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Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Full-Tilt Parenting is a podcast for parents raising neurodivergent children, hosted by Debbie Reber. It covers topics like ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, PDA, giftedness, and twice-exceptional kids. The show offers expert interviews and practical advice on school challenges, therapy, advocacy, and fostering inclusion through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. It aims to reduce overwhelm and help families create a thriving environment.
Episodes
TPP 091a: A Conversation With Steve Silberman About His Book “Neurotribes”
My guest this week is Steve Silberman, an award-winning science writer who authored the 2015 book NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, a brilliant book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently. Steve’s articles have appeared in Wired, t
TPP 521: A Conversation with Dr. Peter Gray About Restoring Childhood
I’m talking with developmental psychologist Dr. Peter Gray about his new book, Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety, which challenges one of the dominant narratives about the youth mental health crisis: that smartphones and social media are largely to blame for the rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among kids. Peter argues that this picture
TPP 253a: Advocate and Author Jonathan Mooney on Why Normal Sucks
I’m excited to share this powerful and gut-punching conversation with Jonathan Mooney, a self-described “do-gooder,” speaker, and writer who didn’t learn to read until he was 12-years-old. Growing up with Dyslexia, Jonathan faced a number of low expectations: he was told he would be a high-school dropout and likely end up in jail. Instead, he earned a degree in English Literature, started his fir
TPP 520: Dr. Özgür Bolat on Why Rewards Backfire and the Real Science of Motivating Kids
In this conversation, Debbie Reber speaks with Dr. Özgür Bolat about his book The Reward Trap and the hidden costs of using rewards to motivate children. Dr. Bolat explains that rewards may create short-term compliance, but they often undermine intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, and long-term confidence by teaching kids that love and approval are conditional on performance.
Drawing from hi
TPP 519: Brendan Mahan on Overcoming the Wall of Awful
What if the reason you or your child can’t “just do the thing” is not laziness, but a Wall of Awful built from repeated frustration, shame, anxiety, and failure? Brendan Mahan breaks down the hidden emotional barrier behind procrastination, avoidance, and shutdown - and shows how to actually get through it without burning out.
Debbie Reber welcomes Brendan back to unpack his new book, Overcoming
TPP 426a: Georgie Wisen-Vincent on Unlocking Our Kids’ Emotional Balance and Resilience with The Way of Play
Joining me is Georgie Wisen-Vincent, an expert in play therapy and co-author, alongside Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, of the new book The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids.
In today’s episode, Georgie shares insights from The Way of Play and explains why play is a universal language that helps kids express their feelings and navigate life’s challenges.
TPP 518: Good Sleeping for Neurodivergent Kids, with Dr. Melisa Moore
Today we’re talking about the complex and often misunderstood sleep challenges that show up in neurodivergent kids with Dr. Melisa Moore, a clinical psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and has spent years supporting children, teens, and young adults with sleep and mood concerns. We’ll talk about some of the concepts in Melisa’s new book, The Good Sleep Guide for Neuro
TPP 352a: Occupational Therapist Kelly Mahler on the Power in Understanding & Supporting Neurodivergent Kids' Interoception Experience
I wanted to explore this concept of interoception and differently wired kids more deeply for the show, so I reached out to Kelly Mahler, an occupational therapist who specializes in interoception and is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma, and autism.
Kelly answered my big questions about interoception, inclu
TPP 517: James Guttman on Becoming the Father His Autistic Son Needed
Today I’m talking with James Guttman, author of Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation. James is the father of a nonspeaking autistic son and a neurotypical daughter, and through his writing and podcast he shares an honest, deeply personal perspective on fatherhood, autism, and the journey toward acceptance.
One of the reasons I wanted to have
TPP 280a: Occupational Therapist Rosemary White Talks about DIR / Floortime
Pediatric and occupational therapist Rosemary White explains the philosophy behind DIR / Floortime as a powerful modality to support children's sensory, motor, and social / emotional development.
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TPP 516: A Conversation with Dr. Gila About Supporting Single Parents of Neurodivergent Kids
Today we’re talking about a parenting experience that comes with its own unique set of challenges and complexities: raising neurodivergent kids as a single parent. My guest is Dr. Gila, a clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, certified parenting coach, and single mom who is passionate about helping grownups support beautifully complex kids with compassion, connection, and brain-based tools tha
TPP 104b: Dr. Lori Baudino on the Power of Movement, Dance, and the Mind/Body Connection
Dance/movement therapist Dr. Lori Baudino talks about how teaching differently wired kids to tap into the mind-body connection can help with emotional regulation, social communication, and more.
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TPP 515: Dr. Emily King & the Neurodivergent Learner: A New Approach to Your Child's Success
Today we’re exploring a more holistic, humane approach to supporting neurodivergent learners — one that starts with understanding the nervous system and builds from there. My guest is Dr. Emily King, a child psychologist who has spent more than 20 years working with neurodivergent youth in both school settings and private practice. She’s the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional d
TPP 421a: A Bonus Conversation with Dr. Stuart Shanker about Self-Regulation and Helping Our Children Successfully Engage with Life
Dr. Stuart Shanker, author of Self-Reg, shares his expertise on self-regulation, offering practical strategies and compassionate insights to help neurodivergent kids and their families manage stress and build self-awareness.
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TPP 514: An Introduction to Neurodiversity-Affirming OT, with Dr. Bryden Carlson-Giving
Today, I’m joined by Bryden Carlson-Giving, an occupational therapy practitioner and the creator of the EMPOWER model, the first neurodiversity-affirming OT framework. Bryden is both neurodivergent and disabled himself, and his work focuses on helping practitioners challenge ableism and create more supportive, affirming environments for neurodivergent individuals.
In our conversation, Bryden walk
TPP 324a: A Conversation about Declarative Language and Co-Regulation, with Linda Murphy
Linda Murphy describes declarative language as a positive, thoughtful communication style that emphasizes understanding, patience, respect, and kindness, and as you’ll hear from our conversation, it is an ideal communication style for really all children, but especially neurodivergent children and kids whose nervous systems are triggered by demands or more imperative communication styles. We discu
TPP 513: Understanding Dysgraphia: Beyond the Surface of Messy Handwriting, with Kelli Fetter
Today we’re diving into dysgraphia—what it is, how it’s different from general handwriting struggles, and why so many kids go unsupported for far too long. My guest is Kelli Fetter, a certified handwriting specialist and occupational therapist, and the founder of Handwriting Solutions. Kelli breaks down the neurological underpinnings of dysgraphia, how it can show up differently from child to chil
TPP 311a: Deb Dana on Befriending Our Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory
Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant, and author, gives us a primer of the key points of Polyvagal Theory, and in doing so, explains the ways in which it can support the way we parent our differently-wired kids. Deb explains the nervous system pathways, why co-regulation is essential to our survival, what befriending and listening to our autonomic nervous system looks like in practice, and the benefi
TPP 512: Dr. Katie Hurley on the "Manosphere" & Breaking the Boy Code
Today we’re talking about boys—the messages they receive about emotions, strength, masculinity, and what it means to “be a man” in today’s world. My guest is Dr. Katie Hurley, a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting educator, and Vice President of Community Initiatives for The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Katie is the author of severa
TPP 511: Jessica Patay on Building Brave Communities for Caregivers
Today we’re talking about the power of community, resilience, and what it really means to show up bravely in the caregiver parenting journey. My guest is fellow community builder and mom on a mission Jessica Patay, the founder of We Are Brave Together, a global community supporting moms raising children with disabilities and other unique needs. Jessica’s work is deeply rooted in her own experience
TPP 305a: Stuart Shanker on What Self-Regulation Is, Why It Matters, and How to Help Our Children (and Ourselves) Do It Better
We are kicking off this season with a conversation with Dr. Stuart Shanker, who I first learned about through my friend Seth Perler as he’s been part of the TEFOS Summit. I love Stuart's message and recently devoured his book Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage With Life, and wanted to dive deeper with Stuart about it. In this episode, we get i
TPP 510: Mark Talaga on the Hidden Challenges of Giftedness in the Digital Age
Today we’re exploring the intersection of giftedness, identity, and belonging—and what it means to support gifted kids in a world that’s changing faster than ever. My guest is Mark Talaga, director of the Center for Identity Potential, where he focuses on helping young people understand themselves more deeply and develop a grounded sense of who they are.
In our conversation, Mark and I talk about
TPP 335a: Amanda Diekman Dropping Demands, Restoring Calm, and Finding Connection with Your Uniquely Wired Child
Today I’m talking with Amanda Diekman, author of the book, Low-demand Parenting: Dropping Demands, Restoring Calm, and Finding Connection With Your Uniquely Wired Child
Because low-demand parenting can be such an effective approach to supporting differently wired kids, especially kids who fall under the PDA profile of autism, I invited Amanda to join the show for a conversation about what this pa
TPP 509: Martina Nova on What Couples Get Wrong About Parenting Alignment
Today we’re talking about something that can make or break the parenting experience: how we align with our partners in raising our kids. My guest is clinical counselor Martina Nova, author of the new book Same Page Parenting, where she offers a practical framework for helping couples move out of blame and into more honest, connected conversations about parenting.
In our conversation, Martina and
TPP 317a: A Conversation About Autistic Burnout with Neurodivergent Support Specialist Kristy Forbes
Kristy Forbes joins me to talk about what autistic burnout is and how it
presents, why “deep rest” is critical for someone experiencing autistic
burnout, and how autistic burnout is differentiated from mood disorders or depression. We also talk frankly about the challenges of seeing burnout in autistic / PDA children through a neuronormative lens, and how that may lead to therapies and strategi
TPP 508: Dr. Zachary Rubin on What Every Parent Should Understand About Allergies
Today we’re diving into the complex and often overwhelming world of allergies, asthma, and related conditions—and what it really takes to support kids (and families) living with them. My guest is Dr. Zachary Rubin, a double board-certified pediatrician and allergist/immunologist who’s known for making allergy science accessible and understandable to millions. He’s also the author of the new book,
TPP 507: A Conversation with Dr. Destiny Huff About Neuroaffirming Advocacy in School
Today we’re diving into what it really looks like to advocate for our neurodivergent kids in school in a way that’s truly aligned with who they are. My guest is Dr. Destiny Huff, a trauma therapist, advocate, and educator whose work is deeply informed by her own lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic mother.
In our conversation, we explore the limitations and pitfalls of traditional IEP pr
TPP 307a: Eliza Fricker Talks Parenting a Child with PDA
Eliza Fricker joins me to talk about PDA or pathological demand avoidance – and in fact I know many people interpret PDA as persistent desire for autonomy. I’ve done a few episodes on PDA before but never from a parent’s perspective so after reading Eliza’s book, The Family Experience of PDA, I knew I wanted to share her perspective with the Tilt community. During this episode, we talked about how
TPP 506: A Deep Dive into Autistic Burnout in Children with Jodie Clarke
Today we’re talking about autistic burnout—what it is, how it shows up in children and young people, and what it actually takes to support recovery. My guest is Jodie Clarke, an autistic and ADHD professional with more than 20 years of experience specializing in autistic experience and mental health, particularly in children and teens. In this episode, Jodie talks about the signs and causes of aut
TPP 301a: Navigating Big Life Transitions with Differently Wired Children (a Solocast)
Our family has gone through our fair share of big changes, which you’ll hear all about in this episode, so this is something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. Especially as a parent of a differently wired kid, I know that there are some extra challenges that might come up when their routines, environment, life circumstances, or supports change, and our kids are also more likely to
Dr. Susan Baum on 2e Learners & Elmbridge University’s Program on Cognitive Diversity
This is a short, special mini-episode I’m sharing because my friends at Elmbridge University (formerly Bridges Academy) let me know that
enrollment is now open for the next cohort of their truly unique graduate program in cognitive diversity in education, and application deadlines are coming up in June.
When Dr. Susan Baum—one of the leading voices in twice-exceptionality and Chancellor of the
TPP 505: What Happens When We’re No Longer Here? Financial Planning for Differently Wired Families
Today we’re talking about something many families know they need to think about—but often don’t know where to begin: financial planning for children with disabilities. My guest is Mary McDirmid, a Chartered Special Needs Consultant and the co-founder and COO of All Needs Planning, a nationwide firm built by caregivers, for caregivers. In our conversation, Mary walks us through why proactive planni
TPP 375a: How Can Our Family Navigate Vacations When They Throw Off My Child's Need for Routine
In this Parent Lean-In episode, Debbie answers a listener’s question about how to travel and navigate vacations with a child who is tied to routines. Debbie shares her past experiences and offers tips for pre-trip planning, addressing concerns ahead of time, establishing new routines while traveling, being flexible, using visual aids, and getting the child active and moving, and more.
Resource
TPP 504: Celia Bray on Staying Anchored in an Intense World
Today we’re exploring what it means to reconnect with our bodies and how that can transform not just our emotional health, but our parenting and relationships as well, with Celia Bray, a psychologist, somatic therapist, and the award-winning author of Inscribed: Your Body’s Hidden Script. In our conversation, Celia shares her own journey from disconnection to what she calls somatic mastery, and wh
TPP 015b: A Conversation with 11-year-old Asher About Travel and Vacation Strategies
11-year-old Asher joins me to share our best tips and strategies for making travel run more smoothly and having successful vacations with neurodivergent kids. As much as many families and their children may
love going on vacation, the change in routine, different foods, shifting expectations, and new stimuli can even turn a trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth” (Disneyland) into one full of st
TPP 503: The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 3)
You may recall that last fall, my friend and colleague Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families, the author of four books on ADHD including Boy Without Instructions, and the host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, and I did a two-part series on what it really looks like to support our neurodivergent young adults as they move toward living self-determined lives – Part one was h
TPP 013b: Margaret Webb Shares Tools & Mindsets for Surviving Summer Break
I’m excited to be bringing parenting coach Margaret Webb back to the
podcast this week. Margaret helps parents find more peace in parenting the child they didn’t expect when they were expecting, and part of her work is supporting parents survive summer break. Many parents (and not just parents raising differently-wired kids) limp across the finish line of a long school year only to find themselv
TPP 502: Alex Mortlock Explains Circadian Rhythm & Complex Sleep Challenges
Today we’re diving into the nuanced world of circadian rhythm sleep syndromes, and how biological and environmental factors intersect in shaping our children’s sleep. My guest is Alex Mortlock, a registered clinical psychologist who has been in practice since 2010, with training rooted in evidence-based approaches to mental health. Alex will help us unpack what’s actually happening when a child’s
TPP 501: An Intimate Conversation with Debbie & Derin About Their Co-Parenting Journey (Part 3)
In this special episode, I’m joined by my husband, Derin, for a candid and heartfelt reflection on our journey together—more than eight years of parenting, navigating relationship shifts, and supporting our neurodivergent child through adolescence and into early adulthood. This is a personal conversation for us, one where we open up about what this path has really looked like behind the scenes.
W
TPP 319a: Dr. Gail Post on the Gifted Parenting Journey and Support for Families of Gifted Children
Dr. Gail Post, the psychologist behind the popular Gifted Challenge blog, joins me to talk about her book, The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children, which combines research, theory, and clinical experience, and extends her advocacy efforts to address the needs of parents of gifted children.
In this episode, we dive into the realities of p
Episode 500: 10 Years Later: How We’ve Changed, How the Movement Has Grown (And What Comes Next)
In this special 10-year anniversary and 500th episode of Tilt
Parenting, I’m turning the spotlight toward the community that has
shaped the show from the beginning. I’ll share key findings from a new
parent survey about the lived experience of raising neurodivergent kids,
including the profound isolation many families feel and the hard-won
confidence parents develop as they learn to support t
TPP 284a: Maria Kennedy on What's Needed & What's Next in the Movement to Support 2e Students
Supporting 2e students continues to be one of the biggest challenges for those of us raising twice-exceptional children, and today we’re going to do a deep dive into how to do this. Maria Kennedy, director of the Bridges Educational Group at Bridges Academy joins me to talk about how the definition of giftedness in some countries keeps gifted students from getting into gifted programs, the import
You Might Also Like: Everyone Gets a Juice Box, from Understood.org
Listen to an episode of Understood.org’s new podcast, Everyone Gets a Juice Box, about the messy realities of neurodiverse parenting with journalist and radio host Jessica Shaw. As a mom of two, she brings honesty and humor to the everyday chaos, victories, and challenges of raising kids who learn and think differently.
In this episode, I’m the guest, and I share the story of how we ended up h
TPP 499: Stephanie Malia Krauss Shares Insights Into How We Thrive
Today we’re talking about what it really means to thrive in a world that often feels overwhelming—for our kids and for us. My guest is Stephanie Malia Krauss, author, speaker, and strategist whose new book How We Thrive: Caring for Kids and Ourselves in a Changing World explores the urgent need to protect the human essentials—things like sleep, play, connection, and wonder—that modern life so ofte
TPP 254a: Insight into a Bright Mind: A Neuroscientist's Personal Stories of Original Thinking
Dr Nicole Tetreault was propelled to study neuroscience after her mother’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. She then went on her own journey of self-discovery while supporting her twice-exceptional son, and recognizing many traits in herself. All this culminated in her new book Insight Into a Bright Mind: A Neuroscientist’s Personal Stories of Unique Thinking, which melds groundbreaking researc
TPP 498: A Conversation with Dr. Mary Claire Haver About Perimenopause
Today we’re diving into a topic that so many women experience but far too few of us are adequately prepared for—perimenopause. My guest is Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OB-GYN, Certified Menopause Practitioner, and New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause and her most recent book, The New Perimenopause. Through her clinical work, her online programs like The Galveston Diet
TPP 86a: Dr. Mike Postma on the Plight of Gifted & 2e (Twice Exceptional) Children
Dr. Mike Postma joins me for a personal conversation about the many challenges facing gifted and 2e / twice-exceptional students, especially social and emotional challenges, and this is one of those episodes that just might leave you feeling pensive, concerned, and ignited all at the same time.
About Dr. Mike Postma
Dr. Michael Postma is an educator, author, speaker, coach and consultant dedi
TPP 497: The Inner Work Behind Staying Present, with Matthew Fishleder
Today we’re turning the lens inward and talking about the inner life of parents—especially those of us raising neurodivergent kids. My guest is Matthew Fishleder, a licensed marriage and family therapist who works with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, and the emotional complexity of being human. A central focus of Matthew’s work is supporting parents in understanding their own worry, g
TPP 326a: Educator Sam Young on Reimagining Socializing for Twice-Exceptional Students
Today I’m talking with neurodivergent educator Sam Young about a
topic I haven’t covered on the podcast before, and that is our
neurodivergent kids’ social lives. The world has changed so very much in
the past few years, including in no small way how our kids relate to other kids. I get a pang of nostalgia when I think about how I used to form friendships when I was younger in a more analog worl
TPP 496: Dr. Ellen Braaten on Helping Teens and Tweens Discover What they Love to Do
Today we’re talking about motivation—what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many of our neurodivergent kids get mislabeled as “unmotivated” when the real story is far more nuanced. My guest is Dr. Ellen Braaten, an expert on motivation and the author of several books including Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less, and her newest release, The Motivation Mindset Workbook: Helping Teens and Tweens Disco
TPP 303a: Dr. Joseph Lee Talks About the Importance of SEL / Social and Emotional Learning
Have
you ever wondered if SEL (social and emotional learning) in school and
classrooms really matters? I’ve been exploring this question a lot about
over the past year, as well trying to understand the recent increase in
parental and political pushback in the US specifically that is putting
the future of SEL in schools at risk.
I wanted to get into a deep
conversation about SEL for the sh
TPP 495: Schooling, Detours, and Launch — What I’d Do (and Not Do) Again
In this short solo episode, Debbie responds to a question she hears from
many parents navigating unconventional education paths: looking back,
what would youchange—and what wouldn’t you—about your twice-exceptional young adult’s schooling journey. Debbie will share why there’s no perfect path, what she's glad she did (including embracing flexibility and a gap year), and how she's learned to let
TPP 494: Lindsay Lyons on Navigating Hard School Conversations Around Inclusion, Equity, and Neurodivergence
Lindsay Lyons, an educational justice coach, former NYC public school teacher, and parent who helps families and educators create space for real, meaningful conversations with kids joins me to talk about the challenges educators and families face when navigating hard conversations in schools, especially around inclusion, equity, and neurodivergence. We talk about the importance of student voice, c
TPP 293a: Catherine Newman on How Kids Can Learn Social Skills and Ways to be a Good Human
Today’s episode is all about social skills, but from an updated lens
that really speaks to the lived experiences of today’s kids. My guest is
writer and journalist Catherine Newman, and we’re going to dive into
her new book, What Can I Say? A Kids Guide to Super Useful Social Skills to Help You Get Along and Express Yourself.
What Can I Say is aimed at kids ages 10 and up, and it
includes pra
TPP 493: Patty Laushman on Parenting for Independence: Strategies for the Transition to Adulthood
Patty Laushman, a speaker, autism life coach, and the author of the book Parenting for Independence: Overcoming Failure to Launch in Autistic Emerging Adults, joins me to talk about one of the misunderstood stages of parenting: supporting our neurodivergent kids as they move into emerging adulthood. In our conversation, Patty and I unpack the concept of “failure to launch,” why that label is actua
TPP 018: 11-year-old Asher Shares Challenges and Strategies Surrounding His Social Life
In this special kid’s POV edition of the podcast, Asher answers
questions from listeners — specifically our kid audience — about his
social life. Like many differently-wired kids, social scenes aren’t
always smooth sailing for Asher. He sometimes struggles to pick-up on
others’ cues and his occasionally intense emotional reactions to certain
situations can be off-putting to other kids.
We ta
TPP 492: Laura Key on ADHD Aha Moments, Parenting, and Burnout
Today’s conversation is a candid, honest look at what it’s really like to parent while navigating ADHD yourself. My guest is Laura Key, Vice President of Content Strategy at Understood.org and the host of the award-winning ADHD Aha! podcast. Laura was diagnosed with ADHD at 30, and she brings both professional insight and lived experience to this conversation as a mom raising two neurodivergent ki
TPP 372a: Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Self-Care for Autistic People
Today’s episode is all about self-care for autistic people, and joining me is return guest Dr. Megan Anna Neff of Neurodivergent Insights. Megan Anna has just published a new book called Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask! which she wrote to help autistic people accept themselves, destigmatize autism, find community, and take care of physical and mental hea
TPP 491: A Conversation with Dr. Ross Greene About the Kids Who Aren’t Okay
Dr. Ross Greene’s work has profoundly shaped how so many of us think about kids’ behavior and what they actually need from the adults in their lives, so I’m thrilled to welcome him back to the show to talk about his brand new book, The Kids Who Aren’t Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools. Together, we explore the urgent need to reimagine how we support chil
TPP 281a: Dr. Christine Koh Talks About Vulnerability, Overwhelm, and Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Dr. Christine Koh joins me for a conversation about vulnerability, boundary setting, leaning into discomfort, and making big, messy, life pivots. Christine is a music and brain scientist turned multimedia creative. She is a fierce believer in the power of humans, small moments and actions, and vulnerable, authentic storytelling. She communicates on these beliefs through her work as a writer (she i
TPP 490: Debbie & Sheryl Stoller Explore What to Do When Our Own Fear Gets in the Way
Today we’re exploring something so many of us wrestle with but don’t
always name out loud — the impact of our own fear and anxiety on our
kids. I was actually about to record a solo episode when my friend and
colleague Sheryl Stoller sent me an email, and the sentiment behind it
stayed with me because it put into such simple, clear language the real
impact our fears about their future, their
TPP 489: Cindy Goldrich on Helping Kids with ADHD Thrive—Without Losing Yourself
This episode digs into the evolving understanding of ADHD and what it really means to parent with collaboration, connection, and support at the center. My guest is Cindy Goldrich, an internationally recognized expert in ADHD and executive function support and the author of 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD, a compassionate, research-informed guide that she’s just updated for today’s famil
TPP 231a: Author & Self-Compassion Researcher Dr. Kristin Neff on the Power of Being Kind to Yourself
Dr. Kristin Neff, pioneering self-compassion researcher, author, and teacher, talks about the power and benefits of practicing self-compassion as parents to differently wired children.
In our conversation, Kristin shares what she has learned about self-compassion, both through her research and her own experiences parenting an autistic child. She goes deep into what self-compassion really looks li
TPP 488: OT Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco on Tactile Defensiveness & the Nervous System
Today’s episode is a deep dive into tactile defensiveness and sensory distress, especially around clothing. My guest is Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, an occupational therapist who helps kids and families understand their brains and bodies through everyday neuroscience. Kathryn will break down what’s actually happening in the brain and nervous system when children experience tactile defensiveness, and wh
TPP 143b: Tilt Founder Debbie Reber Shares Her Best Self-Care Strategies
This is one of only a few solocast episodes I’ve made over the past several years, but I wanted to talk one-on-one with you about self-care. If you’ve read my book or regularly listen to this show, you know I am a big proponent of self-care—I don’t think it’s even close to optional for parents raising neurodivergent kids. And, I also recognize that it can be a hard thing to make time for and prior
TPP 487: Stacey Shubitz on How to Advocate & Help Your Child Thrive at School
Today’s show is all about navigating the school system when your child has disabilities—and how to do that with clarity, confidence, and a whole lot more support. My guest is Stacey Shubitz, author of the new book Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities: Empowering Kids for the Future. In this episode, Stacey shares her journey as both an educator and a parent, and we dig into
TPP 429a: Dr. Liz Angoff on Best Practices for Talking with Kids About Diagnoses
Picture this. You’re sitting in the neuropsych’s office after you just got your kid’s diagnosis. You’re relieved to have some information on how to help them but have no clue how to explain their neurodivergence to them. Do you talk about the science? Do you wait until they are a certain age where they might understand more about their brains? Or maybe you think about waiting for them to start ask
TPP 486: Ash Brandin Offers a New Perspective for Navigating Screen Time
Today we’re taking a fresh, much-needed look at screen time—one that moves beyond fear, shame, and power struggles and into something far more nuanced and humane. My guest is Ash Brandin, also known as TheGamerEducator, and the author of the new book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family. In this episode, Ash and I talk about screen time through the lenses of social equity an
TPP 320a: Dr. Karen Wilson on How (and When) to Talk to Kids About Their Diagnoses
I know that there are concerns among many families that their child’s self-esteem can be negatively impacted by a label, or that others, including teachers may treat a child differently if they know they have one or more diagnoses, especially because of the stigma associated with neurodifferences. So this is what Dr. Karen Wilson and I get into — demystifying the process and offering suggestions f
TPP 485: Debbie Reflects on the Tilt Parenting Manifesto, 10 Years Later
Today’s episode is a little different—it’s just me, revisiting the Tilt
Manifesto I wrote back in 2015 as part of my development of Tilt
Parenting. In this solocast, I share the context in which that manifesto
was born, what was happening in my own life as a parent of a
neurodivergent child at the time, and why there felt like such an urgent
need to challenge the dominant parenting narratives
TPP 484: Esther Jones on the Healing Journey of Unschooling for Parents
Today we’re exploring unschooling—not just as an educational choice, but as a deeply personal and often healing journey for parents themselves. My guest is Esther Jones, an unschooling mother of three, the founder of The Unschool Space podcast, and the author of The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself. Esther was led into unschooling by her own children, who challenged her to unravel long-he
TPP 263a: Processing When a Child is Newly Diagnosed, with Dr. Lynyetta Willis
This week I’m talking with Dr. Lynyetta Willis about navigating the journey when a child is newly diagnosed with a neurodifference. A psychologist turned family coach, Lynyetta specializes in empowering women in their relationships, as well as combines her foundation in psychology and trauma healing with best practices in empowerment coaching to help her clients strengthen their parenting, partner
TPP 483: Sarah Kesty on Stealth Manifestations of Executive Function Challenges
Today we’re digging into executive function — what it really is, why it matters so much for neurodivergent kids (and adults!), and how we can better support these skills without judgment or overwhelm. Sarah and I talk about how awareness around executive function has evolved, why self-regulation is foundational, and how different skills — emotional, cognitive, and behavioral — are all interconnect
TPP 161b: Dr. Devon MacEachron on "What's Next?" After Diagnosis
This week I’m bringing back to the podcast Dr. Devon MacEachron, a New York-based psychologist specializing in assessment and educational planning for gifted and twice-exceptional learners. The last time Devon
was on the show, we talked about the assessment process for 2e learners, but today we’re moving on to the next natural step of this conversation, and actually, the next step for a parent wh
TPP 482: Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman on Moving Beyond a Victim Mindset
Today’s conversation is all about shifting from a mindset of limitation to one of empowerment and possibility. My guest is Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, a psychologist, professor, and bestselling author whose work focuses on helping all kinds of minds live creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized lives. In our conversation, Scott shares insights from his latest book, Rise Above, which explores the con
TPP 299a: Dr. Jonine Nazar-Biesman on Navigating the Neuropsych Evaluation Process
The neuropsych assessment process can be daunting and complicated to navigate, especially in recent years as a result of COVID, so I’m excited to share my conversation with pediatric and adolescent young adult neuropsychologist, Dr. Jonine Nazar-Biesman. Jonine’s work is about taking into consideration the whole child and the big picture when assessments are being done.
In this episode, we talk
TPP 481: Bonus Conversation with Heather Chauvin on Navigating Unexpected Detours
Today’s episode is an expert visit with leadership coach, author, and
podcast host Heather Chauvin about navigating life’s unexpected
detours, especially the ones that knock the wind out of you and make you
question everything. Heather shares how her stage 4 cancer diagnosis
reshaped the way she thinks about “resilience,” why so many capable,
responsible women end up running on fumes, and wha
TPP 259a: Getting Aligned Through Parenting and Marriage Challenges, with Zen Parenting's Cathy and Todd Adams
Cathy and Todd Adams, the husband and wife team behind Zen Parenting Radio, talk about showing up in partnership for our children, the gifts of growth and vulnerability, and how to foster deeper alignment with our parenting partners, even in the face of challenges.
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Episode 480: Bonus Conversation with Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating Healthcare Systems
Today’s episode an expert visit with Dr. Mel Houser—family physician,
autistic PDAer, and founder of All Brains Belong—about the realities of
navigating healthcare systems with neurodivergent kids and teens. Mel
shares how their clinical work and lived experience have revealed
predictable patterns in the “constellation” of intertwined neuro-immune
conditions many autistic and ADHD people expe
TPP 040b: Margaret Webb on What To Do When Grandparents or Extended Family Don't Understand our Child
This week I bring back parent coach Margaret Webb, who offers advice for navigating a dynamic where grandparents and other extended family don’t understand our child. We talk about how to handle family who may not be as tolerant or understanding of who our kids are (or our reality in raising them) as we would like.
So often big family events like weddings or graduations or holiday celebrations cr
