Ever wish your teen would text more than “k,” while your paragraphs go unread? We dive into a simple framework that makes family communication clearer and calmer: six modes—sending, talking, meaning-making, tacit knowing, signaling, and advocacy—and how to switch between them without adding more stress. Our guest, Craig Matson, professor of communication and author of Digital Overwhelm, brings research from modern workplaces into everyday parenting, showing how the same pressures and patterns play out at the dinner table, in the car, and over text.
We unpack what each mode looks like at home: when to broadcast logistics, when to go one-on-one, how to explain the why behind rules, and why some skills are best learned by doing rather than explaining. We also decode the subtle stuff—tone, timing, punctuation—so your messages land the way you intend. Craig shares a memorable bookstore story where a plan fell apart and flexibility saved the day, modeling how small experiments (QR codes, short videos, quick chats) can reach different people with the right touch at the right time.
Mindfulness threads through the conversation. We talk about noticing your default mode, spotting the moment you’re “stuck,” and choosing a new approach on purpose. You’ll hear practical language shifts that create distance from big feelings, drawing on relational frame theory: “you’re having overwhelm” rather than “you are overwhelmed.” We close with simple ways to teach kids a wider range of modes—clear updates, compassionate talks, meaning checks, subtle signals, and brave advocacy—plus a reminder to lean on your village of coaches, teachers, and mentors so you don’t have to do it all yourself.
Listen for real-world examples, short scripts you can try today, and a calm path forward when life is loud. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a little more ease, and leave a quick review so more parents can find these tools.
For more on Craig's work click here.
Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.
To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.
To review the podcast click here.