Fresh Start Family Show

Latest Episodes:

Challenging Toxic Masculinity to Free Our Men and Boys Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

This episode of the Fresh Start Family Show features the incredible Dr. Caroline Heldman - author, speaker, activist, and Executive Director of the Representation Project. Their documentaries include the wildly transformational film “The Mask You Live in.”

In a society that places undue pressure on men and boys to act and behave in certain ways, there is an ever rising need to push back on limiting beliefs that hold them back from experiencing the wholeness of life.

Wendy, Terry and Dr. Heldman speak to the harmful and dangerous ideals around masculinity that society creates and why breaking those constraints down by allowing men and boys to feel all their emotions and perform duties outside the acceptable box benefits everyone. We have the responsibility and privilege to help flip the narrative around acceptable emotions and roles for our men and boys.

Tune in for more about how:

1. Traditional masculinity is harmful to boys and men.

2. Gender and gender roles are socially constructed.

3. We have the power to construct genders in ways that are beneficial to everyone.

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/158.

It's time to join The Fresh Start Experience! Head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/joinnow for all the details!

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The Power of Community to Help You Thrive as a Parent, Part 2 Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

There is only so much we can do alone. Community is the difference for many of us between temporary and lasting change.

On this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy continues the conversation about the power of community with Fresh Start Experience Certified Community Coach and Podcast Manager, Amy Sheira.

Tune in to hear how the community experience was the key to transforming one mama’s life -like so many others in the community! - to kick the yelling habit to the curb for good - and why it might just be the X factor that will help YOU make lasting changes this year!

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/157.

It's time to join The Fresh Start Experience! Head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/joinnow for all the details!

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Harnessing Hope (vs. Wishing Things Were Better) & Creating the Family Legacy of Your Dreams Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy walks us through the difference between “wishing” and “hoping” when it comes to looking for change in our parenting walk. Wishing doesn’t lead to action. Hope, however, provides the motivation that change is possible and we are capable of doing things in a new way.

We are not powerless, and there is hope for peace in our homes. When we raise our hand to ask for help and hold a strong vision of what we want for our families, change is no longer a fleeting concept…it’s a reality that is ours for the taking!

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/156.

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How to De-escalate Situations with Strong Willed Kids When They’re Upset - with Kirk Martin of Celebrate Calm Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy chats with the funny and insightful Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting podcast.

They explore 3 tools we can use to help de-escalate situations with our strong-willed kids when they’re upset that are effective and actually create closeness when parenting a strong-willed kiddo:

Self-Regulation: We must control our own emotions first before we address the child. The quickest way to change your child’s behavior is to first control your own.
Movement: Motion changes emotion. Sometimes talking makes kids more upset. Use movement to help calm an upset child.
Connection: Relationships change behavior. Staying connected, especially during discipline creates trust & safety, which kids NEED in order to learn effective self-regulation.

Strong-willed kids are incredible, AND they can often be misunderstood. This episode gives us a fresh and empowered perspective on these kiddos and how to support their big feelings.

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/155.

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How to Ignite Childlike Joy in the Middle of Grown up Overwhelm - with Rachel Macy Stafford Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy sits down with one of her absolute favorite inspirational authors, Rachel Macy Stafford. Rachel is the bestselling author of multiple books, including Only Love Today and the founder of Hands Free Revolution, a website and community that supports and encourages parents to slow down and live life to the fullest by being present and full of love and compassion for themselves and those around them.

In a busy world where we often put our needs way on the back burner, Rachel and Wendy look at 3 beautiful ways to pour back into ourselves so we can bring our best selves to our relationships.

1. Give yourself small pockets of unstructured Time

2. Give yourself SPACE to express yourself & be authentic

3. Give yourself PERMISSION to remember who you are... and to come as you are

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/154.

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The Most Important Skill to Build in 2023: Emotional Literacy Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy and Terry welcome back their incredible friend and mentor Pam Dunn of Your Infinite Life Training and Coaching Company. They are tackling the important topic of Emotional Literacy. Of all the areas we can increase our understanding, this is one topic that really will help us find success in all areas of our lives.

Emotional literacy means we are self-educated on our emotional cues that arise when we experience our feelings. We are meant to experience the full range of emotions we were given, AND, we can do so in a healthy way when we learn to see that feelings are neither right nor wrong, good or bad. They provide us with valuable information. This is a subject that is definitely worth learning more about so that we can be free from the conditioned mis-beliefs about feelings and emotions many of us were taught.

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/153.

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Developing Healthy Coping Skills (for both parents AND kids) - An interview with Janine Halloran, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy chats with Janine Halloran about coping skills. Janine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, author, and host of the Calm & Connected Podcast.

Having a full toolbox of strategies we can call on to help us through challenging times is so important to help ourselves, and also to help us support our kiddos as they learn to do the same.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What coping skills are, and what’s the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping
How parents can help kids figure out what will work for them
Simple family practices to make it easier to integrate coping skills

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/152.

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Breaking Free from Fear and Embracing Deconstruction Thoughts Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy and Terry sit down with the incredible David Hayward - aka the Naked Pastor - to chat about breaking down fears and scarcity thinking that often comes when we challenge our faith (and the church) on issues we don't agree on - when we begin to embrace deconstruction.

David has a B.A. in Bible and Theology, a Masters in Theological Studies in New Testament, and a Diploma of Ministry. He left the ministry in 2010 to embrace his passion of breaking down false concepts in religion through his powerful and influential books and art. He believes that all people have the right to live freely and authentically, and that we can stand against the systems that try to oppress and hold them back.

Tune in as he talks to us about how we actually become wise by doubting and seeking answers. It is when we are open to exploring our faith, facing our fears and being comfortable with the uncomfortable, that we can actually stand up for what we believe in - for what is actually the heart of Christ.

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, this episode is here to inspire you big time.

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/151.

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The Gift of Long Term Results when Practicing Positive Parenting Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy paints a beautiful picture of what a long term gift it is to build a relationship with our kids that is built on unconditional love and trust. Traditional punishment might seem like it works or that it’s easier, but it really doesn’t “work” in the long run. Compassionate discipline may take some practice and a little more effort, and it really does yield the long term results we are looking for - connection, honesty, intrinsic motivation and self-control…the list goes on and on.

Tune in to learn ways we invest in the gift of long term results:

-responsiveness - getting away from explosive reactivity so they feel safe

-trust / safety - still firm boundaries / rules / limits - but enforced with kindness, connection

-making amends - taking responsibility for our own behaviors and repairing the relationship

-empowerment - searching & seeking for ways to help them feel powerful

-unconditional love -leads to deep belonging and connection.

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/150.

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Preventing Holiday Overwhelm & Anxiety with Dr. Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

This week on the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy sits down with Dr. Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco, a Clinical Psychologist with a specialty in CBT - cognitive behavioral therapy to talk about how to prevent & avoid holiday overwhelm and anxiety. Dr. Dobrow Dimarco is also the author of Mom Brain: Proven Strategies to Fight the Anxiety, Guilt, and Overwhelming Emotions of Motherhood. Her science-based strategies work for kids of all ages and support moms to cope with the common challenges of motherhood.

Moms do the juggle of motherhood so well. With a million things we are in charge of, we often find ourselves experiencing something referred to as Mom Brain. Dr. DiMarco defines Mom Brain as the way we shift what takes priority and precedence in our lives once we are parents.

In this episode, Wendy and Dr. DiMarco help us learn 3 strategies to help settle our brains and combat the stress and overwhelm that we often experience while juggling all.the.things - ESPECIALLY around the holidays.

Tune in to learn how we can:

Lower our expectations and keep them realistic - and celebrate small wins! (Think one good photo from a photo shoot or kids sitting for 10 minutes at the holiday dinner)
Have compassion with the “mom fails” (So much is out of our control, so look for the AND)
Plan ahead, organize and prepare for an event - (and be open to delegate instead of taking it all on ourselves)

For links & more info about everything discussed in this episode, head to www.freshstartfamilyonline.com/149.

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