From Control to Connection: The Art of Co-Creating with Your Kids (Episode 181)
Join Kyle and Sara Wester from Art of Raising Humans as they explore what it truly means to co-create with your children. Instead of doing things to or for them, discover how to do life with them. Learn how collaboration builds trust, decision-making, and emotional intelligence from the preschool years through the teen stage. You will hear practical examples for different ages and discover how to replace power struggles with connection and confidence. This episode will help you create a family culture of teamwork, respect, and shared leadership. View the full podcast transcript at: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/from-control-to-connection-the-art-of-co-creating-with-your-kids Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey. Resource Website: https://www.artofraisinghumans.comVideo Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumansPodcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.comBook List:https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.
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When Teens Withdraw (and How to Stay Connected) (Episode 180)
It can feel scary when your once-chatty child starts pulling away during adolescence. But withdrawal isn’t always rejection...t’s often a normal part of growing up. In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack why adolescents withdraw, what signs of relational disconnection to look for, and how stress responses may show up. They share practical ways parents can respond: staying calm, respecting space, and building connection through small, steady touch points. Most importantly, they remind parents that unconditional love and open communication create a secure foundation, even when kids seem distant.If you’ve ever wondered how to handle your child’s withdrawal without panicking or pushing them away, this conversation will give you hope and practical guidance to stay connected through the teen years. View the full podcast transcript at: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-teens-withdraw-and-how-to-stay-connected Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey. Resource Website: https://www.artofraisinghumans.comVideo Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumansPodcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.comBook List:https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.
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Rethinking Phone Discipline in Parenting (Episode 179)
Taking away your child’s phone might seem like the quickest way to discipline, but does it actually work? In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester dive into the common strategy of removing phones as punishment and explore why it often backfires. They discuss how this approach can damage trust, block communication, and fail to teach the self-regulation kids really need. Instead, you’ll hear practical ways to set healthy boundaries around technology, foster intrinsic motivation, and model balanced phone use as a parent. If you’ve ever felt stuck using your child’s phone as leverage, this episode will give you tools to build connection instead of conflict, so your kids can learn to manage their freedom with wisdom. View the full podcast transcript at: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/rethinking-phone-discipline-in-parenting Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey. Resource Website: https://www.artofraisinghumans.comVideo Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumansPodcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.comBook List:https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.
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How Love and Relationships Shape the Brain (with Tina Payne Bryson) (Episode 178)
What if your love could rewire their brain? In this powerful episode, Kyle Wester and Sara Wester talk with renowned parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson about the science of interpersonal neurobiology—and how love, connection, and secure relationships literally shape the developing brain.Together, they explore how parents act as meaning makers for their children, how the brain predicts future interactions based on past experiences, and why co-regulation and emotional attunement are essential for helping kids learn to manage their big feelings. Tina also unpacks the four S’s of secure attachment—safe, seen, soothed, and secure—and shows how these simple principles build emotional resilience and well-being in children. Whether you’re navigating toddler meltdowns or teen stress, this conversation will help you understand how your presence and regulation can rewire your child’s brain for connection, confidence, and growth. What You’ll Learn:How relationships literally shape the architecture of the brainWhy emotional regulation and co-regulation are essentialHow secure attachment fuels resilience and emotional healthWhat the four S’s are and how to use them dailyHow your calm presence helps your child thrive Where to find Tina: https://www.instagram.com/tinapaynebryson/https://www.tinabryson.com/ https://www.thecenterforconnection.org/ https://playstronginstitute.com/ https://www.amazon.com/shop/tinapaynebryson View the full podcast transcript at: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/how-love-and-relationships-shape-the-brain Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey. Resource Website: https://www.artofraisinghumans.comVideo Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumansPodcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.comBook List:https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.
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When Your Child Says ‘I Hate You’: What They’re Really Telling You (Episode 177)
Few words cut deeper for a parent than hearing your child say, “I hate you.” In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to feel hurt, angry, or even tempted to pull away. But what if those words don’t actually mean what they sound like? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester explore the deeper meaning behind those painful outbursts. Drawing on developmental science and research on emotional intelligence, they share how kids often use strong words when they’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or lacking the language to express their true feelings. You’ll hear:Why kids say “I hate you” — and what’s really happening in their brains and heartsCommon parent reactions that can unintentionally add shame or distancePractical ways to stay calm, set boundaries, and respond with connectionHow to reassure your kids that your love is never conditionalEvery “I hate you” moment can become a doorway to deeper trust and connection. Listen in to discover how. View the full podcast transcript at: https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-your-child-says-i-hate-you-what-theyre-really-telling-you Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey. Resource Website: https://www.artofraisinghumans.comVideo Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumansPodcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.comBook List:https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.
Kyle and Sara Wester are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) with over 20 years experience working with children and teenagers in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Their podcast will help you parent from a place of freedom, love, and courage. Their passion is to help you uncover areas of fear and shame in your parenting and inspire you to empower your children to become healthy adults.They use the latest research in neuroscience coupled with their own experience raising 3 children.
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