Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson

Dr. Suzanne Simpson
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you worried about your teen’s anxiety, screen time, or emotional distance? You’re not alone. Get on Their Turf is the parenting podcast that helps you support your child’s mental health and build lasting connection. I’m Dr. Suzanne Simpson, teacher and researcher with 3 decades of experience, and biweekly I share expert interviews, parenting strategies, and real stories from my work in classrooms and a youth psychiatric unit. Episodes explore teen anxiety, depression, screen time struggles, listening without fixing, and spotting early warning signs of stress or crisis. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and heard—because connection changes everything.

  1. DEC 8

    Working Mom, Present Parent: Staying Connected When Life Is Full?

    Working Mom, Present Parent: Staying Connected When Life Is Full? How do working moms stay emotionally connected to their kids when life is full and the to-do list never ends? In this episode of Get On Their Turf, Dr Suzanne Simpson talks with business leader and mom Lisa Marie Garcia about the real struggles that working parents face. From long work hours to mom guilt and the fear of drifting apart from our kids, this conversation brings honest stories and practical tools to help you keep family connection strong. Lisa Marie shares how she raised two daughters while leading a national company, navigating marriage, divorce, and big life transitions. She reminds us that kids do not need perfection to feel secure. They need a parent who keeps showing up with presence, honesty, and love. You will learn:  • How to stay connected to your kids during busy seasons  • What secure attachment really looks like in everyday family life  • Family rituals that build trust and togetherness  • Why vulnerability helps children feel emotionally safe  • How to let go of guilt and grow confidence as a working parent This episode is for every mom who wonders, Am I doing enough? The answer is yes. When you lead with love and connection, your kids feel it. 👉 Follow and review the show to help more parents find these research-informed tools and real conversations. Follow Dr Suzanne Instagram: @drsuzannesimpson  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ 🎧 Listen to more episodes:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/get-on-their-turf-with-dr-suzanne-simpson/id1724652932 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SMqMnxwcwrJUk7cATsdQB Disclaimer Please note that the contents of this podcast are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    37 min

  2. NOV 24

    JUST ME: What Teens in Crisis Say They Need From Parents for Mental Health & Connection

    Why do teenagers shut down, pull away, or get angry with the people who love them most? In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Simpson shares research from inside a youth psychiatric unit and the honest truths teens told her about what they need from the adults in their lives. Their answers were simple and powerful: support, understanding, and care. If your teen is struggling with anxiety, emotional overwhelm, loneliness, or disconnection, this conversation will help you understand what is happening underneath the behaviour. You will learn how to talk to your child without judgment, how to reduce conflict at home, and how to strengthen the attachment that makes teens feel safe. In this episode, you will learn: • Why teens pull away from parents • The biggest reason many teens feel disconnected • How to support a child with anxiety or emotional overload • How to respond when your teen is shut down or angry • How to build stronger attachment and reduce conflict • What you can start doing today to help your teen feel seen and supported When teens feel genuinely understood, everything changes.  This episode is part of the Get On Their Turf series, helping parents build calmer, more connected homes. CONNECT WITH SUZANNE Instagram: @drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: Dr. Suzanne Simpson YouTube: Get on Their Turf Podcast Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this episode are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    9 min

  3. NOV 10

    Screens, Mental Health, and Teens: What Brock Johnson Wants Parents To Know About Cell Phones

    This conversation first aired in September 2024, and I’m bringing it back because it still feels just as relevant now. Brock Johnson offered timeless insight into how social media shapes teen mental health, and so many parents have told me this episode changed how they see their child’s relationship with their phone. In this powerful conversation, Brock shares what it was like growing up in the first wave of Instagram and how his parents helped him build a healthy relationship with social media—before it took over every waking moment. We talk about what actually matters to teens online, how comparison erodes self-worth, and why kids today crave connection more than likes. Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your teen’s screen habits or someone feeling “never enough” in your own feed, this episode will help you step back, reset, and remember what’s real. 👉  Follow Dr Suzzane: Instagram: /drsuzannesimpson    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ #drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf #brockjohnson #parentingteens #teenmentalhealthcrisis #socialmediaandmentalhealth #parentingwithpresence #secureattachmentparenting #raisingteens #socialmediaaddiction #parentingadvice 👉 Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this video are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinions only and have not been scientifically evaluated. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    52 min

  4. OCT 29

    JUST ME: Help Your Teen Open Up at Home: Reconnect With Your Child Using Get On Their Turf

    How to Reconnect With Your Child: Get on Their Turf and Build Trust AgainWhen your child feels distant, defiant, or disconnected, it can leave you feeling invisible at home. In this episode, Dr Suzanne Simpson shares a practical way to rebuild trust by getting on your child’s turf, meeting them where they are, and leading with presence. This is not about control or fixing, it is about showing up on purpose so your child feels seen, valued, and safe. Follow Dr Suzanne Instagram: @drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ www.drsuzannesimpson.com Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    11 min

  5. OCT 20

    Parent Plan B Support Your Teen’s Mental Health at Home When the System Fails with AnneMoss Rogers

    Parent Plan B – Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health When the System Fails with AnneMoss Rogers When mental health supports aren’t available, too expensive, or impossible to access, what can parents do at home? In this powerful episode of Get On Their Turf, Dr. Suzanne Simpson talks with AnneMoss Rogers: mental health advocate, TEDx speaker, and author of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Kids at Risk. After losing her son Charles to suicide, AnneMoss turned unimaginable grief into a mission to save lives through education, compassion, and connection. Together, Suzanne and AnneMoss explore what every parent needs to know when they’re waiting for help that may never come. You’ll learn how to build a “Plan B” that creates emotional safety and trust at home, even when the system feels broken. In this episode, you’ll hear: • What parents can do when therapy isn’t available • Early warning signs of concern versus “normal teen” behaviour • How to create connection and safety in daily routines • Ways to model vulnerability without oversharing • How parents can rebuild trust and hope after crisis If you’ve ever felt powerless watching your teen struggle, this conversation will help you find confidence and clarity in what you can do — right now, at home. Guest: 🎙️ *AnneMoss Rogers* — TEDx speaker, mental health keynote speaker and suicide prevention speaker., and author of *Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Kids at Risk. Visit [EmotionallyNaked.com](https://emotionallynaked.com) to learn more. https://parentingtips.grweb.site https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/q0eodg6ueibwtefkatj3/ https://mentalhealthawarenesseducation.com/  Follow Dr. Suzanne: Instagram @drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson Listen to more episodes: linktr.ee/GetOnTheirTurf If you are in crisis or worried about someone: • Canada – Talk Suicide Canada 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 • USA – Call or text 988 • UK & ROI – Samaritans 116 123 If your region is not listed, contact your local emer Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    45 min

  6. OCT 6

    Parenting When You’re Not OK How to Be Honest and Build Connection with Steven Phillip

    When you’re not OK, your kids don’t need perfection – they need your presence. In this conversation with Steve Phillip of The Jordan Legacy, we talk about how to be honest with your kids on hard days, how to listen first, and how vulnerability at home strengthens attachment, safety, and trust. Steve shares Jordan’s story, the warning signs he wishes he had recognized sooner, and practical ways families can talk about mental health; including how to name suicide responsibly and age-appropriately. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode will help you lead with presence, not performance. Timestamps 00:00 Intro – why authenticity matters for parents 01:15 Steve’s story – the day everything changed 05:30 Two choices after loss – purpose vs. paralysis 08:10 Three things parents must know about youth mental health 13:05 The signs we missed – sleep, “feeling trapped”, masked distress 17:42 How to get educated as a parent – beyond the broken system 22:18 Talking about suicide safely – language, age awareness, intent 28:40 Getting into your child’s world – listen before you lead 33:55 Modelling “I’m not OK today” without oversharing 39:20 Building secure attachment through everyday honesty 45:02 Family habits that increase connection at home 51:10 Workplaces, wellbeing, and present-eeism 55:28 Final takeaways – make time, drop the ego, stay close What you’ll learn Simple language to say “I’m not OK” while staying the steady adult Early signs parents often miss – and how to respond How to talk about suicide with care and clarity Why entering your child’s world first changes the conversation Daily family habits that build safety, trust, and connection Watch next “You Don’t Need Perfect Words – You Need to Show Up” “How to Listen So Your Teen Feels Safe” “Connection over Control: Getting on Their Turf” 👉 If this helped, subscribe for more parent education, youth mental health, and family connection conversations. Comment with one way you’ll model healthy vulnerability this week. Guest Steve Phillip – Founder, The Jordan Legacy. Speaker and advisor on workplace wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. https://www.stevephilliptalks.com/ 👉SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC5ApS Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    42 min

  7. SEP 22

    Building the Village: How Parents Can Lead When the Mental Health System Falls Short with Janelle Miller Morovick

    Building the Village: How Parents Can Lead When the Mental Health System Falls Short with Janelle Miller Morovick In Building the Village: How Parents Can Lead When the Mental Health System Falls Short, Janelle Miller Morovick and I explore how parents become the front line of support when access to mental health care is broken. We talk stigma, provider shortages, and the confusing maze of services that many families face. More importantly, we unpack what parents can do: how emotional connection, listening without judgement, creating secure bonds, and giving children a sense of belonging can build resilience and wellness at home. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by how to help your child in crisis, this episode is for you—offering practical tools you can use today, and the hope that being present matters. Tune in now, share with someone who needs to hear this, and remember: you are not alone. • Many parents can’t access timely mental health care for their kids • Stigma, provider shortages & confusing systems make it worse • Emotional connection, listening, and presence build resilience • Parents are the bridge between kids and systems Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    34 min

  8. SEP 8

    When Tears Meet Hope: Parenting Through Unexpected Challenges with Michael Ray

    When Tears Meet Hope: Parenting Through Unexpected Challenges This episode is for every parent who sobbed when their child was born. When fear met hope in the delivery room, everything shifted. Michael Ray opens up about the overwhelming moment when his daughter, born with Down syndrome, arrived. What began in tears became a journey of unexpected resilience, joy, and profound connection—proof that hope can be found even in the most fragile beginnings. In this episode, you'll discover: • How facing your child’s challenges at birth can transform into a powerful source of hope • Why crying in the hospital doesn’t mean giving up—it can mean love is deepening • The lessons Michael’s daughter taught him about presence, purpose, and silent understanding • How the Smile Project Louisville emerged—driven by a father’s love and a child’s smile Find Michael: 💻 smileprojectlouisville@gmail.com ⌨ http://smileprojectlouisville.com/ Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST. 👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

    34 min
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About

Are you worried about your teen’s anxiety, screen time, or emotional distance? You’re not alone. Get on Their Turf is the parenting podcast that helps you support your child’s mental health and build lasting connection. I’m Dr. Suzanne Simpson, teacher and researcher with 3 decades of experience, and biweekly I share expert interviews, parenting strategies, and real stories from my work in classrooms and a youth psychiatric unit. Episodes explore teen anxiety, depression, screen time struggles, listening without fixing, and spotting early warning signs of stress or crisis. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and heard—because connection changes everything.

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