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Your kid drops a line like “My teacher hates me” and you can feel your brain sprint toward fixing it, correcting it, shutting it down. We dig into why that instinct is so common for overwhelmed parents, and how it can accidentally create distance instead of comfort, even when you’re trying your hardest.

I sit down with parenting coach and author Mary Wilcox Smith to talk about the messy reality behind “doing everything right” and still ending up in dark, confusing seasons. Mary shares her path through perfectionism, control, and the high-pressure years of raising four daughters, including serious medical challenges that drained bandwidth and changed the entire family system. We also reflect on how neurodivergence, sensitivity, anxiety, and ADHD can shape what a child needs, and why “one-size-fits-all parenting” often fails both the child who struggles loudly and the child who looks fine on the outside.

Mary’s Micro Step Method for the overwhelmed parent focuses on tiny moments that matter. One of the most useful is “accepting is not agreeing” meaning we can validate our child’s perspective without endorsing the story or abandoning boundaries. We also get into repair after rupture, the compounding power of small connection wins, and a practical “five, five, five” mindset to keep the long-term parent-child relationship in view.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a parent who’s carrying too much, and leave a review so more families can find it. What’s a moment you want a better script for right now?

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

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“Stop hiding what they love” sounds almost too simple, but it can change everything. I’m joined by Sue Goluback and Staci Neustadt from Making Sense of Autism for a conversation that challenges the old autism playbook and replaces it with something more human: neuroaffirming, strength-based autism support that starts with the individual, not a standardized score. Sue shares what it was like to grow up knowing she was different, only to receive an autism diagnosis at 50, and how that journey shaped her work in occupational therapy, assistive technology, and autistic advocacy.

We dig into why so many traditional autism assessments compare autistic people to neurotypical development, and why that “apples to oranges” approach can lead to goals that don’t match what the child actually needs or wants. Staci, a speech-language pathologist, explains how shifting the lens from compliance to connection helps parents and professionals understand behavior as communication. We talk sensory processing, nervous system regulation, executive functioning, and why kids cannot access functional communication when they’re overwhelmed or dysregulated.

You’ll also hear one of my favorite examples: a child who loved clocks, and how honoring that special interest opened the door to real learning instead of shame and shutdown. We cover how their tools and trainings support schools, therapists, and families, plus why autistic adults deserve resources that help them finally understand themselves. If you care about practical strategies, better IEP conversations, and autism supports that respect identity, this one is for you.

Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

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- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

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One small mistake in your estate plan can quietly put SSI and Medicaid at risk, and most families never find out until it’s too late. We wanted a practical, calm conversation that replaces fear with a roadmap, so we brought on Michael Ringle, founder of Special Needs Wealth Planning and author of Planning for Two Lifetimes, to walk through what special needs families actually need to plan for and why the rules are different.

We talk about the core idea of “planning for two lifetimes” and the biggest myth Michael sees: that protecting your child’s future means sacrificing your retirement. From there, we dig into the real-world mechanics of special needs financial planning, including how benefits can be affected when money is left directly to a child, why a standalone third-party special needs trust gives more control than a few lines buried in a will, and how funding strategies can be designed to show up when they are needed rather than creating complexity too early.

We also break down ABLE accounts in plain language: what they are, when they help, what limits to watch, and why Medicaid payback provisions matter. Michael shares how families can get organized without judgment, identify gaps quickly, and take a small next step even when life is busy with school, therapy, and caregiving. If you want clear guidance on special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, guardianship planning considerations, and life insurance strategies like second-to-die policies and long-term care riders, this conversation is built to give you traction.

If this helped you, subscribe, share it with another parent or caregiver, and leave a quick review so more special needs families can find practical planning support.

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SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

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PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

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What if the most powerful thing you give your child isn’t a lesson, a rule, or a reward, but a voice they carry for the rest of their life? Author Terry Bean joins us for a warm, honest conversation about how the words we speak to kids become the words they eventually speak to themselves and how that inner voice can build confidence, self-worth, and real resilience. Terry shares the heart behind her children’s book “Abercadabra,” including the idea of the “wizard inside” that helps kids listen inward, trust themselves, and create a life they love.

We go deep on practical parenting mindset tools that don’t require perfection: validating emotions instead of rushing past them, helping kids name sadness and work through it, and teaching simple daily intentions that function like affirmations without the jargon. We also talk about accountability over blame, why “changing the channel” on negative self-talk matters, and how humor can be a surprisingly powerful family survival skill, especially when life gets complicated.

Then we zoom out to the world kids are growing up in now: constant pings, constant comparison, and constant pressure to look outside themselves for validation. We discuss technology boundaries that protect human connection, like putting phones away during meals and modeling presence in conversation. If you care about raising kind humans, building emotional intelligence in children, and using stories to teach confidence and self-trust, you’ll leave with ideas you can try today. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more families can find these tools.

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

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TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

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PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

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If your child is autistic or neurodivergent, a police interaction can go sideways for reasons that have nothing to do with guilt. A shutdown, a meltdown, pacing, avoiding eye contact, or “odd” body language can be misread as deception or threat, and once that interpretation sets in, the consequences can escalate fast. We sit down with criminal defense attorney Saul Bienenfeld (licensed in New York and Florida), who works on cases involving sex offenses, CSAM (child sexual abuse material), and digital forensics, to talk through what families can do before a crisis hits.

We get concrete about what to teach and practice: how to be respectful without explaining yourself, why “I want a lawyer” is a protective skill, and what parents should do if law enforcement shows up at the door. Saul breaks down the difference between cooperation and consent, why you should ask about a warrant, and how a well-meaning parent’s instinct to “just tell them what happened” can become disastrous legal advice when your child is the target of an investigation.

We also talk internet safety and device realities, including how online platforms flag content, how innocent-seeming forwarding or nude images can trigger serious charges, and why neurodivergent kids are often targeted online. Finally, we cover victim situations, de-escalation, and tools like the blue envelope and communication profiles that can help emergency responders approach someone who may not be able to communicate under stress.

If you found this helpful, please subscribe, share it with another parent or educator, and leave a review. What’s one script you want to start practicing at home?

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SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com

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Your four-year-old isn’t being “difficult” for fun and your teenager isn’t shutting you out just to be rude. We talk with Dr. Brandy Hawk, a clinical child psychologist specializing in childhood trauma, parent child relationships, and neurodiversity, to get practical, grounded guidance for the moments that make parenting feel overwhelming.

We start with the early years, where therapy looks less like talking and more like healing in relationship. Brandy breaks down why young children need their caregivers involved, how relational PTSD can create a feedback loop where parent and child keep triggering each other, and why one of the best first steps is often child led play. We also explore early childhood brain development, the massive growth that happens from birth to age five, and why consistent structure and limits can actually help kids feel safer as they build autonomy.

Then we widen the lens to older kids and teens. We share simple strategies for connection that reduce power struggles, including asking fewer questions, letting silence do some of the work, and modeling repair through accountability and apologies. We also talk candidly about autism diagnosis fears, parent grief, and how to reframe expectations toward strengths, joy, and realistic supports that fit your child’s path.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share this episode with a parent or provider who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these tools.

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SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com

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Teen years are intense, and it’s not just attitudes and hormones. Stress, anxiety, screen time, energy drinks, sleep problems, and constant online pressure can stack up fast, and a lot of families feel like they’re piecing together support with no clear roadmap. We wanted a conversation that feels honest and useful, so we invited Dara Wax, founder of Sam + Leo, to share how she built a clean, vegan teen gummy vitamin brand from a very real parenting need.

We talk about the “missing middle” in the vitamin aisle where teens don’t really fit into kids supplements or adult supplements, and why taste, texture, and packaging can decide whether anything gets used at all. Dara also explains what it meant to go from zero stores to Whole Foods, including stricter ingredient standards, clinical evidence expectations, and third-party testing that can raise the bar for trust in the teen wellness space.

Then we zoom out to what we’re all navigating at home: how to support teen mental health without trying to “fix” our kids, how to handle summer and the pull of screens, and what it’s like to watch a child step toward independence. Dara breaks down the five Sam + Leo gummies and what they’re designed to support, from stress relief and sleep hygiene to immunity, caffeine-free energy, and eye strain from blue light.

If you’re trying to build healthier routines for your teenager and you want practical ideas that respect who your kid is, press play. Subscribe for more parent-to-parent conversations, share this with a friend raising teens, and leave a review so more families can find us.

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SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com

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You can have a full calendar of friends, family, and appointments and still feel completely alone as a parent. That’s where this conversation lands: the kind of honest, practical talk that helps you breathe again and take the next step.

We’re joined by Vicky Christensen, a special education advocate and the author of Uniquely, Fully Enough. Vicky shares her family’s neurodivergent parenting journey, including raising a son with an extremely rare chromosome disorder and a younger son with ADHD inattentive type and auditory processing challenges. We unpack what it feels like to walk into an IEP meeting surrounded by professionals and realize you need a plan for advocacy, not just hope. We also talk about how finding your village actually happens, from parent groups to local providers to the first person who says “I get it” without judgment.

We dig into visible disability versus invisible disability, why kids can be underestimated at a glance, and what real inclusion looks like for nonspeaking students, including respectful communication and the role of AAC. You’ll also hear concrete guidance on finding credible autism resources without getting lost in the noise, plus what happens after aging out of the school system and how families build meaningful community life and support.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with one parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these stories and tools.

Support the show

SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST

WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

INSTAGRAM

- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/

TIKTOK

- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc

LINKEDIN

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/

PODCAST PLATFORMS

- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC

- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

- sjchildsllc@gmail.com