The Art of Raising Humans – Details, episodes & analysis

Jennifer Kolari on Strong-Willed Kids, Brain Science & Connected Parenting

Summary: In this powerful episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with parenting expert Jennifer Kolari to talk about one of the most misunderstood and emotionally exhausting parenting challenges: raising a strong-willed child.

Why does your child melt down over “small” things? Why does discipline feel like constant power struggles? And why does nothing seem to work the way the books promised?

Jennifer explains what’s really happening in your child’s brain during emotional overwhelm and why strong-willed kids don’t need more control; they need more connection, understanding, and emotional safety. She walks parents through how temperament, neurobiology, and unmet emotional needs drive behavior, and introduces her powerful CALM Technique to help families move from chaos to connection.

This conversation also explores why compassion and firmness must coexist, how parents can regulate themselves first, and why repair after conflict builds deeper trust than getting it “right” ever could.

About Jennifer Kolari:

Jennifer Kolari is one of North America’s leading parenting experts, a child and family therapist, author, and the founder of Connected Parenting. Her brain-based, empathy-driven approach helps parents raise resilient, emotionally healthy children using connection as the foundation of discipline. She is also the host of the Connected Parenting Podcast and a sought-after international speaker.

If you’re parenting a strong-willed, intense, or emotionally reactive child, this episode will feel like a lifeline.

🔗 Connect with Jennifer: www.connectedparenting.com

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/jennifer-kolari-on-strong-willed-kids-brain-science-connected-parenting

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com 

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ 

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans 

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com 

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist 

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

What if everything you’ve been taught about sleep, parenting, and discipline isn’t biologically normal, just culturally common?

In this powerful episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with Tracy Gillett, founder of Raised Good, to explore what it really means to raise children through connection instead of control — from infancy through the teen years.

Together, they unpack the truth about:

• sleep as a developmental milestone (not something to train)

• attachment and emotional safety across every stage of childhood

• navigating parenting through difference seasons — babies, kids, and teens

• authenticity as the foundation for connection

• why closeness matters more than compliance

• how to repair after rupture and rebuild trust

• letting go of fear-based discipline in favor of relationship-based parenting

Tracy shares her journey from veterinarian to global parenting advocate and explains why modern parenting advice often contradicts a child’s biology and how tuning into your instincts can transform your experience as a parent.

This episode is a gentle but powerful invitation to step off the parenting treadmill, release unrealistic expectations, and reconnect to what matters most: your relationship with your child.

If you’re questioning mainstream parenting practices…

If sleep struggles are wearing you down…

If the teen years feel confusing or overwhelming…

If you’re craving a more peaceful, grounded approach…

This conversation will meet you there.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/tracy-gillett-rethinking-sleep-attachment-parenting-through-every-stage

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com 

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/ 

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans 

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com 

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist 

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

It can feel scary when your once-chatty child starts pulling away during adolescence. But withdrawal isn’t always rejection...t’s often a normal part of growing up.

In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack why adolescents withdraw, what signs of relational disconnection to look for, and how stress responses may show up. They share practical ways parents can respond: staying calm, respecting space, and building connection through small, steady touch points.

Most importantly, they remind parents that unconditional love and open communication create a secure foundation, even when kids seem distant.

If you’ve ever wondered how to handle your child’s withdrawal without panicking or pushing them away, this conversation will give you hope and practical guidance to stay connected through the teen years.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/when-teens-withdraw-and-how-to-stay-connected

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: 

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com

Video Courses: 

https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: 

https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

Book List:

https://www.artofraisinghumans.com/booklist

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In Episode 90,  Sara and Kyle, LPCs, discuss the importance of giving kids power and control. When children feel they have no power and control in their lives they will be more resistant and defiant. Knowing they have the power to write their own story leads to kids being more resilient and confident throughout their entire lives. 

​​Book Kyle & Sara to speak at your next live or virtual event! Learn more at www.parentinglegacy.com/speaking.

Get our video courses at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/what-should-i-do-with-my-defiant-child

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In Episode 89, Kyle and Sara, LPC’s do a follow-up discussion on Episode 27. A lot of people have commented recently that parents need to be giving their kids consequences. We want to dive deeper into this topic to see it from a different angle. Sara and I explore different types of consequences and how a parent’s intent changes the entire equation. 

​​Book Kyle & Sara to speak at your next live or virtual event! Learn more at www.parentinglegacy.com/speaking.

Get our video courses at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/do-parents-need-to-give-consequences-to-discipine-their-kids

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In Episode 88,  Sara and Kyle, LPCs, discuss what it takes to prepare kids to be successful adults. Do kids need to be toughened up so they don’t wilt under the pressure or does it make it more challenging for them in adulthood? We also discuss the soft skills children need to learn to help them face life’s ups and downs.

​​Book Kyle & Sara to speak at your next live or virtual event! Learn more at www.parentinglegacy.com/speaking.

Get our video courses at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/how-to-prepare-your-child-for-the-real-world

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In Episode 87, Sara and Kyle, LPCs, discuss whether or not expecting kids to listen to their parents the first time is a healthy expectation. Do parents listen to their kids or their spouses the first time? Is it important for parents to teach their kids to also listen to themselves and not just the adults in their lives?

Get 80% off our video courses now through Nov 26! Learn more at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/should-kids-listen-to-their-parents-the-first-time

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://parenting-legacy.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only..

In Episode 86, Sara and Kyle, LPCs, discuss how our social media account has blown up and people have been saying “kids need to be held accountable”. We give specific steps parents can take to help kids of all ages develop the skill of taking responsibility for their behavior. 

​​Book Kyle & Sara to speak at your next live or virtual event! Learn more at www.parentinglegacy.com/speaking.

Get our video courses at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/holding-kids-accountable-for-their-actions

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In Episode 85, Sara and Kyle, LPCs, discuss the power and importance of intentional connection. We both understand how busy life can become, especially as the kids get older, but that is why we need to be even more purposeful about how we connect and communicate with our kids. We share some of our favorite activities and games that we use to connect with each of our children. 

​​Book Kyle & Sara to speak at your next live or virtual event! Learn more at www.parentinglegacy.com/speaking.

Get our video courses at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/our-favorite-ways-to-build-connection-with-our-kids

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.

In Episode 84, Sara and Kyle, LPCs, discuss the power and importance of Repair. We look at how this strategy is a game-breaker or a game-changer in your relationship with your child. We discuss what repair looks like and what it doesn’t look like. Without repair, there is no long-lasting change in the relationship.

​​Book Kyle & Sara to speak at your next live or virtual event! Learn more at www.parentinglegacy.com/speaking.

Get our video courses at https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com.

View the full podcast transcript at: 

https://www.parentinglegacy.com/repair-is-the-most-important-parenting-strategy

Visit our website and social media channels for more valuable content for your parenting journey.

Resource Website: https://www.parentinglegacy.com

Video Courses: https://art-of-raising-humans.newzenler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofraisinghumans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofraisinghumans

Podcast Website: https://www.theartofraisinghumans.com

The Art of Raising Humans podcast should not be considered or used as counseling but for educational purposes only.