Even the most connected couples get caught in reactive cycles — especially when parenting. One partner’s tone or decision sparks the other’s trigger, and suddenly you’re not just reacting to the kids… you’re reacting to each other.

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack what really happens when partners become reactive in parenting. They share personal experiences, explore Dan Siegel’s concept of the “window of tolerance,” and discuss how co-regulation helps partners calm and reconnect when emotions run high.

You’ll learn practical tools to slow escalation, recognize your body’s warning signs, and shift from blame to curiosity — turning conflict into an opportunity for deeper connection.

Because staying united as parents doesn’t mean never getting triggered. It means learning how to come back together, again and again, with empathy, honesty, and repair.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/triggered-by-your-partner-how-to-stay-united-when-emotions-run-high

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In this insightful episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester talk with psychologist Dr. Tamar Chansky, founder of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety and author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety.

Together they explore what anxiety really is, how it shows up in children, and how parents can respond with empathy and connection instead of fear. Dr. Chansky offers simple, science-based tools to help kids analyze their worries, practice gradual exposure to fears, and build confidence step by step.

You’ll learn how to create a safe space for conversations about anxiety, regulate your child’s nervous system with calming techniques, and see anxiety not as an enemy—but as a messenger that guides growth.

If your child worries often or struggles with big feelings, this conversation will equip you with practical ways to bring more calm, courage, and connection to your parenting.

 Where to find Dr. Tamar Chansky:

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/helping-your-child-overcome-anxiety-with-dr-tamar-chansky

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

What if the lessons we learn in the toddler years are the foundation for every stage of parenting?

In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester talk with Devon Kuntzman — parenting expert, ICF-Certified Coach, and founder of Transforming Toddlerhood — about how to move from chaos to curiosity in family life. Devon shares how viewing behavior as communication can change everything about how we respond as parents, from toddlers to teens.

Together they explore how curiosity fosters connection, how discipline becomes skill-building instead of punishment, and why emotional repair is the most powerful parenting tool we have.

You’ll learn:

• Why behavior is communication at every age
• How curiosity transforms conflict
• What true discipline really means
• How to repair after power struggles
• Why early emotional skills shape lifelong resilience

Devon Kuntzman has guided over 1 million parents and caregivers worldwide through her science-based approach to parenting with confidence and connection. Her upcoming book, Transforming Toddlerhood (Harper Horizon, Oct 2025), blends developmental research with real-life strategies to empower families to thrive.

📸 Follow Devon on Instagram: @transformingtoddlerhood

🌐 Learn more: transformingtoddlerhood.com

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/beyond-tantrums-building-emotional-connection-at-every-age

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

Parenting isn’t a competition, it’s a collaboration.

In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester explore what it means to co-create with your kids instead of slipping into a win-lose mindset. They unpack the cultural messages that keep parents stuck in control or compliance mode and show how shifting toward connection, play, and collaboration can transform your family dynamics.

Through real examples and practical insights, you’ll learn how play builds trust, how collaboration teaches self-discipline, and why it’s never too late to rewire your parenting approach.

Whether you’re navigating daily power struggles or simply want a more peaceful home, this episode will help you see parenting as a shared journey of growth and relationship, not a battle for control.

Listen now to discover:

• Why “winning” in parenting often undermines long-term growth
• How co-creating builds confidence, resilience, and mutual respect
• The role of play in strengthening family connection
• Simple mindset shifts that move your family from compliance to collaboration

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-parenting-feels-like-a-battle-how-to-shift-from-power-to-partnership

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

How do we raise boys to be strong and sensitive, to lead with both courage and compassion?

In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with Dr. Daniel Ellenberg to explore how parents can nurture emotional intelligence, empathy, and vulnerability in boys growing up in a world that often pressures them to toughen up. Together, they unpack how to help our sons embrace sensitivity as a strength, build self-awareness, and stay grounded in who they truly are, even when culture tells them otherwise.

This conversation will inspire you to rethink what strength really means and how raising emotionally connected boys can change the world.

About Our Guest

Dr. Daniel Ellenberg is a psychologist, leadership coach, and founder of Strength with Heart, a men’s program that helps redefine masculinity through empathy, awareness, and courage. He’s the past president of the APA Division on Men and Masculinities and chair of education for the Global Compassion Coalition.

Dr. Ellenberg has designed leadership and resilience training for organizations like NASA, teaches at top universities, and is co-authoring a forthcoming book, Strength with Heart. His lifelong mission is to help men — and those raising them — live with authenticity, compassion, and confidence.

You’ll Learn

• Why emotional intelligence is a cornerstone of real strength
• How cultural messages about “toughness” shape boys’ beliefs
• How to help boys express emotion without shame
• Why humor and play strengthen connection
• How to model balance between competition and cooperation
• Ways to create safety for boys to be both brave and kind

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/raising-boys-with-strength-and-heart

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

Join Kyle and Sara Wester from Art of Raising Humans as they explore what it truly means to co-create with your children. Instead of doing things to or for them, discover how to do life with them. Learn how collaboration builds trust, decision-making, and emotional intelligence from the preschool years through the teen stage. 

You will hear practical examples for different ages and discover how to replace power struggles with connection and confidence. This episode will help you create a family culture of teamwork, respect, and shared leadership.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/from-control-to-connection-the-art-of-co-creating-with-your-kids

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

It can feel scary when your once-chatty child starts pulling away during adolescence. But withdrawal isn’t always rejection...t’s often a normal part of growing up.

In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack why adolescents withdraw, what signs of relational disconnection to look for, and how stress responses may show up. They share practical ways parents can respond: staying calm, respecting space, and building connection through small, steady touch points.

Most importantly, they remind parents that unconditional love and open communication create a secure foundation, even when kids seem distant.

If you’ve ever wondered how to handle your child’s withdrawal without panicking or pushing them away, this conversation will give you hope and practical guidance to stay connected through the teen years.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-teens-withdraw-and-how-to-stay-connected

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

Taking away your child’s phone might seem like the quickest way to discipline, but does it actually work? In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester dive into the common strategy of removing phones as punishment and explore why it often backfires.

They discuss how this approach can damage trust, block communication, and fail to teach the self-regulation kids really need. Instead, you’ll hear practical ways to set healthy boundaries around technology, foster intrinsic motivation, and model balanced phone use as a parent.

If you’ve ever felt stuck using your child’s phone as leverage, this episode will give you tools to build connection instead of conflict, so your kids can learn to manage their freedom with wisdom.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/rethinking-phone-discipline-in-parenting

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

What if your love could rewire their brain? 

In this powerful episode, Kyle Wester and Sara Wester talk with renowned parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson about the science of interpersonal neurobiology—and how love, connection, and secure relationships literally shape the developing brain.

Together, they explore how parents act as meaning makers for their children, how the brain predicts future interactions based on past experiences, and why co-regulation and emotional attunement are essential for helping kids learn to manage their big feelings. Tina also unpacks the four S’s of secure attachment—safe, seen, soothed, and secure—and shows how these simple principles build emotional resilience and well-being in children.

Whether you’re navigating toddler meltdowns or teen stress, this conversation will help you understand how your presence and regulation can rewire your child’s brain for connection, confidence, and growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How relationships literally shape the architecture of the brain
• Why emotional regulation and co-regulation are essential
• How secure attachment fuels resilience and emotional health
• What the four S’s are and how to use them daily
• How your calm presence helps your child thrive

Where to find Tina: 

https://www.instagram.com/tinapaynebryson/

https://www.tinabryson.com/ 

https://www.thecenterforconnection.org/ 

https://playstronginstitute.com/ 

https://www.amazon.com/shop/tinapaynebryson

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/how-love-and-relationships-shape-the-brain

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

Few words cut deeper for a parent than hearing your child say, “I hate you.” In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to feel hurt, angry, or even tempted to pull away. But what if those words don’t actually mean what they sound like?

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester explore the deeper meaning behind those painful outbursts. Drawing on developmental science and research on emotional intelligence, they share how kids often use strong words when they’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or lacking the language to express their true feelings.

You’ll hear:

Why kids say “I hate you” — and what’s really happening in their brains and hearts

Common parent reactions that can unintentionally add shame or distance

Practical ways to stay calm, set boundaries, and respond with connection

How to reassure your kids that your love is never conditional

Every “I hate you” moment can become a doorway to deeper trust and connection. Listen in to discover how.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-your-child-says-i-hate-you-what-theyre-really-telling-you

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.