comment with one way you’ll model healthy vulnerability this week.

Guest
Steve Phillip – Founder, The Jordan Legacy. Speaker and advisor on workplace wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.
https://www.stevephilliptalks.com/

👉SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
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Building the Village: How Parents Can Lead When the Mental Health System Falls Short with Janelle Miller Morovick

In Building the Village: How Parents Can Lead When the Mental Health System Falls Short, Janelle Miller Morovick and I explore how parents become the front line of support when access to mental health care is broken. We talk stigma, provider shortages, and the confusing maze of services that many families face. More importantly, we unpack what parents can do: how emotional connection, listening without judgement, creating secure bonds, and giving children a sense of belonging can build resilience and wellness at home. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by how to help your child in crisis, this episode is for you—offering practical tools you can use today, and the hope that being present matters. Tune in now, share with someone who needs to hear this, and remember: you are not alone.

• Many parents can’t access timely mental health care for their kids

• Stigma, provider shortages & confusing systems make it worse

• Emotional connection, listening, and presence build resilience

• Parents are the bridge between kids and systems

Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW

New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.

👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support:

Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com

Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson
LinkedIn: ...