In this episode of Conquering Conversations, we sit down with Beth Aune, from Desert Occupational Therapy for Kids, to tackle one of the most common—and challenging—parenting realities: the strong-willed child.

Beth brings practical, research-informed insight to help parents understand what’s really happening beneath intense emotions, power struggles, and big reactions. This conversation equips parents with clear tools to navigate moments of high emotion, de-escalate conflict, and respond in ways that build connection rather than control. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to respond when emotions run high, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a practical path forward.

In this episode of Conquering Conversations, we dive into one of the most common questions parents ask: How is my child’s learning being measured?

In this episode, we sit down with Renee Loewen, DCA’s Director of Educational Programming, to explore student grading and the school’s transition from traditional letter grades to proficiency-based grading. Renee explains how this approach focuses on clearly defined learning standards and skills, giving parents a more accurate and helpful picture of student progress. You’ll learn why this shift matters, how it benefits students, and what parents should look for when reviewing progress reports.

Whether you’re new to proficiency-based grading or simply want to better understand how to better support student growth, this conversation will equip you with clarity and confidence.

Join us for our first episode of Conqering Conversations with Courtnie Howard and Kirk Scott!