The Art of Raising Humans

Parenting Legacy
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  • PARENTING
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Kyle and Sara Wester are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) with over 20 years experience working with children and teenagers in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Their podcast will help you parent from a place of freedom, love, and courage. Their passion is to help you uncover areas of fear and shame in your parenting and inspire you to empower your children to become healthy adults.They use the latest research in neuroscience coupled with their own experience raising 3 children.

  1. 2D AGO

    Discipline Without Damage: Rethinking Consequences, Timeouts, and Big Emotions with Dr. Vanessa Lapointe

    What if the way we discipline our kids is actually creating the behaviors we’re trying to fix? In this episode, we sit down with psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Vanessa Lapointe to challenge common discipline strategies like timeouts and consequences—and explore what actually helps children regulate, grow, and thrive.   If you’ve ever felt stuck between being too harsh or too permissive, this conversation will give you a clear, connection-based path forward.   In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why behavior is communication • What’s really happening during meltdowns • Why empathy can sometimes feel like it’s “not working” • How to set firm, respectful boundaries • Why consequences and timeouts often backfire • What kids actually need to develop self-regulation   Resources & Links: • Learn more: drvanessalapointe.com • Book: Discipline Without Damage   If this episode resonates, follow the podcast, share it with another parent, and leave a review to help more families find this message.   View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/discipline-without-damage-rethinking-consequences-timeouts-and-big-emotions-with-dr-vanessa-lapointe   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    38 min

  2. MAR 23

    Consequences That Work (Without Power Struggles): Common Mistakes Parents Make with Consequences | Part 2

    In Part 2 of this conversation, Kyle and Sara Wester continue unpacking one of parenting’s most misunderstood topics: consequences.   After exploring the difference between natural and logical consequences in Part 1, this episode focuses on the most common mistakes parents make when using consequences and how those mistakes can unintentionally lead to power struggles instead of learning.   Kyle and Sara explain why many consequences are actually punishment in disguise, and why connection and emotional safety must come before correction. When children feel safe and regulated, their brains are far more able to learn from their mistakes.   They also discuss the difference between shame and accountability, why adult composure matters, and why consequences alone cannot teach the skills children need.   To help parents think through their responses, they introduce the A.R.T. Filter, a simple way to evaluate whether a consequence is Appropriate, Respectful, and Teaching.   Throughout the episode, Kyle and Sara emphasize a core principle of healthy discipline: the goal is not punishment but learning, growth, and preserving the relationship.   View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/consequences-that-work-without-power-struggles-common-mistakes-parents-make-with-consequences-part-2   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    32 min

  3. MAR 16

    Consequences That Work (Without Power Struggles): Natural vs. Logical Consequences in Parenting | Part 1

    In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in parenting: consequences.   Many parents are told to “just give consequences,” but few are taught which consequences actually help children learn and which ones quietly create more power struggles.   Kyle and Sara explain the difference between natural consequences and logical consequences, and why understanding that distinction matters. Natural consequences allow children to experience real-life cause and effect, helping the brain connect actions with outcomes through lived experience.   They also explore why many “logical consequences” parents use are actually punishment in disguise, and why consequences must remain calm, predictable, and directly related to behavior in order to support learning.   Throughout the conversation, they emphasize an essential truth: discipline works best when it protects connection and preserves a child’s dignity.   This episode lays the groundwork for understanding consequences more clearly and prepares listeners for Part 2, where Kyle and Sara explore the most common mistakes parents make when using consequences and how to avoid them.   View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/consequences-that-work-without-power-struggles-natural-vs-logical-consequences-in-parenting-part-1   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    32 min

  4. MAR 9

    Why Kids & Teens Get Sneaky (And How to Respond Without Breaking Trust) (Episode 202)

    Why do kids and teens become sneaky?   If you’ve caught your child lying, hiding things, sneaking screens, deleting messages, or leaving out important details, you know how painful and triggering it can feel. Sneaky behavior often hits deep — it can feel like betrayal, disrespect, or a breakdown in trust.   But what if sneakiness isn’t a character flaw? In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester explore the real reasons kids and teens become secretive, and what parents can do to respond in ways that actually rebuild trust instead of pushing honesty further underground.   You’ll learn: • Why sneakiness is often a learned survival strategy • The brain science behind hiding and dishonesty • How fear of punishment or disappointment fuels secrecy • Why control without collaboration increases sneaky behavior • What makes honesty feel safe again • Practical ways to respond without escalating the power struggle   Drawing from attachment research, nervous system science, and leading parenting experts, this conversation helps you shift from interrogation to curiosity, from shame to skill-building, and from control to connection.   Your job isn’t to raise a child who never lies. Your job is to raise a child who feels safe enough to return to the truth.   If you’re parenting a child or teen who has started hiding things, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening, and how to create lasting change without breaking the relationship.   View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/why-kids-teens-get-sneaky-and-how-to-respond-without-breaking-trust   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    32 min

  5. MAR 2

    Why Teens Shut Down After Arguments (And How to Build a Relationship Where They Want to Talk) (Episode 201)

    If you’ve ever tried to repair a conflict with your teen only to be met with silence, shrugs, or a closed door, you are not alone.   In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack what’s actually happening when teens shut down after arguments and why pushing for conversation too quickly often backfires.   Here’s the reframe many parents need to hear: When teens go quiet, it usually isn’t rejection — it’s nervous system protection.   You’ll learn how stress and activation impact your teen’s ability to talk, why past patterns still shape how safe your child feels, and what actually helps rebuild connection after hard moments.   If you want a relationship where your child chooses to talk, not one where you have to pull it out of them, this episode will give you a clear, brain-based path forward. In this episode, we cover: Why teens often shut down after conflictWhat the nervous system is doing underneath the silenceWhy “let’s talk about it” can backfireHow parents accidentally increase shutdownThe difference between rejection and protectionPractical ways to help your teen feel safe enough to open upHow to repair without forcing a full conversationWhat builds long-term emotional safety with teenagers  Your job is not to force openness; it’s to become someone openness feels safe with.   View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/why-teens-shut-down-after-arguments-and-how-to-build-a-relationship-where-they-want-to-talk   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    36 min

  6. FEB 23

    How to Build a Relationship Your Child Won't Need Distance From (Episode 200)

    Celebrating 200 episodes with one of our most important parenting conversations.   You’ve seen the pattern: a child leaves for college… and the connection fades. Fewer calls. Fewer visits. Nothing went wrong but the closeness isn’t the same. Here’s what most parents miss: Connection usually isn’t lost in college. It’s lost when the parenting role never evolves. In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, we break down the two essential shifts that protect long-term connection with your teen and young adult.   Discover the two shifts every parent must make: moving from manager to coach and learning how to handle hard conversations without losing connection.   Bottom line: Your goal isn’t control, it’s building a relationship your child doesn’t need distance from. In This Episode: Why parents often lose connection before collegeWhen to shift from manager to coachThe beliefs that keep teens coming backHow to communicate through disagreementWhat brain science says about emerging adulthoodView the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/how-to-build-a-relationship-your-child-wont-need-distance-from   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    34 min

  7. FEB 16

    When to Push and When to Back Off: How to Build Perseverance Without Breaking Your Child’s Spirit (Episode 199)

    In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara tackle one of the most emotionally loaded parenting questions: When should you push your child to persevere and when is it healthier to back off?   Parents often worry that letting kids quit will undermine grit, confidence, or future success. But pushing too hard can erode trust, increase anxiety, and disconnect kids from their own sense of agency. So how do you know the difference?   This episode breaks down the brain science behind perseverance, the role of emotional safety in growth, and how to support kids through challenge without breaking their spirit. You’ll learn how to recognize when struggle is productive, when stress has tipped into overwhelm, and how thoughtful backing off can actually increase long-term resilience.   If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re building perseverance—or protecting your own anxiety—this conversation will help you find the middle ground.   In this episode, we discuss: The difference between perseverance and endurance at all costsHow brain development impacts persistenceSigns pushing is helpful vs harmfulWhy trust and regulation come before growth  View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-to-push-and-when-to-back-off-how-to-build-perseverance-without-breaking-your-childs-spirit   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    37 min

  8. FEB 9

    Kirk & Casey Martin: How Dads Build Trust, Emotional Safety, and Real Connection with Their Kids (Episode 198)

    This episode of Art of Raising Humans features a powerful conversation with Kirk Martin and his son Casey Martin on modern fatherhood, emotional safety, and trust.   Kirk shares his journey from reactive parenting to connection-based leadership, while Casey reflects on what it was like to experience that change as a child. Together, they explore how kids test consistency before they trust it, why emotional vulnerability in dads matters, and how real connection is built over time—not in perfect moments.   This episode is especially meaningful for dads who want deeper relationships with their kids and for parents learning that growth, repair, and trust happen slowly—and relationally.   In this episode, we discuss: Emotional vulnerability and strength in fatherhoodHow children respond when parents begin to changeWhy trust is built through consistency, not wordsThe impact of ADHD on parenting and connectionWhat kids can teach parents when we’re willing to listen  View the full podcast transcript at:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/kirk-casey-martin-how-dads-build-trust-emotional-safety-and-real-connection-with-their-kids   Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.   Resource Website:  https://www.artofraisinghumans.com Video Courses:  https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans Podcast Website:  https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com Book List: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist   The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

    56 min
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4.9
out of 5
81 Ratings

About

Kyle and Sara Wester are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) with over 20 years experience working with children and teenagers in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Their podcast will help you parent from a place of freedom, love, and courage. Their passion is to help you uncover areas of fear and shame in your parenting and inspire you to empower your children to become healthy adults.They use the latest research in neuroscience coupled with their own experience raising 3 children.

Information

  • Creator
    Parenting Legacy
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    205
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Art of Raising Humans
  • Show Website
    The Art of Raising Humans

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