In this powerful episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack one of the hardest moments in parenting: when your teen triggers a deep emotional reaction in you. They explore why these intense reactions often stem not from the child’s behavior, but from unhealed wounds, old beliefs, and unmet needs carried from our own childhood. Drawing from their experience as counselors and parents, they offer 5 practical steps to help you recognize your triggers, regulate in the...

In this enlightening episode of The Art of Raising Humans, hosts Kyle and Sara Wester explore the transformative journey of reparenting with special guest Shelly Robinson — conscious parenting coach and founder of Raising Yourself. Shelly shares powerful stories and personal reflections from her own healing journey, offering insight into what it means to reparent your inner child while showing up fully for your kids. Together, they discuss how self-awareness, humility, and compassion f...

Do you ever say, “You’re making me so mad”? Or feel like your child’s behavior controls your mood? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara explore a hidden but common parenting pattern, placing your emotional well-being in your child’s hands. Though it often comes from love, this dynamic can create anxiety, confusion, and emotional pressure for kids. Kyle and Sara share real-life examples and 5 practical steps to help you break this cycle and build a h...

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester talk with college consultant Carrie Roberts about how to prepare kids for college in a way that actually sets them up for long-term success without sacrificing their mental health or your family’s connection. We explore how self-awareness, curiosity, and emotional intelligence can help your child thrive—not just get into college, but become confident in who they are and where they’re headed. You’ll learn how to s...

In this episode, we dive into what’s really going on inside your teenager’s brain and why trying to control them often backfires. From brain development to boundary-pushing, we unpack the science and the heart behind teen behavior. You’ll learn 5 practical, connection-focused strategies that help you guide your teen without gripping tighter. Because the goal isn’t control, it’s trust. Topics we cover: What brain changes are driving your teen’s behaviorWhy teens push back (and wh...

Big emotions aren’t misbehavior—they’re communication. In this episode, Kyle and Sara explore how to support kids through emotional outbursts without losing connection or control. Learn how brain development, secure attachment, and your own regulation shape how kids handle their biggest feelings. You’ll get practical tools to guide—not shut down—your child during emotional storms. What you’ll learn: – Why no child is “too emotional” – How co-regulation builds emotional safety – ...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara dive into one of the most powerful gifts we can give our kids: emotional intelligence. They unpack what emotional intelligence (EQ) really looks like in everyday family life, why it’s essential for your child’s mental health and resilience, and how to begin building it—even if you’re still growing in it yourself. From common parenting pitfalls to simple, meaningful daily practices, this episode offers honest conversation and practical tools to help your kids thr...

Traveling with kids can be a beautiful opportunity to connect—or a chaotic experience no one wants to repeat. In this episode, Kyle and Sara share realistic, relationship-first strategies to help make road trips and vacations more peaceful and enjoyable. Whether you're flying, driving, or just heading out for the day, these tips will help you approach travel with less stress, more flexibility, and a whole lot more connection. View the full podcast transcript at: https://ww...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara tackle a struggle many intentional parents face: “I want to be gentle and connected… but am I being too soft?” The fear of being too authoritarian often pushes parents toward permissiveness—leading to unclear boundaries, power struggles, and anxiety in kids. But there’s a better way. This conversation is all about loving guidance—a balanced approach that gives your kids structure, emotional support, and room to grow, while helping you stay grounded in your value...

n this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester dive into what it really takes to build a lifelong emotional connection with your child. They explore the subtle ways disconnection shows up—like busyness or emotional unavailability—and share practical strategies to create meaningful rituals, stay present, and repair relationships. If you want your discipline to come from connection, not control, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways: Connection is the foundation of influen...

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with Tara Bremer, founder and CEO of House Peace, to explore how the state of our homes can deeply affect our parenting, stress levels, and connection with our kids. Tara has been bringing peace into homes since 2013, using her background in psychology and counseling to help families shift from chaos to calm. As a wife and mother of three, she understands firsthand the daily challenges of family life—and brings a comp...

In this thought-provoking episode, Kyle and Sara Wester challenge a common parenting goal: obedience. They explore why obedience might deliver quick results, but often at the cost of long-term connection, emotional development, and a child's capacity for critical thinking. Instead, they advocate for cooperation as a healthier, more empowering goal. Drawing from real-life examples and their work with families, Kyle and Sara share practical strategies to nurture trust, respect, and inter...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara sit down with Lori Sugarman-Li—author of Our Home—to explore how reframing family responsibilities can transform your household. They talk about the emotional labor of parenting, why chores aren’t just tasks, and how involving kids in meaningful work builds connection, confidence, and life skills. 💡 Topics include: Why "helping" isn’t the same as "collaborating"Making invisible labor visibleTeaching kids responsibility through shared careHow shifting lang...

In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester explore one of the most common stressors for families—sibling conflict. Instead of falling into the trap of being a referee, dismissing the drama, or shutting it down, what if you could coach your kids through it? Kyle and Sara break down the three roles parents often play (resister, dismisser, ref) and why they don’t work. Then they share a compassionate, research-backed alternative: coaching kids to build empathy, communication,...

In this honest and inspiring conversation, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with bestselling author Jessica N. Turner to talk about what happens when parenting and marriage don’t turn out the way you hoped. Jessica opens up about her own journey through disappointment and divorce, and how she rebuilt her life with intention, emotional healing, and hope. She shares lessons from her new book, I Thought It Would Be Better Than This, including how therapy, forgiveness, and open communication ...

In this episode, Kyle and Sara explore the power of the Relationship Bank Account (RBA) — a simple but transformative tool for strengthening your connection with your child. You’ll learn: What a Relationship Bank Account is (and why it matters)How to make daily “deposits” that build long-term trust and emotional security10 practical ways to fill up your child’s RBA starting todayWhat to do if your RBA is running low (or in overdraft)How RBA principles protect your relationship through ...

In this thought-provoking episode, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with renowned author and speaker Alfie Kohn—a powerful voice challenging traditional ideas about parenting, discipline, education, and motivation. Alfie doesn’t hold back as he dives into the unintended consequences of using rewards, punishments, and even praise with children. His insights, grounded in decades of research, have radically reshaped how countless parents and educators approach behavior and discipline. ...

In this episode, we’re digging into the quiet beliefs many of us bring into parenting—assumptions we didn’t even realize were shaping how we saw our kids. Kyle and Sara reflect on the messages they heard early on in their parenting journey: from well-meaning friends, family, and culture at large. Many of these ideas—like needing to “control” kids, stop “bad” behavior, or “show them who’s boss”—can subtly influence how we respond to our children’s needs, mistakes, and development. But what if ...

In Episode #155 of Art of Raising Humans, Sara and Kyle sit down with pediatric neuropsychologists, Dr. Yale Rothman and Dr. Katie Fredriksen, to explore a crucial and timely topic — how to talk with kids about autism. In this episode, we discuss a thoughtful, kid-friendly book co-authored by Dr. Rothman and Dr. Fredriksen that helps children with autism understand how their brains work — and supports neurotypical children in understanding and connecting with autistic peers. Thi...

In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara explore one of the most common questions they get from parents: “Is it really possible to discipline without punishment or consequences like time-outs, threats, or spanking?” When they became parents, Kyle and Sara struggled to imagine parenting without those tools—they believed punishment was an essential part of discipline. But as they dug deeper into the research and began working with families, they discovered that true disciplin...