Raising the Next Gen Podcast

E39 - Exploring Career Paths At Every Age

What if career success isn’t about choosing the “right” path early, but learning to stay curious, adaptable, and aligned with who you are becoming? In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia speaks with career psychotherapist and speaker Jodi Tingling about helping teens, young adults, and professionals navigate career decisions with more clarity and less pressure. They discuss why career paths are rarely linear, how parents can support exploration instead of perfection, the importance of testing ideas before committing, and why reassessing your career throughout life can lead to greater fulfillment, balance, and confidence in every stage of life. About Jodi Tingling Jodi Tingling is a highly sought-after Career Therapist and Speaker. She empowers mid-level professionals, students, and early-career professionals to navigate their career paths with confidence using the transformative CLEAR™ framework. She offers a comprehensive strategy for personal and professional growth. Follow Jodi on Instagram @creatingnewsteps [https://www.instagram.com/creatingnewsteps/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-tingling/]. Learn more about Jodi’s work on her website [https://creatingnewsteps.com/]. Did you like this episode? Remember to review, follow and share! Receive weekly parenting tips and reflections, and don’t miss an episode by signing up to my newsletter, Next Gen Connection [https://nextgenconnection.substack.com/].

E38 - Teaching Our Little and Big Kids That Kindness Matters

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for your kids costs absolutely nothing? In this episode, host Sonia Dong sits down with Marcia Agius, founder of the Kindness Circle, to explore how families can weave intentional kindness into everyday life. Marcia shares how her own parents modelled kindness and how that inspired her to launch a 52-week kindness challenge that grew into a thriving community movement. Sonia and Marcia unpack the difference between being nice and being truly kind, why kids need to see kindness in action rather than just hear about it, and simple, low-cost ways to get your whole family involved. Whether it's complimenting a stranger or paying for someone's meal, this episode will leave you inspired to take one small step that could change someone's entire day. About Marcia Agius Marcia Agius is a HumanKIND Influencer and founder of The Kindness Circle, a community-driven movement inspiring people to lead with compassion, connection, and purpose. Guided by four core pillars—kindness to self, kindness to others, giving back, and making kindness fun—her work focuses on creating meaningful moments that bring people together. With a belief that we are better together, Marcia is on a mission to make kindness visible, celebrated, and contagious—empowering others to create ripple effects of good in their everyday lives. Follow Marcia on Instagram @kindnesscircle.community [https://www.instagram.com/kindness.circle.community/]. Learn more about and join the Kindness Circle Community [https://www.kindnesscircle.ca/]. Did you like this episode? Remember to review, follow and share! Receive weekly parenting tips and reflections, and don’t miss an episode by signing up to my newsletter, Next Gen Connection [https://nextgenconnection.substack.com/].

E37 - Easy Ways to Get Kids Involved & Save Time Scheduling

If you've ever felt like you're holding up the entire household on your own, this episode is for you. Business consultant and simplicity expert Erin Binns joins host Sonia Dong to talk about how to streamline life at home. From rethinking the after-school activities to getting kids involved in chores and meal planning, Erin shares practical, low-pressure strategies for parents who are ready to stop doing it all. You'll also hear why asking for help from your kids, your partner, or your community isn't a sign of weakness, but the key to creating a calmer, more connected family life. Take action by choosing one small shift you can implement this week. About Erin Binns Erin Binns is a business consultant, speaker, and former luxury hotel sales executive with nearly two decades of experience driving multi-million-dollar revenue through strategic client relationships. She now leads corporate workshops and works with established women in business to make The Simplicity Shift, simplifying operations, leveraging time as a strategic asset, and helping women with work/life integration. Known for seeing the big picture and filling the gaps others miss, Erin challenges the idea that busy equals successful and helps organizations create clarity, momentum, and measurable results. Follow Erin on Instagram @erinbinns [https://www.instagram.com/erinbinns/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-binns-7a69611/]. Learn more about Erin’s work on her website [https://www.erinbinns.com/]. Book Recommendation for Adults Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield A short book on the mindset difference between an amateur and a professional, and can be applied to any area of life. Books/Series Erin Recommends for Tweens Bunny vs Monkey series by Jamie Smart ****A UK series that can now be ordered internationally; great for kids who enjoy Dog Man Donut Squad series by Jamie Smart Calvin and Hobbes (original collections) by Bill Watterson Doctor Who magazines Did you like this episode? Remember to review, follow and share! Receive weekly parenting tips and reflections, and don’t miss an episode by signing up to my newsletter, Next Gen Connection [https://nextgenconnection.substack.com/].

E36 - Learning Strategies Every Student (and Parent) Needs

What if learning and doing well in academics (and life) meant doing less, not more? In this conversation between host Sonia Dong and Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer, founder and CEO of Awakened Learning, we learn how to unpack what it really means to support your kids as learners without the burnout. Dr. Deena shares how she went from high school teacher to pioneering holistic learning strategies that serve learners of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. She challenges the myth that hours of note-rewriting equals real studying, and introduces her practical 3-2-1 method for exam prep that reduces stress and improves grades. This conversation offers parents a refreshing new lens on how to show up for their kids (and themselves) as lifelong learners. About Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer is Founder & CEO of Awakened Learning, Canada’s #1 team of Learning Strategists. She’s a lifelong educator with over 20 years of experience supporting thousands of learners, educators, and parents and chosen families across K–12 and post-secondary spaces. Deena is also a TEDx speaker and a 2× bestselling author of Feel Good Learning and Raising Well Learners, where she explores how learning can feel more humane, inclusive, and effective–without burnout, shame, or overwhelm. Follow Dr. Deena on Instagram @awakendlearning [https://www.instagram.com/awakenedlearning/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deenakarashaffer/]. Find freebies, accessible workshops and more about Dr. Deena’s work on her website [https://www.awakenedlearning.ca/]. Resources How to Get From To-Do to Done [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wZ2LVAXBpFU], Tedx Talk by Dr. Deena Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU], Ted Talk by Tim Urban Dr. Deena’s best-selling book to parents, Raising Well Learners [https://www.amazon.ca/Raising-Well-Learners-Helping-students/dp/199846704X] Dr. Deena’s best-selling book to students, Feel Good Learning [https://www.amazon.ca/Feel-Good-Learning-prioritise-everything/dp/B0CGTMVW7Z] Thriving in Action [https://www.torontomu.ca/thrivetmu/thriving-in-action/] Program, TMU (Toronto Metropolitan University) Did you like this episode? Remember to review, follow and share! Receive weekly parenting tips and reflections, and don’t miss an episode by signing up to my newsletter, Next Gen Connection [https://nextgenconnection.substack.com/].

E35 - What Are the 7 Types of Rest You and Your Family Need?

What does it actually mean to rest? In this episode, host Sonia Dong chats with Karen Choi, founder of Balm, to explore why so many of us feel exhausted even when we think we've rested. Drawing on Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's framework of the seven types of rest, Karen unpacks what kind of labor we're doing every day as parents, and what real recovery looks like for each. Sonia and Karen explore how to model rest for our teens and tweens, why screen time isn't the rest we think it is, and how experiences like Karen's restorative music gatherings can open us up to deeper renewal. About Karen Choi Karen Choi is the Founder of Balm. After years working behind the scenes in classical music, Karen craved something deeper. She wanted a relational experience you could feel in your body, not just watch from a seat. That became Balm. As a facilitator, Karen designs restorative music experiences that invite people to slow down, reset, and soften back into connection with themselves, others, and the moments we share. Through live music, movement, breath, vocal toning, poetry, and guided rest, she creates an honest space to be present with what’s real. In addition to hosting Soul Care Sundays every month, she bring this work to conferences, community events, and wellness spaces. Follow Karen on Instagram @karenchoi.co [https://www.instagram.com/karenchoi.co/] and @we_balm [https://www.instagram.com/we_balm/]. You can also learn more about Balm and Soul Care Sundays on her website [https://www.karenchoi.co/]. Resources The 7 Types of Rest That Every Person Needs [https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs/], Article and Ted Talk by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Power of Now [https://eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt/], Eckart Tolle Did you like this episode? Remember to review, follow and share! Receive weekly parenting tips and reflections, and don’t miss an episode by signing up to my newsletter, Next Gen Connection [https://nextgenconnection.substack.com/].