Steady Ground Parenting

Parents Speak Up for Kids
  • 5.0 (39)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

A podcast for parents raising children through hard seasons. If you’re a parent raising a child through hard seasons, you’re in the right place. Steady Ground Parenting is Speak Up for Kids’ parenting podcast, equipping foster, adoptive, kinship, and trauma-aware parents with practical tools to help children impacted by foster care, childhood trauma, and family disruption heal, grow, and thrive. Children who have lived through abuse, neglect, foster care, or family disruption often experience the world differently. Traditional parenting approaches don’t always meet their needs. Each episode offers practical strategies, expert insights, and honest conversations. Steady Ground Parenting helps you better understand behavior; strengthen connection; navigate attachment, emotional regulation, and challenging behaviors; and parent with greater confidence and compassion. Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, kinship caregiver, or a parent seeking trauma-informed parenting strategies, you’ll gain practical tools you can begin using right away. Every episode is designed to help you look beyond the behavior, build trust, and create safe, steady relationships where healing can happen. Hosted by Speak Up for Kids and driven by student leaders, this podcast extends our mission of mitigating trauma and cultivating self-worth in the lives of children impacted by foster care. Find more information about our mission at impact at https://speakupforkidspbc.org. Find us on social media:Facebook: Speak Up For KidsInstagram: @speakupforkidspbcTikTok: @speakupforkidsYouTube: @speakupforkidspbc2586 If you are interested in joining us on the podcast, please email inquiries to parents@speakupforkidspbc.org.

  1. Sep 29

    How to support your autistic child, even when it’s tough | Dr. Jonathan Chism

    Send us Fan Mail It can often be difficult to know what your autistic child really needs, or how to respond when their behavior becomes challenging. Dr. Jonathan Chism, co-founder of the Autism Dad Social Club, has experienced that firsthand. When his son was diagnosed with autism, Jonathan struggled with denial and tried to push his son toward what he thought was “normal.” Over time, learning from autistic voices and paying closer attention to his son's unique ways of communicating changed the way he parented. In this episode, Benoit Harpey sits down with Jonathan to explore what it means to listen to an autistic child. They discuss why meltdowns aren't simply misbehavior, how processing time can affect communication, and how parents can learn to recognize the cues their children use to express their needs. Jonathan also shares why parents need community and time to recharge, how the Autism Dad Social Club helps fathers feel less isolated, and what he has learned about accepting and embracing his son for who he is. In This Episode: Why accepting your child's neurodiversity can change the way you parentHow to listen for communication beyond wordsWhy meltdowns can be communication under stress rather than misbehaviorHow giving your child more processing time can improve communicationResources and voices that help parents deepen connectionWhy parents need community, support, and time to rechargeParenting a neurodivergent child can be tough, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. As you learn to understand your child's unique needs and ways of communicating, you can build a deeper connection and, like Jonathan and his son, become best buds. Connect with Dr. Chiz: 🌐 https://autismdadssocialclub.org/ 📷 Instagram: @autismdadshtown 📷 Facebook: Autism Dads Social Club Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/steady-ground-parenting 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events Want to be featured? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

    How to support your autistic child, even when it’s tough | Dr. Jonathan Chism

  2. Sep 15

    How to respond when your teenager says “I don’t care” | Groundwork

    Send us Fan Mail When your teenager says, “I don’t care,” it can be easy to hear disrespect or assume they simply don’t care about what happened. But sometimes, there’s more underneath the words. In this Groundwork episode, we hear one parent’s experience with her daughter after a difficult situation at school. What initially sounded like indifference turned out to be hurt, embarrassment, and frustration that her daughter didn’t know how to express. This story offers a simple reminder for parents: pause before you react, listen before you assume, and try to understand the full situation. We also learn why giving your teenager grace doesn’t mean ignoring accountability. You can acknowledge their feelings while still helping them learn how to handle conflict and communicate more appropriately. “I don’t care” isn’t the end of the conversation, but where the real one begins. Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/steady-ground-parenting 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events Have a story to share? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

    How to respond when your teenager says “I don’t care” | Groundwork

  3. Sep 1

    Every child needs someone who won’t walk away | Trish Zenczak & Maddie Harris

    Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to be the steady ground a child needs when life gets hard? After nearly five years of Healing Hearts, we're beginning a new chapter as Steady Ground Parenting—a podcast for parents raising children through hard seasons. But this rebrand goes beyond a new name. Rooted in the same belief that drives Speak Up For Kids, it's a deeper reflection of the work we've been doing all along: helping children and families impacted by foster care, trauma, adoption, and family disruption find the support, connection, and stability they need to grow. When we speak up and show up for children, we change lives. In this episode, we hear from two people whose lives have been shaped by foster care. Trish Zenczak, Director of Training and Impact at Speak Up for Kids, shares her story of growing up in foster care and how that experience shaped her work advocating for children, becoming a foster parent, and eventually adopting. She also explains the programs and community efforts through which Speak Up for Kids is mitigating trauma and cultivating self-worth in the lives of kids living in foster care. Then, Maddie Harris shares what it was like to experience foster care as a child, move through multiple homes, and eventually find stability with the family who adopted her. Her story shows what children in foster care need from the adults around them, and how consistency, encouragement, and simply refusing to walk away can change a child's life. These stories show that being steady ground doesn't mean always having everything figured out. It means showing up, listening, believing in a child, and finding practical ways to remind them that they matter. That’s what it means to be the steady ground your child needs to grow. In This Episode: Why we're becoming Steady Ground ParentingTrish's experience growing up in foster care and how it shaped her life's workWhat foster care can feel like for a child experiencing uncertainty and changeWhy children impacted by foster care should be seen for who they are, not what they’ve gone throughHow consistency and stability can help children learn to trust againWhat Maddie's experience can teach parents about showing up for kids in their livesThe programs Speak Up for Kids uses to support children and familiesThe impact volunteers, students, and communities have on kids living in foster careWhy small moments of encouragement can build confidence, belonging, and hopeWhat it really means to become the steady ground a child can depend onThis is the beginning of Steady Ground Parenting. If you've been with us through Healing Hearts, thank you for continuing with us. If you're new here, welcome. We're here to help parents and caregivers feel more prepared to support children through hard seasons, giving them practical tools, tips, and strategies to become steady ground. Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/steady-ground-parenting 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events Want to be featured? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

    Every child needs someone who won’t walk away | Trish Zenczak & Maddie Harris

  4. Season 3 Trailer

    A podcast for parents raising children through hard seasons.

    Send us Fan Mail Healing Hearts is now Steady Ground Parenting! Welcome to the next chapter of the Speak Up For Kids podcast for parents raising children through hard seasons. We’re continuing the conversations you know and love, but with a deeper focus on the practical tools, honest stories, and encouragement parents and caregivers need as they navigate foster care, adoption, trauma, and family disruption. New name, but the same team, heart, and purpose. We're here to strengthen your roots so you can be the steady ground they need.

    A podcast for parents raising children through hard seasons.

  5. Aug 18

    How to stop reacting and start responding as a parent | Christina Brown

    Send us Fan Mail When family life, work, relationships, and a million other things are all competing for your attention, it's easy to react instead of responding the way you want to. Christina Brown is a Catholic life coach, speaker, podcaster, and mother of six who helps people move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed toward living intentionally. She’s navigated serious mental health challenges in her family and spent years balancing motherhood, marriage, work, and coaching. Her lived experience has changed the way she approaches everyday decision-making and overcomes stress. In this episode, Kayla Richerson sits down with Christina to talk about what it looks like to parent more intentionally amidst the chaos. Christina shares practical ways to slow down, recognize when stress is influencing your reactions, and ask yourself how you want to show up in difficult moments. Drawing from her experience, she talks about how her Catholic faith has shaped the way she parents, the importance of having a supportive community, and why growth doesn't require having everything figured out.  In This Episode: How to slow down before reacting to stressful parenting situationsThe simple question that can help you respond the way you want toWhy stress can make it harder to think clearly and respond intentionallyHow to recognize when you're stuck in a reactionary statePractical ways to build more intentional habits into everyday lifeWhy parents need community and support instead of trying to do everything aloneHow to balance motherhood, work, and relationships, among everything elseWhy you don't have to have everything figured out to keep moving forwardHow small pauses can create space for meaningful changeParenting and family life will never be perfectly calm. But learning to pause, even if just for a few seconds, can create the space to choose how you want to show up. Connect with Christina Brown: 🌐 www.christinambrow.com 📷 Social Media: @christina__m__brown Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/healing-hearts 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events Want to be featured? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

  6. Aug 4

    Your teen needs this, not a perfect parent | Sophia Vale Galano

    Send us Fan Mail Is your teen struggling with anxiety, but every step you take to help only seems to push them further away? Supporting an anxious teenager can be exhausting and overwhelming, leaving you unsure whether you’re saying the right thing. Licensed clinical social worker Sophia Vale Galano has spent more than a decade helping teenagers and their families navigate anxiety, and she's learned that one of the most powerful ways parents can support their teens isn't by becoming perfect, but by being present. As Benoit Harpey continues his conversation with her, Sophia explains the crucial role parents play in building an environment where teens grow. She shares practical strategies that strengthen relationships without adding more pressure; from managing your own stress to modeling healthy boundaries, choosing the right therapist, and building empathy. In This Episode: Why your own stress may be influencing your teenagerHow modeling healthy boundaries and self-care helps anxious teensThe difference between supporting your teen and trying to rescue themWhat to look for when choosing a therapist or mental health professionalWhy shared interests and trust matter when finding the right therapistHow everyday moments can create natural, meaningful conversationsWhy parents don't need to be perfect, but presentThe simple mindset shift that helps families break unhealthy cyclesWhether your teenager struggles with anxiety or you're simply trying to build a healthier relationship, this conversation offers practical encouragement to help you support your teen while caring for yourself along the way. Connect with Sophia Vale Galano: 🌐 www.sophiagalano.com 📚 Book: Calming Teenage Anxiety 📷 Instagram: @sophiavale_galano Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 Website: speakupforkidspbc.org/healing-hearts 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events  Want to be featured? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

  7. Jul 21

    How to talk to your teen about anxiety without pushing them away | Sophia Vale Galano

    Send us Fan Mail Maybe your teenager has opened up about feeling anxious, but the conversation seems to end in frustration every time you try to help. Or, maybe they don't talk about it at all, which keeps you up at night worrying about their wellbeing. Sophia Vale Galano has spent more than a decade helping teenagers and their families navigate anxiety in school, hospital, and private settings. Through her work, she's learned that helping an anxious teenager isn't about caring more, but about approaching the conversation differently. In this episode, Sophia shares the real insights her experience has revealed. In the first half of our conversation with Sophia, she and Benoit Harpey explore why teens often struggle to communicate their anxiety, how parents can recognize hidden signs, and what it takes to build the kind of trust that encourages honest conversations. Instead of immediately trying to fix the problem, Sophia explains how curiosity, validation, and patience can help parents become a safe place for their teenagers. In This Episode: Why many caring parents accidentally push anxious teens awayHow anxiety often shows up as irritability, avoidance, or isolationWhy listening is often more helpful than immediately trying to “fix” your teenPractical ways to build trust so your teen feels safe opening upHow to know when your teen needs more support, and when they need space to growWhy organic, everyday conversations are often more effective than formal “talks”The difference between helping your teen and rescuing themWhether your teen struggles with anxiety or you're simply trying to strengthen your relationship, this conversation provides practical guidance to help you become someone your teen feels safe turning to. Connect with Sophia Vale Galano: 🌐 www.sophiagalano.com 📚 Book: Calming Teenage Anxiety 📷 Instagram: @sophiavale_galano Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 Website: speakupforkidspbc.org/healing-hearts 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events  Want to be featured? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

  8. Jul 7

    Why teenagers push back, and how parents should respond | Will Dobud

    Send us Fan Mail Most parents feel like they’re constantly correcting and disciplining their teens, yet their behavior never seems to change. If every conversation turns into an argument, or it feels like you're losing your relationship with your teen, this episode offers a practical approach to rebuilding that could change the way you parent. Last episode, we started our conversation with Dr. Will Dobud, who explained how we can reach our teens when nothing seems to work. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working with struggling teens and their families, Will shares real-life expertise on seeking connection over correction. Throughout his career, Will has learned that kids don’t change when adults become stricter, but when relationships give them the space and confidence they need to grow. In this episode, Benoit Harpey and Amina Elsamahy sit down with Will for a conversation that challenges traditional techniques for parenting teenagers. Instead of relying primarily on correction and consequences, Will takes a different approach that builds trust while maintaining healthy boundaries. We explore real strategies that help teens feel safe, respected, and motivated to grow. In This Episode: Why connection must come before correctionPractical ways to improve communication during everyday family lifeHow healthy boundaries create safety instead of punishmentWhy teenagers naturally challenge adults, and why that's a strengthHow to recognize and encourage your child's existing strengthsWhy overprotecting our kids can unintentionally hold them backWhy predictable expectations help children thriveHow family conversations build trust and resilienceSimple habits that strengthen your relationship with your childConnect with Will Dobud: 🌐 willdobud.com 📗 Kids These Days 📷 @willdobud  Resources & Support: 📩 parents@speakupforkidspbc.org 📷 @speakupforkidspbc 🌐 speakupforkidspbc.org/healing-hearts 📅 Local to Palm Beach? See our events: speakupforkidspbc.org/events Want to be featured? 🎙️ parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

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5
out of 5
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About

A podcast for parents raising children through hard seasons. If you’re a parent raising a child through hard seasons, you’re in the right place. Steady Ground Parenting is Speak Up for Kids’ parenting podcast, equipping foster, adoptive, kinship, and trauma-aware parents with practical tools to help children impacted by foster care, childhood trauma, and family disruption heal, grow, and thrive. Children who have lived through abuse, neglect, foster care, or family disruption often experience the world differently. Traditional parenting approaches don’t always meet their needs. Each episode offers practical strategies, expert insights, and honest conversations. Steady Ground Parenting helps you better understand behavior; strengthen connection; navigate attachment, emotional regulation, and challenging behaviors; and parent with greater confidence and compassion. Whether you’re a foster parent, adoptive parent, kinship caregiver, or a parent seeking trauma-informed parenting strategies, you’ll gain practical tools you can begin using right away. Every episode is designed to help you look beyond the behavior, build trust, and create safe, steady relationships where healing can happen. Hosted by Speak Up for Kids and driven by student leaders, this podcast extends our mission of mitigating trauma and cultivating self-worth in the lives of children impacted by foster care. Find more information about our mission at impact at https://speakupforkidspbc.org. Find us on social media:Facebook: Speak Up For KidsInstagram: @speakupforkidspbcTikTok: @speakupforkidsYouTube: @speakupforkidspbc2586 If you are interested in joining us on the podcast, please email inquiries to parents@speakupforkidspbc.org.

Information

  • Creator
    Parents Speak Up for Kids
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Steady Ground Parenting
  • Show Website
    Steady Ground Parenting