Eps 639: Politics and Parenting with Alyson Schafer

Eps 639: Politics and Parenting with Alyson Schafer

Author: Casey O'Roarty January 27, 2026 Duration: 1:00:59
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with psychotherapist and Positive Discipline expert Alyson Schafer to explore how we can support our teens through today's turbulent political climate. We discuss Alfred Adler's vision for raising cooperative citizens, reading our kids' stress signals, using curiosity over lectures, and helping teens move from doom-scrolling to meaningful action. If you're struggling to hold space for your teen's big feelings about current events while maintaining hope for the future, this episode is essential listening. Guest Bio: Alyson Schafer is a psychotherapist, bestselling author, and one of the leading voices in Positive Discipline and Adlerian psychology. She has written multiple books including Breaking the Good Mom Myth and Ain't Misbehavin', and her work has helped families worldwide move from power struggles to cooperation. Alyson hosts her own podcast and runs child guidance programs rooted in democratic parenting principles. She lives in Canada and continues the legacy of Adlerian psychology through her international community work. For more show notes and info at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/politics-and-parenting-with-alyson-schafer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parenting adolescents often feels like navigating a landscape without a reliable map, where the old rules no longer apply and connection can feel just out of reach. Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens, hosted by Casey O'Roarty, meets you right in that uncertainty. This podcast operates from a simple, powerful belief: the challenges of raising tweens and teens, while deeply personal, are also a shared human experience. Instead of offering quick fixes, conversations here focus on the foundational work of building and repairing relationships, fostering essential life skills in our kids, and perhaps most importantly, doing the internal work required of us as parents. You’ll hear honest discussions that blend practical strategies with compassionate insight, all aimed at transforming this demanding season from a battle of wills into an opportunity for mutual growth. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining a thoughtful, experienced friend who reminds you that courage isn't about being fearless, but about finding joy and resilience within the beautiful mess of family life. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to move beyond reaction and toward a more intentional, connected approach with the young adults in their home.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens
Podcast Episodes
Eps 651: Rebuilding trust with our teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:51
In this solo episode, I dig into what so many parents of teens wrestle with: rebuilding trust after your kid has hurt or scared you. I explore why hypervigilance is a trauma response and not a character flaw, the differe…
Eps 650:  Teen Sleep Help with Dr. Melisa Moore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:01
Teen sleep struggles are real — and they're not about laziness or bad parenting. In this episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Melissa Moore to unpack why adolescent sleep is so…
Eps 649: Teen Coaching with Anna Kashner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:36
If you've ever watched your teen spiral into negative thinking and felt completely helpless — or worse, realized your response made it worse — this episode is for you. I sat down with certified youth life coach Anna Kash…
Eps 648: Parenting with Humility and Breaking Cycles with Wendy Snyder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:03
In this episode, I'm sitting down with the incredible Wendy Snyder of Fresh Start Family — and this conversation is good. We're talking about breaking painful generational cycles, the power of humility as a parenting sup…
Eps 647:  Returning to our soul care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
If you've been feeling off lately (like me) — scattered, insecure, or like you've lost your footing — this episode is for you. In this solo show, I'm sharing what happened when I finally returned to my Soul Care practice…
Eps 646:  Getting real about "good kids" with Maggie Nick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:16
If you've ever wondered why your "good kid" seems fine on the outside but distant, perfectionistic, or quietly falling apart — this episode is for you. I sat down with Maggie Nick, licensed clinical social worker and tra…
Eps 645: Parenting from Trust with Debbie Simmons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:28
Are you parenting from trust—or survival? In this episode I sit down with Debbie Simmons, mom of thirteen and leadership strategist, to explore the hidden defaults that hijack our parenting when pressure hits—control, si…
Eps 644: Teen Triggers & Healing with Layne Burkette [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:39
If you've ever promised yourself you'd respond differently to your teen—and then found yourself right back in the same reactive loop—this episode is for you. I sat down with somatic educator and counselor Layne Burkette…
Eps 643: Fearless Finance with Lori Atwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:30
Money talk on a parenting podcast? Yes — because financial stress shows up in our relationships with our teens whether we acknowledge it or not. In this episode I sit down with financial planner Lori Atwood to explore wh…
Eps 642: Skip the Punishment, Focus on Solutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:23
In this episode, I'm unpacking the unintended results of punishment, and why it isn't helpful with teenagers — and what actually is. We dig into the adolescent brain science behind why our kids make impulsive choices, wh…