Parenting With Vanessa Kahlon

In this refreshingly honest episode of Parenting With Vanessa Kahlon, Vanessa is joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Carrie Johnson—who also happens to be one of her closest friends. Together, they unpack what happens when kids experience a behavioral outburst... and then don’t want to talk about it in therapy. From school incidents to home meltdowns, the conversation dives into the importance of regulation, emotional safety, and why sometimes less talking is more effective. They discuss how shame, anxiety, and sensory overload impact kids, and offer practical tools to empower parents, teachers, and therapists alike, without taking behavior personally. If you've ever wondered why your child shuts down after a tough moment, this episode offers grounded, compassionate insight from two experts who’ve seen it all. Key Takeaways: 🧠 Processing doesn’t always happen in the therapy room – Kids often want to leave difficult experiences where they happened—at school or at home. 🙅‍♀️ Shame can block healing – For sensitive kids, being asked to relive mistakes can intensify shame instead of resolving the behavior. 🎯 Short interventions are powerful – Sometimes all it takes is 10 focused minutes—followed by fun or play—to make a bigger impact than an hour-long session. 🎧 Regulation strategies matter – Think fidget tools, music, headphones, and self-regulation folders to help kids stay calm and present. 🧍‍♂️ Don’t take it personally – Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, behavior isn’t about you. It’s a signal—not a personal attack. Resources & Tools Mentioned: 🎒 Self-regulation folder (with coloring, music, fidget tools) 💡 Break cards for classrooms 🎥 GoNoodle and Cosmic Kids Yoga (YouTube resources for movement and mindfulness) 📧 Connect with Vanessa – Have questions or want more resources? Reach out and let’s keep the conversation going. 🎧 Subscribe to the show – Click here [https://www.vanessakahlon.com/podcast-channels] and don’t miss more episodes that blend real-life parenting with honest, healing conversations.

In this very special episode of Parenting With Vanessa Kahlon, Vanessa sits down with someone truly close to her heart—her father, Ben. With the rise in antisemitism around the world, Ben courageously shares his personal story of survival, trauma, and resilience as a young Jewish boy growing up in Tripoli (now Libya), enduring violent riots, family loss, and displacement. From witnessing horrific attacks as a child to immigrating to Israel and later building a life from scratch through military service, modeling, and acting—Ben’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. He speaks about the pain of being denied education, the strength of family, and how he found purpose through perseverance, self-learning, and love for his people. This episode is not only a glimpse into history but a call to remember, reflect, and recognize the cost of hate—and the power of dignity, faith, and community. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🕯️ Trauma Leaves Invisible Scars – Childhood memories of violence and loss stayed with Ben for life—but so did the love that surrounded him. 🪖 Service Built His Identity – Joining the Israeli military as a teen helped Ben channel anger into purpose, protecting others as he had longed to be protected. 📚 Self-Education Can Change a Life – Despite never having access to formal schooling, Ben became a self-taught entrepreneur, actor, and real estate broker. 🌍 Hate Has No Future – Ben reminds us that hate is self-destructive and peace is the only way forward. 🇮🇱 Israel Is Home, Always – For Ben, Israel represents survival, pride, and legacy—and he returned again and again, even after settling in California. Resources & Next Steps: 📣 Share this story – If this episode moved you, please share it to amplify voices that remind us why history matters. 🕊️ Speak out against hate – Use your voice and platform to stand against antisemitism and violence of any kind. 📧 Have a story to share? – Email Vanessa if you'd like to be part of a future episode on legacy, healing, or cultural identity. 🎧 Subscribe to the show – Click here [https://www.vanessakahlon.com/podcast-channels] and don’t miss more episodes that blend real-life parenting with honest, healing conversations.

In this episode of Parenting With Vanessa Kahlon, Vanessa sits down with occupational therapist Lindy Joffe, a longtime colleague and expert in child development, to unpack the often misunderstood world of sensory processing. With over 24 years of experience, Lindy shares how sensory regulation affects everything from focus and behavior to a child’s ability to navigate social situations. If your child ever seems “checked out,” overly reactive, or struggles with transitions and noise—this episode is a must-listen. Lindy explains how what we often label as “behavior” is really a regulation issue, shaped by a child’s sensory, emotional, and cognitive state. Through real-world examples and grounded explanations, you’ll learn how to shift from reacting to connecting. Key Takeaways from This Episode: 🧠 Behavior isn’t always intentional – Many kids aren’t trying to misbehave—they’re struggling with how they process the world around them. 🎢 Regulation happens on a spectrum – Kids may be in a “too high” or “too low” arousal state, making it difficult to focus, listen, or even sit still. 👀 Hidden rules aren’t obvious to all kids – Social expectations that come naturally to some must be taught explicitly to others. 🧭 Emotions + cognition + sensory are intertwined – You can’t separate how a child feels from how they think or act. 🌱 The environment makes a huge difference – When a child is placed in a supportive setting, everything from behavior to confidence can shift. Resources & Next Steps: 📧 Contact Lindy Joffe – Have questions or want to connect? Email her directly at LindyJoffeOT@gmail.com 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn – Follow Lindy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindy-joffe-9a940114/] for insights on child development and sensory integration 📣 Submit your questions for next time! – Want Lindy back? Email Vanessa with your questions to be answered in a future episode 🧠 Reframe how you see “behavior” – Share this episode with your child’s teacher or co-parent—it’s a game-changer.

Here are some tips for you and your family when you a lot of down time. This can be from a 3 day weekend or just 2 days or long week off. You will learn how to do a schedule for each part of the day along with activities. This podcast will help make the day go easier and keep you sane!

95.7 The Game Home Of The Warriors Saturday Morning 7:30 AM For Thanksgiving week, it is time to give tips and tricks for parents when it comes to those hard parenting moments. We all know the Holiday Season can cause anxiety for some children so what parent doesn’t want simple one liners to go to instead of saying something you regret. Tune in and hear from one of my mentors on what she taught me and I use daily with all children. For Janina, I will always cherish the time spent and I wish we had more time.! Thank you for all you have taught me! Love, Me