Beautifully Complex

By: Penny Williams
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  • Summary

  • 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 the tools to help you understand and transform behavior, reduce your own stress, increase parenting confidence, and create the joyful family life you crave. Penny has helped thousands of families worldwide to help their kids feel good so they can do good.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.
    Copyright Penny Williams
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Children's Audiobooks Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Psychology Relationships
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Episodes
  • 293: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), with Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D.

    293: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), with Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D.
    Dec 19 2024
    In this episode, I sit down with Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. to discuss the unique challenges of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and offer heartfelt guidance and practical strategies to help you and your child thrive.

    Key Topics Covered:
    • Understanding PDA and why conventional parenting methods often fall short.
    • How to separate yourself from societal judgment and trust your instincts.
    • Building a supportive and neuro-affirming environment tailored to your child's needs.
    • Strategies for enhancing autonomy and reducing stress for PDA children.
    • Real-world examples and actionable tips to foster resilience and safety for your child.
    Join us for an eye-opening conversation that offers step-by-step advice on how to adapt your parenting approach to meet the unique needs of your complex kid. You'll gain insights into creating a calm, supportive home environment where your child feels safe and understood, and discover the power of observing, adjusting, and connecting in ways that respect your child's neurodiversity.

    With warmth and empathy, this episode aims to reassure you that you're not at fault and there is hope. Together, we can cultivate an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance, paving the way for your child's success.

    Tune in now and take the first step towards a more harmonious and fulfilling parenting experience.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.
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    40 mins
  • 292: Representing Neurodivergence in Kid’s Media, with Deborah Farmer Kris

    292: Representing Neurodivergence in Kid’s Media, with Deborah Farmer Kris
    Dec 12 2024
    Do you worry that your neurodivergent child might not see themselves represented in the stories they love? If you’ve ever felt this way, this episode of Beautifully Complex is just what you need.

    I'm Penny Williams, your host and fellow parent navigating the beautifully complex world of neurodivergence. In this episode, I sit down with Deborah Farmer Kris to discuss the heartfelt and eye-opening representation of neurodivergent characters in children’s media — a subject that touches deeply on both our worries and hopes for our kids.

    We’re unpacking an inspiring new PBS Kids show, Carl the Collector, which beautifully portrays neurodivergent characters in ways that resonate with everyday realities. From an autistic raccoon who finds comfort in collecting, to a girl musician on the spectrum labeled "headphone girl," these characters’ journeys offer profound lessons in empathy and acceptance.

    Tune in as we explore some scenes from Carl the Collector and what we can learn from them:
    • Heartwarming experiences of children overcoming teasing and bullying, evolving into genuine friendships.
    • Small, yet significant moments of neurodivergent behaviors — like “finger stim” or “tail stim” — that are portrayed without fanfare, normalizing differences.
    • Practical ways parents can utilize these media examples to spark conversations about neurodiversity and foster a more supportive home environment.
    Together, Deborah and I highlight the sensory-sensitive design of these shows, making them inclusive and affirming for all kids. We discuss how these positive portrayals can be a beacon of hope, not just for neurodivergent kids, but for all families striving for acceptance and understanding.

    Get inspired by actionable tips that will help you teach empathy, recognize strengths, and foster independence. Let's work together to build an inclusive world where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.
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    30 mins
  • 291: Teaching Your Kid to Harness Their Brain, with Anna Housley Juster, Ph.D., LICSW

    291: Teaching Your Kid to Harness Their Brain, with Anna Housley Juster, Ph.D., LICSW
    Dec 5 2024
    Welcome to episode 291 of the Beautifully Complex podcast, where we’re discussing Teaching Your Kid to Harness Their Brain with early childhood education consultant and mental health clinician Anna Housley Juster, Ph.D., LICSW.

    In this episode, we’re getting to know the amygdala — that small but mighty part of the brain that plays a crucial role in our kids’ anxiety and stress responses. Together, we'll explore:
    • Understanding the Amygdala: What is it, and why is it so vital for our neurodivergent children and teens to grasp how it works.
    • Managing Anxiety: Step-by-step strategies to teach your kids how to identify and calm their emotional triggers.
    • Building Resilience: How knowledge about their brain can empower your kids and give them a sense of control over their emotions.
    • Creating a Neuro-Affirming Environment: Practical tips to foster a supportive and understanding home and school atmosphere.
    Join me as Dr. Juster breaks down these complex concepts into actionable, easy-to-follow steps. You’ll learn how to guide your kids in mastering their own brains, leading to better emotional regulation and a deeper sense of self-worth.

    Tune in for heartfelt conversations, real-life insights, and empowering advice tailored to parents like you — determined to help their unique kids thrive in a world that often doesn’t understand their complexity. Let's foster a neuro-affirming environment where our kids can truly shine.

    Subscribe and listen now for practical, compassionate guidance that will leave you feeling empowered, hopeful, and ready to tackle the beautiful complexities of parenting your neurodivergent child.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.
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    28 mins

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Great ideas

Loved the approach to new scenarios for the kid and the sight words games and way of taking it outside of the classroom very very helpful ideas.

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