A podcast about parenting, family & relationships, the Fresh Start Family Show is hosted by husband and wife team Terry and Wendy Snyder, who interview inspiring experts that tackle a range of topics that bring reality, hope, and a path to more peace in the home and world. Expand your heart, learn new tools, strengthen your family.
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Join parenting coach and mom-in-the-trenches, Penny Williams, as she helps parents, caregivers, and educators harness the realization that we are all beautifully complex and marvelously imperfect. Each week she delivers insights and actionable strategies on parenting and educating neurodivergent kids — those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning disabilities... Her approach to decoding behavior while honoring neurodiversity, and parenting the individual child you have will provide you with th ...
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From Gotham City to the Walking Dead and everything in between, we take a deep dive into creating pop culture with directors, actors, writers, and artists as they interview each other, revealing behind-the-scenes stories and fun facts that even diehard fans don't know. Coming up in the first season is Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn, The Amazing Spider-Man), two of the three Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse directors Kemp Powers and Joaquim Dos Sant ...
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Navigating the transition to adulthood with your neurodivergent child can be overwhelming and fraught with uncertainties. In this episode of Beautifully Complex, my guest, Shannon Urquiola and I explore the critical aspects of preparing kids on the spectrum for adulthood, addressing common pain points like guardianship, financial planning, SSI, and…
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How to De-escalate Situations with Strong Willed Kids When They’re Upset with Kirk Martin of Celebrate Calm
1:15:57
On this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy chats with the funny and insightful Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting podcast. They explore 3 tools we can use to help de-escalate situations with our strong-willed kids when they’re upset that are effective and actually create closeness when parenting a stron…
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Are you struggling to talk to your child about their ADHD diagnosis or seeking ways to reframe it positively? In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I host an empowering conversation with Elly Both about her inspiring new children's book on ADHD. Elly shares her personal journey of being diagnosed later in life and how that revelation transformed …
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Join Wendy Snyder & Mary Van Geffen to discuss all things "Spicy Kids" ... (aka kids you may describe as strong willed or power kids!) You'll learn 3 Important Steps to Setting Boundaries with Spicy Kids (With Calm, Firmness, & Repetition) & also how to identify unique strengths in your spicy kiddos ... so you can stick with strong boundaries in yo…
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Feeling frustrated by your child's disorganization, falling grades, and struggles with time management? Tune in to this episode of Beautifully Complex, where Seth Perler, M.Ed. and I explore the crucial role of executive function skills in your child or teen's life. Seth likens these skills to learning guitar chords — they're not innate, but they c…
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The Goal is NOT Fine! The 3 MOST Important Life Skills to Teach Kids with Parent and Teacher Coach Chazz Lewis
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The inspiring and vibrant parent & teacher coach Mr. Chazz joins Wendy & Terry for an incredibly empowering conversation about how focusing on connection + disciplining with compassion will help our kids to learn 3 of the most important life skills: Building and maintaining healthy and meaningful relationships Understanding your own needs and learn…
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Are you tired of letting fear hold you back? The key to moving beyond that is turning what you view as failure into stepping stones to success. And you can teach your kids the same. In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I’m joined by Chrysty Lockhart, who shares her transformative journey from fearful to learning to push forward despite the fear.…
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Do you find it challenging to stay calm and mindful when your child is having a tough time in public? Gabriele Nicolet and I explore understanding kid’s behavior from both behavioral and neurophysiological perspectives. Gabriele, a seasoned speech therapist and parent coach, shares invaluable insights into decoding what behaviors signify about a ki…
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Take time today to listen to this personal conversation between Wendy and Dr. Laura Froyen as they discuss how to “remother” (or re-parent) yourself, so that you can show up best for your children at home. In this episode Dr. Laura teaches parents how to approach their parenting with grace and kindness plus discusses how she uses her trauma-informe…
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Have you ever felt helpless as your child gets stuck in repetitive behaviors or meltdowns, leaving you wondering how to help them break free? In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I sit down with Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., to delve into the struggles and complexities faced by parents and kids, teens, and young adults when dealing with looped behaviors…
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Join Wendy on this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show for her conversation on mindfulness and curiosity with mindful mama mentor, Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE, RYT. Hunter has made it her mission to help families break reactive cycles to create a peaceful and positive home and raise confident and kind kiddos as a result. In this episode Hunter sh…
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Do you often find yourself misinterpreting anger in your neurodivergent child, escalating situations unintentionally? Join me and Dr. Lori Desautels as we dive deep into understanding anger and what it truly signifies. Dr. Desautels, an expert in applied educational neuroscience, explains that anger often stems from a dysregulated nervous system, f…
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In today’s episode Wendy & Terry are discussing power struggles and how to dissolve them when they occur between parents & their children. Power struggles are never fun to deal with, but just part of life when you’re raising kids! They happen when the parent tries to get their child to do something & the child refuses. The classic “No I won’t & you…
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In today’s episode Wendy & Terry are discussing power struggles and how to prevent them between parents & their children. Power struggles are never fun to deal with, but just part of life when you're raising kids! They happen when the parent tries to get their child to do something & the child refuses. The classic "No I won't & you can't make me" i…
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On today’s episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy welcomes Becky Dean, a dedicated Fresh Start Family member, to discuss her transformative parenting journey. Discover how Becky navigated the challenges of raising a strong-willed child through mindset shifts, firm boundary-setting, and self-compassion. Hear about Becky’s personal growth, fro…
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Struggling to connect with your child who has ADHD can be incredibly challenging, leaving you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. In this insightful episode of Beautifully Complex (first aired 2020), I’m joined by Larry Hagner, founder of the Dad Edge podcast and father of four boys, to explore how dads can create the fatherhood they crave. Larry div…
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On today’s episode, Wendy warmly welcomes Ruthie, a cherished student in the Fresh Start Experience, to discuss her transformative parenting journey. Ruthie shares her transition from a reactive, shame-based approach to one rooted in compassion and connection. They explore strategies for dealing with children's challenging behaviors, the importance…
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Feeling like your teen or young adult is struggling to find their confidence and navigate the ups and downs of life? In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I sit down with teen life coach, Kristi Simons, to provide strategies to empower confidence in your teen. Kristi delves into the importance of allowing your teen to experience their own emotion…
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In this insightful & eye-opening episode of the Fresh Start Family show, Wendy Snyder chats about how to hit our most important parenting goals by keeping your nervous system chill. She kicks things off by talking about the usual struggles parents face, especially with those strong-willed little ones … and then breaks down why it's so important to …
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We’ve all but outright rejected the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” in American culture. We’re more fragmented and lonely than ever. Yet, there’s clear evidence that community and connection are key to happiness. It certainly takes a community to raise a happy and resilient child, even if “community” looks different in modern life…
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On this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy shares insights on thriving in the second decade of life with your kids. Reflecting on her journey from raising toddlers to teenagers, she emphasizes the need for creating safety at home, influencing through relationships, providing unconditional love, replacing punishment with compassionate dis…
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In this episode of Beautifully Complex, we’re examining a topic that really hits close to home for many of us — what to do when importance doesn’t create motivation, especially for our neurodivergent kids. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to get our kids started and keep them going on tasks that matter, but don’t necessarily excite them. …
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In this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy delves into the five secrets of the calmest, happiest, and most confident parents she knows. Drawing on 14 years of experience, Wendy discusses the importance of self-awareness, prioritizing family, healing the nervous system, embarking on a healing journey with joy, and cultivating self-love an…
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Today, I'm so excited to be talking with Dr. Adam Price, a nationally known clinical psychologist and best-selling author with over 30 years of experience working with kids and adults. He's the author of "He's Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe in Himself" and "The He's Not Lazy Guide to Better Grades and a Great Life." In this episode, we’re…
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In this episode of Beautifully Complex, we’re focusing on making summertime rewarding and manageable for neurodiverse families. I’ll guide you through a summer plan that encompasses structured activities, personal growth, and meaningful connections. This episode is packed with strategies starting with how to create an adaptable visual plan using to…
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Building Connection, Confidence and Creativity in Kids Through Healthy Cooking with Katie Kimball
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In this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy interviews Katie Kimball from Kids Cook Real Food. They discuss the importance of building connection, confidence, and creativity in children through healthy cooking. Katie shares her journey and passion for teaching families how to cook and eat healthily. She emphasizes the benefits of involvin…
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In this episode, I’m joined by Tara Phillips, speech language pathologist and founder of Autism Little Learners. She shares some transformative tools and techniques which have significantly benefited her students, such as the use of visual supports and predictable routines. Together, Tara and I explore the importance of positive connections and a s…
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In this enlightening episode of the Fresh Start Family show, host Wendy Snyder is joined by Penny Williams, an eminent figure in the arena of ADHD, autism, and neurodiversity. The conversation delves into the transformative perspectives on parenting and understanding challenging behaviors, offering solace and strategic insight to families navigatin…
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This time on Beautifully Complex, I'm exploring behavior struggles and conscious discipline with my guest, Wendy Snyder, a positive parenting educator and family life coach. We discuss how understanding behaviors as communication changes our perspective, helping us view challenges as signals of need and teaching opportunities. Join us as we dive in…
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The Invisible Load of Mothers: How to Gain Cooperation with Kids to Do Chores & Pitch in Around the House with Sam Kelly
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In this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy and guest Sam Kelly discuss the invisible load of mothers and how to gain cooperation from kids to do chores. Sam shares her personal journey of realizing the inequity in her marriage and the mental load she carried as a mother. They discuss the importance of teaching kids to notice and do tasks…
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The terms IEP and 504 plan may come up a lot when you’re looking into special education for your child. These school supports do some of the same things, but one can provide more services and the other is easier to get. And it’s important to know the differences in order to get your child the support they need. On this episode of Beautifully Comple…
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Disciplining Without Harm: Understanding Needs and Guiding with Empathy with Marcela Collier
54:22
Join Wendy on this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show as she welcomes Marcela Collier, founder of High Impact Club Parenting Education Agency, former therapeutic care provider, certified positive discipline educator and mom of amazing twin boys. They discuss the importance of disciplining without harm and provide practical tools for caring pare…
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In this episode, I'm chatting with my guest Daniel Maigler, about the transformative roles of emotional support animals. Dan's insights as a social worker and mental health advisor for Paws for Patrick reveal how emotional support animals can aid those facing mental health challenges. Dan shares the poignant story behind Paws for Patrick, emphasizi…
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Setting Boundaries and Trusting Yourself Easier as a Result of Stepping into Financial & Nervous System Healing
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On this episode, Wendy shares her experience with the Relaxed Money program founder and host of the podcast Plenty, Kate Northrup. She discusses how the program helped her overcome financial stress, set boundaries, and trust herself as a leader. Wendy also talks about the importance of teaching children about money and shares practical tips for aff…
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In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I tackle why our kids and teens might use extreme language to express their emotions. We're recognizing that expressions like "I hate you" or phrases that include aggression or violence often aren't literal but signal an inability to articulate complex emotions. I talk about the importance of distinguishing b…
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259: Insights on Bullying: Understanding Aggression, Building Resilience, with Brooks Gibbs, Ph.D.
29:35
Brooks Gibbs, Ph.D. is joining me for a conversation on Insights on Bullying: Understanding Aggression, Building Resilience. His expertise in social psychology shines a light on the intricate dance between aggression and resilience — especially in the lives of our neurodivergent kids. In this episode, you'll hear stories close to my heart, includin…
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In this episode of the First Start Family show, Wendy Snyder discusses five financial painful generational cycles to break and not pass down to your children. She shares her own vulnerable experiences with financial healing and the impact it has had on her life. Wendy emphasizes the importance of healing yourself first before teaching your children…
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In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I have the pleasure of talking with Shari Leid of An Imperfectly Perfect Life. Together, we’re talking about purposeful living and parenting and celebrating gradual progress over the pursuit of perfection. Shari shares her deep insights on the value of recognizing and fostering the inherent strengths in our c…
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In this episode of the Fresh Start Family show, Wendy Snyder explores the connection between a child's misbehavior and the nervous system. She shares her personal journey of healing and how our own conditioning impacts our parenting. Wendy identifies five signs that a child's misbehavior is a symptom, including fear of making mistakes, intense reac…
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Preparing Children for the Real World: The Impact of Positive Parenting Long Term with Bilyana Ivanova
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Join Wendy on a special feature episode with inspiring Fresh Start Family student & podcast host Bilyana Ivanova - a mom of three fantastic girls, who's on a mission to be the best parent and mentor she can be, helping ALL kids unlock their full potential. This episode features an interview Bily hosted with Wendy as the guest, where they discuss th…
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Let's talk about what to do when your kid isn't listening. Remember, they might be processing your words in non-traditional ways, so it's important to find alternative approaches to help them focus, process, and follow through. From recognizing distractions to accommodating slow processing speeds, I offer practical advice to help parents navigate t…
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Join Wendy, Terry and Fresh Start Experience Community Coaches Amy, Courtney & Cayla, as they discuss the power of ‘Becoming a Parenting Coach’ in this episode of the Fresh Start Family show. You’ll hear Terry share about what an impact Wendy’s coaching career has made on their family & hear the Fresh Start Experience coaches share their own journe…
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In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I explore the detrimental effects of trying to control kids, emphasizing the importance of a humanistic approach to behavior. After watching the recent documentary series on Netflix called "The Program," I was both horrified by the trauma that the “troubled teen industry” causes and inspired to talk about the…
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In this heartening episode of the First Start Family Show, Wendy opens up a candid conversation about overcoming deep-seated fears in parenting. With a heartfelt reflection on a recent weekend course she and her team led in San Diego, she dives into the transformative power of confronting personal fears and the impact it can have on building a fami…
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256: Breaking Down Motivation: Helping Teens and Young Adults Find Their Path to Success, with Melanie McNally, Psy.D.
28:22
In this episode of the Beautifully Complex podcast, I sit down with Dr. Melanie McNally, a clinical psychologist and brain coach who specializes in working with tweens, teens, and young adults. Together, we explore the struggles that many young adults face in finding motivation and direction. Dr. Melanie shares her expertise on helping young adults…
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Unlocking Parenting Success: The Power of Long-Term Vision Casting with Terry & Wendy Snyder
58:29
Join Wendy and Terry as they discuss the benefits of long-term vision casting in positive parenting on this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show. They explore the importance of commitment and fluency in firm & kind, connection based strategies and how having a long-term vision for your family can lead to FULL mastery in positive parenting. Wendy …
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In this episode of the Beautifully Complex podcast, I tackle the topic of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) and provide 7 essential steps to help kids and teens facing this challenge. I share insights on recognizing signs of RSD in kids and teens, fostering open communication, building self-esteem, challenging negative thought patterns, teaching …
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In this episode of the Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy discusses the three Cs of positive parenting mastery: commitment, community, and consistency. She emphasizes the importance of fully committing to positive parenting, surrounding oneself with a supportive community, and maintaining consistency in implementing positive parenting strategies. By em…
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254: How to Be a Neuro-Affirming Parent or Teacher, with Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.ED., LPC
35:19
In today's episode, Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.ED., LPC is back and we're unpacking what it means to be a neuro-affirmative parent or teacher. We explore the pressures that neurodivergent kids face, especially the expectation to camouflage their true selves. Emily, with her dual expertise in education and counseling, is sharing invaluable insigh…
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On this episode of The Fresh Start Family Show, Wendy interviews Lavinia Brown - a trauma-informed psychodynamic coach - about healing the inner child to become a conscious parent. Lavinia emphasizes that our past experiences with our parents shape future relationship dynamics and that healing trauma is crucial for effective relationship based pare…
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