Brainy Moms – Details, episodes & analysis

Wondering how to best parent your competitive athlete or dancer? Dr. Chelsea Pierotti joins Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast to reveal the psychology behind peak performance and what parents can do to help—and sometimes, what they should stop doing.

Drawing from her background as both a sports psychologist and professional ballet dancer, Dr. Chelsea shares why dancers face unique mental challenges as "artistic athletes." Unlike team sports with constant reactions, dancers follow choreographed routines that leave dangerous space for overthinking. She explains why even elite performers need strategies to stay present while letting physical skills flow automatically.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Dr. Chelsea unpacks why training for unexpected difficulties builds genuine confidence. Just as Olympic champion Michael Phelps practiced with broken goggles, dancers need to experience music cuts or costume malfunctions in practice to develop true resilience. This "training for the rare" teaches athletes they can handle anything—a skill that transfers far beyond performance.

Parents will particularly appreciate Dr. Chelsea's clear guidance on their proper role in youth sports. She advises parents to be supportive managers handling logistics, while gradually teaching children to communicate directly with coaches. Her mantra "control the controllables" helps athletes focus exclusively on their attention, actions, and effort—letting go of judges, referees, and other external factors they cannot change.

Perhaps most valuable is our discussion of redefining success beyond winning. By focusing on the "gain" (progress made) rather than the "gap" (distance from perfection), athletes develop healthier mindsets and lasting motivation. The 1% rule she shares demonstrates how small daily improvements compound into remarkable growth.

Ready to help your young performer develop mental toughness that serves them in competition and beyond? Listen now and discover how to support the journey of your athlete or dancer without stepping into the coach's lane.

Highlights from this episode:

• Dancers face unique challenges as "artistic athletes" with subjective judging similar to gymnastics and figure skating
• Performance psychology helps athletes manage overthinking during routines when automaticity takes over
• Elite athletes train for unexpected situations to build true confidence that can handle adversity
• Parents should be supportive managers rather than trying to fix technical issues
• By middle school, athletes should be communicating directly with coaches
• "Control the controllables" – focus on attention, actions, and effort, not external factors
• Define success based on progress and improvement rather than just winning
• Mental skills developed in sports translate to all areas of life
• The 1% rule promotes small daily improvements that compound over time
• Allowing children to experience negative emotions helps them develop resilience

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

Are you struggling to launch your adult child? Have you ever found yourself wondering if you're overstepping boundaries with your adult child? Maybe you're caught in the cycle of questioning how often to text them, whether to offer advice, or if you're supporting them the right way? You're not alone. 

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with Dr. Jack Stoltzfus – clinical psychologist, America's launch coach, and author of "The Parent's Launch Code". Dr. Jack reveals that the transition to adult independence is challenging precisely because "the problem with young adults is they're adults, you can't control them." This fundamental shift requires parents to abandon old power dynamics and embrace a partnership approach.

Dr. Jack explains why this particular parenting stage feels so difficult, sharing eye-opening statistics including that more than 50% of young adults between 18-29 now live with their parents. Rather than viewing this as failure, he redefines successful launching as achieving self-sufficiency and responsibility, regardless of living situation. The real measure of success is whether young adults can stand independently while maintaining a caring bond with parents.

The conversation takes a poignant turn when discussing estrangement – with one in four young adults cutting off communication with parents for months or indefinitely. Dr. Jack offers practical strategies to prevent this heartbreaking outcome, including his innovative "five-year plan" approach that helps young adults envision their future while creating manageable steps toward independence.

Whether you're wrestling with questions about charging rent, setting boundaries when adult children return home from college, or navigating the delicate balance between offering support without enabling dependence, this episode provides compassionate guidance. Dr. Jack's framework of combining unconditional love with what he calls "backbone" (clear values and boundaries) offers a roadmap for maintaining connection while fostering independence. For every parent wondering how to love and launch simultaneously, this conversation is an essential guide to launching your adult child with confidence and care.

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, we dive into the emotional and practical aspects of parenting teens, focusing on the importance of flexibility, trust, and communication. Dr. Amy and Dr. Jody interview educator, author, and mom of 5 Amy Betters-Midtvedt who highlights the challenges faced by parents as their kids grow, the necessity of establishing boundaries with technology, and the value of teaching effective friendship skills to create healthy social connections.

We discuss being flexible in parenting teenagers, navigating social media and privacy for teens, understanding and coaching friendships among teens, managing household responsibilities collaboratively, creating a bank of trust based on individual needs, and managing the emotions around the transition to an empty nest. 

About Us:
ABOUT US: 

Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore. Dr. Amy and her rotating co-hosts bring listeners conversations with experts on topics in parenting, child development, education, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and helpful advice for helping moms and kids thrive in life, learning, and relationships. This episode is co-hosted with Dr. Jody Jedlicka.

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

Are you tired of arguing with your kids? Do you feel like every other conversation with your child ends in a conflict? Are there days when your kids just won’t listen? Imagine a relationship with your child that was full of cooperation rather than conflict. On this episode of Brainy Moms, Dr. Amy and Teri interviewed Cynthia Klein, parenting coach and author of the book, Ally Parenting: A Non-Adversarial Approach to Transform Conflict into Cooperation—a book that I believe should be on every parent’s bookshelf.  Cynthia teaches us specific tips for changing how we communicate with our kids to encourage them to listen more and argue less. 

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA
Website: https://bridges2understanding.com/
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.klein.bridges
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiajklein/ 

CONNECT WITH US
Website: www.BrainyMoms.co
Instagram: @TheBrainyMoms, @Dr_AmyMoore, @TerissaMiller
Facebook: @TheBrainyMoms, @AmyLawsonMoore, @TerissaMiller
Twitter: @TheBrainyMoms, @Dr_AmyMoore, @TerissaMiller
YouTube: Brainy Moms
TikTok: TheBrainyMoms
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

CONNECT WITH OUR SPONSOR
Website: www.LearningRx.com
Facebook: @LearningRxBrainTraining
Instagram: @learningrx_brain_training

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

On this Brainy Moms bonus episode for Father’s Day, Dr. Amy and Teri interview Dr. Wayne Hanson, pastor and host of The Jesus Taxi show. Pastor Wayne shares 10 parenting tips just for dads based on his Christian faith and lessons he learned from his own father. It’s a candid conversation with an all around great guy.   As always, this episode is brought to you by LearningRx brain training centers. Pastor Wayne is married to Kim Hanson, the CEO of LearningRx. Join us!

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

As a parent, do you fly by the seat of your pants, or do you have a plan in place for setting curfews, teaching your kids how to manage their money, who’s going to talk to them about the birds and the bees, who’s in charge of potty training, and all 1001 decisions we have to make about raising our kids? On this episode of Brainy Moms, Dr. Amy and Teri interviewed Kristin Buchtel, author of the book Noteworthy Parenting: How to Use Your Own Ideas to Create Your Parenting Roadmap.

Kristin tells us the benefits of creating a parenting plan and some suggestions for what should be on it. She doesn’t teach readers HOW to parent but, instead, shows them how to get on the same page, empower your parenting, and gain the confidence to be the best parent you can be.

Mentioned in this Episode

Kristin’s book, Noteworthy Parenting

Connect with Kristin

WEBSITE: www.NoteworthyParenting.com

FACEBOOK: @NoteworthyParenting

INSTAGRAM: @NoteworthyParenting

Visit the episode page of our website: https://brainymoms.co/2022/06/07/kristin-buchtel/
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wDxXBV1qYKo
Find us on social media @TheBrainyMoms
Visit our sponsor: www.LearningRx.com

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

As moms, we second guess ourselves all the time. We question our worth as women, we experience mom guilt for a million reasons, and we fail to appreciate what’s beautiful about ourselves. On this episode of Brainy Moms, Dr. Amy and Teri interviewed Kelly Falardeau, best-selling author of the book, Still Beautiful. When Kelly was a child, she suffered burns over 75% of her body and grew up feeling ugly. But she has turned tragedy into triumph. A four-time best-selling author, TEDx speaker, coach, and Mom of 3, Kelly teaches women how to find their self-worth and talk back to the mirror. This is such an inspirational episode with an inspirational and beautiful brainy mom.

Show notes and links to everything mentioned in this episode at BrainyMoms.co
Find us on social media @TheBrainyMoms. Watch this episode on YouTube! 

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

Are you chasing happiness but feel like you keep coming up short? Wishing you could experience more joy in your life? Want to have more fun with your kids? On this episode of Brainy Moms, Dr. Amy and Teri interview Dr. Mike Rucker, an organizational psychologist who specializes in the research of fun. Dr. Rucker tells us that pursuing happiness might not be the right goal. He shares so much from research on happiness, joy, and fun…it’s a mindset changer. Join us! Don't miss his Fender guitar made out of LEGOs at the end!

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

Want to help cultivate your child’s creativity? Wondering how to help your child integrate the creative and logical parts of their mind? On this episode of Brainy Moms, Dr. Amy and Teri interview clinical psychologist, Dr. Michael Alcee who specializes in the psychology of creativity. He shares how we as parents can help nurture creativity in our children while also supporting the development of linear thinking. Michael tells us that encouraging our kids to explore the many sides of themselves is a key aspect of mental health. From creativity to emotions to interests to introversion, we cover a lot about integrating creativity, passions, and skillsets in this hour. Join us for a journey into the psychology of creativity.

CONNECT WITH DR. MICHAEL ALCEE
Website: https://michaelalcee.com/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-alcee-14417755/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mike_drop_1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike_drop_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livelifecreatively2

CONNECT WITH US
Website: www.BrainyMoms.co
Email: Info@BrainyMoms.co
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

CONNECT WITH OUR SPONSOR
Website: www.LearningRx.com
Facebook: @LearningRxBrainTraining
Instagram: @learningrx_brain_training

Michael’s book, Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist (The Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)

Pixar Movie: Inside Out

Daniel Pink’s Power of Regret

Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking

Susan Cain’s Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole

Susan David’s Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life

David Epstein’s

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

Does your child struggle with reading or spelling? Wondering what to do for a child with dyslexia? On this episode of Brainy Moms, Dr. Amy and Teri interview Reading and Dyslexia Specialist, Donesa Walker, M Ed, BCCS. Donesa tells us what’s happening in the brain of struggling readers, how there are different types of dyslexia that show up in a variety of ways, what some warning signs are that parents should look out for, and what the most effective interventions should include.

Donesa shares her journey from classroom teacher to board certified cognitive specialist and how brain training has changed so many lives of both kids and adults who struggle with reading. This episode is educational, inspirational, and carries a message of hope from a delightful and charming reading expert.

Find us at BrainyMoms.co, on YouTube, and everywhere podcasts play. Show notes available on the website. 

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms

Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com