The Gentle Year

Knikki Hernandez
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  • 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. 6H AGO

    Why Did Parenting Stop Being a Shared Responsibility? | with Angela Caldwell

    To join the private Facebook community, tap in here. What if the reason families feel so fractured right now isn’t a lack of love—but too much pressure, too much information, and too little shared responsibility? In this episode of The Gentle Year, I’m joined by Angela Caldwell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over two decades of experience working with families. Together, we unpack why family life feels harder than ever—and what might actually help. Angela shares how the pandemic reshaped family systems in ways we’re only beginning to understand, from increased mistrust and tribalism to what she calls neural overload: the chronic overstimulation that leaves both children and adults emotionally fragile, reactive, and exhausted. We explore how behaviors often labeled as “defiance,” “laziness,” or even diagnoses may actually be signs of overwhelmed nervous systems. The conversation moves beyond individual parenting strategies and into something deeper: family identity. Angela explains how families unconsciously form core values, how those values stabilize—or fracture—during crisis, and why so many households today function more like logistical units than connected systems. We also spend significant time revisiting a powerful but often misunderstood idea: “it takes a village.” Angela challenges modern parenting norms around hyper-independence and rigid boundaries, offering a compelling case for shared responsibility, tolerance for difference, and rebuilding community in small but meaningful ways. From asking for help (even when it’s uncomfortable) to allowing other trusted adults to support and guide our children, this episode invites parents to rethink what support can look like. This is an honest, nuanced conversation about: Why families feel more divided and reactiveHow neural overload affects both kids and adultsThe hidden cost of doing parenting aloneFamily roles, emotional regulation, and resilienceReclaiming village-style support in a modern worldIf you’re a parent feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to protect your family’s emotional health in today’s culture, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and one very concrete takeaway: you don’t have to do this alone. Send us 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 24m

  2. 11H AGO

    When the System Isn’t Built for Mothers: Birth, Power, and Voice with Suzzie Vehrs

    To join the private Facebook community, tap in here. When the System Isn’t Built for Mothers: Birth, Power, and Voice with Suzzie Vehrs In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with doula and childbirth educator Suzzie Vehrs for a deeply human conversation about birth, relationships, and the quiet emotional weight many women carry into motherhood. Suzzie shares what a doula truly does—beyond birth plans and breathing techniques—and why emotional and physical support during pregnancy and birth isn’t a luxury, but a protective factor. Together, they explore informed consent, power dynamics in medical systems, and how the way a woman is treated during birth can shape her physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, and sense of self long after the baby arrives. The conversation gently expands into less-spoken territory: how pregnancy and birth reveal the truth about relationships, the uneven emotional labor women often carry, and what happens when someone wants a child but isn’t prepared to be a partner. Suzzie speaks candidly about her own journey through postpartum depression, divorce, and rebuilding emotional safety—offering compassion rather than judgment, and clarity without blame. Listeners will also hear about: Why pregnancy is an endurance event—physically, emotionally, and relationallyHow small daily acts of self-care compound into resilienceThe connection between emotional safety and physical birth outcomesWhat postpartum support families need but often don’t know to ask forWhy there is no such thing as failure in motherhood—only learning that time makes possibleThis episode is not about fear, perfection, or “doing birth right.” It’s about agency, forgiveness, community, and remembering that birth—and motherhood—are not just medical events, but deeply human transitions. A grounding, honest conversation for parents, partners, and anyone who wants to better understand what women are truly carrying during this season of life.  Send us 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 8m

  3. 4D AGO

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

    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 us 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

  4. JAN 25

    God Didn’t Stop My Kids From Dying: How Fathers Can Prepare for the Unthinkable with James Moffitt

    In this episode of The Gentle Year, I sit down with James Moffitt, a husband, father, and man of Christian faith who has buried two children. One after a long battle with childhood cancer. One after weeks in the ICU as an adult. This is not a conversation about easy answers, silver linings, or moving on. It is an honest, unguarded conversation about what fathers are never prepared for. The moment life splits into before and after. The anger, bargaining, guilt, and silence that follow. The pressure men feel to stay strong while carrying unbearable loss. And the tension between faith and unanswered questions that many grieving fathers are afraid to say out loud. James shares what grief taught him about masculinity, fatherhood, and emotional intelligence, why so many men self-medicate instead of asking for help, and how unprocessed grief quietly reshapes identity, marriage, and family life. He speaks candidly about trusting God without understanding, about faith that survives without certainty, and about the responsibility fathers carry to model honesty rather than perfection. This episode is for fathers who are grieving, families living in the long aftermath of loss, and anyone who has wrestled with what belief looks like when God didn’t stop it. If you have ever wondered whether faith can hold grief without collapsing, this conversation is for you. Send us 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 6m

  5. JAN 18

    How Modern Life is Shaping the Teenage Mind with Dara Wax

    In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with Dara Wax—global health expert, founder of SAM+LEO, and mom of two teenage boys—for an unfiltered conversation about what teen mental health actually looks like. This isn’t a clinical discussion or a list of warning signs. It’s a grounded, honest exploration of what parents are seeing every day but rarely feel safe saying out loud. Together, they ask the questions many parents are asking themselves: What if teen “mental health” is too broad a term to be useful—and actually hides what kids really need?Are we unintentionally creating addictions through screens, even when we have good intentions?Why does taking a phone away sometimes look and feel like withdrawal?What happens when therapy, medication, or school accommodations aren’t enough?How do you support a teen without making them feel like something is wrong with them?What if resilience isn’t missing but simply hasn’t been exercised?How much of anxiety is about the world kids are inheriting, not their personal weakness?What does real emotional safety look like in a home?And what do you do when you mess up as a parent… and need to repair?Dara shares deeply personal stories about raising teens with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and heightened sensitivity while navigating divorce, COVID disruptions, rural vs. urban schooling, and the quiet fear many parents carry about what their kids are seeing online. The conversation explores screen time, peer pressure, diet, sleep, self-talk, and why modeling imperfection may be one of the most overlooked tools in parenting today. This episode is for parents who are tired of shallow awareness campaigns and want something more honest. For those who are trying to support their kids without hovering, fixing, or panicking. And for anyone who suspects that teen wellness isn’t about having all the answers but about asking better questions, earlier. If you’ve ever wondered: Am I doing too much? Not enough? Or the wrong thing entirely? This conversation is for you.  Send us 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 21m

  6. JAN 13

    Why Kids Don’t Feel Safe Talking to Adults with David Marcus

    Stop Trying to Make Them Feel Better When your child is overwhelmed, your instincts probably tell you to fix it, explain it, or shut it down. But what if those responses are actually making things worse? In this episode of The Gentle Year, clinical psychologist Dr. David S. Marcus joins Knikki Hernandez to explore why logic fails during emotional overload, what children (and teens) really need when emotions run high, and how being a soothing presence—instead of a problem-solver—creates safety, trust, and long-term resilience. You’ll hear powerful real-life stories, including why silence can be more effective than words, why “use your words” often backfires, and how kids learn emotional regulation not through lectures, but through being truly heard. This conversation challenges common parenting advice and offers a deeper, more human way to respond to big emotions—without losing boundaries or authority. Key themes include: Why reasoning doesn’t work during meltdownsThe difference between calming behavior and calming emotionsWhat it means to “empty out” emotional intensityHow parents unintentionally shut down communicationWhy access, not control, builds influenceIf you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but your child still isn’t hearing you, this episode will change how you see emotional communication—starting today. Send us 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 35m

  7. JAN 10

    When Education Becomes Anti-Thinking and Anti-American with Ted Lamb

    What if the biggest problem in education today isn’t failing schools—but a system that no longer teaches kids how to think? In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with veteran educator, former school board member, and historian Ted Lamb for a candid conversation about truth, critical thinking, and what we’ve lost in modern education. With nearly three decades in the classroom and experience teaching across continents, Ted challenges the idea that compliance equals learning—and explains why primary sources, real thinking, and intellectual struggle matter more than standardized answers. Together, they explore why kids’ “brains hurting” might actually be a sign of real learning, how standardized testing reshaped classrooms, and what parents can do—starting at home—to raise thoughtful, resilient learners in a world flooded with information. This conversation isn’t about politics. It’s about responsibility, curiosity, and why loving learning may be the most important education a child ever receives. Send us 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 11m

  8. JAN 4

    Teaching Kids About Money Without Passing Down Fear with Albert Butler

    Money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fear, identity, habits, family, and the stories we inherit. In this episode of The Gentle Year, Knikki sits down with Albert Butler, CPA, for a deeply human conversation about finances, family, and what it actually means to build stability in an uncertain world. Together, they explore why so many families—especially millennials—feel stuck despite “doing everything right,” and why budgeting, purpose, and self-awareness matter more than chasing more income. Albert reframes money as a tool, not the goal, introduces the idea of an internal economy built on skills and time, and explains why avoiding financial conversations often creates more stress—not less. The conversation also dives into parenting and money: how children learn financial attitudes, how scarcity thinking gets passed down, and why transparency without fear is essential. This episode covers: Why financial stress is emotional, not just mathematicalInflation, cost of living, and why money keeps feeling tighterBudgeting your life, not just your bank accountThe limits of the traditional 9–5 modelHow families can change habits without earning moreTeaching children abundance instead of anxietyWork ethic, compassion, and breaking generational cyclesWhy purpose is the key to boundaries, clarity, and peaceIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind, or unsure how to talk about money—with yourself or your family—this episode offers clarity, grounding, and a way forward that doesn’t rely on hustle or shame. 🎧 Listen in for a conversation that brings money back to where it belongs: the kitchen table, the family unit, and a life lived with intention. Send us 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 17m
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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
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Gentle Year
  • Show Website
    The Gentle Year