E38 - Teaching Our Little and Big Kids That Kindness Matters

E42 - When Your Teen Feels Everything Intensely

This episode discusses self-harm and suicidal ideation in teens — listener discretion is advised, and if you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or crisis line. Some kids don't feel sad; they feel like they're on fire. Host Sonia Dong speaks with Katie K. May, founder of Creative Healing Teen Support Centers [https://creativehealingphilly.com/] and author of *You’re on Fire, It’s Fine [https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Fire-Its-Fine-Self-Destructive/dp/1544545584]* about teens whose emotions come in fast, big, and overwhelming, and the behaviours such as self-harm, withdrawal, numbing that show up as a brain's fastest way to put that fire out. We break down why "just take a walk" doesn't work when a teen is in crisis, and what real validation sounds like instead. We also get into the practical side of assessing our parental stress meter, how to use “text check-ins,” and radical acceptance when your teen's path looks nothing like what you pictured. This episode is for any parent who has felt out of their depth with a kid who feels everything at full volume. About Katie K. May She is a dialectical behavior therapy Linehan Board certified clinician and owner and executive director of Creative Healing Teen Support Centers [https://creativehealingphilly.com/]. She's helped thousands of teens cope with their emotions and understand their feelings of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Her book *You’re on Fire, It’s Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors [https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Fire-Its-Fine-Self-Destructive/dp/1544545584]* combines Katie’s professional and personal perspectives (her own child struggled with depression) to provide an instruction manual with help and hope for parents who struggle with their teens’ risky behaviors. Connect with Katie K. May on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/creativehealingphilly], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/katiekmay], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekmay/], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@teensupportcenter] 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/].

E41 - Nori: A No Algorithm, No Ads Social Network Community for Moms

Many support networks for moms can be overwhelming, especially when there’s a five-hundred-person group chat where you can ask a question but never really be known. This episode with Jiemi Gao, Founder of Nori, looks at what gets built when you design for the opposite: one-on-one and small group conversations that are focused and meaningful. The distraction of algorithm and ads are absent, so you’re never pulled toward things you didn't come looking for. Find out why Nori superfans love the platform so much, and how you can join this free and accessible community space to feel supported and support others. About JiemI Gao Jiemi Gao is a mom of two and the founder of Nori, a new social network for moms that offers intimate 1:1 mentorship, community support and conversations, and curated resources. Jiemi spent a decade advising Fortune 500s on growth strategies and is dedicating herself to building support and community for moms for the next decade. Jiemi brings sharp strategic insight, deep empathy, and an unshakable belief that when moms support each other, incredible things happen. Follow Jiemi on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/asknori1] and Instagram @nori_asknori [https://www.instagram.com/nori_asknori]. Learn more about the free Nori community at asknori.com [http://asknori.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/].

E40 - The Growth and Healing We Pass Forward

What happens when life doesn't follow the plan you carefully mapped out? Sonia sits down with Kena Paranjape, founder of Supernova, to explore how life's biggest challenges can become catalysts for growth, healing, and deeper self-discovery. Kena shares her journey through caregiving, grief, motherhood, and rebuilding her life after loss, revealing how those experiences shaped the woman, leader, and parent she is today. Together, they discuss helping children navigate friendship struggles, pressures many parents carry around achievement, identity, and success, why our own healing may be one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids and more. About Kena Paranjape Kena Paranjape is the founder of Supernova, a community for ambitious, growth-oriented women 35+ who are ready to evolve beyond who they’ve been. Through live experiences, coaching, and powerful conversations, she guides women to remember who they are, trust their instincts, and build lives that feel aligned and expansive. Follow Kena on Instagram @kena_allyouare [https://www.instagram.com/kena_allyouare/] and @join_supernova [https://www.instagram.com/join_supernova/]. Learn more Supernova on Kena’’s website [https://www.youaresupernova.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/].

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/].