Hey Reader, You tell your kid to put on their shoes. Nothing happens. You ask again—louder this time. Still nothing... And now everyone’s upset.Sound familiar? In this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Dr. Becky Kennedy—clinical psychologist, bestselling author of Good Inside, and the go-to expert for parents who want to raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids. We talk about what to do when your child pushes limits, melts down, or says things that make you question your parenting. And...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, You’re in a meeting and someone is dominating the conversation. You want to shrink back. Because that feels easier than addressing directly. Sound familiar? If so, this is for you. Here’s exactly how to speak up for yourself when someone is dominating the conversation. #1. Speak up the first chance you get. Don’t wait for the perfect sentence. Don’t ask yourself if your idea is smart enough or eloquent enough. That's checkers. This is chess. Dominant people are pushing you just to...
13 days ago • 1 min read
This newsletter is sponsored by Our Place. Hey Reader, You smile when you want to scream. You agree just to avoid the fallout. You play “nice” and end up resenting everyone—including yourself. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: Being nice won’t save you. It’ll bury you. Nice is about keeping up appearances. Kind is about staying rooted. One keeps the peace. The other builds real connection. In this week’s podcast, I’m breaking down the difference—and showing you how to stop people-pleasing...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, There’s someone in your life who believes they are always right. And you're not sure how to talk to them. Remember: the goal isn’t to prove them wrong. It’s to keep your cool when it happens. Here’s exactly how to do it: #1. Recognize the brick wall. If it feels like you’re talking to a brick wall, it’s because you are. People who always have to be right have tied their identity to it. That’s a wall you can’t change, but you can manage it. #2. Don’t prove. Defuse. The harder you...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Has anyone ever told you to “calm down” in the middle of a heated conversation? Did it actually help? Of course not. It usually makes things worse. That's why this week on the podcast, I’m teaching you how to move past “calm” and practice something far more effective—what I call grounded connection. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why “calm” sometimes backfires in conversations How to aim for grounded connection (instead of just staying calm) Simple phrases to use when someone tells you...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This month, we’ve been practicing ways to handle tough conversations. Here’s a roundup of the community’s favorite tips from September. If you missed one or want to catch the highlights, these are the posts and videos that stood out: #1. What to Say When Someone is Yelling at You Ever been on the receiving end of someone yelling at you? It’s tempting to yell back, isn’t it? But here’s the thing—raising your voice only fuels the fire. Instead, staying calm and controlled is how you...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, We’ve all been there. Someone makes a comment that stings. It’s subtle, maybe even wrapped up like a compliment. But you know—it was meant to make you feel small. So how do you handle it without snapping back or shutting down? In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m unpacking what belittling comments really mean—and how you can take back control in the moment. Here’s what you’ll learn this week: Why belittling comments are really a grab for power The one question that instantly...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, You know that sinking feeling when embarrassment hits?Your face gets hot, your stomach drops, and all you want to do is hide. Here’s what to do next… #1. Say what’s embarrassing out loud. If you just tripped and fell, say it out loud, “I just fell.” If you call somebody by the wrong name, own it. Say, “I just called you by the wrong name.” You normalize the situation when you say it out loud, and you minimize the negative emotions from overpowering you. #2. Give yourself grace....
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Ever caught yourself arguing in the shower or in the car—before the real conversation even happened? Your body doesn’t know it’s imaginary. It reacts like it’s real. And that’s why you sometimes walk into a conversation already anxious, defensive, or on edge This week I sat down with my friend Dr. John Delony—two-time PhD, crisis responder, and mental health expert—to talk about how anxiety impacts the way we communicate. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why “I’m fine” is often the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read