The Gentle Year

Knikki Hernandez
  • 5.0 (5)
  • PARENTING

Parenting is both universal and deeply personal. The Gentle Year is a podcast from Turning The Tide Tutoring, created to give parents a space to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs from all around the world. Hosted by Knikki Hernandez, The Gentle Year explores real stories of raising children — from discipline and detachment to resilience, love, and loss. Each conversation invites honesty, curiosity, and compassion, reminding us that there is no single “right” way to parent, but there are countless ways to grow together. Whether you’re a new parent, seasoned caregiver, or simply curious about the many shapes family life can take, this podcast offers connection, perspective, and gentle encouragement for the journey. Ready to take your parenting journey deeper? Join The Gentle Year course from Turning The Tide Tutoring here: https://tinyurl.com/y9vhny39 **DISCLAIMER** The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on The Gentle Year podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Turning the Tide Tutoring. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice in any form. Listeners are encouraged to use their own judgment and seek appropriate professional guidance when necessary. By listening to this podcast, you agree that neither the host nor Turning the Tide Tutoring is responsible for any decisions made based on what you hear.

  1. 5D AGO

    Parenting with Intention in a System Designed for Default | Nathaniel A. Turner

    What if the most important thing you ever build… is your child’s life? In this powerful episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with Nathaniel A. Turner—TED speaker, author, and founder of the League of Extraordinary Parents—to challenge everything we think we know about parenting, education, and what it really means to raise a capable, fulfilled human being. Nate introduces a bold idea: most parents are raising children—but very few are intentionally designing the adults those children will become. Through deeply personal stories and a systems-thinking approach to parenting, he shares how he and his wife reverse-engineered their son’s life using principles inspired by a Harvard application—focusing on intellectual ambition, global awareness, and humanitarian purpose. From early literacy and language exposure to identity, culture, and responsibility, this conversation explores: Why most parents are “waiting” instead of designingThe hidden cost of low expectations in modern parentingHow early childhood (0–7) shapes everything that followsThe difference between self-directed learning and intentional life architectureWhat The Lion King reveals about fatherhood, responsibility, and legacyWhy love, not pressure, is the foundation of high achievementHow one family raised a child to become a PhD, entrepreneur, and global thinker—without wealth or privilegeNate also offers a compelling critique of today’s education system, grading it a “D,” and explains why parents—not institutions—must take ownership of their child’s future. This is more than a parenting conversation. It’s a cultural wake-up call. Continue the Conversation: If this episode sparked something in you, join us inside The Gentle Year Facebook community—a space where parents come together to think deeper, ask better questions, and share ideas about raising the next generation with intention. Supported By: Turning The Tide Tutoring – Helping students develop strong writing, communication, and critical thinking skills so they can express themselves clearly and confidently. Acting with Pippi – Acting classes with Tami Erin (the original Pippi Longstocking) designed to build confidence, creativity, and authentic self-expression in children—without pressure or performance-driven environments. Send a text Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Acting With PippiActing with Pippi is acting program that helps youths build courage & presence through performance.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 28m

  2. MAR 16

    Speech Delays in Toddlers: What Parents Should Know | Jeaneen Tang

    What should parents know about speech delays, toddler language development, and late talkers? In this episode of The Gentle Year, speech-language pathologist Jeanean Tang explains early speech milestones, when to seek early intervention, and how everyday parent-child interaction shapes how children learn to talk. Drawing on over two decades of experience in speech therapy and early intervention, Jeanean explains how language develops in the earliest years of life and why the interactions parents have with their children matter more than most people realize.  Together, Nikki and Jeanean explore the subtle but powerful ways parents can support language development through everyday interaction—and why early support can make a profound difference for children with speech delays. In this episode, you’ll learn: The early signs of speech and language delays in toddlersWhy babbling and imitation are critical milestones in language developmentWhen parents should consider early speech therapy or interventionHow everyday parenting habits can unintentionally slow language growthThe powerful strategy behind Jeanean’s book “Play Dumb and Sabotage”Why quality interaction matters more than the number of words a child hearsHow empathy and lived experience reshape the way professionals support familiesJeanean also shares the remarkable progress of her son today—now a thriving teenager whose resilience highlights the incredible power of neuroplasticity, early intervention, and supportive parenting. Whether you’re a parent, educator, therapist, or simply curious about how children learn to communicate, this conversation offers practical insight into raising confident communicators in the earliest years of life. Guest: Jeanean Tang – Speech-Language Pathologist and Author of Play Dumb and Sabotage Resources & Links: Book: Play Dumb and Sabotage Website: playdumbandsabotage.com Turning The Tide Tutoring Acting With Pippi Send us Fan Mail Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Acting With PippiActing with Pippi is acting program that helps youths build courage & presence through performance.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 49m

  3. MAR 13

    A Life Too Wild Not to Write Down | Jessica Danel

    In this powerful episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez sits down with author and entrepreneur Jessica Danel for an unfiltered conversation about trauma, resilience, generational patterns, and what it really means to keep moving forward. Jessica shares the raw, unbelievable stories behind her memoir Bucket List from a Redneck Girl—from being wrongfully placed in drug rehab as a teen, to surviving childhood abuse, family dysfunction, a school shooting at Lyndhurst High School, and building a million-dollar preschool business from scratch. Together, they explore survival mode vs. ambition, body image struggles, special needs parenting, sibling estrangement, productivity as a trauma response, and the complex layers of faith, forgiveness, and perseverance. This episode dives deep into Gen X upbringing, generational cycles of abuse, motherhood guilt, and the emotional cost of always being the “strong one.” If you’re interested in trauma recovery, resilience after adversity, entrepreneurship, family dynamics, childhood abuse, school shooting survival stories, or how writing can become a path to healing, this episode is a must-listen. Jessica’s story proves that no matter what you’ve endured, you can build, create, and move forward—one step at a time. 🎙 Topics include: childhood trauma, generational abuse cycles, resilience, special needs parenting, body image, entrepreneurship, school shooting impact, faith, memoir writing, and emotional healing. Listen now and join the conversation inside The Gentle Year community. Structured Thought, Clear Expression is a writing course designed for high school students who struggle to organize their ideas into clear, confident essays. Students learn a practical framework for turning scattered thoughts into structured writing for class assignments, personal narratives, and college essays. Learn more here. Send a text Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Acting With PippiActing with Pippi is acting program that helps youths build courage & presence through performance.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 18m

  4. FEB 23

    Multi-Sensory Learning That Actually Works | Dr. Emily Levy

    In this parent-focused episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with Dr. Emily Levy, founder of EBL Coaching, to demystify special education, early reading struggles, and what parents truly need to know. Dr. Levy explains the early signs of dyslexia and learning differences, when to request a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation, and the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan. The conversation dives into the science of reading, the power of the Orton-Gillingham method, and why multisensory instruction helps children retain information and build confidence. They also discuss structured literacy vs. generic tutoring, red flags to watch for in tutoring programs, accommodations vs. remediation, and how AI should support — not replace — real learning. If you’re a parent navigating ADHD, dyslexia, autism, reading comprehension struggles, or questions about special education services, this episode offers practical guidance, research-based insight, and hope. 🎧 Topics include: Early warning signs of reading difficultiesIEP vs. 504 plans explainedMultisensory learning at homeOrton-Gillingham and structured literacyAssistive technology and AI in educationBuilding confidence in neurodivergent learnersA must-listen for parents who want informed, individualized support for their child’s academic journey. Send a text Acting With PippiActing with Pippi is acting program that helps youths build courage & presence through performance.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 1m

  5. FEB 21

    Healthy Masculinity in a Polarized World: What Are We Teaching Our Sons? | Shaun Dawson

    Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue. In this powerful episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki Hernandez interviews Sean Dawson, host of the Raising Men podcast, for an honest and nuanced conversation about raising boys, modern masculinity, and fatherhood in today’s culture. What does healthy masculinity actually look like? How do we raise emotionally strong boys without suppressing their nature? And is “boys will be boys” harmless — or harmful? This episode explores the modern masculinity crisis, toxic masculinity vs. healthy masculinity, emotional intelligence in boys, fatherhood challenges, gender roles, feminism, male identity development, and parenting in a polarized world. Sean shares vulnerable stories about apologizing to his children, navigating school discipline issues, teaching boundaries, and redefining what it means to be a protector and provider. Together, they discuss: Raising confident boys in modern societyEmotional regulation and vulnerability in boysFatherhood and male role modelsGender equality and masculinityParenting advice for sonsHow to model strength without brittlenessSelf-esteem and identity formation in childrenIf you’re a parent raising boys, a father questioning your role, or someone interested in male development, parenting strategies, and emotional intelligence, this episode offers grounded insight, practical wisdom, and a hopeful vision for raising the next generation of strong, stable men. Send a text Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 35m

  6. FEB 17

    Black Patriots and Primary Sources — What Textbooks Left Out | Ted Lamb

    Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue. Black history is often taught as a single storyline—centered on slavery—while countless Black contributions to early American life are left out of standard textbooks. In this episode of The Gentle Year, historian and public school teacher Ted Lamb returns to share a primary-source approach to “omitted Black history” and the lesser-known Black patriots, leaders, and thinkers who shaped the nation. You’ll hear the stories of figures like Wentworth Cheswell (sometimes called the “Black Paul Revere”), Peter Salem (a hero of Bunker Hill), and Henry Highland Garnett, along with a wider conversation about why curriculum often narrows history into a single narrative. Ted explains why he trusts primary sources over textbooks, how standardized testing can drive what gets taught, and why integrating these stories into everyday American history matters for kids’ identity, critical thinking, and perspective. This is a parent-facing conversation about how to teach history without propaganda—by asking better questions, reading original documents, and learning together at home. Connect with Ted: History Moments with Ted (Facebook) Primary source starting point: Yale Law School’s Avalon Project (documents and historical sources) Keywords: omitted Black history, Black patriots, primary sources, American Revolution, Wentworth Cheswell, Peter Salem, Henry Highland Garnett, Black History Month, history education, teaching kids history, curriculum and standards, critical thinking, parenting and education This episode is supported by Structured Thought, Clear Expression, a high school writing course through Turning The Tide Tutoring that equips students to think critically, write with clarity, and communicate with confidence. Send a text Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 14m

  7. FEB 13

    Parenting Beyond the Grave: Grief, Faith & Parenting Beyond Loss | Val Kleppen

    Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue. What does it mean to survive stillbirth — and then keep living? In this deeply moving episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Val Kleppen — a bereaved mother, homeschool mom, and host of The Motherhood Experience podcast — to talk about infant loss, NICU trauma, marriage after child loss, and finding purpose after grief. Val shares her story of delivering her daughter stillborn at 37 weeks, planning a funeral for a full-term baby, walking out of the hospital empty-handed, and navigating the physical and emotional trauma that followed. We talk openly about what grief does to a mother’s body and nervous system, how husbands and wives often grieve differently, and why so many bereaved parents feel isolated in their pain. This episode explores: Stillbirth and infant lossGrieving as a motherMarriage after the death of a childFaith and Christian perspectives on eternityParenting living children while honoring a child who diedSupport systems and friendships after tragedyThe physical impact of trauma on the bodyHomeschooling and working from home after lossVal speaks candidly about grief not as a linear process, but as something that comes in waves — sometimes thirteen years later. She also shares how loss reshaped her priorities, strengthened her marriage, clarified her values, and changed how she parents her children today. If you are a grieving mother, a bereaved parent, someone navigating pregnancy loss or stillbirth, or simply someone who wants to better support a family walking through infant loss — this conversation will meet you with honesty and compassion. You are not alone in this. Send a text Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Acting With PippiActing with Pippi is acting program that helps youths build courage & presence through performance.Aydon PickleballCertified pickleball coaching in Charlottesville. Level up your game with Aydon.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 7m

  8. FEB 10

    Is ADHD a Diagnosis or a Stress Signal? | Roman Wyden

    Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue. In this episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with Roman Wyden — author of ADHD Is Over and host of the podcast and documentary by the same name — for a deep, thought-provoking conversation about childhood diagnoses, parenting, stress, and responsibility. When Roman’s son was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven, he was told what many parents hear: that the condition is genetic, lifelong, and best managed with medication. Instead of accepting that narrative at face value, Roman began a decade-long investigation into what ADHD actually represents — not as a label, but as a lived experience within families, schools, and modern culture. Together, we explore: Why ADHD may be better understood as a nervous system response to stress rather than a fixed disorderHow labels and diagnoses can shape a child’s identity and self-esteemThe difference between blame and responsibility in parentingThe role of school environments, family dynamics, and chronic stressWhy “managing” behavior is not the same as understanding itWhat informed consent should look like when it comes to children’s health and educationHow parents can reclaim agency without shame, fear, or perfectionismThis conversation isn’t about denying children’s struggles — it’s about asking better questions. What if a diagnosis is less about what’s “wrong” with a child and more about what’s misaligned in their environment? What if slowing down, reducing stress, and changing systems could be just as powerful as any intervention? This episode is for parents, educators, and anyone willing to challenge conventional narratives and look deeper — with curiosity, nuance, and care. Send a text Turning The Tide TutoringSponsored by Turning The Tide Tutoring — empowering students and parents to grow and thrive.Acting With PippiActing with Pippi is acting program that helps youths build courage & presence through performance.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 15m
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5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Parenting is both universal and deeply personal. The Gentle Year is a podcast from Turning The Tide Tutoring, created to give parents a space to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs from all around the world. Hosted by Knikki Hernandez, The Gentle Year explores real stories of raising children — from discipline and detachment to resilience, love, and loss. Each conversation invites honesty, curiosity, and compassion, reminding us that there is no single “right” way to parent, but there are countless ways to grow together. Whether you’re a new parent, seasoned caregiver, or simply curious about the many shapes family life can take, this podcast offers connection, perspective, and gentle encouragement for the journey. Ready to take your parenting journey deeper? Join The Gentle Year course from Turning The Tide Tutoring here: https://tinyurl.com/y9vhny39 **DISCLAIMER** The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on The Gentle Year podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Turning the Tide Tutoring. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice in any form. Listeners are encouraged to use their own judgment and seek appropriate professional guidance when necessary. By listening to this podcast, you agree that neither the host nor Turning the Tide Tutoring is responsible for any decisions made based on what you hear.

Information

  • Creator
    Knikki Hernandez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Gentle Year
  • Show Website
    The Gentle Year