Enter the Green Zone Podcast

Vicky Westra
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Semimonthly

Join Vicky and Pier Westra as they embark on a transformative journey from the "Red Zone" of stress and anxiety to the uplifting "Green Zone," where life is filled with positivity, hope, and immeasurable joy. As parents of a daughter on the Autism Spectrum, Vicky and Pier have navigated unique challenges and have emerged with valuable insights that they are eager to share. In this heartfelt and inspiring podcast, they offer practical tools and techniques for embracing a more fulfilling life, while welcoming esteemed guests who bring their own wisdom and resources for living in the Green Zone. Tune in to discover a community of support, resilience, and optimism, as we explore how to turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth and happiness. www.neuro-shifts.org

  1. Jan 29 ·  Video

    Episode 7: From Survival Mode to the Green Zone

    What does it take to move from surviving to truly thriving? In this episode, Vicky and her guest explore the lived experience of chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, and the slow, meaningful journey toward safety and balance. Through honest reflection and practical insight, they discuss how survival mode takes hold, why it's so common, and what helps us begin creating the conditions for regulation, connection, and growth. This conversation is a reminder that thriving isn't about pushing harder — it's about feeling safe enough to grow.

    35 min

  2. 08/26/2025 ·  Video

    Episode 6 - Raising Resilience: The Green Zone for Our Children

    In this episode of Enter the Green Zone, Vicki and Peer explore the powerful impact parents' emotional wellbeing has on their children. They share how modeling calm, resilience, and self-awareness helps kids develop emotional awareness, reduce anxiety, and discover their own path to the "green zone." This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that when we choose peace, our children learn to shine.

    30 min

  3. 08/19/2025 ·  Video

    Episode 5 - Choosing Joy: The Path from Stress to the Green Zone

    In this episode, Vicki and Peer share their journey of moving from emotional overwhelm in the "red zone" to finding balance, resilience, and joy in the "green zone." Through honesty, reflection, and practical shifts, they reveal how choosing inner peace transforms not only their own lives, but also their relationships and the well-being of their daughter. This conversation is an uplifting reminder that even in our hardest seasons, there is always a path back to light, ease, and hope.

    32 min

  4. 07/28/2025 ·  Video

    Episode 3 - Beyond Labels: Navigating the Emotional and Financial Journey of Raising a Neurodiverse Child

    Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of your child's diagnosis alone? In this powerful first episode, Vicky and Pier pull back the curtain on their earliest days as parents of a neurodivergent child—days filled with fear, stigma, and a sense of isolation (which they refer to as the "Red Zone") that few truly understand. But what if there's a way to move beyond the red zone of overwhelm? What if the very challenges that threaten to break you could actually become the catalyst for hope, connection, and transformation? Join Vicky and Pier as they reveal the surprising mindset shift that changed everything for their family. Discover the moment they stopped hiding and started advocating—not just for their daughter, but for themselves. Wondering how to find your own Green Zone of possibility? You'll hear the small steps that led to big breakthroughs, and the unexpected sources of strength that helped them rewrite their story. Curious how to break the silence, find your community, and turn fear into fierce advocacy? Press play and step into the Green Zone with us—where your family's journey is seen, celebrated, and never walked alone! Listen now and share with a fellow parent—you never know who might need to hear that hope is just around the corner.**

    26 min

  5. 07/28/2025 ·  Video

    Episode 4 - Refill Your Cup: Overcoming Caregiver Burnout and Challenging Behaviors

    Think you've heard it all about the challenges of raising a neurodiverse child? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, Vicky and Pier go beyond the familiar hurdles—stigma, isolation, misunderstanding, and financial strain—to reveal four more obstacles that don't get nearly enough attention. Tune in as they share the hard truths about the ongoing scramble for specialized services, and why even the most determined parents can feel lost in a maze of red tape and waiting lists. Ever wondered how other families cope with relentless caregiver burnout? Vicky and Pier open up about the small but powerful rituals that help them reclaim their energy—and sanity. But that's not all. If you've ever felt at a loss during your child's most challenging moments, you'll want to hear their practical, compassion-driven strategies for turning meltdowns into moments of connection. And for anyone worried about the impact on siblings, this episode offers fresh ideas for nurturing every member of your family—even when life feels anything but balanced. Curious how to refill your own cup, support all your children, and find hope in the hard days? Don't miss this episode—where real talk meets real solutions, and every parent is reminded: you are not alone.**

    26 min
  6. How our Mindset as Parents Shapes our Neurodiverse Children's Futures

    05/06/2025 ·  Video

    How our Mindset as Parents Shapes our Neurodiverse Children's Futures

    In this inspiring episode, Vicky and Pier open up about the powerful role that parental perception plays in shaping the future of neurodiverse children. They discuss how a parent's beliefs and expectations about what is possible for their child can significantly influence the opportunities and outcomes that unfold. Drawing from their own journey with their daughter Gabbi, Vicky and Pier share candid stories about the challenges and triumphs they have experienced as a neurodiverse family. They reflect on how maintaining a hopeful and open mindset has helped them support Gabbi's growth and resilience, even in the face of uncertainty. Listeners will discover practical tools and strategies that Vicky and Pier use to stay positive and proactive about Gabbi's future. From reframing limiting beliefs to celebrating small victories, they offer heartfelt advice for other parents navigating similar paths. Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation that highlights the transformative power of optimism, advocacy, and unconditional love in the lives of neurodiverse children and their families.

    27 min
  7. A Journey from an Autism Diagnosis to Acceptance

    04/15/2025 ·  Video

    A Journey from an Autism Diagnosis to Acceptance

    Finding Our Way: A Journey from Diagnosis to Acceptance In this heartfelt episode, Vicky and Pier share their emotional journey upon receiving an autism diagnosis for their daughter, Gabbi. Through their story, we explore the diverse and deeply personal reactions parents experience when faced with such news. This episode highlights how each family's unique path toward acceptance opens the door to supporting their child and moving beyond the confines of denial. Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of embracing a new reality, discovering that acceptance is not just the destination but the key to truly helping your child thrive.

    15 min

  8. 03/13/2023

    Haley Moss- An Inspirational Story of Success!

    Haley Moss is a lawyer, neurodiversity expert, and the author of four books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. She is a consultant to top corporations and nonprofits that seek her guidance in creating a diverse workplace and a sought-after commentator on disability rights issues.  The first openly autistic lawyer in Florida, Haley's books include "Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals'' (ABA Book Publishing; June 2021) and "The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook" (Jessica Kingsley Publishers; November 2021). Her articles have appeared in outlets including the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and Fast Company.

    56 min
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About

Join Vicky and Pier Westra as they embark on a transformative journey from the "Red Zone" of stress and anxiety to the uplifting "Green Zone," where life is filled with positivity, hope, and immeasurable joy. As parents of a daughter on the Autism Spectrum, Vicky and Pier have navigated unique challenges and have emerged with valuable insights that they are eager to share. In this heartfelt and inspiring podcast, they offer practical tools and techniques for embracing a more fulfilling life, while welcoming esteemed guests who bring their own wisdom and resources for living in the Green Zone. Tune in to discover a community of support, resilience, and optimism, as we explore how to turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth and happiness. www.neuro-shifts.org

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