Out Here with Kids

Dr. Nancy L. Weaver

Out Here with Kids is a parenting and family podcast about what actually happens when adults and children move through the world together... on airplanes, in grocery stores, in libraries, in parking lots, everywhere life is loud and unpredictable. Hosted by Nancy L. Weaver, a public health professor and the founder of Support Over Silence, this show starts from an honest place: kids will always be raised by imperfect adults trying to navigate an increasingly complicated world.This podcast is an authentic look at raising kids, doing our own healing on the fly, and finding connection in the moments we hope no one is filming. Each week, Nancy shares a real story, a bit of research, and the steady reminder that we’re all learning as we go, out here, together, with kids.#OutHereWithKids #Parenting #ParentingPodcast #RaisingKids #ChildDevelopment #FamilyLife #MentalHealth #PublicHealth

Episodes

  1. Oct 9

    Autonomy and Prevention: Why Confident Kids Are Safer Kids

    Modern parenting, psychology, neuroscience, and child development all point to the same conclusion: helping children build autonomy is one of the most powerful ways to support their mental health, brain health, emotional regulation, and long-term safety. In this episode of Out Here With Kids, Support Over Silence explores how self-determination theory can reshape our parenting mindset through positive parenting, empathy, and practical parenting advice. Dr. Nancy Weaver examines the connection between child autonomy, abuse prevention, and healthy development, explaining why the same factors that help children thrive also help protect them from manipulation and exploitation. Drawing on behavioral science, Montessori principles, play therapy, and self-determination theory, she explores how competence, autonomy, and belonging work together to build confident, independent kids. Through relatable parenting examples, Dr. Weaver shows how age-appropriate responsibilities and opportunities to make choices help children trust their instincts, strengthen decision-making skills, and develop resilience. Rather than viewing independence as something to fear, this conversation reframes it as one of the greatest gifts caregivers can offer within safe, supportive boundaries. Whether you're a parent, educator, coach, or caregiver, this episode offers practical parenting tips rooted in science that strengthen families, build healthier parenting communities, and support children's lifelong well-being. Learn more about Support Over Silence, our nonprofit organization, and how to bring community support and caregiver support training to your school, workplace, or neighborhood: https://www.supportoversilence.com/

  2. Sep 25

    Science Says: Helping Other People Makes You Happier

    What if one small act of kindness could improve someone else's day, and your own brain health too? In this episode of Out Here With Kids, Dr. Nancy Weaver explores the neurobiology of kindness and why everyday moments of connection matter more than we realize. From helping a parent whose hands are full to simply greeting a stranger, she explains how these interactions calm our nervous system, release oxytocin, and strengthen our sense of community. Rather than viewing kindness as charity, this conversation reframes it as something that benefits everyone involved. Drawing on neuroscience, public health, and child development, Dr. Weaver explains why loneliness has become a growing health concern, how social isolation activates our brain's threat response, and why children and adults alike thrive when they experience safety through connection. She also explores how technology has changed the way we interact, and why even brief face-to-face moments still matter. This episode is an invitation to become an agent for the community. Because when we choose connection over isolation, we don't just support caregivers and children, we strengthen our own well-being and help create healthier, more compassionate communities. For more insights, check out Out Here With Kids, a YouTube podcast brought to you by Support Over Silence. Learn more about us and our mission, or how to bring training to your community on www.supportoversilence.com

  3. Sep 11

    Neurobiology Says: Yelling Doesn't Stop Kids Kicking Airplane Seats

    Why do kids kick airplane seats, melt down in public, or seem to ignore parents? In this episode, child psychology expert Dr. Nancy Weaver explains how neurobiology, emotional regulation, and modern parenting reveal why yelling doesn't stop challenging child behavior. Ever been on a flight with a child kicking the seat in front of them? Or watched a family struggle through a public meltdown and wondered what anyone could actually do to help? In this episode, Dr. Nancy Weaver, founder of Support Over Silence, explores the neuroscience behind children's behavior in public spaces. Drawing on child psychology and neurobiology, she explains why children become dysregulated, why yelling often makes the situation worse, and why a calm, connected adult is one of the most powerful tools for helping a child regulate again. From airplanes to restaurants, grocery stores, and other everyday settings, this conversation challenges the assumption that children simply need to be "under control." Instead, Dr. Weaver reframes these moments through the lens of nervous system regulation, showing how stress affects both children and caregivers, and how compassion from the people around them can help everyone feel safer. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply someone who shares public spaces with families, this episode offers a practical way to understand difficult moments with more empathy and less judgment. When we understand what's happening beneath the behavior, we can replace frustration with curiosity and become part of the support children and caregivers need. For more conversations about parenting, child development, emotional regulation, and supporting families, subscribe to Out Here With Kids, a YouTube podcast brought to you by Support Over Silence. Learn more about our mission or bring training to your community: https://www.supportoversilence.com/ #SupportOverSilence #Parenting #ChildDevelopment #EmotionalRegulation #ChildPsychology

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Out Here with Kids is a parenting and family podcast about what actually happens when adults and children move through the world together... on airplanes, in grocery stores, in libraries, in parking lots, everywhere life is loud and unpredictable. Hosted by Nancy L. Weaver, a public health professor and the founder of Support Over Silence, this show starts from an honest place: kids will always be raised by imperfect adults trying to navigate an increasingly complicated world.This podcast is an authentic look at raising kids, doing our own healing on the fly, and finding connection in the moments we hope no one is filming. Each week, Nancy shares a real story, a bit of research, and the steady reminder that we’re all learning as we go, out here, together, with kids.#OutHereWithKids #Parenting #ParentingPodcast #RaisingKids #ChildDevelopment #FamilyLife #MentalHealth #PublicHealth