Yollanda Zhang joins Sonia in this episode of Raising the Next Gen, where we discuss generational patterns and how we're healing from them, the importance of self-care and mindfulness for parents, and more. As mother, Ontario-certified teacher, and entrepreneur, Yollanda brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work.

Join us for a real and raw conversation where we discuss our lived and learned experiences, while also drawing from Yollanda's training in trauma therapy through Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté and her current studies in Master’s in Counseling Psychology.

You'll walk away with tangible tips to integrate self-care for yourself as well as ideas to connect meaningfully with your children.

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Learn more about Yollanda Zhang:

Yollanda Zhang is the founder of Girl. Strong., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and teens through confidence-building, leadership, and self-esteem programs. As a passionate advocate for raising resilient and emotionally healthy young people, she has spent years working with children, teens, and families to foster connection, cultural identity, and personal growth.

A mother, Ontario-certified teacher, and entrepreneur, Yollanda brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She founded Panda Mandarin, a thriving language school that helps children and families maintain their heritage and bilingual identity. As a coach and speaker, she supports parents in raising self-assured, adaptable tweens and teens in today’s complex world.

With a Master’s in Counseling Psychology in progress and training in trauma therapy through Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté, Yollanda integrates evidence-based strategies with deep emotional awareness. She is committed to breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and equipping parents with the tools to nurture strong, emotionally intelligent young people.

Follow and connect with Yollanda on ⁠Instagram⁠ and LinkedIn and learn how you can work with her on her website.

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In this solo episode of Raising the Next Gen, we go back to 2011—before I became a mom and was inspired by the Tiger Mom philosophy made famous by Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. As an expectant parent and fellow Asian woman, I resonated deeply with the ideas of Tiger Parenting and thought that this was the path for me.

Now, 14 years later, I realize that becoming a parent unraveled many of those once-strong beliefs. From struggling through sleepless nights to the emotional weight of perfectionism, I had to re-examine everything what I thought I knew. Tiger parenting may have been familiar, but it wasn’t sustainable — for me or my children.

I discovered that I could choose my own path, and implemented a gratitude practice with a healthy dose of self-compassion to free me from letting go of labels like “Tiger Mom.” Tune in hear about this part of my parenting journey, and find tips to help you create a style that works for your unique families — rooted in flexibility, intentionality, and growth.

Whether you're breaking generational cycles or simply questioning your parenting defaults, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to parent the way you were parented. You get to change. You get to grow. You get to choose.

🎧 Tune in and be encouraged to raise resilient, happy, and emotionally healthy kids—without the grind of perfection.

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For more on Sonia's journey from perfectionism to gratitude, read her story in Chapter 18 of the co-authored book ⁠Mamas Gotta Grow⁠.

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, we step inside the playroom with Maimoona Batool to explore how play therapy can be a powerful tool for helping children and teens navigate big feelings, trauma, and life transitions. Maimoona shares what led her to focus on play therapy and how it promotes emotional regulation, healing, and connection between kids and their caregivers.

We unpack the signs that might indicate a child could benefit from therapy. Maimoona also breaks down how different approaches like sand tray, art, and talk therapy are blended for different age groups and developmental needs.

As children grow, therapy evolves—and we explore how play therapy adapts to meet tweens and teens where they are. Maimoona also dispels common myths, like the belief that “kids don’t need therapy unless something’s seriously wrong.”

We close by discussing the critical role communities play in supporting children’s mental health—from early intervention and school resources to making therapy more accessible for families.

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Learn more about Maimoona Batool:

Maimoona Batool Play therapist, Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor. She is the Clinic Director at Batool Wellness, the first certified play therapy center located in York Region, specifically the city of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada.

The clinic is dedicated to providing exceptional mental health services to children, individuals, and families across York Region and beyond. With a focus on innovative and compassionate care, Batool Wellness offers specialized therapies such as play therapy and sand-play therapy, EMDR, and art-based approaches.

Follow and connect with Maimoona on ⁠Instagram⁠ to learn more about play therapy and how to work with her Batool Wellness.

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Don't forget to review, subscribe, share and ⁠⁠follow us⁠⁠ if you liked this episode!