Gentle Parents Unite Podcast S04E06 - Interview with Salina Robinson @journeytogentle In today's episode we interview Salina Robinson. Salina is an admin on our Facebook page Gentle Parents Unite where we have over 55k members. She has also been working intensely on her own parenting with Sujai and I in our patreon for the past year or so. She has delved deep into the Gentle Parenting philosphy. She shares with us her understanding, her challenges and her journey. She also discusses life as a Bl...
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Gentle Parents Unite Podcast S04E04 - Interview with Kirsty Lee of Gentle Parenting Memes For more personalized and intimate parenting support and to listen to the podcasts 2 weeks early and ad-free, considering joining the Gentle Parents Unite: Becoming Gentle Patreon group! https://www.patreon.com/GentleParentsUnite Summary: In this special episode Sujai and Vivek have the pleasure of speaking with our good friend and wise colleague, Kirsty Lee of Gentle Parenting Memes. Kirsty talks about how...
Jun 02, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Gentle Parents Unite Podcast S04E03 - The Benefits and Problems with Praise, Reconnecting with kids after we yell For more personalized and intimate parenting support and to listen to the podcasts 2 weeks early and ad-free, considering joining the Gentle Parents Unite: Becoming Gentle Patreon group! https://www.patreon.com/GentleParentsUnite Summary: in this episode Sujai and Vivek discuss the ways that praise can uplift our children or create a dependency on approval. We also give a detailed ex...
May 27, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Gentle Parents Unite Podcast S04E02 - The Importance of Relationship- Interrupted Empathy, Autonomy, Apology Summary: Sujai and Vivek discuss the benefits of focusing on our person to person relationship with our children. Often we get caught up in the tasks of daily life. Keeping them fed, clothed, schooled, clean and safe. We can forget that what we're doing is creating relational patterns that will last a lifetime. We also discuss how to deepen our practice of Empathy, Autonomy and Apology an...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 2
GPU Podcast S04E01 - What is Gentle Parenting - Why we don't use consequences Summary: In this episode we discuss the essence of the Gentle Parenting philosophy. We also dig deep into why imposed consequences are ineffective and even harmful when working with our children to learn about life. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we encourage you to join in by posting your thoughts and questions and comments! ----------------- For more personalized and intimate parenting support and to listen ...
May 12, 2020•55 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Season 3, Bonus Episode #2: Excerpts from Parent coaching calls In our Patreon parent support space (hosted by Sujai Johnson and Vivek Patel) we lead weekly group coaching calls. At the start of the call we share some Gentle Parenting concepts and ideas. This podcast is a compilation of a few of these talks. Season 4 Episode 1 starts next week! For more personalized and intimate parenting support and to listen to the podcasts 2 weeks early and ad-free, considering joining the Gentle Parents Unit...
May 05, 2020•47 min
Season 3, Bonus Episode #1: Parenting Meditation: Where do my thoughts come from? In our Patreon parent support space (hosted by Sujai Johnson and Vivek Patel) we lead a weekly guided meditation for parents. Today's episode is a recording of a recent meditation called "Where do my thoughts come from?" It is based on the process of looking at our thoughts and asking them 2 questions: "Where do you come from?" "What message do you have for me?" We start with a guided relaxation and then move into ...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Season 03, Episode 12: Children and Consent Summary: This week, Sujai, Vivek, and Marji discuss how to teach consent to children, how to model it in our interactions as well as why and how to respect their consent and autonomy. This is often a touchy subject for parents and a good one to dig into. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we encourage you to join in by posting your thoughts and questions and comments! For more personalized and intimate parenting support and to listen to the podcas...
Apr 21, 2020•51 min
Stopping a Fight at a Youth Conference - Season 03, Episode 11: Working with Teens, Summary: This week, Sujai, Vivek, and Marji have an in depth conversation. Vivek shares a deeply personal story about a powerful experience he had with some teens while volunteering at a youth conference a couple months ago (before all the covid isolation started). Sujai offers great insight on manners, a different way to look at them and how to inspire them. Finally, Marji talks about Autonomy, long-term goals a...
Apr 15, 2020•1 hr 39 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this week's episode we interview the wonderful, loving and wise Bridgett Miller. She is the author of the new book "What Young Children Need You to Know: How to see them so you know what to do for them". I've read the book and it blew me away. As I said in the testimonial I wrote for the beginning of the book "If there was a manual for parents, this would be it". From Bridgett's website: "Bridgett believes that joyful parenting is a journey of both the head and the heart and her emphasis is o...
Apr 06, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode, Vivek and Sujai go into depth about letting go of controlling our kids and creating a collaborative relationship with them. It's not an easy transition and yet the benefits are profound. Let us know what you think! Links for this episode: Gentle Parents Unite: Becoming Gentle . Check out our online store at Bonfire...
Mar 30, 2020•52 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode, Vivek , Sujai, and Marji speak with Joshua Jernigan and Shannon DelVecchio , two members of the Gentle Parents Unite Facebook group admin team. In this conversation, we talk about gentle parenting and such issues as LGBTQIA families, transracial adoption, and gender diversity. Let us know what you think! Links from this episode: Gender Education Network on the web and Gender Education Network on Facebook Note: the theme music is called “Joyful” and was written and performed by M...
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode, Vivek , Sujai and Marji converse about helping kids regulate around contentious issues, like the consumption of junk foods and screen time while maintaining connection & trust. Let us know what you think! Links for this episode: Gentle Parents Unite: Becoming Gentle . Note: the theme music is called “Joyful” and was written and performed by Marji, whose music site is www.marjizintz.us . The podcast is produced and edited by Marji as well.)...
Mar 09, 2020•48 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode, Vivek , Sujai and Marji reflect on experiences from their own respective childhoods that led them to gentle, peaceful, connected parenting. Part therapy session, part conversation, all joy! Transforming that wounded child inside us to be our own powerful advocate is what this work is all about! Let us know what you think! Note: the theme music is called “Joyful” and was written and performed by Marji, whose music site is www.marjizintz.us . The podcast is produced and edited by ...
Mar 02, 2020•54 min
Join us as we take an in-depth look at Feelings (presented by Sujai ), The Gift of "No" (presented by Vivek ), and Pivoting (presented by Marji ). More practical info that parents on the path can access to implement some very helpful tools that will lead to greater connection and a more satisfying journey!! Let us know what you think! Join our Patreon group at www.patreon.com/GentleParentsUnite Note: the theme music is called “Joyful” and was written and performed by Marji, whose music site is w...
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 36 min
Join Sujai , Vivek & Marji for this week's pod-conversation, in which we talk about resilience, keeping little kids safe, trusting one's gut, falling in and out of love and back in love with music, balancing intuition with values & principles (the masterpiece that Vivek just nonchalantly threw out there), self-compassion, reflections on connection with aging parents, experiences with piano lessons. Here's a wonderful quote that came from our Vivek: "Punishing kids teaches them to not tak...
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Summary: We're baa-aack! The holidays are behind us and we're gratefully back to recording our Gentle parents Unite podcast. In this season opener, we discuss a bit about what's in store for the coming season and reflect on the previous two seasons as well as the work we do here in the Patreon group and the large Gentle Parents Unite group. Join us as we get grounded and focused! To learn more about Gentle Parents Unite and get the podcast ad-free and two weeks earlier than the rest of the world...
Jan 27, 2020•48 min
Season three is JUST around the corner, and while we're waiting we thought we'd take a look back to season 1 and share some excerpts from that first collection. These snippets come from the very first episode in which Vivek discusses empathy, Sujai discusses the power of "yes," and Marji explores the stories that we harbor in our heads that can cause friction and unhappiness. For a whole lot more support and to listen to the podcasts ad-free, considering joining the Gentle Parents Unite: Becomin...
Jan 14, 2020•16 min
Summary: You have questions? We have answers! Enjoy this replay from our first season in which we answer three questions that have come in. The first question concerns the practicalities of how one pivots from their own intense feelings (and subsequent reactions) when a child is pushing buttons to the recommended curiosity about what needs the child might be attempting to communicate through their button-pushing behavior. Then, address the second question concerning the practicalities of using a...
Jan 06, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 14
This is the last episode of season 2. In this special episode we are sharing a self-love meditation we created for parents. In our patreon parenting support group we offer twice weekly meditations. We are sharing our latest one with you in the hopes that it will help bring more peace into your life. We hope you enjoy the meditation, and we encourage you to join in by posting your thoughts and questions and comments! For a whole lot more support and to listen to the podcasts ad-free, considering ...
Dec 31, 2019•38 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Summary: It’s about time we told you who we are! How did three kids grow up to become passionate advocates for gentle, respectful, compassionate, and effective parenting? And, how did they come together? By popular request, here, then, is a bonus installment from our popular Gentle Parents Unite Podcast ! Sujai appropriately gets us started (yet another thing she is great at!) after the first break at about 3:00, sharing the story of her amazing journey. Then, at about 13:00 or so, Sujai gives u...
Dec 23, 2019•1 hr 40 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Sujai, Vivek, and Marji take an in-depth look at consequences (the natural and the unnatural kind) and how consequences can affect our closest relationships. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we encourage you to join in by posting your thoughts and questions and comments! For a whole lot more support and to listen to the podcasts ad-free, considering joining the Gentle Parents Unite: Becoming Gentle Patreon group! (Note: the theme music is called “ Joyful ” and was written and performed by...
Dec 16, 2019•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Season 2, Episode 10: “A Conversation with Dr. Vanessa Lapointe” Summary: This week, Sujai , Vivek , and Marji welcome noted author, parenting expert, and registered psychologist, Dr. Vanessa Lapointe . “Dr. V” shares her experiences and brilliant philosophy, which you can learn more about by visiting her site and/or following her at dr.vanessalapointe on Instagram , where she is very active. Her two books are Discipline with Damage, published by LifeTree Media (January 12, 2016) and Parenting R...
Dec 09, 2019•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Summary: This week, Sujai , Vivek , and Marji have a lively conversation, kicking it off at about 6:19 when Vivek shares a deeply personal story about living empathy in his closest relationships. Then, at about 33:43, Sujai offers great insight on relationship fractures, how they happen, and what folks can do about them. Finally, at about 46:48, Marji recalls a conversation she had had some time ago with a parent who was convinced that grounding a child and revoking privileges is sometimes what ...
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Summary: This week, Sujai , Vivek , and Marji enjoy a conversation with Lelia Schott , Becoming Gentle’s newest addition to the team! Enjoy this sweet conversation with a wise and compassionate parent coach and educator! You can learn more about Lelia’s work at www.leliaschott.com and you can visit and like her page at www.facebook.com/synergygentleparenting / . We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we encourage you to join in by posting your thoughts and questions and comments! (Note: the the...
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Summary: This week, Sujai , Vivek , and Marji enjoy a conversation with each other, discussing brushing teeth (starting at about 5:22), strategies for managing our own anxiety when that rears its head (starting at about 25:30), and some tried-and-true ways of handling unwelcome advice and criticism (starting at about 57:37). We hope you enjoy the conversation, and we encourage you to join in by posting your thoughts and questions and comments! (Note: the theme music is called “ Joyful ” and was ...
Nov 18, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Summary: This week, in Episode 6 of our podcast series, we have a presentation-format episode for you. At 4:05, Sujai starts us off with her wise thoughts about Healing While Dealing with adversity and trauma. It’s a challenging topic about a challenging human experience, and Sujai, Vivek and Marji get granular about how a person can heal from trauma even while living through challenging circumstances. At 42:30, Vivek continues in his micro series. We’ve heard about micro-meditation, micro-self-...
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Summary: In this week’s episode, Sujai , Vivek , and Marji enjoy a loose conversation about things they noticed over the course of the past week. These three friends have much wisdom to share about lying and allowing kids the time and space they need to make sense of themselves and their world. As always, these friends learn from and enjoy each other! (Note: the theme music is called “ Joyful ” and was written and performed by Marji , whose music site is www.marjizintz.us . The podcast is produc...
Oct 15, 2019•53 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Summary: In this week’s episode, Marji starts us off at 3:13 with some theoretical and practical ways of looking at and responding to children’s hurtful words and behaviors . Vivek next (at about 48:18) discusses something he’s been developing, namely micro-self-compassion . And, at about 1:01:49 (61:49), he takes us through a lovely exercise! Sujai then takes a lovely look starting at about 1:21:47 (81:47) at undoing some of the conditioning that runs our lives and our thoughts and our reaction...
Oct 08, 2019•1 hr 42 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Summary: Welcome to the second episode of Season 2 and the first of our guest interview conversations! In this episode, Sujai , Vivek , and Marji speak first about some wonderful work that Vivek has been doing (starting about 3:07). Our conversation with Eric starts at about 15:51. ( Note: Between about 21:00 and 23:23, Eric discusses the loss of a child. If you are sensitive to that subject, consider fast-forwarding when you get to the 21-minute mark. ) Also, know that there is one unbeeped exp...
Oct 01, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 2
