In this episode of the Thrive Like a Parent podcast, I sit down with my dear friend Julia Warren, a yoga therapist and fellow widow, to share an honest, vulnerable conversation about navigating grief, solo parenting, and genuine healing after loss. We open up about what it really means to choose yourself during hard times, how to find strength through authenticity, and the importance of trusting your own journey—even when surrounded by judgment, business challenges, and well-intentioned but misguided support.

Julia and I discuss our personal experiences with widowhood, the ups and downs of recovery, building stable homes for our children, and learning to set boundaries that protect our peace. Our talk gets real about the pitfalls of quick fixes, misleading promises in the wellness space, and why building an authentic, supportive community matters so much.

If you’ve ever struggled with grief, wrestled with guilt, or doubted your own strength on the path to rebuilding your life, this episode is for you. Remember: you are not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help on the road to healing.

If today’s conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need support. I’d love to hear your story—connect with me on Instagram @BrookeWeinst and let’s keep this community growing.

#HealingAfterLoss #ThriveLikeAParent #GriefSupport #Widowhood #AuthenticHealing

Listen in for real stories, uplifting advice, and resources to help you thrive through any season of life.

EP:163 Hey friends, it’s Brooke! On this episode of the podcast, I was honored to sit down with the incredible Dr. Jody Carrington—clinical psychologist, speaker, and all-around powerhouse in the world of mental health. We dive deep into what it truly means to build connection in an increasingly disconnected world, and why asking “what happened here?” is more powerful than ever. Dr. Jody shares her journey from small-town Alberta to working with families and first responders, revealing hard truths about trauma, the challenges of modern parenting, and the epidemic of loneliness facing us today.

We open up about the pressure to “get it right” as parents, the misconceptions of the DSM, and the importance of showing vulnerability—especially for men and fathers, who often aren’t given the emotional language tools they need. This episode is raw, honest, and packed with insights for parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking real conversations around mental health.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Head over to DrJodyCarrington.com for more resources, follow her in IG @drjodycarrington or DM me with your thoughts—I LOVE hearing your stories.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join our community for more honest looks behind the scenes of parenting and personal growth.

#MentalHealthMatters #ParentingPodcast #AuthenticConnection #EmotionalWellness #BreakTheStigma #TraumaInformed #ParentingSupport #YouAreNotAlone #BrookeWeinstein #DrJodyCarrington

Tune in, and let’s walk each other home!

EP:162 Hey there, it’s Brooke! In this episode of the Thrive Like a Parent Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Caitlin Murray from Big Time Adulting for a raw, honest, and hilarious deep-dive into the real life of modern parenting. We jump right in—talking about what it means to be an authentic parent, letting go of perfection, and why sometimes, it’s OK to just laugh at the chaos. Caitlin opens up about her journey as a mom to a childhood cancer survivor, how those challenging years taught her to trust her instincts, and navigating the world of gentle parenting without losing her sense of self (or humor). We also discuss the realities of parenting through a pandemic and how motherhood changes as we move through our 30s and 40s—including hormonal shifts and the importance of self-care. We get into why social media can be both a lifeline and a landmine for moms, and how the pressure to always get it “right” can actually hold us back. If you’re ever doubting yourself as a parent or feeling overwhelmed by parenting advice, this episode is here to remind you: YOU are enough. Trust your gut, embrace the messy moments, and don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way. Ready for more real talk about parenting, self-acceptance, and thriving as the perfectly imperfect mom you are? Hit subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram! #Parenting #Motherhood #GentleParenting #AuthenticParenting #ThriveLikeAParent #ModernMotherhood #MomLife #SelfCareForMoms #Perimenopause #BigTimeAdulting #Podcast #BrookeWeinstein #CaitlinMurray #RealTalk #MentalHealth #WomenEmpowerment Want more? Follow me @ThriveLikeAParent and Caitlin @BigTimeAdulting on Instagram for daily inspiration, honest stories, and a whole lot of laughs!

EP:159 What does it look like to receive a cancer diagnosis while navigating motherhood and a global pandemic? Meet Tia B Stokes - mom, dancer, cancer survivor, and beacon of hope who turned her darkest moments into a mission of service and joy.

💪 TIA'S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY: - Dancing on world stages before facing the ultimate life challenge - Receiving a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic with five children - How her dance group Calamity became a lifeline and support system - Transforming from fundraising for others to accepting help herself - The healing power of movement, community, and choosing joy daily

⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Meet Tia B Stokes: Dancer, Mom, Cancer Survivor 5:30 - The Moment Everything Changed: Cancer Diagnosis 12:15 - Navigating Treatment During the Pandemic 18:45 - How Dance and Movement Became Medicine 25:20 - From Helping Others to Accepting Help 32:10 - The Power of Community and Connection 38:30 - Living in the Present and Choosing Joy 41:00 - Tia's Message of Hope for Anyone Struggling

✨ KEY INSIGHTS: - How movement and service became Tia's medicine through the darkest days - The importance of community support during life's biggest challenges - Why choosing joy and living in the present can be revolutionary acts - How one person's story can inspire millions and create ripple effects of hope

🌟 THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF: - You're facing a health challenge or supporting someone who is - You need inspiration and practical wisdom for difficult times - You're a parent juggling overwhelming circumstances - You believe in the power of community and connection - You need a reminder that you can thrive no matter what life throws your way

🎧 From the THRIVE Like a Parent Podcast - where we dive deep into stories of resilience, hope, and the human spirit.

💬 What's your biggest takeaway from Tia's story? Share in the comments! 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories of resilience and hope 📱 Follow @DrBrookeWeinstein and @TiaBStokes for daily inspiration

🔗 CONNECT WITH TIA: www.instagram.com/thetiabeestokes

#CancerSurvivor #Motherhood #Resilience #Hope #TiaBStokes #DrBrookeWeinstein #CancerJourney #ThrivingThroughCancer #Inspiration #CommunitySupport #ThriveParentPodcast #MomStrength #DanceHealing #ChooseJoy #CancerWarrior

EP:158 Hey friends, it’s Brooke! In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Alyssa, the brilliant mind behind “Big Kids, Bigger Feelings” and “Tiny Humans, Big Emotions.” We dove deep into what truly sets her work apart—understanding the unique nervous system of every child (and adult!). Alyssa shared her journey from teaching preschool to pioneering the Collaborative Emotion Processing Method, and we explored why emotional intelligence isn’t just about kids—it’s about us, too.

We talked about practical ways to support kids in schools and at home, from sensory breaks to setting real boundaries, and why it’s so important to use data and outcomes—not just anecdotes—to measure the impact of emotional development programs. Alyssa’s insights on empowering parents, teachers, and kids to understand their own brains and bodies are game-changers.

If you’re ready to move beyond the buzzwords and really make a difference in your child’s (and your own!) emotional well-being, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to check out Alyssa’s books and the free SEEDquiz.com questionnaire to discover your unique nervous system profile!

Let’s keep this conversation going—share your thoughts, tag a friend who needs to hear this, and let’s build a community of empowered, emotionally intelligent families and educators.

#EmotionalIntelligence #BigKidsBiggerFeelings #ParentingTips #SensorySupport #ChildDevelopment #BrookeWeinsteinPodcast #EmpoweredParents #SeedDandSew #MentalHealthMatters

Listen now, take the SEED quiz, and let’s connect on Instagram @BrookeWeinstein and @Seed.and.sew!

Links & Resources:

📘 Check out more episodes of Thrive Like a Parent - https://drbrookeweinstein.com/thrive-podcast/ 📸 Follow Dr. B on Instagram - https://bit.ly/48VZI5e 🌐 Visit our website for more resources on self-care and well-being - https://drbrookeweinstein.com

EP:158 Back-to-school can feel overwhelming for kids with ADHD—and for parents too. New schedules, noisy classrooms, homework battles, and overstimulation can all push the nervous system to its breaking point. In this video, Dr. Brooke Weinstein explains: How ADHD connects to the nervous system Why dysregulation shows up during school transitions Practical ways to support focus, emotions, and resilience this school year When kids (and parents) are regulated, they can learn, adapt, and connect. When they’re dysregulated, everything feels harder. This video gives you tools to spot the difference and strategies to make the back-to-school season smoother for your whole family. Subscribe for more on ADHD parenting, nervous system regulation, and real-life tools for families. #backtoschool #adhdparenting #nervoussystemregulation #adhdsupport #emotionalregulation

Links & Resources:

📘 Check out more episodes of Thrive Like a Parent - https://drbrookeweinstein.com/thrive-podcast/ 📸 Follow Dr. B on Instagram - https://bit.ly/48VZI5e 🌐 Visit our website for more resources on self-care and well-being - https://drbrookeweinstein.com