Parenting with Impact

Is cannabis really harmless for teens? Neuroscientist Dr. Yasmin Hurd reveals what parents need to know about today’s high-THC products, brain development, and the real risks of early use. Learn how addiction can form, why anxiety and psychosis are rising, and the signs parents should watch for. Press play to hear the truth behind the science and how to protect your teen with facts, not fear.

What to expect in this episode:

• What “epigenetics” really means and how early cannabis exposure rewires the brain
• Why today’s cannabis is drastically stronger and far riskier than parents realize
• How to shift from lecturing teens to empowering them with facts and trust
• The myth of “non-addictive” marijuana and what science actually shows
• The mental health red flags linked to heavy THC use in teens

About Yasmin Hurd, Phd
Dr. Yasmin is the Ward-Coleman Chair of Translational Neuroscience and Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai. A world-renowned neuroscientist, her groundbreaking research explores the neurobiology of addiction and related psychiatric disorders through a multidisciplinary, translational lens. Dr. Hurd’s work bridges molecular neuroscience with real-world impact, focusing on how genetics and early exposure to substances like cannabis influence brain development and vulnerability to addiction. Her team also leads pioneering clinical trials aimed at developing new therapies for opioid use disorder.

 Connect with Dr. Yasmin

• Website: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 
• LinkedIn: Yasmin Hurd, PhD
  
  

Related Links: 

• EP117: Treating ADHD Improves Outcomes for Treating Addiction
   https://impactparents.com/adhd-and-addiction 
• EP144: Helping Young Adults Get Back On Track
   https://impactparents.com/helping-young-adults-get-back-on-track

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Many of the challenges families face are more connected than they appear. In this episode, we bring together key insights from this year to explore how executive function, nervous system regulation, and sleep shape behavior and daily life. You’ll hear why surface-level strategies fall short and what helps families move forward with intention. Tune in to connect the dots.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why executive function and nervous system regulation drive sleep and mornings
• How circadian rhythms shape sleep timing, not willpower
• What shifts when kids co-create routines instead of being pushed
• How parent regulation sets the tone for problem-solving
• What actually builds executive function over time, and what doesn’t

Related Links:

• EP196: Why Sleep Is SO Hard for Neurospicy People (& what to DO about it)
• EP198: ADHD & Sleep pt 2: Getting Kids In & Out of Bed
• EP227: Key Lessons from 14 Years of Parent Coaching
• EP236: Executive Function & ADHD: What Parents Need To Know
• EP240: Mild to Moderate ADHD? Why Labels Mislead in Helping Your Child Thrive

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Do you ever feel like your needs and your child or young adult’s needs are constantly clashing? In this episode, Dayna Abraham shares how small daily steps, honest conversations, and self-awareness can ease tension and rebuild trust. Listen now to discover one powerful shift that brings more calm, clarity, and connection at home.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why you are not the only one and how the community breaks the isolation of parenting
• What “late to launch” really means and why delays often widen after 18
• How the GRIT method (Ground, Release, Invite, Take action) helps parents manage real worries
• Why must connection come before skills when guiding young adults
• How transparency and negotiation can ease clashing needs at home

About Dayna Abraham
Dayna is the bestselling author of Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Roadmap for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids. A National Board Certified educator and parent of three neurodivergent children, Dayna also lives with ADHD herself, giving her a deeply personal and practical perspective on raising kids in today’s world. Through her compassionate Calm the Chaos framework, she has guided millions of parents worldwide to move beyond traditional strategies, find peace at home, and connect with their children in meaningful, lasting ways.

Connect with Dayna

• Facebook: Calm the Chaos Parenting 
• Instagram: @calmthechaosparenting
• Podcast: Calm The Chaos Podcast 
• Book: Calm the Chaos
  
  

Related Links: 

• EP144: Helping Young Adults get back on Track
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-144-helping-young-adults-get-back-on-track/id1565976964?i=1000641123620 
• EP200: Reduce Family Stress by Taking Aim
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep200-reduce-family-stress-by-taking-aim/id1565976964?i=1000689309013 
• EP221: Parenting Tips When Emerging Adults Feel Stuck
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep221-parenting-tips-when-emerging-adults-feel-stuck/id1565976964?i=1000715430261 

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Ever wondered what it feels like to be surrounded by more than a thousand people who truly get the ADHD experience? In this episode, we explore the energy, connection, and unexpected moments that shaped our time at the International Conference on ADHD. We share what community support really looks like and why being in the room matters more than you think. Press play to hear the insights and inspiration we brought home from this powerful event.

 What to expect in this episode:

• How connecting with an ADHD community can shift your entire experience in ways you didn’t see coming
• Why parents travel to ADHD conferences and what they’re really searching for beneath the surface
• The hallway conversation that can change everything, even more than the sessions themselves
• What you discover when you finally acknowledge the true impact of support work
• How a single coach-approach skill can reshape the energy of a whole team

Related Links: 

• EP1: Welcome to Parenting With Impact
  https://impactparents.com/parenting-with-impact 
• EP121: Every Day's a New Day: Success with Community Support & Parent Coaching
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-121-every-days-a-new-day-success-with/id1565976964?i=1000623129840 
• EP202: ADHD Can Help You Succeed in Unexpected Ways with Ari Tuckman, Psy.D.
  https://impactparents.com/adhd-can-help-you-succeed-in-unexpected-ways-with-ari-tuckman 

There is nothing quite like being in a room full of people who truly understand ADHD. If you want that same sense of connection, support, and practical learning, join us at the 2026 International Conference on ADHD. Learn more and register at https://www.theadhdconference.org/adhdiconnect2026/9979287.

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

If homework battles and school stress feel never-ending, you’re not alone. This episode reveals how educational therapy helps kids build confidence, strengthen executive function, and become independent learners. Discover how small shifts, the right timing, and a coach approach can turn daily struggles into lasting success at home and school.

What to expect in this episode:

• What educational therapy is and how it differs from tutoring or coaching
• How empowering kids to lead their own learning builds confidence and independence
• The signs that show when a learner is ready to accept help and make a change
• Why collaboration between parents, schools, and specialists creates stronger results
• How educational therapy supports kids, teens, and adults struggling with executive function

About Rachel Kapp, M.Ed., and Stephanie Pitts, M.Ed.
Rachel Kapp and Stephanie Pitts are Board Certified Educational Therapists and co-hosts of Learn Smarter: The Educational Therapy Podcast, a show with over 350 episodes focused on executive functioning, learning differences, and how to support students at home and in the classroom. After launching their private practices at the same time, signing office leases the same week, they leaned on each other through the leap into entrepreneurship. Their podcast grew out of the real conversations they were already having, strategizing, problem-solving, and celebrating student wins. Together, they bring warmth, humor, and practical tools to help families and educators support student success.

Connect with Rachel and Stephanie

• Website: Kapp Educational Therapy Group | My Ed Therapist 
• Instagram: @kappedtherapy | @myedtherapist 
• Podcast: Learn Smarter Podcast

Related Links: 

• EP187: Emotionally Intelligent Parenting
   https://impactparents.com/emotionally-intelligent-parenting
• EP221: Parenting Tips When Emerging Adults Feel Stuck
   https://impactparents.com/parenting-tips-when-emerging-adults-feel-stuck

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/how-to-build-executive-skills-with-rachel-kapp-stephanie-pitts-podcast244/

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Does parenting sometimes feel overwhelming or chaotic? In this episode, Dr Chris Willard shares how mindfulness, humor, and small daily practices can shift the tone of your home and build resilience for kids. He explains why calm begins with you and how presence matters more than perfection. Listen now to discover one simple shift that can bring more peace and connection into your family life.

What to expect in this episode:

• Dr Chris Willard’s journey with ADHD, sobriety, and mindfulness
• Mindfulness as play, humor, movement, and creativity
• How a few breaths can calm the body and sharpen focus
• Why parent regulation shapes child regulation
• Simple daily tools to reset stress and restore connection

About Christopher Willard, PsyD
Dr. Christopher is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant based in Massachusetts. He teaches at Harvard Medical School and has shared his expertise on mindfulness and mental health in over forty countries, including two TEDx events. Dr. Willard is the author of twenty books, such as Alphabreaths (2019), Growing Up Mindful (2016), Feelings Are Like Farts (2023), and College Mental Health 101 (2025). His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, mindful.org, CNN.com, and many other outlets.
 
Connect with Dr. Christopher

• Website: Dr. Christopher Willard 
• Instagram: @drchriswillard
  
  

Related Links: 

• Helping Young Adults Get Back On Track
   https://impactparents.com/helping-young-adults-get-back-on-track 
• The Power of Good Enough: Progress Over Perfection
   https://impactparents.com/the-power-of-good-enough-progress-over-perfection
• Simplifying Mindfulness (and How to Start Small)
   https://impactparents.com/simplifying-mindfulness-and-how-to-start-small 

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/fun-simple-mindfulness-for-adhd-families-with-dr.-chris-willard 

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

If you feel like someone in your home is always shutting down, melting down, or firing back, you’re not imagining it. Reactivity takes over fast, especially in stressed or neurodiverse families. In this episode, we’ll explain why it happens, how to spot each SODA pattern, and what to do in the moment to create safety and calm. Tune in to learn one shift that can lower stress for everyone in your home.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why reactivity comes from the body, not willpower, and how that changes your approach
• How the SODA framework explains shutdowns, defensiveness, explosions, and avoidance
•  The “wrong equals bad” belief that drives shame and emotional overwhelm in kids
• Why emotional safety matters more than logic when helping kids learn and regulate
• How co-regulation can interrupt spirals and bring everyone back to calm
  
  

Related Links: 

• EP187: Emotionally Intelligent Parenting
   https://impactparents.com/emotionally-intelligent-parenting 
• EP200: Reduce Family Stress by Taking Aim
   https://impactparents.com/reduce-family-stress-by-taking-aim 
• EP207: Rebuilding Trust with Teens: Cleaning the Slate Conversations
   https://impactparents.com/rebuilding-trust-with-teens-cleaning-the-slate-conversations 

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/emotional-reactivity-in-kids-safety-matters-more-than-willpower

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Can changing a few words in an IEP change a child’s future? Speech Dude Chris Wenger shares how to reframe support plans to empower neurodivergent kids instead of pushing them to mask. Learn why connection, regulation, and self-advocacy matter more than compliance and how actually to build those skills into your child’s education plan.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why IEPs often miss the mark and how to fix them
• How to replace deficit language with strength-based reframes
• Why connection and regulation need to come before learning
• How co-creating goals with kids leads to better outcomes
• The power of self-advocacy compared to compliance

About Chris Wenger
Chris also known as Speech Dude, is a high school speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience supporting autistic and neurodivergent youth. As a neurodivergent educator himself, he brings a unique perspective to his work. Chris is also an internationally recognized presenter who shares practical, affirming strategies to improve speech therapy and better support neurodiverse students.

Connect with Chris

• Website: Speech Dude | NeuroAffirm 
• Facebook: Speech Dude
• YouTube: Speech Dude
• Instagram: @speechdude
• Tiktok: @speechdude
• X: @speechdude)

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/how-to-make-ieps-neuro-affirming-and-student-led

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Ever been told your child has “mild ADHD”? In this episode, we’ll talk about why no ADHD is ever “a little” and how understanding it early can change everything. You’ll hear how small shifts in awareness and support can help your child feel more capable and connected. Tune in to discover a new way to see and support your child’s unique brain.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why “mild to moderate ADHD” can be as misleading as being “a little bit pregnant”
• How gifted kids can mask ADHD challenges until they suddenly hit a wall
• The real hallmark of ADHD: inconsistency across settings and tasks
• What happens when ADHD goes untreated and starts to snowball into anxiety or burnout
• Why managing ADHD means engaging the brain, not just taking medication

 Related Links:

• EP158: ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment: From Skepticism to Evidence-Based Innovation
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-158-adhd-diagnosis-treatment-from-skepticism
• EP231: ADHD And Productivity: How To Work Smarter, Not Harder
  https://impactparents.com/adhd-and-productivity-how-to-work-smarter-not-harder 
• EP236: Executive Function & ADHD: What Parents Need To Know
  https://impactparents.com/executive-function-adhd-what-parents-need-to-know
   

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/mild-to-moderate-adhd-why-labels-mislead-in-helping-your-child-thrive

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Is school preparing kids for the future or just training them to chase scores? In this episode, Ted Dintersmith reveals why outdated priorities fail students and how creativity, agency, and happiness are the real keys to success. Tune in to discover what kids truly need to thrive in an AI-driven world.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why test scores don’t reflect real learning or future success
• The truth behind pandemic “learning loss” and what really matters
• How AI is reshaping your child’s future and what they need to know 
• A powerful school model that blends hands-on skills with new-economy careers
• How to protect your child’s confidence and stop school from crushing their gifts

About Ted Dintersmith
Ted is a leading voice in education innovation and the founder of WhatSchoolCouldBe.org, a platform highlighting student-centered learning across the country. After a successful career in venture capital, he produced the Sundance-premiered documentary Most Likely to Succeed and authored What School Could Be, based on his visits to classrooms in all 50 states. Through his films, books, and speaking, Ted inspires educators, parents, and policymakers to reimagine learning and prepare kids for the future.

Connect with Ted

• Website: Ted Dintersmith | What School Could Be 
• LinkedIn: Ted Dintersmith
• Upcoming Book: Aftermath
• Upcoming Film: Multiple Choice
  
  

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift 

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/ted-dintersmith-future-skills-schools-should-teach-now

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com