Robot Unicorn

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

School Refusal, Anxiety, And Separation Struggles (REVISIT) Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

When your child refuses to go to school, what's really behind the struggle—and how can you help without dismissing their feelings or removing every challenge? Jess and Scott explore the overlapping roots of school refusal, from separation anxiety and post-pandemic disruptions to bullying, friendship difficulties, learning needs, and parental anxiety. They also discuss how sleep, screen-time boundaries, and overscheduled evenings can make school mornings harder.

You’ll get tools to understand, support, and nurture your child through these challenging times.

This episode was originally released on March 17, 2025.

If you are looking for more resources to support your child through school refusal, anxiety and separation struggles, we can help:

Separations & Goodbyes Course – If your child struggles with separation anxiety—whether at school drop-off, with a babysitter, or at bedtime—this course provides the tools and support to make goodbyes easier.

The School Toolkit – Whether your child is starting a new school, facing challenges at school, or you simply want to help them feel more confident, this toolkit is designed to support them every step of the way.

The Friendship Toolkit – From making new friends to handling friendship ups and downs, this toolkit helps kids navigate social challenges with confidence.

The Worry Toolkit – If your child has big worries—about school or anything else—this toolkit offers practical strategies to help them manage anxiety and feel more at ease.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

How To Handle Big After-School Meltdowns (REVISIT) Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

Why is your child perfect at school, only to completely fall apart the moment they get home? This episode dives deep into the common but misunderstood phenomenon of 'After-School Restraint Collapse.' Jess and Scott will help you understand that these explosions are a sign that your child feels safest with you, and give you practical strategies—from co-regulation to creating a 'soft landing'—to help your child decompress and turn these challenging moments into opportunities for connection.

This episode was originally released on September 22, 2025.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

Are You Raising A Spicy Nugget? with Loryn Brantz Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Jess sits down with Emmy award-winning author, artist, and director Loryn Brantz to discuss her brand new children's book, "I Am a Spicy Nugget." They dive deep into the magic of playful parenting, sharing practical and hilarious ways to use humour and imagination to defuse toddler tantrums. Tune in to learn why we all become "spicy nuggets" sometimes, how to combat "garbage thoughts," and why shifting your parenting mindset can completely transform your home's dynamic.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

Why Do ADHD Kids Daydream? Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Jess dives deep into the often misunderstood world of inattentive ADHD, focusing closely on why these individuals are so frequently labelled as 'daydreamers.' We explore the hidden hyperactivity that happens entirely within the mind, which can lead to dissociation, anxiety, and overwhelm. Tune in to discover how to harness the power of the wandering mind and better support the daydreamers in your life.

Want to learn more tools for supporting your child with ADHD? Check out our course, Parenting Your Child with ADHD, here.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

For kids ages 3-8, check out our Friendship Toolkit here.

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

Friendship Truths All Kids Need To Know Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Drawing on her experience as a school therapist, Jess shares essential 'friendship truths’ that parents can teach their kids quickly and easily to help them have a great year at school.

Want to learn more about supporting your kids and tweens through friendship struggles?

For kids 8+, check out our Puberty Toolkit here.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

How To Talk To Kids About Tricky Things Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Jess tackles the age-old parenting struggle: What do you do when your child shuts down during tricky conversations? Listeners will walk away with five practical tools for tough conversations with their kids and tweens. Tune in to transform awkward chats into confidence-building moments!

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Pre-Order her new book ‘Too Sensitive’ here.

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

The ADHD Experience No One Talks About: Sensitivity, Emotions & More with Dr. Sasha Hamdani Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Join Jess as she sits down with board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD expert Dr. Sasha Hamdani to unpack the realities of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and emotional dysregulation. Dr. Hamdani sheds light on why so many women are diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how to navigate the complex diagnostic process. Whether you are parenting a sensitive child or learning to embrace your own emotional depth, this episode offers vital insights and practical strategies. Tune in to reframe what it means to be 'too sensitive' and discover how to harness it as your greatest strength!

Hear more from Dr. Sasha Hamdani on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (@thepsychdoctormd)

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

The Truth About Risky Play Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Discover the crucial differences between healthy risk and hazardous environments, and learn why allowing your kids to take calculated risks can actually decrease their long-term anxiety. Jess shares practical tips for coaching children through tricky physical situations rather than hovering. Tune in to find out why a scraped knee might just be a sign of a thriving, adventurous child!

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Self-Care For Burnt-Out Parents with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

How To Stay Calm During Tantrums Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Jess dives into the very real and exhausting challenge of staying calm during your child's tantrums. We explore the unspoken truth about parental burnout, especially for parents whose nervous systems are triggered by yelling due to their own childhood trauma. Tune in to gain actionable strategies that will help you regulate your own emotions, reconnect with your toddler, and realize that you are absolutely not alone in the chaos of parenting!

Want to hear more? Check out these episodes Jess mentions during this discussion:

How Can I Reduce My Anger and Annoyance As A Highly Sensitive Parent?

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits: