Family Dialogues

Dr. Taniesha Burke

When love feels strained, kids are struggling, and your home feels divided, it’s easy to wonder if peace and joy are still possible. The Family Dialogues Podcast reminds you they are. Each episode is a guide back to connection, helping couples heal, parents unite, and families grow stronger together, even when life gets messy. Listeners love this podcast because it starts where true change begins: with the partnership at the center of the home. Dr. Taniesha Burke helps parents rebuild love, trust, and teamwork so children can thrive in the security of a united family. You’ll gain proven, evidence-based strategies for nurturing emotional growth, fostering resilience in your kids, and creating a home that feels safe and joyful again. As a research psychologist, parenting coach, and mother of three, Dr. Burke brings both academic expertise and lived experience to every conversation. Her background in family relations, child development, and spiritual life coaching, combined with insights from world-class guests, offers practical wisdom you can apply right away. Whether you’re rekindling love, restoring peace, or building a stronger bond with your children, The Family Dialogues Podcast is your companion for raising families that stay connected, grounded, and full of joy no matter what challenges come your way.

  1. 2 days ago

    When Your Child Gets a Life-Changing Diagnosis: Finding Hope Through Grief | Angela Ricketts

    What happens when the future you imagined for your child suddenly changes? How do you hold onto hope while grieving what may be lost? Author and mother Angela Ricketts shares how her son’s diagnosis with choroideremia, a rare inherited retinal disease that causes progressive vision loss, transformed her parenting, marriage, faith, and understanding of resilience. In this deeply personal conversation on Family Dialogues with Dr. Burke, Angela takes us from the moment doctors discovered something was wrong with her five-year-old son’s eyes to the realities of raising a teenager who is gradually losing his sight. She shares why parents need permission to grieve after a child’s diagnosis, why isolation can make an already difficult journey harder, and how finding community helped her family move forward without denying their pain. Angela and Dr. Burke also explore parenting a child with a chronic illness or disability, caregiver grief, sibling empathy, maintaining a marriage under medical stress, faith, resilience, and finding hope after an unexpected diagnosis. Angela explains how she and her husband learned to become vulnerable with each other, reconnect as a couple, and “fall apart together” rather than carrying their grief alone. Her experience eventually inspired Never Lose Sight and Sight Stones, a nonprofit supporting research into rare retinal diseases; a reminder that grief and gratitude, pain and purpose, can exist at the same time. In this episode: Processing an unexpected diagnosis for your child Parenting through chronic illness, disability, and progressive vision loss Helping children understand a diagnosis without defining themselves by it Why parents should not navigate grief alone What family and friends should and should not say after a diagnosis Supporting siblings of children with chronic conditions Protecting your marriage during caregiving stress Holding grief, gratitude, faith, and hope at the same time Turning a painful family experience into advocacy and purpose Resources Mentioned Sight Stones — SightStones.org Never Lose Sight by Angela Ricketts — available on Amazon Foundation Fighting Blindness Sight Stones on Instagram Sight Stones Facebook Sight Stones on YouTube   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    When Your Child Gets a Life-Changing Diagnosis: Finding Hope Through Grief | Angela Ricketts
  2. 20 Oct

    ADHD Is Affecting Your Whole Family: How to Reduce Conflict & Reconnect | Dr. Tamara Rosier

    ADHD doesn’t affect just one person; it can shape the emotional climate, routines, communication, and relationships of the entire family. Dr. Tamara Rosier explains how ADHD families can move from chaos, resentment, and shame toward emotional regulation, healthier boundaries, and stronger connection. In this episode of Family Dialogues with Dr. Burke, ADHD expert, coach, and author Dr. Tamara Rosier explores what happens when ADHD is part of family life, whether it affects a child, parent, spouse, or several family members. Dr. Rosier explains why emotional regulation needs to come before organization, using her memorable “emotional pool” metaphor to help families understand big emotions, meltdowns, shutdowns, and conflict. She also discusses how overfunctioning and underfunctioning develop in ADHD households, why parents may need to allow children to experience appropriate consequences, and how couples can divide responsibilities according to their strengths rather than resentment or unrealistic expectations. The conversation also explores ADHD in women, including late diagnosis, perimenopause, hormonal changes, shame, and the grief some women experience when they finally understand why life has felt so difficult. You’ll also learn: How the window of tolerance affects ADHD emotional regulation Practical ways to move out of hyperarousal or shutdown How to correct children without reinforcing shame Why collaborative problem-solving can work better than constant correction How to move from survival thinking to transformational thinking Dr. Rosier’s three-step conflict repair process: Reach, Repair, Reconnect Why protecting the relationship matters more than getting every parenting moment right Whether you are parenting a child with ADHD, navigating ADHD in your marriage, or recognizing these patterns in yourself, this conversation offers practical tools for creating a calmer, more connected ADHD family. Resources & Programs Mentioned Dr. Tamara Rosier: TamaraRosier.com ADHD Center of West Michigan Pathways to Success – Cindy Goldrich Book: You, Me and Our ADHD Family by Dr. Tamara Rosier   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    ADHD Is Affecting Your Whole Family: How to Reduce Conflict & Reconnect | Dr. Tamara Rosier
  3. 13 Oct

    How to Get Your Teen to Open Up: The Power of Holding Space with Emily Ricks

    Want your teenager to talk to you without every conversation turning into advice, arguments, or shutdowns? Parenting coach Emily Ricks explains how “holding space” can help parents build trust, improve communication, and stay connected with their teens even during conflict. In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with certified life and parenting coach Emily Ricks, host of the Parenting Teens podcast, about one of the most powerful skills parents can use when raising teenagers: holding space.  Instead of immediately fixing the problem, dismissing a teen’s feelings, or agreeing with everything they say, Emily encourages parents to pause, listen with curiosity, and create room for teenagers to explore what they think, feel, and want to do. You'll learn: What it really means to hold space for your teenager Why fixing, rescuing, or dismissing can shut down parent-teen communication Simple phrases such as “Tell me more” that encourage teens to keep talking How to validate emotions without automatically agreeing with your teen’s interpretation Why parents need to regulate their own emotions before difficult conversations How vulnerability, apologies, and repair can rebuild trust with your teenager What to do when your teen gives one-word answers or doesn't want to talk How to offer advice without taking over your teenager’s decision-making When holding space is appropriate and when parents need to set clear boundaries around risky behavior Why trusting the “long game” matters when your teenager seems distant or resistant Emily also reminds parents that mistakes do not have to define the relationship. Parents can acknowledge when they reacted poorly, apologize, and create a new opportunity for connection. Sometimes, rebuilding trust begins with simply saying, “I’m ready to listen.” And when your teenager seems to be pulling away? Emily encourages parents to zoom out. Raising children is a long-term relationship, and seasons of distance do not mean the relationship is lost. Connect with Emily Ricks Emily Ricks Coaching: EmilyRicksCoaching.com Parenting Teens Podcast Instagram: Emily Ricks Coaching Facebook: Emily Ricks Coaching   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    How to Get Your Teen to Open Up: The Power of Holding Space with Emily Ricks
  4. 6 Oct

    How to Communicate With a High-Conflict Ex: The BIFF Method for Co-Parenting | Bill Eddy

    Struggling with toxic texts, hostile emails, or constant conflict with your co-parent? Learn how to respond without escalating the fight. High-conflict expert Bill Eddy shares the BIFF method: a practical communication strategy to help separated and divorced parents stay calm, set boundaries, and protect their children from ongoing conflict. In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with Bill Eddy, co-founder of the High Conflict Institute, former child and family therapist, family law attorney, mediator, and author of more than 20 books. Bill explains why texts and emails can quickly intensify high-conflict co-parenting and how the BIFF method (Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm) can help parents respond strategically instead of emotionally. You’ll learn: How to respond to blaming, hostile, or provocative messages from an ex Why defending yourself can sometimes escalate co-parenting conflict The three A's to avoid in BIFF responses: advice, admonishments, and apologies When you should respond—and when it is better not to respond How to set firm boundaries without sounding hostile How to document difficult interactions factually if conflict may become a legal issue Why children can absorb a parent's anger toward the other parent How to communicate with a child who is rejecting or distancing themselves from one parent How BIFF skills can also improve communication with spouses, teenagers, and other family members Bill emphasizes that children can absorb a parent's emotions during divorce and separation, particularly when they repeatedly hear anger or negative messages about the other parent. His central message for parents: communication does not have to be driven by fear, anger, or the need to win. With practice, parents can become more deliberate about what they need to communicate and what outcome they want from the conversation. Resources Mentioned in This Episode High Conflict Institute: website, articles, courses, and resources BIFF for Co-Parent Communication by Bill Eddy Don’t Alienate the Kids: Raising Resilient Children and Avoiding High-Conflict Divorce by Bill Eddy Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Bill Eddy New Ways for Families — co-parenting/divorce program New Ways for Couples and Families — communication program for intact families New Ways for Life — program for youth ages 12–17 It’s All Your Fault — High Conflict Institute podcast   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    How to Communicate With a High-Conflict Ex: The BIFF Method for Co-Parenting | Bill Eddy
  5. 29 Sept

    Teen Eating Disorders: Warning Signs, Treatment & How Parents Can Support Recovery | Jennifer Hope Longenecker

    When your teenager is struggling with an eating disorder, knowing what to say and what not to say can make a profound difference. Jennifer Hope Longenecker shares what parents need to know about warning signs, treatment, relapse, family support, and helping a teen move toward recovery without blame or shame. In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with Jennifer Hope Longenecker, trauma-informed mental health coach, mother, and co-author of Held in the Dark: A Mother Daughter Guide to Navigating an Adolescent Eating Disorder, Treatment and Recovery. Drawing from her family's experience supporting her daughter through an eating disorder, Jennifer discusses the subtle early warning signs of eating disorders in teenagers, including avoiding family meals, restrictive eating, excessive exercise, secrecy around food, and changes that can easily be mistaken for normal teenage behavior. Jennifer and Dr. Burke explore anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and restrictive eating, as well as how parents can begin a conversation when they suspect something is wrong. Jennifer also explains why finding a professional who specializes in eating disorders, rather than simply having experience with them, can be critically important. They also discuss: How diet culture and body talk at home can influence children and teens Why families may need to stop labeling foods as “good” or “bad” What to say instead of commenting on a teen's weight or appearance How an eating disorder can affect siblings, marriage, and the entire family system Why parents may need individual or couples therapy while supporting their child The importance of a multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment team Residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) Why relapse does not erase previous recovery progress How parents can support recovery without becoming the “food police” Managing parental guilt, shame, and self-blame Why recovery often involves ups and downs rather than one straightforward path Jennifer reminds parents that needing additional treatment does not mean their child has lost everything they previously accomplished; it can simply mean they have reached a hurdle that requires more support. Her message to families is one of hope: recovery is possible, parents are an important part of the treatment team, and neither teenagers nor their families need to navigate an eating disorder alone. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Held in the Dark: A Mother-Daughter Guide to Navigating an Adolescent Eating Disorder, Treatment and Recovery — Jennifer Hope Longenecker Held in the Dark five-question parent quiz F.E.A.S.T. — eating disorder education and support resources for families Jennifer Hope Longenecker on Instagram Jennifer Hope Longenecker's website  Jennifer's Facebook support group for parents and teens navigating eating disorders   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    Teen Eating Disorders: Warning Signs, Treatment & How Parents Can Support Recovery | Jennifer Hope Longenecker
  6. 22 Sept

    How to Parent With More Joy: 8 Practices for Calmer, More Connected Families | Marguerite Orane

    What if becoming a calmer, more connected parent doesn’t require changing your children, but changing how you lead yourself? Leadership expert Marguerite Orane shares practical ways to reduce parenting stress, create more joy at home, and build stronger relationships with your children. Parenting can leave us exhausted, overwhelmed, and reacting in ways we later regret. But what if some of the same practices that help great leaders thrive could also transform how we lead our families? In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with executive leadership coach, author, and Harvard MBA Marguerite Orane about bringing her eight essential practices for leading with joy into parenting and family life. Marguerite explains the difference between happiness and joy, why children naturally bring joy into family life, and how parents can unintentionally suppress that joy through fear, stress, overcontrol, and constant correction. You’ll discover how practices such as reflection, forgiveness, acceptance, asking for help, silence, celebration, grounding your day, and making peace with time can help you become a more intentional and emotionally grounded parent. Marguerite also shares practical strategies for real family life, including: A simple six-minute morning ritual for mind, body, and spirit that can help parents begin the day more grounded. Why asking for and accepting help is essential, especially when parenting feels overwhelming. How moments of silence can prevent conflict from escalating with children or partners. Why celebrating who your child is, rather than only what they achieve, can strengthen family connection. Why comparing siblings can steal joy and damage relationships. How parents can connect with teenagers by taking genuine interest in what brings them joy. Why taking care of yourself is not separate from good parenting; your children are watching how you live. Whether you are raising toddlers, navigating the teenage years, parenting adult children, or trying to break patterns of stress and reactivity, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder: joyful parenting does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It means becoming more conscious about how you respond, connect, and lead your family. Resources Mentioned Marguerite Orane’s Website  Marguerite Orane on LinkedIn Marguerite Orane on Instagram Transform Your Leadership: Eight Essential Practices for Leading with Joy  Wednesday Joy Mail / Joy Reset Newsletter Marguerite Orane’s weekly newsletter   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    How to Parent With More Joy: 8 Practices for Calmer, More Connected Families | Marguerite Orane
  7. 15 Sept

    Teen Burnout: Why Teens Are Exhausted and How Parents Can Help Them Recover | Dr. Naomi Fisher

    Is your teenager exhausted, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or suddenly struggling to cope with school and everyday life? Teen burnout may be their brain and body signaling that the pressure has become too much. In this episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Naomi Fisher about teen burnout, academic pressure, stress, social media, sleep, and how parents can help teenagers recover without making them feel like they are failing. Dr. Fisher explains why burnout isn't simply laziness or a lack of motivation. She describes it as a response to prolonged stress, often showing up as exhaustion, lack of motivation, feeling incapable, and seeing everything through what she calls “mud-colored spectacles.” In this conversation, you'll learn: Why today's teenagers may be especially vulnerable to burnout and chronic stress How school pressure, exams, perfectionism, comparison, and social media can contribute Why removing everything a struggling teen enjoys may actually make burnout worse How to use the “bucket” approach to identify what drains your teen and what replenishes them Why rest, sleep, play, friendships, hobbies, and unstructured time matter How parents can support a struggling teenager without becoming another source of pressure Ways to advocate for greater flexibility at school Why burnout can become an opportunity to rethink success and build a more sustainable life One of the most important shifts for parents is moving from “How do I get my teenager back on track?” to “What would a sustainable way forward look like for this particular young person?” Dr. Fisher emphasizes that parents don't always need to fix the problem; sometimes their most important role is to stay alongside their teenager, maintain hope, and continue communicating that their value is bigger than their academic performance. Resources Mentioned Dr. Naomi Fisher's Website The Teenager's Guide to Burnout by Dr. Naomi Fisher The Teenager's Guide to Taking Control of Your Education by Dr. Naomi Fisher Let's Talk Neuroscience Podcast — Dr. Naomi Fisher & Dr. Danny Drinkwater Dr. Fisher's Instagram   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke   Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    Teen Burnout: Why Teens Are Exhausted and How Parents Can Help Them Recover | Dr. Naomi Fisher
  8. 8 Sept

    AI, Deepfakes & the Attachment Economy: Protecting Kids in a Digital World | Julia von Weiler

    AI is changing childhood, and the risks go far beyond screen time. What happens when technology stops competing only for your child’s attention and starts competing for their attachment? In this episode of Family Dialogues with Dr. Burke, psychologist and child-rights expert Julia von Weiler joins Dr. Taniesha Burke to examine what parents need to know about AI, deepfakes, online safety, child privacy, AI chatbots, and digital relationships. Julia explains why families may need to rethink everything from sharing children’s photos online to allowing kids and teens to build relationships with AI companions. The conversation explores the shift from the “attention economy” to the “attachment economy,” in which AI systems can appear supportive, empathetic, and endlessly available, potentially changing how developing children understand relationships and human connection. They also discuss AI-generated deepfakes and child sexual abuse material, children’s right to their own image, the risks of “sharenting,” and why parents need to understand technology well enough to guide, not simply restrict their children. ulia’s practical starting point for overwhelmed parents is simple: examine your own technology habits, talk openly with your children about how they use AI, and intentionally create regular moments of undivided human attention. Connect with Julia von Weiler Julia von Weiler’s website Julia von Weiler on LinkedIn  Resources & Organizations Mentioned Center for Humane Technology Your Undivided Attention Podcast The Amazing Generation — Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now — Jaron Lanier Internet Watch Foundation INHOPE Canadian Centre for Child Protection National Center for Missing & Exploited Children AI Justice League   Episode feedback: info@tanieshaburke.com Donate to our podcast: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6MUADZUA39BU   CONNECT WITH US:  Website: https://tanieshaburke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtanieshaburke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtanieshaburke/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drtanieshaburke Our Journals on Amazon Get our parenting journal: https://a.co/d/08Wb4RZE Get our couple's journal: https://a.co/d/08RZeElt Get our grandparents' journal: https://a.co/d/0c7MNR1E

    AI, Deepfakes & the Attachment Economy: Protecting Kids in a Digital World | Julia von Weiler

Ratings & Reviews

About

When love feels strained, kids are struggling, and your home feels divided, it’s easy to wonder if peace and joy are still possible. The Family Dialogues Podcast reminds you they are. Each episode is a guide back to connection, helping couples heal, parents unite, and families grow stronger together, even when life gets messy. Listeners love this podcast because it starts where true change begins: with the partnership at the center of the home. Dr. Taniesha Burke helps parents rebuild love, trust, and teamwork so children can thrive in the security of a united family. You’ll gain proven, evidence-based strategies for nurturing emotional growth, fostering resilience in your kids, and creating a home that feels safe and joyful again. As a research psychologist, parenting coach, and mother of three, Dr. Burke brings both academic expertise and lived experience to every conversation. Her background in family relations, child development, and spiritual life coaching, combined with insights from world-class guests, offers practical wisdom you can apply right away. Whether you’re rekindling love, restoring peace, or building a stronger bond with your children, The Family Dialogues Podcast is your companion for raising families that stay connected, grounded, and full of joy no matter what challenges come your way.

You Might Also Like