Tough Talks, Super Scripts Episodes

Tough topics. Whether it's a disagreement with a coworker, or tackling uncomfortably conversations with our kids, it can be hard to know how to approach things. Today's episode focuses on communication and conversations, exploring the impact of what we say or don't say on our lives and relationships. 0:50 - Meet our guest, Rayna Rose Exelbierd, a motivational speaker, author, and advocate for kindness. 4:20 - Rayna shares her experience with uncomfortable conversations, highlighting th...

Episode 42 is all about fundamental LGBTQ concepts, and ways we can support our kids and others who may be on their own journey, discovering who they are. Elaine Farris joins host Carmelita (Cat) Tiu and shares: What the definitions are for assigned sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation How these terms relate to one another Why acceptance is not the goal The importance of using pronouns How to support your child while being careful not to push them ...

In Episode 41 of Know Them, Be Them, Raise Them, Cai Graham chats with host Carmelita (Cat) Tiu about connecting with our tweens and teens, and coping. Some highlights: The importance of being vulnerable in front of their kids Why we shouldn’t beat ourselves up for the challenges we feel when raising tweens & teens 3 questions to ask your tweens & teens every day Healthy ways to cope Guest Bio: Cai Graham is a Parenting & Teen Mentor, Podcaster, International Speaker and Am...

Self-Harm and kids. What parent isn’t struck with anxiety when they think of their child contemplating self harm? What leads to self-harm becoming an option? (Warning: this episode discusses self-harm from an educational perspective. There are no personal stories or graphic experiences, but we do discuss what self-harm can look like. For some, this might be difficult or you may choose not to listen to this around young children. I encourage everyone to assess their situations, take care of th...

Ok, who of us hasn’t cringed a little bit, thinking about "having the talk" with your kids? Why does this awkwardness exist, and can we make it less awkward for our kids, so there’s a healthier dialogue about sex and bodies and relationships? In Episode 39, Sarah Sproule unpacks all of this with host Carmelita Tiu, sharing what parents can do to create an open atmosphere, build healthy attitudes towards sex and their bodies, and empower their daughters with tools to craft healthy relations...

What woman hasn’t disliked part of her body, or all of her body, at some point in her life? That is a problem. Diet culture, thin ideals, and ever-changing and unattainable beauty standards – these are self-esteem sabotaging issues that women and girls deal with every day. In a continuation of a conversation from Episode 37, Defying Diet Culture & Making Peace With Our Bodies, Body Relationship Coach Debbie Saroufim chats with host Carmelita Tiu about what parents can do to help empower th...

What woman hasn’t disliked part of her body, or all of her body, at some point in her life? That is a problem. Diet culture, thin ideals, and ever-changing and unattainable beauty standards – these are self-esteem sabotaging issues that women and girls deal with every day. Body Relationship Coach Debbie Saroufim chats with host Carmelita Tiu about how we can navigate diet culture and embrace our bodies, and escape from shame and guilt cycles. We cover: Her journey to becoming a b...

If you’re like me, you believe on some gut level that burying and ignoring your emotions isn’t healthy - and the research continues to back that. A study from the University of Texas found that when we avoid our emotions, we’re actually making them stronger — which can create serious implications for your body and mind, including depression, aggression, low self-esteem, and physical problems like headaches, insomnia, heart disease, intestinal problems. Another thing to consider, is that op...

April is sexual assault awareness month -- a reminder to acknowledge and support survivors, advocate for further awareness, and educate ourselves and our kids. While we know what sexual assault is on some visceral level, I wanted to do a quick episode that spells out what body boundaries, sexual assault, and consent are. It's so hard to know when to talk about these topics - and how to talk about them without instilling fear or anxiety. So I tried to find ways to raise the topics organical...

Ashley Carpentier shares her insights and advice for parents when it comes to eating disorders, body image, healthy relationships with food, self talk, and role modeling. Ashley covers: Myths about eating disorders Signs of a possible eating disorder Why to avoid the word "diet" Healthier approaches to food What parents can do to support their daughters To learn more about Ashley Carpentier and her work: Visit www.ashleycarpentier.com Instagram: @ashleyranaecarpen...

Bullying can take many forms -- and we’re all too aware of the damage it can cause. In this episode, hot Carmelita Tiu chats with coach, mentor, Youth Diversity Advisor, writer and speaker, Aime Hutton about how she survived being bullied, her current work, and more. Aime shares: Her experience of being bullied Her source of solace during that time What she wishes went differently Tips for parents to support their kids Her work to help empower girls A favorite quote - "Be b...

What if your daughter decided to move out at 16? Our first “mom who’s been there” guest is Cheryl Spalding, a midlife empowerment coach. Now a mom to two daughters in their 20’s, Cheryl and host Carmelita Tiu talk about raising girls through tough times, what worked for her, and more. Cheryl shares: What her parenting approach was like, and her relationship with her daughters now How she handled her daughter moving out in her teens The importance of trust and reasonable boundaries ...

Getting your tween or teen to talk to you can be notoriously difficult. We’re all used to one-word answers and hearing “fine” when we ask how they’re doing. In this episode, host Carmelita Tiu reads "How to Get Kids to Open Up," by Ezza Mustaffa, a licensed professional counselor who works with individuals of all ages. She tells us about: The importance of a safe emotional environment The reptilian brain! 5 tips on how to create a safe space Ezza Mustaffa received her Masters ...