A Dad's Path Will Braunstein

Join us on as host Will Braunstein sits down with Rachel Macy Stafford, bestselling author and founder of HandsFreeMama.com. In this heartfelt episode, Rachel shares insights from her latest book, Soul Shift: The Weary Human's Guide to Getting Unstuck and Reclaiming Your Path to Joy.

Learn how small, intentional changes can help you become a more present and compassionate parent, and hear Rachel's practical advice on setting boundaries with technology, managing self-critical thoughts, and fostering open communication with your children.

This episode is packed with wisdom for parents seeking to deepen their connection with their families and themselves. Whether you're navigating the challenges of parenting or looking to reclaim joy in your daily life, Rachel's insights will inspire and guide you.

Key Takeaways:


Understanding the importance of being emotionally present for your family.
Practical steps to create hands-free moments and set healthy boundaries with technology.
Techniques for cultivating self-compassion and positive self-talk.
How to foster open, honest communication with your children about their feelings and experiences.
The significance of modeling healthy behavior and self-care for your kids.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will encourage you to embrace presence, compassion, and joy in your parenting journey. Don't miss this episode of "A Dad's Path Podcast" with the incredible Rachel Macy Stafford!

In this episode of "A Dad's Path," we are joined by Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, and author of "Work Parent Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection."



Yael's expertise in balancing work, parenting, and marriage using evidence-based science provides a roadmap for parents striving to navigate these roles more effectively.



Key Takeaways:


Integrating Work and Family Life: Yael introduces the concept of work-family enrichment, illustrating how professional and parenting roles can mutually enhance each other, reducing guilt and increasing fulfillment.
The Power of Psychological Flexibility: Discover how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can be applied to parenting, helping individuals adapt to changing circumstances with resilience.
Strategies for Subtraction: Yael explains the importance of subtracting non-essential tasks to focus on what truly matters, promoting a less stressful and more meaningful family life.
Navigating Parental Guilt and Overwhelm: Insights into managing common feelings of guilt and overwhelm that accompany the parenting journey, with practical advice for shifting perspectives.
Harnessing Everyday Moments for Deep Connection: Learn about the small, everyday actions that can strengthen family bonds, even amid busy schedules.



Visit YaelSchonbrun.com to learn more about her work and to subscribe to her insightful newsletter. Her book, "Work Parent Thrive," is available wherever books are sold, offering further guidance on thriving in the intersection of career and family life.

In this episode of "A Dad's Path Podcast," we talk with Chris Balme, author of "Finding the Magic in Middle School." Chris shares expert advice to help parents understand what to expect and how to prepare for their child's journey through the middle school years.

Listeners will learn:


How the adolescent brain changes and how to navigate the behavioral shifts that come with it.
Tips for guiding children through the evolving social dynamics of middle school.
Strategies to maintain academic motivation while encouraging independence.
Guidance on managing technology and navigating the digital world safely.

Whether you're approaching the middle school years or already navigating them, this episode is packed with actionable insights to transform this time into a period of growth and discovery for parents and kids. Tune in to gain strategies that will help your child thrive during these transformative years!

Join us as host Will Braunstein sits down with Dr. Jeff Karp, a Harvard Medical School professor, MIT biomedical engineer, and author of the inspiring new book "LIT: Life Ignition Tools: Use Nature's Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas, and Ignite Action." 



Dr. Karp explores how parents can harness the power of nature to boost productivity for themselves and their children. Dr. Karp shares practical tools that tap into the natural world to rejuvenate our mental landscapes and foster focus and creativity. 



Whether it's overcoming distractions or aligning daily tasks with our deepest values, this episode provides actionable insights for parents eager to cultivate a focused, energized, and purpose-driven family life. 



Tune in to discover how you can light up your life and guide your children in creating their own sparks of productivity and fulfillment.



You can learn more about Dr. Karp's work at https://www.karplab.net

In this episode of "A Dad's Path," we are joined by Shaan Patel, a Shark Tank Alum, CEO of PrepExpert.com, and author of "Prep Expert Digital SAT Playbook: Winning Strategies to Achieve Your Dream Score."



Shaan's transformation from average to perfect SAT scores is just the beginning of his remarkable story. His journey through entrepreneurship, featured on Shark Tank and his medical career offers a blueprint for parents aiming to guide their children through the complexities of modern education.



Key Takeaways:


Embracing Educational Challenges: Shaan shares how overcoming significant educational obstacles and parental involvement were pivotal in his journey and how parents can support their children’s academic growth.


The Influence of Parental Role Models Understanding the impact of parental example on children's work ethic and attitudes toward success is crucial for parents in nurturing the next generation.
Developing Self-Motivation: Insights into fostering self-motivation in young learners, emphasizing the importance of setting personal goals that ignite internal drive and ambition.
Balancing Professional and Personal Life: Shaan discusses balancing demanding professional endeavors and a fulfilling personal life, providing valuable advice for busy parents.
Entrepreneurial Lessons from Shark Tank: Reflections on his entrepreneurial journey, including key lessons from his experiences on Shark Tank and the value of strategic partnerships.



Visit PrepExpert.com for more insights into Shaan’s educational strategies and to explore the resources available there. You can also check out his new book, Prep Expert Digital SAT Playbook: Winning Strategies to Achieve Your Dream Score.



Join us as Shaan Patel shares essential parenting insights, particularly valuable for those with younger children, on building resilience, strategic learning, and the transformative power of a supportive family environment.

In this episode, we speak with Celia Landman, author of "When the Whole World Tips: Navigating Parenting Through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance." Celia is a seasoned mindfulness educator with a deep background in supporting others through meditation, visualizations, and training.

Celia shares strategies for finding balance in the tumultuous journey of parenting. Her teachings are further enriched by her experiences within the Plum Village community of engaged Buddhism, founded by the revered Thich Nhat Hanh.



Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Mindful Equanimity: Learn the profound concept of loving and allowing, which is crucial for parents to navigate the inherent struggle of wanting to shield their children from pain while recognizing the growth that comes from facing life's challenges.

• Feeling Your Feelings: Discover how equanimity is not about being unaffected by emotions but about fully embracing all feelings and maintaining an open heart through life's ups and downs.

• Empathy Before Education: Gain insights into the power of empathy in parenting, emphasizing the importance of understanding and validating children's emotions before moving to problem-solving strategies.

• Navigating Children's Anxiety: Explore the modern epidemic of anxiety among children and teens, and learn how a mindful approach to parenting can offer stability and reassurance in an uncertain world.

• Nonviolent Communication (NVC): Understand the principles of NVC and how it fosters connection, understanding, and mutual respect within the family, moving away from blame and toward a culture of empathy.



What You Will Learn:

• Strategies for Self-Compassion: Celia shares simple yet powerful practices for parents to cultivate self-compassion and self-care. She recognizes that the foundation of effective parenting lies in being grounded and present for oneself.

• Empathy Techniques: Learn practical techniques for offering empathy to your children, helping them navigate their emotions, and building a stronger, more connected relationship.

• Managing Your Own Anxiety: Discover methods to address and manage your anxiety, ensuring that you can offer your best self to your parenting role.

• Customized Meditation and Visualization: Access Celia's wealth of experience in creating tailored meditation and visualization practices to reconnect with your inner peace and strength.



You can find out more about Celia at https://celialandman.com or order her book here.