Power struggles don’t have to define family life. With Dr. Peter Montminy—clinical child psychologist, certified mindfulness teacher, and parenting coach—we unpack a simple, repeatable approach that turns conflict into a coaching moment. Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) helps us keep authority while replacing standoffs with skill-building and trust, so mornings, homework, and bedtimes feel less like battlegrounds and more like opportunities to grow.

We start by challenging a common myth: kids aren’t “frequent offenders,” they’re frequent strugglers. That mindset opens the door to empathy and leads directly into the CPS three-step method. First, we listen with compassionate curiosity to understand the child’s concerns in their words. Next, we clearly name our own concerns and values—using “and,” not “but,” to keep connection intact. Finally, we brainstorm options, weigh pros and cons together, and choose a trial plan we’ll test and review. Along the way, we highlight the core skills CPS strengthens: emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, communication, focused attention, working memory, and perspective-taking.

Timing is everything. We map out “green-zone” huddles for calm, 10-minute planning and show how to briefly reference the plan in the heat of the moment without reigniting a power struggle. We also tackle common roadblocks—like a child who won’t engage or seems unmotivated—by lowering feeling temperatures and tapping into what they genuinely care about, from less nagging to more independence. The result is a home culture that pairs structure with empathy, reinforces clear expectations, and gives kids a voice in how they meet them.

If you’re ready for fewer fights and more follow-through, this conversation offers concrete language, practical scripts, and weekly check-in ideas you can implement tonight. Subscribe, share with a caregiver or educator who could use a calmer morning, and leave a review to tell us which routine you’re rewriting first.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Ever feel trapped in an emotional tornado? When intense feelings take over, our ability to think clearly, make good decisions, and connect with others disappears. The good news? There's a way out.

Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher, reveals how emotional regulation forms the foundation of resilience. He explains the fascinating brain science behind our emotional responses, distinguishing between our reactive "downstairs brain" and our reflective "upstairs brain." When we learn to pause between stimulus and response, we create space for choice – and that's where our growth happens.

One of the most powerful insights from this conversation is dismantling the myth of "bad" emotions. Anger, anxiety, sadness – these aren't enemies to be eliminated but signals carrying important information. The challenge isn't having these emotions but learning to regulate their intensity and expression. As Dr. Montminy shares, "We may not like how some emotions feel, but they serve a purpose."

Practical tools abound in this episode, from the simple yet transformative practice of "naming it to tame it" to using a "feeling thermometer" to gauge emotional intensity. You'll learn specific breathing techniques, muscle relaxation exercises, and strategies for helping children identify and manage their emotional experiences. Jana Marie Foundation also shares creative outlets that help young people process feelings in healthy ways.

Whether you're a parent wanting to raise emotionally intelligent children, an educator creating a supportive classroom environment, or someone seeking better ways to handle your own emotional responses, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance for building this essential life skill. Remember: emotional regulation isn't about perfection – it's about practice. Small steps create powerful ripples of change. Listen now and discover how to step outside the emotional tornado.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

When life gets tough, what makes the difference between crumbling under pressure and finding the strength to move forward? The answer lies in resilience – not as an innate trait some lucky few possess, but as a skill we can all develop and nurture in ourselves and our children.

Dr. Peter Montminy joins host Marisa Vicere to break down what resilience truly means beyond the buzzwords. Rather than simply "bouncing back" from adversity, resilience involves adapting to stressors while maintaining psychological well-being and finding purpose despite challenges. The conversation dismantles common myths, revealing that resilience isn't something you're either born with or without – it's a capacity that grows with practice and support.

Through personal stories of parenting challenges and eldercare struggles, the hosts illustrate how resilience works in real life. Whether it's allowing a frustrated child to work through difficulties or navigating the complex emotions of caring for aging parents, these moments teach us to be comfortable with discomfort. The episode offers practical strategies anyone can implement: developing self-awareness, practicing self-compassion, building connections, finding purpose, and distinguishing between what we can and cannot control.

Parents and caregivers will appreciate the actionable advice for fostering resilience in children without solving all their problems for them. The hosts emphasize that when we step in too quickly to rescue kids from challenges, we unintentionally communicate that we don't believe they're capable of handling difficulty themselves. Instead, collaborative problem-solving builds both skills and confidence.

Ready to transform how you and your family face life's inevitable challenges? Listen, subscribe, and join the movement to create ripples of resilience that grow into powerful waves of change in your community.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.