Today, Lara sits down with Dion Matheson—an educator, counsellor, parenting coach, and mom of three who has spent her career helping families move from overwhelm to clarity when school challenges, emotional struggles, and psychoeducational assessments start piling up. Dion brings both deep professional expertise and real-life parenting insight, with a Bachelor of Education, a Master’s in Educational Psychology (School Counselling) from the University of Alberta, and credentials as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.). She has over 16 years of experience supporting children, teens, and parents at school and at home.

In today’s episode, Dion helps us make sense of one of the most stressful parenting seasons: when you know your child is struggling, but you’re not sure what to do next. We talk about the emotional rollercoaster of considering a psychoeducational assessment—the fear of labels, the fear of “getting it wrong,” and the fear of being judged. Dion shares how she helps parents sort through the emotional fog, focus on what matters most in the early weeks, and build a path forward that feels doable, not daunting.

We also dig into the tug-of-war so many parents feel between advocating strongly for their child and maintaining a positive relationship with the school. Dion offers compassionate guidance for finding your footing when you’re worried about coming across as “too much,” plus practical ways to turn school accommodations from something that lives on paper into routines that actually help your child day to day. Her insights on parent coaching as the often-missing piece are especially powerful for families who feel stuck in exhausting patterns at home.

If you’re facing your first assessment, trying to understand a report, or navigating school supports that don’t seem to be working yet, this conversation brings warmth, reassurance, and a roadmap forward. Dion’s perspective will help you feel less alone—and more confident in the next step.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• The emotional side of psychoeducational assessments (fear, uncertainty, and what parents need most first)

• How to read a report without spiraling—and what to prioritize in the early weeks

• The balance between strong advocacy and a collaborative school relationship

• Why parent coaching can be the missing piece when everyone feels stuck

• How to support your child while still building independence and resilience

• Turning accommodations “on paper” into daily habits that actually work at home and school

Meet our guest:
Dion Matheson is an educator, school counsellor, parenting coach, and Canadian Certified Counsellor with over 16 years of experience helping children, teens, and families thrive in school and at home. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology in School Counselling from the University of Alberta, and supports parents with practical, compassionate coaching grounded in child development, education, and counselling.

Find more of Dion’s work:
Equipped Parenting (About Dion): https://equippedparenting.com/about/
Onyx Assessments (Dion Matheson profile): https://www.onyxassessments.ca/team/dion-matheson

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Today, Lara sits down with Tina Geers, a leader in early childhood education and one of Canada’s most passionate advocates for protecting and promoting play in the early years. With nearly 25 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator, coach, mentor, and facilitator of play, Tina helps parents and educators move from “Am I doing this right?” to “I can trust what I’m seeing in my child.” She is the owner of Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc.—a hub for professional learning and play-based practice—and the founder and president of the nonprofit Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN). Tina is also a member of the World Forum Working Group on Play, IPA Canada, and the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF).

In this episode, Tina shares why play is essential to healthy development—and why so many parents feel unsure about what “good play” even looks like anymore. We talk about the pressure to hit milestones, the constant noise of parenting advice online, and the fear that if you’re not “teaching,” you’re falling behind. Tina helps bridge the gap between child development theory and real-life parenting moments—meltdowns, transitions, overstimulation, and bedtime blowups—with compassionate, practical strategies you can use right away. She also dives into brain development and co-regulation, explaining one piece of science that consistently gives parents immediate relief (especially when you’re trying to stay calm and your child is anything but).

Whether you’re feeling spread thin, overwhelmed by mixed messages, or simply curious about how to support your child’s learning through play, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, encouraged, and equipped to bring more calm, connection, and joy into your home—starting today.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What “good play” really looks like (and why it doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect)

• The biggest misconceptions that make parents feel like they’re not doing enough

• How play supports learning, regulation, social skills, and resilience

• Why co-regulation matters—and how to use it during meltdowns and transitions

• Shifting from “box-checking” to genuine connection (even on hard days)

• A simple brain-based insight that helps parents respond with more calm and confidence

Meet our guest:

Tina Geers is an early childhood educator, coach, and play advocate with 20+ years in early learning and childcare. She is the owner of Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc. and the founder/president of Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN), supporting educators and families through workshops, resources, and play-centered professional learning.

Find more of Tina’s work:

Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc.: https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/
Inspired Minds – About Tina: https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/about/
Play Connection Network (AECPCN): https://aecpcn.org/

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Today, Lara sits down with Dr. Marissa Nivison, a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary in the Determinants of Child Development Lab, to unpack one of the biggest questions parents carry (often silently): “Am I doing enough to build a strong bond with my child—and will it matter later?”

Marissa completed her PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where her research examined how early caregiving experiences and parent–child relationships shape emotional wellbeing and attachment across the lifespan. Today, her work continues to explore the “legacy” of early experiences—and what helps relationships stay resilient over time.

In today’s episode, Marissa breaks down what attachment really is (and what it isn’t), why it matters for your child’s future relationships, and how to spot common attachment myths that leave parents feeling anxious or “not good enough.” We talk about how our own childhood experiences can quietly influence the way we parent, and how to find that sweet spot between being too hands-off and too controlling—especially when you’re trying to raise a confident, capable kid without pushing too hard.

Most importantly, Marissa brings hope: even if the early years weren’t “ideal,” kids can still form strong, healthy relationships later in life—and parents can strengthen connection at any stage with the right moves.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your relationship with your child today could shape their confidence, emotions, and relationships tomorrow, this episode will leave you feeling informed, reassured, and equipped with practical ways to deepen the bond you’re building.

Meet our guest

Dr. Marissa Nivison is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary’s Determinants of Child Development Lab. Her work focuses on how early caregiving experiences and parent–child relationships influence wellbeing and attachment across the lifespan.

Resources & links

Learn more about Dr. Marissa Nivison: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/marissa-nivison

Determinants of Child Development Lab (UCalgary): https://madiganlab.org/

Marissa Nivison (lab profile): https://madiganlab.org/team/marissa-nivison/

UCalgary news (Banting fellowship feature): https://ucalgary.ca/news/ucalgary-researchers-receive-banting-postdoctoral-fellowships-advance-health-research

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Today, Lara sits down with Tamara Neufeld Strijack—therapist, consultant, educator, author, keynote speaker, and passionate advocate for children’s emotional health and well-being. Tamara is the Academic Dean of the Neufeld Institute, where she develops and delivers courses that help parents, teachers, and professionals make sense of children through developmental science. She’s also the co-author of Reclaiming Our Students: Why Children Are More Anxious, Aggressive, and Shut Down Than Ever—And What We Can Do About It. Neufeld Institute Neufeld Institute

In today’s episode, we unpack the emotional challenges so many students are facing—anxiety, frustration, shut-down, and acting-out—and what’s underneath the behavior. Tamara explains what “connection before correction” looks like in real classrooms and busy homes, how adults can step back into calm, confident leadership, and why relationship, play, and curiosity are powerful antidotes to stress for kids of all ages. We also explore practical ways to re-engage learners who seem checked out, and how teachers and parents can work together without blame or burnout. Neufeld Institute+1

If you’ve been wondering why school seems harder for so many kids—and how to help your child reconnect, regulate, and rediscover the joy of learning—this conversation offers clear lenses and doable next steps you can use right away.

Today, we cover:

• Beyond behavior: how to read the feelings driving anxiety, aggression, and shut-down—and respond with relationship first.

• Connection before correction: scripts and micro-moves that lower defenses and invite cooperation.

• Adult leadership: what calm, consistent boundaries look like (without power struggles).

• The role of play & curiosity: why play isn’t a reward—it’s the fuel for learning and resilience.

• Re-engaging learners: strategies to help “checked-out” students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn.

• Home–school partnership: language for productive conversations with teachers and support teams.

Meet our guest:

Tamara Neufeld Strijack is the Academic Dean of the Neufeld Institute and a Registered Clinical Counsellor who has worked with children and adolescents for more than 25 years. She offers parent consulting, workshops, and university teaching for educators and counsellors in training. Connection, relationship, and play are central themes in her work—and in her home life as a mother of two young women living on Canada’s West Coast. Neufeld Institute+1

She is co-author (with Hannah Beach) of Reclaiming Our Students, a trauma-sensitive, relationship-based guide for restoring the student–teacher connection and creating conditions for change. reclaimingourstudents.com

Parent & teacher takeaways you can use tonight:

• Start with state, not story: “Your face looks tight—let’s take a breath together” before problem-solving.

• Bridge first, then guide: 30–60 seconds of warmth and eye contact can lower defenses more than 10 minutes of logic.

• Build predictable rituals (arrival/transition/exit) that cue safety and reduce escalation.

• Invite playful re-entry: movement, music, art, or imagination to reset a stuck learner.

• When in doubt, ask: “What would help your body feel safer right now?”

  
  

  Resources & links:

• Neufeld Institute — courses, editorials, free resources: https://www.neufeldinstitute.org/ Neufeld Institute
  • Course catalogue: https://www.neufeldinstitute.org/our-courses/course-catalogue Neufeld Institute
  • Free lectures & webinars: https://www.neufeldinstitute.org/resources/free Neufeld Institute

• Tamara’s website: https://www.tamarastrijack.ca/ Tamara Strijack

• Reclaiming Our Students book site: https://reclaimingourstudents.com/ reclaimingourstudents.com
  • Buy on Amazon (CA): https://www.amazon.ca/dp/198960322X amazon.ca
  • Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/reclaiming-our-students/id1504498645 Apple

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Today, Lara sits down with Dr. Brent Davis, a professor of mathematics education whose career bridges real classrooms and groundbreaking research. Brent began as a middle school math teacher before completing his PhD at the University of Alberta. Since then, he has served as Canada Research Chair in Mathematics Education at the University of Alberta, the David Robitaille Chair at UBC, and is now Distinguished Research Chair & Werklund Research Professor at the University of Calgary. University of Alberta Journals+2Faculty of Education+2

In this episode, Brent reflects on what those early classroom years taught him, why math education keeps evolving, and how approaches like inquiry-based learning aim to move students from memorizing steps to developing genuine understanding. We talk about why parents can feel “left behind” when methods shift, how to support a child who says they’re “not a math person,” and what to try at home when homework stalls. Brent also shares insights from projects at the University of Calgary—like Math Minds—that study how students learn mathematics and how teachers can better support that learning. Werklund School of Education+1

If you’ve ever looked at your child’s homework and thought, “This is nothing like what I learned!”—or if your kid breezes through some topics but hits a wall with others—this conversation will help you see today’s math classroom (and your child’s potential) in a new light. You’ll leave with practical language, parent-friendly strategies, and a calmer way to coach confidence, curiosity, and persistence.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Why math “changes”: from procedures first to sense-making and flexible thinking—what that looks like at home.

• Inquiry without chaos: how questions, patterns, and multiple strategies help kids understand why methods work.

• “Math person” myths: what research says about confidence, identity, and productive struggle.

• Homework roadblocks: simple prompts and routines that restart thinking (no reteaching the whole unit).

• Talking with teachers: respectful ways to ask about goals, assessment, and how to help—without stepping on toes.

• Looking ahead: habits that matter most for secondary math and beyond (reasoning, modeling, and reflection).

Meet our guest:

Dr. Brent Davis is Distinguished Research Chair & Werklund Research Professor in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. His work focuses on the educational relevance of cognitive and complexity sciences, mathematics teacher knowledge, and structures that support deep mathematical learning. He previously held the Canada Research Chair in Mathematics Education (University of Alberta) and the David Robitaille Chair in Mathematics Education (UBC). UCalgary Profiles+2University of Alberta Journals+2

Parent takeaways you can use tonight:

• Swap “What’s the answer?” for “What changed from line to line?” to make thinking visible.

• Ask “Show me two ways”—it builds flexibility without undermining the method taught in class.

• Use micro-models (draw a quick bar, number line, or array) before reaching for a calculator.

• End homework with a 30-second reflection: What was hard? What helped? What’s your question for the teacher?

• Normalize struggle: errors = information you and the teacher can use.

  
  

  Resources & links:

• Dr. Brent Davis – UCalgary profile: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/brent-davis UCalgary Profiles

• Werklund School – “Beyond Math Wars” (research focus): https://werklund.ucalgary.ca/beyond-math-wars Werklund School of Education

• Math Minds (UCalgary news feature): https://ucalgary.ca/news/math-minds-it-all-adds University of Calgary in Alberta

• Past roles & bios (overview): https://notes.math.ca/en/article/2024-cms-mathed-online-meeting/ CMS Notes

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Today, Lara sits down with Ali (Alison) Canning—Founder and Executive Director of Let’s Get Together, a women-led Canadian non-profit making education accessible by helping every person in Canada own a computer and closing the digital divide through reuse, repair, and refurbishment of donated tech. After growing up an introvert who struggled with focus and confidence, Ali found resilience through sports and coaching—fueling a lifelong passion for educational equity, youth leadership, and community partnerships. Over three decades, she’s supported thousands of students and families and partnered with post-secondary institutions across Ontario. She also serves as Chair of the Association of Career Educators (ACE) and champions solutions that keep tech out of landfills while getting reliable devices into learners’ hands.

In this episode, Ali makes “educational equity” practical for everyday family life—beyond buzzwords. We talk about building a real growth mindset at home (not just posters), letting youth take the lead while parents thoughtfully step back, and finding the supports (devices, skills, and community programs) that reduce stress and increase opportunity. She shares insights from her children’s story True North Friends, her collaboration with Seneca Polytechnic, and moving stories from families that remind her why this mission matters.

If navigating your teen’s education sometimes feels like a full-time job—juggling logins, devices, missing assignments, motivation dips, and budget reality—this conversation offers calm, clarity, and actionable next steps you can use right away.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Educational equity at home: what it looks like when your child has the right tools, time, and support.

• Digital access without the waste: device reuse/repair/refurbishment that helps families and the planet.

• Real growth mindset: moving from “try harder” to “learn how” with concrete, repeatable strategies.

• Youth-led learning: why stepping back (with safety nets) builds confidence, agency, and problem-solving.

• Parent playbook: simple ways to advocate with schools and community partners—without burning bridges.

• Community power: how to find local programs, device banks, and volunteer networks that close gaps fast.

Meet our guest:

Ali (Alison) Canning is the Founder & Executive Director of Let’s Get Together, Chair of ACE, and a long-time community builder in the non-profit and education sectors. She partners with schools, post-secondary institutions, and families to promote digital equity, mental-health-informed supports, and youth leadership—diverting e-waste from landfills while getting technology into learners’ hands.

Quick wins parents can try this week:

• Access first, then expectations: secure a reliable device + a simple plan before piling on tasks.

• Growth-mindset micro-habits: swap “Try harder” for “What’s the next step?” and debrief wins weekly.

• Let youth lead (with rails): set small goals, timebox, and close with a 2-minute reflection.

• Tap community: ask your school or local orgs about refurbished device programs and workshops.

  
  

  Resources & links

• Let’s Get Together (LGT): https://www.letsgettogether.ca/

• LGT Core Crew (Ali’s bio): https://www.letsgettogether.ca/about-us/core-crew

• Seneca Polytechnic on True North Friends & growth mindset:
  https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/news-and-events/seneca-news/seneca-research-supports-growth-mindset-in-education.html

• Education News Canada summary:
  https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/colleges/2/1128611/seneca-research-supports-growth-mindset-in-education.html

• LGT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsgettogether.ca/

• Ali Canning on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alison-canning

  
  

  Stay connected!

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Today, Lara sits down with Mohit Rajhans—leading media consultant, founder of ThinkStart Inc., and Amazon bestselling author of Rethinking with AI: For Educators and Trainers—to demystify AI for busy, concerned parents. For over two decades, Mohit has helped major organizations navigate technological change. Now he’s helping families and schools translate AI from buzzword to practical support so kids can learn with more confidence (and less overwhelm). Mohit Rajhans+1

In this conversation, we cut through hype and fear. Mohit explains what AI can (and can’t) do in a home or classroom, how to set healthy guardrails, and simple ways parents can use AI to save time, reduce stress, and boost real learning—without replacing the human relationships kids need. We talk about using AI for homework scaffolding, idea generation, project planning, language support, and building media literacy so kids stop believing everything they see online. We also look ahead at the skills tomorrow’s graduates will need—and how families can start building them now, one small habit at a time. Mohit Rajhans+1

If you’ve felt “AI-curious” or “AI-cautious,” this episode offers a calm, parent-first roadmap. You’ll leave with practical scripts, boundaries, and checklists to help your child thrive in a tech-driven world—no coding required.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• AI without the anxiety: what it is, what it isn’t, and where it actually helps at home and school.

• Homework sanity savers: turning AI into a study buddy for outlines, examples, and feedback—not a shortcut to copy/paste.

• Healthy boundaries: family rules for privacy, bias, accuracy checks, and age-appropriate use.

• Media & AI literacy: spotting deepfakes, clickbait, and low-quality content (for you and your teen).

• Teacher partnership: respectful ways to ask about AI in class, academic honesty, and accommodations.

• Future-ready skills: curiosity, prompt-crafting, project planning, and reflection—skills AI can actually strengthen.

Meet our guest:

Mohit Rajhans is a media strategist and AI advisor who helps leaders, schools, and teams adopt AI responsibly through training, executive advisory, and hands-on workflows at ThinkStart Inc. He’s a national media contributor and speaker recognized for translating complex tech into everyday language. Mohit Rajhans+2Mohit Rajhans+2

He’s the author of Rethinking with AI: For Educators and Trainers, a practical guide for bringing AI into teaching and training with clarity and confidence. Amazon Canada

Quick wins parents can try tonight

• Co-read the prompt: sit beside your child and craft a question together (goal + constraints + examples).

• Use “show your steps”: ask AI for an outline or rubric, then your child fills it with their own ideas and sources.

• Fact-check in 60 seconds: “What would an expert disagree with here?” + a quick search for a credible source.

• Create a family AI policy: where, when, and how AI is used for schoolwork—shared with teachers.

• Teach a media-literacy mantra: Pause → Source → Verify before sharing or citing content.

  
  

  Resources & links

• Mohit’s website / ThinkStart Inc. – services, advisory, and training: https://www.thinkstart.ca/ Mohit Rajhans

• About Mohit – background and approach: https://www.thinkstart.ca/about-mohit Mohit Rajhans

• Book – Rethinking with AI: For Educators and Trainers (Amazon): https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F732RYB7 Amazon Canada

• Mohit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohitrajhans LinkedIn

  
  

  
  

  Stay connected

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In today’s episode, we coverMeet our guestQuick wins parents can try tonightResources & linksStay connected

What if your child isn’t “difficult”—they’re different?

If you’re navigating meltdowns after school, confusing terminology from professionals, or the constant worry that you’re “missing something,” this episode will feel like a deep breath.

Today, Lara sits down with Ruth M. Strunz, RP, CCC—a Registered Psychotherapist, Canadian Clinical Counsellor, and Clinical Supervisor who specializes in neurodiversity-affirming, attachment-based therapy for individuals and families. Ruth works extensively with cross-neurotype relationships (when one person is neurotypical and the other is neurodivergent), helping parents and kids understand each other and move from friction to connection. Ruth Strunz

Ruth breaks down the most misunderstood terms—neurodiverse, neurodivergent, neurotypical—in plain language and shows parents how to build skills in advocacy (at home, at school, and with providers). We dig into the power of co-regulation, how to recognize sensory and executive-function stressors, and when to bring in outside support. Ruth also shares insights from her new book, Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy: Clinical Pathways to Autistic Mental Health, a trauma-informed, attachment-based resource that’s invaluable for clinicians, educators, and parents alike. Ruth Strunz

If you’ve ever thought, “My child is smart, but school is exhausting,” or “I don’t know what to ask for at the IEP meeting,” this episode gives you language, lenses, and next steps you can use right away. In this episode we cover:

• Decoding the terms: neurodiverse vs. neurodivergent vs. neurotypical—what parents actually need to know.

• From battles to bridges: using attachment and co-regulation to reduce daily power struggles.

• Advocacy 101 for parents: how to prepare for school meetings, what to ask, and when to escalate.

• Sensory + executive function realities: spotting overload early and creating predictable supports at home and in class.

• Cross-neurotype communication: scripts and micro-shifts that lower shame and raise understanding.

• When to get extra help: red flags that signal you’ll benefit from an outside therapist or coach—and how to choose one.

Meet our guest: Ruth M. Strunz, RP, CCC is a Registered Psychotherapist, Canadian Clinical Counsellor, and Clinical Supervisor. She provides psychotherapy, play-based therapy, parent counselling, clinical supervision, and professional training—both in person and virtually. Her practice centers on neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, attachment-based approaches for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals and their families, with a special focus on cross-neurotype relationships. Ruth Strunz

She is the author of Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy: Clinical Pathways to Autistic Mental Health, offering a practical, clinician-friendly framework that also empowers parents and educators to better understand autistic mental health. Ruth Strunz

Resources and Links:

• Ruth’s website (services, approach, trainings, supervision) – see offerings and contact info. Ruth Strunz

• Ruth’s book: Neurodiversity-Affirming Psychotherapy: Clinical Pathways to Autistic Mental Health. Ruth Strunz

• Follow Ruth on Instagram or LinkedIn for upcoming trainings and insights. Ruth Strunz

Who this episode is for

Parents who are:

• feeling stuck in a loop of reminders, resistance, and after-school meltdowns,

• unsure how to translate professional jargon into real-life support,

• preparing for IEP/IPP meetings and want to advocate without burning bridges,

• ready to swap “fixing” their child for supporting their child.

  
  

  
  

  Key takeaways for parents

• You don’t need perfect strategies—you need attuned, co-regulated ones.

• Behaviour is communication; look for sensory/executive-function roots before discipline.

• Advocacy is a learnable skill: prepare your asks, document patterns, and build a calm, consistent paper trail.

• Attachment > compliance: relationship safety is the fast track to long-term skill growth.

Today, Lara sits down with one of Canada’s most trusted parenting voices to tackle a topic that hits close to home for almost every family: sibling rivalry.

Alyson Schafer is an Adlerian family counsellor, internationally acclaimed parenting expert, best-selling author, and familiar face on national media outlets like The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News Channel, and HuffPost Parents. With a Master’s in Counselling, decades of hands-on experience, and her signature “firm but friendly” approach, Alyson has helped thousands of families navigate conflict with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

In this conversation, Alyson unpacks what sibling rivalry really is—why it happens, what your children are truly trying to communicate through their clashes, and how birth order may be shaping the dynamics in your home. She also reveals why parents should resist the urge to constantly play referee, and instead focus on fostering skills that will help siblings work things out on their own. One of her favourite tools? Family meetings—simple, structured gatherings that build mutual respect, improve communication, and transform household harmony.

Whether your kids’ arguments are an occasional annoyance or a constant source of stress, Alyson’s insights offer both immediate strategies and a refreshing mindset shift. You’ll walk away feeling equipped to handle sibling tension in a way that strengthens, not strains, your family bonds.

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Follow Alyson’s work:⁠https://alysonschafer.com/⁠

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Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
Sting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse

This week, Lara welcomes back one of our most trusted voices on child development and mental health: Dr. Zia Lakdawalla. A seasoned clinical psychologist and founder of Foundations for Emotional Wellness, Dr. Lakdawalla brings over a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and families through anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and relationship struggles.

In this episode, we dive deep into a question that keeps many parents up at night: Is my child’s anxiety just a phase—or something more? Drawing from her years of clinical work in hospitals, schools, and private practice, Dr. Lakdawalla shares what signs to watch for, what behaviours may signal deeper emotional struggles, and—perhaps most importantly—how to respond in ways that foster emotional safety and connection.

We unpack some of the most common misconceptions about childhood anxiety and explore its impact not only on the child, but on the entire family system. Dr. Lakdawalla also offers powerful tools to help parents regulate their own emotional reactions in the moment—so they can show up with calm, compassion, and confidence.

Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you’ve simply noticed more worry, sensitivity, or emotional overwhelm than usual, this episode offers reassurance, practical strategies, and a reminder that you don’t have to walk this road alone.

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🎵Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
🎵Sting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse