Does parenting sometimes feel overwhelming or chaotic? In this episode, Dr Chris Willard shares how mindfulness, humor, and small daily practices can shift the tone of your home and build resilience for kids. He explains why calm begins with you and how presence matters more than perfection. Listen now to discover one simple shift that can bring more peace and connection into your family life.

What to expect in this episode:

• Dr Chris Willard’s journey with ADHD, sobriety, and mindfulness
• Mindfulness as play, humor, movement, and creativity
• How a few breaths can calm the body and sharpen focus
• Why parent regulation shapes child regulation
• Simple daily tools to reset stress and restore connection

About Christopher Willard, PsyD
Dr. Christopher is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant based in Massachusetts. He teaches at Harvard Medical School and has shared his expertise on mindfulness and mental health in over forty countries, including two TEDx events. Dr. Willard is the author of twenty books, such as Alphabreaths (2019), Growing Up Mindful (2016), Feelings Are Like Farts (2023), and College Mental Health 101 (2025). His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, mindful.org, CNN.com, and many other outlets.

Connect with Dr. Christopher

• Website: Dr. Christopher Willard
• Instagram: @drchriswillard
  
  

Related Links:

• Helping Young Adults Get Back On Track
  https://impactparents.com/helping-young-adults-get-back-on-track
• The Power of Good Enough: Progress Over Perfection
  https://impactparents.com/the-power-of-good-enough-progress-over-perfection
• Simplifying Mindfulness (and How to Start Small)
  https://impactparents.com/simplifying-mindfulness-and-how-to-start-small

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/fun-simple-mindfulness-for-adhd-families-with-dr.-chris-willard

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

If you feel like someone in your home is always shutting down, melting down, or firing back, you’re not imagining it. Reactivity takes over fast, especially in stressed or neurodiverse families. In this episode, we’ll explain why it happens, how to spot each SODA pattern, and what to do in the moment to create safety and calm. Tune in to learn one shift that can lower stress for everyone in your home.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why reactivity comes from the body, not willpower, and how that changes your approach
• How the SODA framework explains shutdowns, defensiveness, explosions, and avoidance
• The “wrong equals bad” belief that drives shame and emotional overwhelm in kids
• Why emotional safety matters more than logic when helping kids learn and regulate
• How co-regulation can interrupt spirals and bring everyone back to calm
  
  

Related Links:

• EP187: Emotionally Intelligent Parenting
  https://impactparents.com/emotionally-intelligent-parenting
• EP200: Reduce Family Stress by Taking Aim
  https://impactparents.com/reduce-family-stress-by-taking-aim
• EP207: Rebuilding Trust with Teens: Cleaning the Slate Conversations
  https://impactparents.com/rebuilding-trust-with-teens-cleaning-the-slate-conversations

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/emotional-reactivity-in-kids-safety-matters-more-than-willpower

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Can changing a few words in an IEP change a child’s future? Speech Dude Chris Wenger shares how to reframe support plans to empower neurodivergent kids instead of pushing them to mask. Learn why connection, regulation, and self-advocacy matter more than compliance and how actually to build those skills into your child’s education plan.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why IEPs often miss the mark and how to fix them
• How to replace deficit language with strength-based reframes
• Why connection and regulation need to come before learning
• How co-creating goals with kids leads to better outcomes
• The power of self-advocacy compared to compliance

About Chris Wenger
Chris also known as Speech Dude, is a high school speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience supporting autistic and neurodivergent youth. As a neurodivergent educator himself, he brings a unique perspective to his work. Chris is also an internationally recognized presenter who shares practical, affirming strategies to improve speech therapy and better support neurodiverse students.

Connect with Chris

• Website: Speech Dude | NeuroAffirm
• Facebook: Speech Dude
• YouTube: Speech Dude
• Instagram: @speechdude
• Tiktok: @speechdude
• X: @speechdude)

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/how-to-make-ieps-neuro-affirming-and-student-led

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Ever been told your child has “mild ADHD”? In this episode, we’ll talk about why no ADHD is ever “a little” and how understanding it early can change everything. You’ll hear how small shifts in awareness and support can help your child feel more capable and connected. Tune in to discover a new way to see and support your child’s unique brain.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why “mild to moderate ADHD” can be as misleading as being “a little bit pregnant”
• How gifted kids can mask ADHD challenges until they suddenly hit a wall
• The real hallmark of ADHD: inconsistency across settings and tasks
• What happens when ADHD goes untreated and starts to snowball into anxiety or burnout
• Why managing ADHD means engaging the brain, not just taking medication

Related Links:

• EP158: ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment: From Skepticism to Evidence-Based Innovation
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-158-adhd-diagnosis-treatment-from-skepticism
• EP231: ADHD And Productivity: How To Work Smarter, Not Harder
  https://impactparents.com/adhd-and-productivity-how-to-work-smarter-not-harder
• EP236: Executive Function & ADHD: What Parents Need To Know
  https://impactparents.com/executive-function-adhd-what-parents-need-to-know
  

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/mild-to-moderate-adhd-why-labels-mislead-in-helping-your-child-thrive

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Is school preparing kids for the future or just training them to chase scores? In this episode, Ted Dintersmith reveals why outdated priorities fail students and how creativity, agency, and happiness are the real keys to success. Tune in to discover what kids truly need to thrive in an AI-driven world.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why test scores don’t reflect real learning or future success
• The truth behind pandemic “learning loss” and what really matters
• How AI is reshaping your child’s future and what they need to know
• A powerful school model that blends hands-on skills with new-economy careers
• How to protect your child’s confidence and stop school from crushing their gifts

About Ted Dintersmith
Ted is a leading voice in education innovation and the founder of WhatSchoolCouldBe.org, a platform highlighting student-centered learning across the country. After a successful career in venture capital, he produced the Sundance-premiered documentary Most Likely to Succeed and authored What School Could Be, based on his visits to classrooms in all 50 states. Through his films, books, and speaking, Ted inspires educators, parents, and policymakers to reimagine learning and prepare kids for the future.

Connect with Ted

• Website: Ted Dintersmith | What School Could Be
• LinkedIn: Ted Dintersmith
• Upcoming Book: Aftermath
• Upcoming Film: Multiple Choice
  
  

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/ted-dintersmith-future-skills-schools-should-teach-now

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Why does rejection hit so hard for people with ADHD? In this episode, Rick Green joins us to unpack the emotional toll of rejection sensitivity. We’ll explore how it shows up in daily life, why it’s often misunderstood, and what can actually help. With humor, insight, and real-life examples, this conversation sheds light on a powerful but often hidden struggle.

What to expect in this episode:

• What RSD is and how it affects people with ADHD in the moment
• Why ADHD brains sense more rejection and how that shapes confidence
• What it means to reclaim the brain during emotional overwhelm
• How silence can become your most effective tool in conflict
• A simple question that can shift your mindset fast: What’s the best that can happen?
  
  

About Rick Green, CM, OOnt, BSc
Rick is a celebrated Canadian comedian, writer, and ADHD advocate best known for his roles in The Red Green Show, The Frantics, and the cult favorite Prisoners of Gravity. After being diagnosed with ADHD, Rick co-created the award-winning documentary ADD & Loving It?!, which has helped millions better understand the condition. With a background in physics and a career spanning over 700 episodes of TV and radio, Rick blends science, humor, and heart in his ongoing mission to educate and empower the neurodivergent community. He is a recipient of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada for his contributions to culture and mental health.

Connect with Rick

• Website: Rick Has ADHD
• Facebook: Rick Has ADHD
• YouTube: Rick Has ADHD
• Patreon: Rick Green
  
  

Related Links:

• EP16: What Story Are You Telling Yourself?
  https://impactparents.com/what-story-are-you-telling-yourself
• EP150: Recognizing and Managing Stress Triggers as Parents
  https://impactparents.com/managing-stress-as-a-parent

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/rick-green-on-rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-what-is-it-how-to-manage-it

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

What if the real reason your child struggles to regulate emotions or stay focused isn't behavior at all? Dr. Marielly Mitchell reveals how airway health, mouth breathing, and sensory processing play a surprising role in brain development. This episode challenges what you think you know about sleep, stress, and why your child just can’t seem to sit still.

What to expect in this episode:

• How sensory integration affects your child's emotional regulation
• The link between airway health, sleep quality, and brain development
• What mouth breathing might reveal about your child's nervous system
• Signs of poor sleep in neurodivergent kids and what to try first
• Why lack of sleep can look like or worsen ADHD symptoms

About Dr. Marielly Mitchell, OTD, OTR/L, SIPT, SWC
Dr. Marielly is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy known for her pioneering work in sensory processing, child development, sleep and airway disorders, and feeding and swallowing challenges. Grounded in biology and physiology, her integrative approach combines sensory-motor strategies, sleep, and airway health to support children with ADHD, ASD, and related conditions. As founder of TheraPlay LA, she leads a multidisciplinary team that blends occupational, speech, and airway therapy to help children thrive.

Connect with Dr. Marielly

• Website: TheraPlayLA
• Facebook: Doctor Marielly
• Instagram: @doctormarielly
  

Related Links:

• Why Sleep Is SO Hard for Neurospicy People (& what to DO about it)
  https://impactparents.com/why-sleep-is-so-hard-for-neurospicy-people-what-to-do-about-it
• ADHD & Sleep pt 2: Getting Kids In & Out of Bed
  https://impactparents.com/adhd-sleep-pt-2-getting-kids-in-out-of-bed
• From Chaos to Calm: Building Sleep Routines for Sensory-Sensitive Kids
  https://impactparents.com/from-chaos-to-calm-building-sleep-routines-for-sensory-sensitive-kids

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift.


Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/dr.-marielly-mitchell-connecting-sensory-processing-and-sleep-quality

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics rom the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Struggling with motivation, time management, or emotional outbursts? It might not be what you think. In this episode, we will unpack the real impact of executive function and why it matters more than ever. Tune in to learn what’s really going on behind the behavior, and what parents can do differently starting today.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why executive function affects everything we think, feel, and do
• Why medication doesn’t actually solve executive function issues and what can help instead
• How to understand the difference between remediation and accommodation at home and in school
• What self-accommodation really looks like and how to help kids build it
• Why it's important to support executive function at home and not just rely on IEPs

Related Links:

• EP147: Shifting from Nagging to Collaborative Solutions
  https://impactparents.com/collaborative-solutions
• EP210: Why Smart Kids Struggle in School and What Executive Function Has to Do With It
  https://impactparents.com/why-smart-kids-struggle-in-school-and-what-executive-function-has-to-do-with-it
• EP220: Tabletop Gaming: Social & Emotional Skills for Neurodiverse Kids
  https://impactparents.com/tabletop-gaming-social-emotional-skills-for-neurodiverse-kids
  
  

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Read the full blog here:

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention

Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com