Grandparenting can be a gift—or a point of tension—depending on how generational differences are navigated. In this episode, Jenny Brown speaks with two special guests, Selden Illick and her daughter-in-law Alison Illick, about the subtle and powerful dynamics between grandparents, parents, and children. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, they explore how patterns of anxiety, closeness, and loyalty ripple through three generations, and what differentiation looks like as adult children st...
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Grandparenting can be a gift—or a point of tension—depending on how generational differences are navigated. In this episode, Jenny Brown speaks with two special guests, Selden Illick and her daughter-in-law Alison Illick, about the subtle and powerful dynamics between grandparents, parents, and children. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, they explore how patterns of anxiety, closeness, and loyalty ripple through three generations, and what differentiation looks like as adult children st...
Grandparenting can be a gift—or a point of tension—depending on how generational differences are navigated. In this episode, Jenny Brown speaks with two special guests, Selden Illick and her daughter-in-law Alison Illick, about the subtle and powerful dynamics between grandparents, parents, and children. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, they explore how patterns of anxiety, closeness, and loyalty ripple through three generations, and what differentiation looks like as adult children st...
As parents, our worries can quietly slip onto our children’s shoulders. But what if there’s another way? This Mental Health Month (in our State: NSW), the Parent Hope Podcast explores how parents can support children’s well-being by first steadying themselves. Jenny Brown, founder and director of the Parent Hope Project, and Lauren Errington, executive Director of The Family Systems Institute, draw on Bowen Family Systems Theory to unpack how parental worry - often inflamed by mental health m...
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Briony Scott, renowned educator and advocate for young people, to unpack the growing tendency to pathologise normal teenage emotions. Are we too quick to label sadness as depression or worry as anxiety? Briony explores how this rush to intervene can sometimes do more harm than good—and what parents can do instead to raise emotionally resilient children. From navigating girlhood emotions to tackling toxic masculinity , this episode is an essential conversa...
This episode explores how parents can become confident, empowered partners in their child’s education. Through insights from an educator and head of student wellbeing, we unpack the real challenges both parents and teachers face when trying to connect—and what helps bridge the gap. You'll hear practical strategies for building trust, improving communication, and creating a shared sense of purpose between home and school as part of a broader commitment to student wellbeing. Jenny Brown in conv...
How do you help teens to raise their own awareness to the impacts of their screen addictions and to motivate them to stop doing it if they're refusing or denying that the phone's the problem? In this follow up episode (see Episode 5), Vicki Wilkins and Jenny Brown respond to questions sent in at the end of a recent webinar. They offer practical advice, urging listeners to consider a shift from reactivity to presence - focussing on setting digital boundaries, rooted in values and not panic. If...
In this timely episode, facilitator Vicki Wilkins interviews Dr. Jenny Brown — founder of the Parent Hope Project — to explore how parents and educators can reclaim calm, confident leadership amidst the chaos of the digital age. Rather than focusing on fear-based data that leaves parents feeling overwhelmed or caught in rigid control efforts, Dr. Brown offers a refreshing perspective: real influence starts with self-management, not child-management. Through insights and practical ...
Bridging the Gap: Parents Relating Positively to their Child’s Mental Health Service In this episode, Jenny Brown and Dr Annemaree Bickerton explore how parents can effectively engage with mental health clinicians supporting their children. We discuss what parents can expect in terms of involvement, the different types of involvement that empower parents as key contributors to their child’s recovery, and how shared information builds trust. The episode also addresses the challenges pare...
In this episode, we explore a modern parenting paradox: how to be a supportive parent without overdoing it. Joining us again is researcher and family systems therapist Phil Kelver from Kansas, USA, sharing insights from his 20-year study of 50 families. Together, we unpack his fascinating research about the effects of over-investing in our children, how parents can spot the subtle signs of doing too much, and what it takes to find a healthier balance in today's high-pressure parenting culture...
Discovering that your child is self-harming is understandably fear- inducing for any parent. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, PHP invites parents to consider first how they are responding when safety fears are raised – rather than focusing on the details of the self-harm and diagnoses. In this podcast Jenny Brown interviews leading Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Annemaree Bickerton about parenting when a child is self-harming. They cover some of these questions: What are the diff...
Goal setting – how parents setting applicable goals helps a family to function In this first episode of 2025, Jenny Brown interviews Philip Klever, a clinician and researcher from Kansas City in the USA. Philip describes his research and what it reveals about the variations in what goals parents set and together they explore how goal settings and principles are connected for parents. In the Parent Hope programs, parents are asked to consider their principles when deciding on their...
In this rebroadcasted episode, from Season 2 Episode 7, Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero. Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan’s rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members – including its children. This conversation builds on Dr...
In this Rebroadcast of Season 2, Episode 5, the tables are turned! Michelle Varcoe, interviews Dr Jenny Brown to discuss: The importance of co-regulation in parenting.What is co-regulation?Are there potential pitfalls of focusing too much on co-regulation?Consider the role of self-regulation in parenting.Differentiation in Parenting: meaningful connection without invasion.To hear more about Michelle go to Season 2 Episode 4 or see links below. About Dr Jenny Brown: Dr Jenny Brown has over 35 ...
Recent studies have found that several of these programs not only failed to help young people but also made their mental health problems worse. Jenny shares some thoughts about this and links it to the Bowen family system ideas of how focusing on a problem in a person can actually project or amplify that problem. Note: some of the research quoted is discussed in this NY Time article by Darby Saxbe professor of psychology at the University of Southern Californiahttps://www.nytimes.com/202...
Jenny reflects on parents' questions about why they would need to be involved in addressing a child’s symptoms if it is from the child’s genetics or brain wiring. Even when genetics plays a part, the research points to the important influence of the child's environment. Parents can impact the environment in many growth-enhancing ways – this is the basis of building parent hope.The book mentioned is: Hudson, J. L., & Rapee, R. M. (Eds.). (2005). Psychopathology and the family. Elsevier Sci...
Jenny shares some thoughts on how the way we respond to a concern is more impactful than just focusing on the content of the issue. We can research problems such as sleep or screen time issues, but all this information can add to a parent's intensity—considering the effects of our responses on our children is the place where progress and hope are built.Newsletter-https://parenthopeproject.com.au/#newsletterYoutube-http://www.youtube.com/@ParentHopeProjectFacebook-https://www.facebook.com/coac...
In this episode, Jenny Brown delves deeper into Differentiation-Based Parenting, exploring how this approach extends beyond the parent-child relationship to include the dynamic between parenting partners.Grounded in Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation-Based Parenting shifts the focus from solely addressing children’s needs and vulnerabilities to encouraging parents to develop greater self-awareness while maintaining a calm and connected presence with their children. By prioritising s...
In this episode, Jenny Brown introduces a title for the Parent Hope Project's parenting approach. Part one of this series asks the question: Is this just another parenting style with a whole lot of techniques?Part two will explore what this approach looks like beyond the parent-child relationship, extending into the parenting partnership.Differentiation-Based Parenting, rooted in Bowen family systems theory, emphasises the value of parents becoming more self-aware while maintaining a non-anxi...
In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny Brown sits down with Clinical Psychologists Ahmed Tohamy and Samantha Pilcher to explore the challenges of school avoidance and how families can support children in re-engaging with education. Ahmed, who recently spoke at the sold-out School-Link Forum Day Event in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, NSW, shares his experience piloting the Parent Hope Project, a family-based intervention aimed at addressing school refusal. Samantha brings valuable insights from ...
In this Episode Jenny is back in the hosting seat with guest Dan Papero. Dr Jenny Brown draws on Dan’s rich experience as a Bowen family systems scholar, teacher and clinician. They explore how our families are both the seedbed for symptoms and a garden of recovery. They explore how parents can contribute to their family becoming a garden for the sustainable growth and flourishing of its members - including its children. This conversation builds on Dr Papero’s keynote addresses at the 21st Fa...
In this episode, the tables are turned again as Vicki Wilkins, the Parent Hope Project Professional Programs Coordinator, interviews Dr. Jenny Brown. They discuss the topic of limit setting and responding to children's misbehaviour.Does the family systems approach recognise that parenting involves responding to children’s misbehaviours? This question seems to come up so much at parent events and in our parents' hope for professional training – It speaks to parent uncertainty about...
Grandparenting can be a gift—or a point of tension—depending on how generational differences are navigated. In this episode, Jenny Brown speaks with two special guests, Selden Illick and her daughter-in-law Alison Illick, about the subtle and powerful dynamics between grandparents, parents, and children. Drawing on Bowen family systems theory, they explore how patterns of anxiety, closeness, and loyalty ripple through three generations, and what differentiation looks like as adult children st...
