Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson

Dr. Suzanne Simpson

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. 5D AGO

    Why Your Kid Needs Discipline (But Not the Way You Think)

    What if discipline isn't about punishment at all? Dr. Allie Donaldson, a 28-year-old surgeon, explains how her parents taught emotional regulation through connection, not control. Is your teen shutting down? Are you afraid to set boundaries because you don't want to damage them? But here's the truth: not teaching emotional regulation is teaching emotional dysregulation. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allie Donaldson, a former student who's now a general surgery resident. Allie breaks down how her upbringing gave her the emotional regulation she needs in high-stakes surgical situations where missteps have dire consequences. We talk about:  • Why connection must come before discipline  • How her parents modelled emotional regulation without punishment  • What actually worked when she got in trouble (spoiler: it wasn't grounding)  • The difference between consequences that build trust vs. ones that break it  • Why kids actually want discipline (even if adults hate the word) This isn't about being perfect. It's about being present. When you get on their turf first, discipline becomes something your child wants, not something they fear. If you're a parent struggling with how to discipline your teen without damaging your relationship, this conversation offers practical mental health tips for parents navigating anxiety, communication breakdowns, and the teen years. 👉 Get my free guide: "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com #drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf #teensincrisis 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: Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: ...

    39 min
  2. JAN 6

    An Honest Talk About Domestic Violence and Boys with Eugene Z. Bertrand

    An Honest Talk About Domestic Violence and Boys with Eugene Z. Bertrand Domestic violence against males is real and often invisible. In this powerful conversation, best selling author Eugene Bertrand discusses the hidden epidemic of domestic and intimate partner violence against boys, teens, and men. Eugene shares his personal experience as a survivor, how childhood trauma shapes self-worth, and why so many men stay silent due to stigma, shame, and cultural expectations around masculinity. This episode explores: How domestic violence affects boys differently as they grow into menWhy male survivors struggle to report abuse or seek helpThe connection between childhood trauma, behaviour, and later life outcomesThe role of forgiveness, resilience, and therapy in recoveryIf you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic or partner violence, you are not alone and your story matters. Find Eugene at: Website: https://eugenezbertrand.com/speaking-engagements-life-coach-eugene-z-bertand/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-bertrand/Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637658389👉 Get your free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kids' Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.com #drsuzannesimpson #getontheirturf #malesurvivors #domesticviolenceawareness #childhoodtrauma #mentalhealthawareness #parentingteens 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: Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: ...

    46 min
  3. 12/08/2025

    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: Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: ...

    37 min
  4. 11/24/2025

    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: Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: ...

    9 min
  5. 11/10/2025

    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: Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: ...

    52 min
  6. 10/20/2025

    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 lo 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: Website: https://drsuzannesimpson.com Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: ...

    45 min

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.