Thrive Like A Parent

Dr. Brooke Weinstein

This podcast is different from all the other parenting podcasts you’ve seen. Dr. B gets real and open about the true struggles of parenthood. It’ll be messy, entertaining, educational and real! No quick band aid fixes but an authentic journey to THRIVING in parenthood. Think of Dr. B as a personal trainer for your brain. Cause this sh*t is REAL. She specializes in neuroscience based sensory and emotional regulation. But the good news is you don’t have to be a neuro science geek to learn all the brilliant tips and tricks to make your life so much easier in parenthood * New episode every Friday.

  1. 16H AGO

    Beyond “Shipping Kids Off”: The Real Impact of Sleepaway Camp on Boys’ Emotional Growth

    EP:178 On this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m bringing you a very special conversation with someone who has become a huge part of my children’s lives: Andy Shlensky, owner and director of North Star Camp for Boys. If you’ve ever wondered whether sleepaway camp is worth it, worried about homesickness, safety, or the cost, or felt guilty for wanting a break as a parent, this episode is for you. I’m honest about why camp is part of my own respite care as a single mom, and how I moved from fear and a negative camp experience with my son to finding a place that truly feels like home for my boys. Andy and I dive into: Why camp isn’t just “shipping your kids off”, but a powerful space for emotional growth, independence, and resilience How North Star builds a culture where kindness, character, and friendship matter more than being “cool” The intentional ways they teach boys to identify and express their feelings, from cabin campfires to gratitude “key logs” and mood meters What really happens during group dynamics at camp (honeymoon, storming, norming, and performing) and why conflict is actually a healthy, teachable part of relationships The reality of camp safety, how camps prepare, and what questions you should be asking as a parent Why there truly is a camp for every kid and every budget, and how scholarships and financial aid open doors for more families You’ll also hear some personal stories about my boys—how they came home more confident, accountable, and connected, and why my child literally ran off the plane saying, “I want to go for eight weeks!” If you’re a parent on the fence about sleepaway camp, afraid of letting go, or just curious how to raise more emotionally aware, grounded, and resilient kids, this conversation will give you both reassurance and practical insight. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent who’s considering camp or feeling overwhelmed by summer planning. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review for Thrive Like a Parent—it helps this message reach more families who need it. And if you want more support in navigating your child’s emotions (and your own), follow me on Instagram @brookeweinst and check out my resources to help you thrive as a parent, not just survive.   Episode Sponsor: I’m thrilled to introduce Mindful Mamas — a maternal mental wellness app built by moms, for moms. From fertility and pregnancy to motherhood at every stage, Mindful Mamas offers guided meditations, sleep support, mood tracking, and a supportive community. Enjoy your first month FREE by downloading the app in the App Store or Google Play, or visit www.mindfulmamasclub.com/thrivelikeaparent. Because no mom should have to do this alone. #ThriveLikeAParent #BrookeWeinstein #SummerCamp #SleepawayCamp #NorthStarCamp #Mindfulmamas #RaisingBoys #ConsciousParenting #GentleParenting #EmotionalIntelligence #ResilientKids #ParentingPodcast #NeurodiversityAffirming #ParentingSupport #MomLife #BoyMom #CampLife #ScreenFreeKids #ChildDevelopment #AnxiousParents #Homesickness #ParentingTips #PositiveParenting

    47 min
  2. JAN 30

    Parenting for a Healthy Brain: Chores, Consequences, and Real-World Responsibility

    EP:177 In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m walking you step-by-step through what really happened with the dishes in the sink and how I handled it—not just as a mom, but as a clinician who is always thinking about the brain. I share exactly how I parent my boys (9 and 12) with clear boundaries, natural consequences, and deep connection at the same time. You’ll hear how I used our Hearth chore system, why I refused to bail them out after a full sink of dishes, and how I turned a frustrating moment into: A teachable moment about roles and responsibilities A reset on respect for our home, our helper, and each other A day of repair, reconnection, and true accountability We talk about: Why I refuse to choose between connection and boundaries How I parent for a healthy brain, not just a “happy in the moment” child The truth about gentle / conscious parenting culture and where it’s gone too far Why keeping kids busy, productive, and capable actually supports their mental health What it really looks like to stay in the driver’s seat of parenting—without screaming, shaming, or people-pleasing your kids If you feel like you’re stuck in the passenger seat—walking on eggshells around one child, afraid to follow through on consequences, or worried you’ll “break the connection” if you actually parent—you are not alone, and this episode is for you. If you’re listening and thinking, “I have no idea where to start, but something has to change,” I’d love to support you. We’re running a February special on our 1:1 coaching specifically focused on: Parenting dynamics Family roles and responsibilities Rebuilding connection while holding firm, calm boundaries If you’re ready to get back in the driver’s seat of your parenting: Send me a DM and tell me you heard this episode. Fill out the application (link in show notes / bio). Hop on a call with my team and see if this is the right next step for you. This is not a quick-fix, band-aid approach. It’s real brain-based, long-term change—for you, your child, and your entire family system. Hashtags: #ThriveLikeAParent #BrainBasedParenting #ConsciousParenting #GentleParenting #ParentingBoundaries #NaturalConsequences #SoloParenting #RespectfulParenting #RaisingConfidentKids #ParentingSupport #ParentCoach #NeurodiversityAffirming #MentalHealthForMoms #MomBurnoutRecovery #ParentingTips

    31 min
  3. JAN 23

    Saying the Hard Things: How Honesty Heals Anxiety and Burnout

    EP:176 In this episode, I’m getting really honest about what it actually takes to own your voice and your self-worth—especially when you’ve spent years people-pleasing, peacekeeping, and prioritizing everyone else’s opinions over your own. I share stories from my own life—walking away from a successful business, losing my marriage, navigating my family dynamics—and how learning to trust my inner voice (even when it cost me everything I thought I wanted) became the foundation of my peace, joy, and mental health. We’ll talk about: Why you stay small, doubt yourself, and fear “rocking the boat” How internalizing everything leads to anxiety, burnout, and even panic attacks Why verbalizing your emotions (with a safe person or space) is a powerful regulation tool The role of self-validation vs. chasing approval from partners, parents, or friends How small, consistent “hard conversations” slowly rewire your brain and build unshakable self-worth. My hope is that as you listen, you start to recognize where you’re abandoning your own voice—and feel empowered to take one small step toward speaking your truth, even if it feels wildly uncomfortable. You are not broken. You’re just not used to honoring yourself yet. If this episode hit home, I’d love to support you more deeply. Apply for Thrive or 1:1 support to start owning your voice in a sustainable, regulated way. Screenshot this episode, share it on Instagram, and tag me @brookeweinstein with your biggest takeaway. Make a list today of 3 hard truths you’ve been holding back—and choose one to gently practice saying out loud. You are 1000% capable of discomfort. You are 1000% capable of saying the hard thing. And you are absolutely worthy of a life that feels like yours. #ThriveLikeAParent #OwnYourVoice #SelfWorthJourney #PeoplePleasingRecovery #AnxietyHealing #EmotionalRegulation #MentalHealthPodcast #WomenWhoSpeakUp #BoundariesAreHealthy #Neuroplasticity #EnneagramGrowth #HealingFromWithin #AuthenticLiving #HonestConversations #BrookeWeinstein

    22 min
  4. JAN 16

    You Won’t Break Them: How Structure, Natural Consequences, and Leadership Create Safe Kids

    EP:175 Are you secretly parenting from fear? In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I break down fear-based parenting and how letting your kids sit in the driver’s seat might be quietly burning you out and confusing their brains. I share my own story—raising two boys who’ve walked through deep grief, my fears about their mental health, and how I swung too far into “all emotions, no boundaries” before I learned to bring logic, structure, and leadership back into our home. You’ll hear real-life examples of what this looks like: from chores and morning routines, to what happens when your child refuses to go to school, says “I hate you,” or melts down when you set a limit. We talk about: Why so many of us are scared to set boundaries (and terrified we’ll “mess up” our kids) How structure = safety for your child’s brain What natural consequences can look like without shaming, isolating, or punishing Simple ways to start shifting from passenger to confident, compassionate leader in your home Why parenting the child in front of you, not the child you fear they’ll become, changes everything If you’re exhausted, drowning in guilt, and terrified of “ruining” your kids, this episode is your permission slip to get back in the driver’s seat—with love, clarity, and leadership that actually supports your child’s emotional and neurological health. If this episode hit home for you: Screenshot and share it on your stories and tag me @brookeweinst so I can cheer you on. Comment or DM me your most challenging parenting scenario—I may answer it in a future episode. Subscribe and leave a review so more parents can find support, regulation, and real-talk tools like these. #ThriveLikeAParent #FearBasedParenting #ConsciousParenting #GentleParenting #ParentingBoundaries #NaturalConsequences #EmotionallyHealthyKids #ParentingFromLogicAndLove #ChildBrainDevelopment #PeacefulParenting #StrongWilledChild #ParentingAnxiousKids #ParentingPodcast #BrookeWeinstein

    37 min
  5. JAN 9

    Living with Hashimoto’s: My Holistic Healing Journey and What’s Actually Worked

    EP:174 In this episode, I’m finally taking you behind the scenes of my Hashimoto’s journey—from being told I was “in remission” to hitting a full-blown flare that looked a lot like grief, burnout, and perimenopause all rolled into one. I’ll walk you through the timeline of my diagnosis, the scary symptoms (brain fog, hair loss, fatigue, joint pain, irregular cycles, sudden weight loss), and how I slowly realized this wasn’t “just stress” or “just motherhood”… it was my thyroid and my nervous system screaming for help. I’m sharing exactly what I tried, what I quit, and what I still use today: low-dose naltrexone, why I chose not to start thyroid meds (for now), getting my IUD removed, my experience with functional and holistic doctors, parasite cleanses, Candida protocols, coffee enemas (spoiler: hard pass), and the vitamins, supplements, and Standard Process cleanse that actually help me feel human again. Most importantly, I’ll talk about how learning to read my own body—my flares, fatigue, mood, sleep, and stress—has turned me into my own best advocate, not a passive patient waiting for someone else to “fix” me. If you’re dealing with Hashimoto’s, thyroid issues, perimenopause, hormone chaos, or you just feel “off” and dismissed by doctors, this episode will help you feel seen, give you language for what you’re experiencing, and remind you that you’re allowed to trust yourself, ask questions, and choose what feels right for YOUR body. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who’s struggling with unexplained symptoms, and leave your questions or takeaways in the comments/review—I’d love to do a follow-up episode answering what I didn’t get to here. And if you’re ready to support your nervous system and body on a deeper level, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and my newsletter so you don’t miss future episodes and resources. #Hashimotos #ThyroidHealth #AutoimmuneDisease #HashimotosJourney #Perimenopause #HormoneHealth #WomensHealth #HolisticHealth #FunctionalMedicine #ThyroidSupport #NervousSystemRegulation #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #HairLoss #GutHealth #AntiInflammatoryDiet #GlutenFree #DairyFree #WomenOver35 #BurnoutRecovery #SelfAdvocacy #ListenToYourBody #BrookeWeinstein #ThriveLikeAParent #PodcastEpisode

    33 min
  6. JAN 2

    The First Steps Out of Fight or Flight: What Healing Really Feels Like

    EP:173 In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m getting real about what it actually feels like when you start coming out of fight or flight—and why it often feels worse before it feels better. I walk you through my own journey of living in survival mode for years: high-risk pregnancies, preemies, solo parenting, Jonathan’s mental health struggles, his passing, and the long, messy process of grief. I share how year one after losing Jonathan was pure fight or flight, and how year two was a completely different kind of hard: deep exhaustion, brain fog, heaviness, and feeling “lazy” even though it was really my nervous system finally trying to land the plane. We’ll talk about: The real signs you’re coming out of fight or flight (and why it can mimic depression) Why you feel so tired, unproductive, and snappy with loved ones How your brain has been patterned to believe go-go-go = safety Why slowing down feels terrifying, “wrong,” or like you’re failing What your body actually needs: sleep, water, nourishment, gentle movement, and true rest How society and immediacy culture keep us stuck in overfunctioning and burnout. I’ll give you permission (and language) to tell your brain, “I am safe,” even when you’re resting on the couch and that inner critic is screaming “lazy.” This episode is your reminder that feeling heavy, tired, and low when you step out of survival mode does not mean you’re broken—it means your brain and body are recalibrating. If you’re ready to slowly step out of fight or flight, three to five percent at a time, this conversation will help you feel seen, understood, and not alone. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who’s been living in survival mode. If you’re ready for support in regulating your nervous system and stepping out of fight or flight, join Thrive or check out my on-demand courses to start building your real-life toolbox today. Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway from this episode. Links & Resources: 📘 Check out more episodes of Thrive Like a Parent - https://drbrookeweinstein.com/thrive-podcast/ 📸 Follow Dr. B on Instagram -   https://bit.ly/48VZI5e   🌐 Visit our website for more resources on self-care and well-being - https://drbrookeweinstein.com #FightOrFlight #NervousSystemRegulation #TraumaRecovery #GriefJourney #SoloParenting #AnxietySupport #BurnoutRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #SurvivalMode #EmotionalExhaustion #ParentingInSurvivalMode #BrookeWeinstein #ThriveLikeAParent #RestIsProductive #RegulateDontDominate

    39 min
  7. 12/26/2025

    Protecting Your Energy: Trauma-Informed Yoga, Grief, and Nervous System Healing with Zabie Yamasaki

    EP:172 In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I sit down with my dear friend Zabie Yamasaki – trauma-informed yoga educator, author, survivor advocate, and founder of Transcending Trauma Through Yoga. Zabie and I dive deep into what it really means to heal your nervous system, reclaim your body after trauma, and honor your capacity as a human, a parent, and a highly sensitive soul. Zabie shares her powerful story as a survivor of sexual trauma, her journey through grief, IVF, pregnancy loss, and her husband’s cancer diagnosis, and how trauma-informed yoga became both her personal lifeline and her professional calling. We talk about: The difference between traditional vinyasa yoga and trauma-informed yoga (and why language and choice matter so much) How trauma lives in the body through anxiety, insomnia, GI issues, and chronic burnout Why movement can be a core regulator and healer—and how to choose the right kind of movement for your nervous system on any given day Letting go of hustle and urgency and learning to live “real slow” instead of “real quick” Honoring your capacity, boundaries, and energy without shame Redefining success as softer mornings, presence with your kids, and a regulated nervous system If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve been in survival mode for years and didn’t even realize it” or “I don’t know how to listen to my body, I just keep pushing,” this episode will feel like a big exhale and a loving permission slip. If this conversation resonated with you: Screenshot this episode and tag me @brookeweinstn and Zabie @transcending_trauma_with_yoga on Instagram. Tell us your biggest takeaway. Share this episode with a friend who’s navigating trauma, grief, burnout, or motherhood and needs to know they’re not alone. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast – it helps this work reach more nervous systems that need it. #ThriveLikeAParent #TraumaInformedYoga #NervousSystemHealing #SomaticHealing #TraumaRecovery #GriefSupport #IVFJourney #BurnoutRecovery #HighlySensitivePerson #MentalHealthPodcast #AnxietyHealing #ParentingWithTrauma #HolisticHealing #YogaForTrauma #RegulateYourNervousSystem #MindBodyConnection #EmotionalHealth #SelfRegulation #HealingAfterLoss #ProtectYourEnergy

    45 min
  8. 12/19/2025

    Baseball, Burnout, and Becoming 40: My Aha Moments from a Wild Year

    EP:171 This solo episode has been a long time coming. I’m finally sitting down to walk you through what the last few months have really looked like behind the scenes — the baseball fields, the retreats, the business highs, the gut punches, and turning 40 in the most unexpectedly beautiful way. I take you with me through: Motherhood in the thick of it – Eli’s select baseball, Charlie’s umpiring journey, and what it’s been like to finally feel joy and “magic” again after years of grief. Big work seasons and leadership retreats – the conversations that lit my brain on fire, falling in love (again) with the business side of what I do, and why connecting with other women fills my cup. Mother Collective & Smarty Pants events – the deep, honest talks with women who are quietly suffering in their relationships, being called “crazy,” gaslit, and doubting their own reality. I share how that mirrors my past, and why self-worth and nervous system regulation are non‑negotiables. Trust, family, and my 40th birthday – the painful “no” from my family, the overwhelming surprise Carter planned with my best friends at Miraval, and what it brought up about being loved, chosen, and celebrated. Underneath all of it is this: learning to trust yourself, protect your peace, regulate your nervous system, and refuse to be spoken to or treated in ways that don’t feel safe or respectful. If this episode hits home, please: Share it with a friend who needs to hear they are not crazy and not alone.. Hit follow and leave a review so more parents can find this work. Screenshot and tag the show so I can see what resonated most and keep creating what you need. #motherhood #momlife #parenting #selfworth #nervoussystemregulation #mentalhealth #healing #griefjourney #toxicrelationships #gaslighting #marriage #relationshipadvice #baseballmom #anxiety #burnoutrecovery #boundaries #hashimotos #personaldevelopment #podcast

    51 min
4.7
out of 5
134 Ratings

About

This podcast is different from all the other parenting podcasts you’ve seen. Dr. B gets real and open about the true struggles of parenthood. It’ll be messy, entertaining, educational and real! No quick band aid fixes but an authentic journey to THRIVING in parenthood. Think of Dr. B as a personal trainer for your brain. Cause this sh*t is REAL. She specializes in neuroscience based sensory and emotional regulation. But the good news is you don’t have to be a neuro science geek to learn all the brilliant tips and tricks to make your life so much easier in parenthood * New episode every Friday.

You Might Also Like