The Child Psych Podcast

Institute of Child Psychology
  • 4.8 (100)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

The ChildPsych Podcast brings to you the top parenting & mental health experts in the world. Designed to educate and inspire you with current research &  concrete strategies that foster resiliency & healing in children and teens. Most importantly we’re here because we need to raise a generation of children who don’t need to recover from their childhoods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2d ago

    Stop Talking to Your Child About Their Feelings (all the time) with Tania and Tammy

    For years, parents have been told to talk to their children about their feelings. But what if talking isn't always what children need most? In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, child psychologists Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson challenge one of today's most common parenting messages. While emotional literacy is incredibly important, there are moments when constantly asking children how they feel can unintentionally keep them stuck in their emotions instead of helping them move through them. Tammy and Tania explore the difference between acknowledging feelings and over-focusing on them. They discuss why children need more than conversations—they need co-regulation, play, movement, connection, and opportunities to experience competence. You'll learn when to lean into emotional conversations, when to simply be present, and how to help children build resilience without making every difficult moment the center of attention. If you've ever wondered, "Am I talking about feelings too much?" this episode offers a balanced, compassionate perspective grounded in attachment, neuroscience, and child development. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why talking about feelings isn't always the most effective intervention. • The difference between validating emotions and unintentionally reinforcing them. • When children need connection instead of conversation. • How play, movement, and co-regulation help children process difficult emotions. • Why emotional resilience comes from experiencing feelings—not avoiding them or over-analyzing them. • Practical ways to respond when your child is upset without turning every moment into a therapy session. This conversation isn't about talking less with your child—it's about knowing when words help, when presence matters more, and how to support children in ways that foster lasting emotional health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Stop Talking to Your Child About Their Feelings (all the time) with Tania and Tammy

  2. Aug 5

    What a Child’s Brain Needs to Thrive: Dr. Daniel Amen on Anxiety, ADHD, Screens, and Building Mental Strength

    In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tammy sits down with Dr. Daniel Amen, physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, founder of Amen Clinics, and author of *Raising Mentally Strong Kids", for a powerful conversation about children’s brain health. Dr. Amen explains why we need to shift the way we talk about “mental health” and begin thinking more deeply about brain health. He shares how children’s brains are shaped by everyday choices — including nutrition, sleep, movement, screens, stress, connection, substances, and the environments they grow up in. Together, Tammy and Dr. Amen explore how parents can teach children to love and care for their brains, rather than simply nagging them about what not to do. They discuss practical ways to support children with ADHD, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and low resilience by looking at the brain and body as deeply connected systems. In this episode, we discuss: ▪️ Why “mental health” is really brain health ▪️ How brain health impacts anxiety, ADHD, mood, learning, and resilience ▪️ Why gut health matters for children’s emotional well-being ▪️ The role of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and blood sugar regulation ▪️ Why screens and social media can affect dopamine and motivation ▪️ The importance of delaying smartphones and setting technology boundaries ▪️ How sleep, movement, sunlight, and exercise support the developing brain ▪️ Why connection, listening, and attachment help protect children’s mental health ▪️ How parents can build “brain reserve” and resilience in their children ▪️ What parents can do to model brain-healthy habits at home Dr. Amen reminds us that children make better choices when they understand their brains. When kids learn to ask, “Is this good for my brain or bad for it?” they begin to build a foundation for healthier decisions, stronger relationships, greater resilience, and lifelong well-being. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone who wants to help children grow strong, healthy brains. Dr. Daniel Amen is a physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, award-winning researcher, and founder of Amen Clinics, which has 11 locations across the United States. His mission is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. Amen Clinics uses brain SPECT imaging as part of its clinical approach and reports having one of the world’s largest databases of brain scans related to behavior, with scans from patients across 155 countries. Dr. Amen is also a bestselling author whose work focuses on brain health, mental health, ADHD, anxiety, addiction, trauma, resilience, and helping families build healthier brains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What a Child’s Brain Needs to Thrive: Dr. Daniel Amen on Anxiety, ADHD, Screens, and Building Mental Strength

  3. Jul 29

    Autism in Women: How My Son's Autism Diagnosis Led to My Own with Julie M. Green | Motherness

    Why are so many autistic women missed in childhood? And what happens when a parent's journey to understand their child leads to a life-changing discovery about themselves? In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we welcome Julie M. Green, author of Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance. Julie shares her powerful story of parenting an autistic child, navigating a late autism diagnosis, and finally making sense of a lifetime of experiences that had never quite fit together. For many women, autism goes undiagnosed for decades. Traits are often misunderstood, hidden through masking, or mistaken for anxiety, perfectionism, sensitivity, or social difficulties. Julie's journey sheds light on the unique presentation of autism in women and girls, while offering hope for those seeking answers later in life. In this conversation, we explore: ▪️ Autism in women and why so many girls are missed ▪️ Late autism diagnosis and its emotional impact ▪️ Parenting an autistic child ▪️ Masking and autistic burnout ▪️ Neurodiversity and self-acceptance ▪️ Autism in families and generational autism ▪️ Supporting autistic children and autistic parents ▪️ Identity, belonging, and mental health ▪️ What radical acceptance looks like after diagnosis Whether you're a parent of an autistic child, an educator, clinician, or someone wondering if you may be autistic yourself, this episode provides valuable insight into autism spectrum disorder, neurodivergence, parenting, and self-discovery. Julie's story is a powerful reminder that understanding ourselves can happen at any age—and that sometimes the people we love most help us find our way there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jul 22

    Common Phrases Parents Should Stop Saying (And What to Say Instead) with Tammy Schamuhn & Tania Johnson

    Are well-meaning parenting phrases doing more harm than good? In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, child psychologists Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson unpack five common phrases many parents use every day—phrases like "Good job!" and "Be careful!"—and explore how they may unintentionally shape children's confidence, resilience, independence, and self-belief. While these phrases often come from a place of love and protection, research in child development suggests that the words we use matter. The goal isn't to make parents feel guilty—it's to become more intentional about the messages children receive about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them. Tammy and Tania discuss practical alternatives that encourage intrinsic motivation, problem-solving, emotional regulation, confidence, and healthy risk-taking. They explain why small shifts in language can have a powerful impact on children's long-term development and self-esteem. In this episode, you'll learn: ▪️ Why "Good job!" may not be the praise children need most ▪️What to say instead of "Be careful!" ▪️ How language influences confidence, motivation, and resilience ▪️Common parenting phrases that can unintentionally increase anxiety ▪️ Simple communication strategies that foster emotional growth and independence If you've ever wondered how to raise confident, capable, and resilient children, this conversation will help you rethink some of the most common parenting advice and give you practical tools you can start using today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Common Phrases Parents Should Stop Saying (And What to Say Instead) with Tammy Schamuhn & Tania Johnson

  5. Jul 15

    Raising Boys with Purpose: Dr. Alan Hahn on Masculinity, Mental Health, and Mentorship

    Boys are struggling — academically, emotionally, socially, and developmentally. But what do boys actually need to grow into healthy, grounded, responsible young men? In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tammy sits down with Dr. Alan Hahn doctoral-level educator, founder of Iron Academy, and author of The Iron Academy, to explore the modern crisis facing boys and young men. Together, they discuss why so many boys are struggling in school, mental health, motivation, identity, and purpose — and what parents, educators, and communities can do to help. Dr. Hahn shares why boys need more than lectures or discipline. They need joy, community, accountability, identity, responsibility, and meaningful rites of passage. This conversation explores how we can help boys move from simply consuming to contributing — and why young men need trusted adults who will guide them with both love and high expectations. In this episode, we discuss: ▪️ Why boys are struggling in today’s culture ▪️ How schools may be failing to meet boys’ developmental needs ▪️ The importance of joy, community, accountability, and identity ▪️ Why boys need responsibility and opportunities to build competence ▪️ How screens, pornography, gaming, and digital culture can shape identity ▪️ The role of male mentorship and brotherhood ▪️ Why rites of passage still matter ▪️ How parents can create a family culture rooted in values ▪️ Why boys need adults who delight in them, not just push them This episode is an important conversation for parents, educators, therapists, and anyone who cares about helping boys become healthy, connected, purposeful young men. Dr. Alan Hahn is a doctoral-level educator, author, founder, and CEO of Iron Academy, a private all-male school in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving boys in grades 6–12. His work focuses on helping families and communities form boys into young men of character, responsibility, leadership, faith, and purpose. Through Iron Academy, Dr. Hahn has developed an educational and mentorship model rooted in intentional male formation, rites of passage, brotherhood, moral development, accountability, and service. His work addresses what he describes as a modern crisis of masculinity by helping boys develop a clear identity, a sense of responsibility, and a vision for becoming mature, virtuous men. To find out more, please click here: https://www.amazon.ca/Iron-Academy-Forging-Young-Fight/dp/B0FJ47PLM6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Raising Boys with Purpose: Dr. Alan Hahn on Masculinity, Mental Health, and Mentorship

  6. Jul 8

    When Your Child Falls Apart Over “Nothing”: Sensory Processing, Meltdowns, and the Nervous System

    Why does your child fall apart over “nothing”—the wrong socks, a transition, a loud sound, or being asked to leave the house? In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tammy sits down with pediatric occupational therapist Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco to unpack what may really be happening beneath those big reactions. Kathryn explains how children’s nervous systems are constantly scanning for cues of safety or danger, and why something as small as uncomfortable clothing, a rushed morning, or too much sensory input can become the “last straw.” Together, Tammy and Kathryn explore sensory processing, fight-or-flight responses, co-regulation, and how parents can become a calming cue of safety for their child. This conversation helps parents shift from asking, “Is my child being difficult?” to “What is my child’s nervous system trying to tell me?” You’ll learn how to spot patterns, respond in the moment, and support children who may experience the world as too much, not enough, or simply hard to process. In this episode, we discuss: ▪️ Why meltdowns can happen over seemingly small things ▪️ The connection between sensory processing and behaviour ▪️ How children’s bodies label experiences as “safe” or “unsafe” ▪️Why rushed mornings can trigger bigger reactions ▪️How parents can use their voice, body language, and presence to cue safety ▪️The difference between managing behaviour and listening to behaviour ▪️When sensory challenges may be interfering with everyday life ▪️Practical ways to help kids understand their brains, bodies, and emotions As Kathryn shares in the interview, children’s behaviours are often an “output” of what is happening inside the nervous system—and when parents understand this, they can respond with more curiosity, compassion, and confidence. Kathryn “Katie” Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, ASDCS, is a pediatric occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. She specializes in helping children and families understand sensory processing, regulation, and everyday neuroscience in simple, child-friendly ways. Kathryn is the author of How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp!, a practical workbook designed to help children better understand their sensory patterns and learn tools for daily life. She is also an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and has training in Polyvagal Informed Practice, sensory integration, neuroscience, and child development. To learn more about Kathryn's Brain Executive Progam visit: https://www.brainexecutiveprogram.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 1

    A Story of Love, Loss, and Healing with Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel

    Content Note: This episode includes discussion of infant loss, grief, and NICU trauma. Some stories change us forever. In this deeply moving episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we sit down with Emily Souder, LCSW-C, PMH-C, and Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C, therapists, mothers, and co-authors of Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience. What begins as a conversation about the NICU quickly becomes something much deeper.Mahaley courageously shares the story of her daughter, Saachi, and the unimaginable journey of becoming a mother while simultaneously facing the possibility of losing her child. She opens up about the hope, fear, heartbreak, and profound grief of leaving the hospital without her baby in her arms, and how that experience forever changed her life, her family, and her work. Together, Emily and Mahaley explore the emotional realities many NICU parents carry long after the monitors are turned off and the hospital stay is over. We discuss trauma, attachment, grief, resilience, and the often-unspoken experience of trying to make sense of a story you never expected to live. This conversation is for every parent who has sat beside a hospital bed praying for good news. For every family carrying the weight of medical trauma. For every mother or father learning how to hold both grief and love at the same time. While this episode touches on profound loss, it is ultimately a story about connection, meaning, and the enduring bond between parent and child. It is a reminder that every child's life matters, every story deserves to be told, and no family should have to carry their pain alone. Content Note: This episode includes discussion of infant loss, grief, and NICU trauma. Listen now for a powerful conversation about love, loss, healing, and the stories that stay with us forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A Story of Love, Loss, and Healing with Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel

  8. Jun 24

    Why Gentle Parenting Can Backfire: What Parents Get Wrong About Boundaries, Consequences, and Raising Resilient Kids

    Is gentle parenting creating calmer, more connected families—or are some parents accidentally raising children who struggle with frustration, responsibility, and resilience? In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, child psychologists Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson take an honest look at one of the most talked-about parenting approaches today: gentle parenting. While the principles of connection, empathy, and emotional validation are powerful tools for raising emotionally healthy children, problems can arise when gentle parenting is misunderstood or applied without clear boundaries and expectations. Across social media, many parents are receiving conflicting messages about discipline, consequences, emotional regulation, and behavior management. As a result, some families find themselves stuck in cycles of negotiation, power struggles, emotional exhaustion, and increasing child anxiety. In this conversation, Tammy and Tania explore the difference between true gentle parenting and permissive parenting, why children need both connection and boundaries, and how parents can respond to challenging behaviour without resorting to punishment, shame, or fear. In this episode, we discuss: Gentle parenting vs. permissive parenting Why boundaries are essential for children's emotional security The role of consequences in healthy child development How over-accommodation can increase anxiety in children Raising resilient, responsible, and emotionally regulated kids Common parenting mistakes that can unintentionally reinforce challenging behaviour How to balance empathy, authority, and connection Whether you're parenting a toddler, child, or teenager, this conversation will help you better understand what children truly need to thrive and why effective parenting requires both warmth and leadership. If you've ever wondered whether you're being too strict, too lenient, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Gentle Parenting Can Backfire: What Parents Get Wrong About Boundaries, Consequences, and Raising Resilient Kids
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4.8
out of 5
100 Ratings

About

The ChildPsych Podcast brings to you the top parenting & mental health experts in the world. Designed to educate and inspire you with current research &  concrete strategies that foster resiliency & healing in children and teens. Most importantly we’re here because we need to raise a generation of children who don’t need to recover from their childhoods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Institute of Child Psychology
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    The Child Psych Podcast

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