Parenting With Vanessa Kahlon

When a Parent Learns To Listen — Tzippy’s Journey with CRPS

When a Parent Learns To Listen — Tzippy’ Slavin’s Journey with CRPS (

What happens when you trust the doctors, follow their advice, and convince yourself that your child’s pain must not be what they say it is? And what happens when you later discover that your child was hurting all along?

Tzippy knows this journey firsthand. When her child experienced unexplained pain, she listened to medical professionals who couldn’t find a cause and came to believe that there was nothing seriously wrong. Trusting the doctors, she dismissed her child’s pain, never imagining how much that experience would change her perspective as a parent.

Eventually, her child was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating chronic pain condition that can be difficult to recognize and diagnose.

Today, Tzippy is turning her painful experience into a powerful message for other parents: Listen to your child. Trust that their pain is real, even when doctors cannot explain it.

As a member of the Parent Advisory Council at Boston Children’s Hospital, a leading center in pediatric pain management, Tzippy is helping bring the voices and experiences of families into conversations about children's pain and care.

In this heartfelt conversation, Tzippy opens up about the difficult realization that she had dismissed her own child’s pain, what she wishes she had understood sooner, and why she is now passionate about helping other parents advocate for their children. Her story is a reminder that medical expertise matters, but when a diagnosis is elusive, a child’s pain should never be ignored.

Because sometimes the most important thing a parent can do is stop looking for reasons not to believe their child—and start listening.

If you want to get ahold of Tzippy you can email her at [email protected]

#ListenToYourChild #CRPS #PediatricPain #Parentadvocacy

The Wisdom of Nature: A Mother-Son Journey to Inspire Young Readers

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with author and entrepreneur Amber Vilhauer to discuss What Nature Teaches Us, a children's book she co-authored with her son, Clay. Together, they explore how nature can serve as a powerful teacher, offering lessons about resilience, kindness, self-confidence, and finding our own light in the world.

Amber shares the story behind the book, the unique experience of writing alongside her son, and the importance of creating meaningful conversations with children about emotions, personal growth, and self-worth. We discuss how simple observations from the natural world can help young readers navigate life's challenges and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

This conversation is filled with insights for parents, educators, and anyone who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire growth, connection, and hope. Join us as we explore the wisdom found in nature and the impact of empowering children to recognize the light within themselves. #parent

Signs Your Child Is Going Through Something!

Are you a parent that is telling yourself your child will out grow whatever they are going through? My child just needs time? My child doesn’t act like this at home? If you answer yes this podcast is for you. Lets look at signs your child is displaying and how to best help your child versus waiting for things to change on their own.

Interview With Brian Leonard: Dark Humor, Real Healing Through Therapist Zero

Brian Leonard talks candidly about raising a child through the hardest stretches — the moments when it felt like even the people around him didn't know what to do anymore. That journey shaped his acclaimed solo stand-up show: darkly funny, unflinchingly honest, and a reminder to any parent in a similar fight that they're not walking it alone.

My Child Will Outgrow This!

"They'll Outgrow It"

"They'll outgrow it" is one of the kindest lies parents tell themselves. This episode looks at how that hope can quietly turn into avoidance — softening feedback, delaying hard conversations, and missing the moment a child actually needed honesty instead of patience. #parenting #parentlife #parentingtips #sel

Interviewing Edward Hatter, From The Nabe House

Episode Alert!This week we're sitting down with Edward Hatter from The NABE — the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House — a community anchor that's been serving Potrero Hill and Dogpatch families, youth, and seniors since 1907.

We dig into:
🏠 The NABE's century-plus history in a landmark Julia Morgan–designed building
🍎 Learn about the STEAM event coming on July 11

💛 What it really means to be "the voice of residents" through decades of change on the Hill

If you care about community, connection, and the people doing the quiet work that holds a neighborhood together — this one's for you.

#Podcast #PotreroHill #SanFrancisco #CommunityFirst #TheNabe

My Dark Truth: A Story of Resilience

My Dark Truth: A Story of Resilience

In this deeply personal episode, I share my dark truth—the challenges, pain, and experiences that shaped my childhood and the person I am today. Through my own story, I explore a question that fascinates psychologists, educators, and parents alike: Why do some children develop resilience in the face of adversity while others struggle?

Drawing from both lived experience and research, we’ll discuss the factors that help children overcome hardship, including supportive relationships, emotional connection, community, self-belief, and opportunities to heal. This conversation isn’t about minimizing pain or pretending trauma doesn’t matter. It’s about understanding how resilience develops and how people can find strength, meaning, and hope even after difficult experiences.

Join me for an honest discussion about adversity, healing, and the journey from surviving to thriving.

Topics: Childhood adversity, resilience, trauma, mental health, healing, relationships, personal growth, and hope.

Interviewing Collette Michaud CEO & Founder of The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County

Learn from the founder herself Collette Michaud, Founder of The Children’s Museum Of Sonoma County about their campaign to expand and what is to come!

How Communicating With Parents Can Be Hard

Every parent has a process when it comes to their child but when you ignore the signs of what is happening with your child you are not helping your child. This podcast will talk about my process with working with families and understanding how easy it is for other professionals to sugar coat things since they don’t want to deal with the parents own internal battle when it comes to parenting as they become defensive. Some parents have an excuse for their child’s every move and this isn’t helping anyone.

Teaching Children How Words Matter

Here is a special podcast with my parents on how words matter and the affects it has on other people especially gossip.