The Whole Parent Podcast

If your child pushes back, asks questions, or melts down when you give directions, this might completely reframe what’s going on.
In this video, we unpack a common parenting pressure: getting kids to “listen the first time.” But what if your toddler or preschooler isn’t being defiant—just overwhelmed, unsure, or trying to understand? We’ll talk about real-life moments (like bedtime struggles, transitions off screens, and big feelings after activities) and how to respond in a way that builds true respect—not fear, shutdown, or power struggles. If you’ve ever thought, “Why won’t they just listen?” or felt exhausted by constant pushback, this will help you see what’s actually driving the behavior—and what to do instead.
What You’ll Learn:
 The critical difference between obedience and real respect (and why it matters long-term) 
 Why kids resist “first-time listening”—and what’s happening in their brain in those moments 
 How to respond to “not listening” without escalating into power struggles 
 What actually builds cooperation, emotional regulation, and trust over time 
 How to handle outside influences (school, sports, other adults) that expect blind obedience 
This approach is grounded in developmental psychology and neuroscience—not quick fixes or compliance-based strategies. The goal isn’t to control behavior in the moment, but to raise kids who can think, regulate, and cooperate because they feel safe, understood, and connected.
If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself or wondering if you’re “too soft” or “too strict,” this will help you find a middle ground that actually works—especially in the messy, real-life moments.
If this kind of parenting feels like a relief—and you want more tools that actually make daily life easier—stay here. This channel is designed to help you handle hard moments with more clarity and a lot less stress.
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Links to help you and me:
To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack
Get Jon’s Top Five Emotional Regulation Games
Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting 
Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings Free
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If your 3–5 year old refuses to listen, tests every rule, and melts down when you get stricter… this is what’s actually going on...
If you feel like you’re saying the same thing 20 times a day—“stop jumping,” “come here,” “we’re leaving”—and your child still pushes back, this video will help you understand why. What looks like defiance or disrespect is actually a normal part of brain development, especially in toddlers and preschoolers. We’ll break down what’s happening beneath the behavior (impulse control, autonomy, emotional regulation) and why common strategies like repeating, warning, or getting stricter often make things worse—not better. 
What You’ll Learn
 Why toddlers and preschoolers naturally test boundaries (and why it’s not personal) 
 The mistake most parents make when kids don’t listen—and why it backfires 
 How to hold firm boundaries without escalating the situation
 A simple shift that reduces power struggles and gets more cooperation 
 What to say (and do) in the moment when your child ignores you 
This approach is grounded in developmental psychology and what we know about how kids’ brains actually work—not just what sounds good in theory. The goal isn’t to make kids obedient or “perfect,” but to help you stay calm, reduce constant battles, and raise kids who can eventually regulate themselves.
If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself, repeating everything, or feeling like every day is a power struggle, this channel is here to make parenting feel simpler and more doable. Subscribe if you want practical tools that actually work in real life—especially in those hard, in-the-moment situations.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Links to help you and me:
To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack
Get Jon’s Top Five Emotional Regulation Games
Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting 
Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings Free
Follow Whole Parent on Instagram, 
Tiktok, 
Facebook, 
Youtube

In this episode Jon explores the tension many modern parents feel between connection and control and why “validation is not the same thing as leadership.” He reframes one of the hardest identity shifts in parenting: having “the courage to be disliked” in the moments that matter most. Listeners will walk away with a clearer, calmer way to lead their kids through big emotions, without losing connection or authority. 
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
Links to help you and me:
To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack
Get Jon’s Top Five Emotional Regulation Games
Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting 
Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings Free
Follow Whole Parent on Instagram, 
Tiktok, 
Facebook, 
Youtube

In this conversation, Jon Fogel and Thais Gibson delve into the complexities of attachment styles and their impact on relationships and parenting. Thais shares her personal journey from experiencing a fearful avoidant attachment style to understanding and teaching about attachment theory. They discuss the dynamics of different attachment styles, how they manifest in relationships, and the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation. Thais provides practical tools for rewiring attachment wounds and emphasizes the significance of treating oneself well to foster healthier relationships. The conversation concludes with resources for further exploration and personal development.

Send a text
Support the show
Links to help you and me:
To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack
Get Jon’s Top Five Emotional Regulation Games
Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting
Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings Free
Follow Whole Parent on Instagram,
Tiktok,
Facebook,
Youtube

In this episode, Jon speaks directly to parents worn down by constant power struggles—especially those navigating an ODD or PDA diagnosis—starting with the raw truth that holding the line often makes everything explode. Instead of doubling down on consistency or control, he reframes defiance as a nervous system response to perceived threat, not a character problem or a parenting failure. Listeners will walk away with relief, language for what’s really happening in these moments, and a steadier way to hold boundaries without becoming the enemy—grounded in safety, flexibility, and the radical idea that a child’s push for autonomy is not something to extinguish, but something to work with.
Send a text
Support the show
Links to help you and me:
To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack
Get Jon’s Top Five Emotional Regulation Games
Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting
Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings Free
Follow Whole Parent on Instagram,
Tiktok,
Facebook,
Youtube