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PODCAST

Raising the Next Gen Podcast

Raising the Next Gen is your go-to parenting podcast for practical, uplifting advice on raising happy, resilient, and productive teens and tweens. Each episode features practical advice from experts, real-life stories from parents, and personal insights from our own family’s journey. We’ll dive into the challenges and triumphs of modern parenting, from cultivating healthy habits and digital wellbeing to building mental resilience and fostering leadership skills. Our approach is simple: small actions

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

46:55

E36 - Learning Strategies Every Student (and Parent)...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/04/08

What if learning and doing well in academics (and life) meant doing less, not more? In this conversation between host Sonia Dong and Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer, founder and CEO of Awakened Learning, we learn how to unpack what it really means to support your kids as learners without the burnout.Dr. Deena shares how she went from high school teacher to pioneering holistic learning strategies that serve learners of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. She challenges the myth that hours of note-rewriting

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58:44

E35 - What Are the 7 Types of Rest You and Your...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/04/05

What does it actually mean to rest? In this episode, host Sonia Dong chats with Karen Choi, founder of Balm, to explore why so many of us feel exhausted even when we think we've rested. Drawing on Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith's framework of the seven types of rest, Karen unpacks what kind of labor we're doing every day as parents, and what real recovery looks like for each.Sonia and Karen explore how to model rest for our teens and tweens, why screen time isn't the rest we think it is, and how

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42:16

E34 - Understanding Your Teen's Mind and Mood

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/04/01

What’s “normal” and what warrants concern? Host Sonia Dong sits down with psychologist Nadia D'Iuso to explore the real challenges parents face as their children move through adolescence. Whether your teen is struggling with stress, anxiety, academic pressure, or peer relationships, this conversation offers a compassionate glimpse into the adolescent mind, as well as and actionable tools to help you support them. Nadia draws on her extensive experience working with teens in both clinical and

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25:48

E33 - The Financial Head Start Your Teen Needs

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/03/15

Inspired by rising inflation and her desire to give her sons a head start, Jane Kwan chats with host Sonia Dong to share practical strategies parents can use to open money conversations with their kids. From budgeting at the grocery store to explaining needs vs. wants, she breaks down key tools like TFSAs, RESPs, and index funds in approachable terms, and offers tips on how to introduce her book and workbook without making it feel like homework.This episode gives parents practical tools to raise

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30:15

E32 - Helping Teens Thrive Beyond Mom and Dad

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/03/08

In this episode, host Sonia Dong explores the world of teen and young adult coaching with Sandi Huminek, a certified life coach who is passionate about helping the next generation thrive. We discuss the difference between coaching and therapy, what it looks like when parents, teens, and coaches work together, and why leading with curiosity can transform your relationship with your child. About Sandi Huminek Sandi is a certified life coach passionate about equipping the next generation to build

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35:35

E31 - Father Figures Who Steer Rather Than Stifle...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/03/01

What does it really take to raise confident, emotionally grounded teenage boys? In this episode, host Sonia Dong sits down with Edmund Chien, a retired finance professional, public speaker on behavioural finance, and military veteran. Edmund shares how studying attachment theory transformed his own parenting and why he parents by "steering vs. stifling". He also shares examples and tips from his lived experiences treating his teenage sons less like toddlers and more like capable young men. Edmund

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7:59

E30: Its All About the Baby Steps

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/02/21

Before a child can walk on their own, they fall about 2,500 times (2012 study from New York University’s Infant Action Lab). And every single time, we cheered them on. So why do we expect our teens and tweens to get it right on the first try? In this talk, speaker and host of Raising the Next Gen podcast Sonia Dong shares a powerful reframe for parents of older kids that's rooted in the same patience, grace, and guidance we gave our toddlers. Through personal stories (including a very relatable

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32:30

E29 - Teens, Sportsmanship, and Navigating...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/02/08

In this episode, Sonia welcomes Kimberly Snider, a strategic leadership coach and team builder, for an engaging conversation about raising resilient children. They discuss mindset management during unexpected challenges like airline strikes, the power of maintaining optimism, and how family travel teaches valuable life lessons.Kimberly shares insights from raising two sporty teenagers, exploring how competitive sports build character, teach sportsmanship, and help kids navigate disappointment. The

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31:51

E28 - Teen Money Skills and Post-Secondary Budgeting...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/02/01

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, host Sonia Dong welcomes Tara Downey, owner of Tru Insurance & Investments, to discuss financial literacy for teens and young adults. Tara shares her journey as a single mom navigating financial challenges while raising three children, now aged 20-27.She reveals practical strategies for teaching money habits from childhood through university, including the saving-spending rule she instilled in her family. She believes in empowering teens to take

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40:22

E27 - Parents Are the Algorithm Behind Digitally...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Sonia is joined by Yetty Williams on Raising the Next Gen for a conversation about raising digitally savvy kids. As a digital parenting coach and social entrepreneur who helps families navigate raising children in a highly connected world, Yetty is passionate about supporting parents to parent intentionally in the digital age.Yetty introduces the idea of parents as the “first algorithm,” shaping how kids interpret the online world through values, conversation, and connection at home. The discussion

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34:08

E26 - From Parenting Teens to Guiding Adult Children

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/25

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia is joined by Julie Cober, a certified executive leadership coach who supports female founders and senior leaders navigating career transitions. Julie reflects candidly on balancing executive leadership with motherhood. They talk about how it's never too late to repair a relationship and why apologizing to our children matters. They also discuss the powerful shift from parenting to guiding as kids enter adulthood and the importance of choosing to parent

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24:59

E25 - Helping Kids Find Confidence Through Stories

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/23

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia is joined by educator and children’s author Krishana Johnson-James for a heartfelt conversation about confidence, creativity, and helping kids embrace challenges. Krishana shares how her lifelong love of writing and teaching led to her books Planting a Song and There’s No One Just Like Me. They explore how stories can help children navigate performance anxiety, build positive self-talk, and develop a growth mindset. Krishana reflects on her own

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6:45

E24 - The Freedom of Leaving My Phone at Home

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/22

What happens when you accidentally leave your phone at home? In this solo episode, I share how a simple morning school drop-off became an unexpected lesson in presence and freedom. After forgetting my phone on the kitchen counter, I had to decide whether I'd turn back for it in a panic, or continue on without it. I chose the latter, and this episode is about the internal dialogue that went on in my head, the noticing of my tech habits and how it influences my children. -- Did you like this episode

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35:40

E23 - Strengthening Your Relationship While Parenting

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/18

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia chats with psychologist Clarissa Ee to explore how becoming parents impacts connection, communication, and conflict between partners. They discuss why relationship satisfaction often declines after kids and how misalignment between parents affects the whole family.The episode also highlights how the way parents handle conflict becomes a powerful model for their children. Teamwork between couples is emphasized, and you’ll hear practical tools for

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24:52

E22 - Sparking Wonder Through Stories and Science

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/16

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia is joined Vicky McGrath, author of The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact and the Tales from the Clinic graphic novel series. Vicky shares how a season of isolation during COVID motivated a creative breakthrough, blending her daughter’s love of animals, a passion for science, and a lifelong appreciation for adventure, magic, and storytelling. Sonia and Vicky explore graphic novels, citizen science, environmental stewardship, and fostering a sense of

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41:18

E21: Choosing Peace to Reconnect With Kids

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2026/01/13

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia sits down with holistic wellness specialist, trauma coach, and Reiki Master Preeti Kapoor for an honest conversation about Preeti’s deeply personal journey which was sparked by a heartbreaking question from her young son: “Mom, will you ever be happy again?” Together, Sonia and Preeti explore what it really takes to connect with teens in a digitally distracted world, why safety matters more than perfection, and how parents’ emotional regulation shapes

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29:27

E20: The Healing Power of Vulnerability in Parenthood

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I sit down with motherhood coach and maternal mental health advocate Annalisa Vicente to talk about what it really means to raise emotionally aware, resilient kids while caring for our own wellbeing.Together, we explore how to model vulnerability, build real human connection in a digital world, and nurture family bonds through simple shared experiences. Annalisa also opens up about her personal journey parenting with bipolar disorder and the powerful lessons

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35:38

E19 - Nutrition, Mindset, and Healthy Habits for...

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2025/10/14

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I welcome Irina Cazazaeva, a Hollywood nutrition and mindset coach, to explore how personalized nutrition and daily habits can help families thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Irina shares her science-based approach to eating for your unique body chemistry, from balancing hormones to preventing inflammation, and how even “healthy” foods can sometimes do more harm than good. We discuss both wins and struggles, from helping tweens eat better without

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6:43

E18: How Slowing Down Helped Me Find Gratitude Again

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2025/10/14

It was Thanksgiving this past weekend in Canada, and each time this holiday rolls around, I am reminded of how a painful accident turned into a lesson in gratitude, perspective and the need to slow down. In this short episode, I share what happened to me and how it changed it me for the better. As I recall this time in my life, I'm reminded of the book The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, and how being grateful for how far we've come vs. dwelling on how we're falling short

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37:06

E17 - What Family Dinners Teach in the AI Era

Raising the Next Gen Podcast ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I sit down with leadership coach and author Leisse Wilcox to talk about how everyday family rituals—especially shared meals—can shape emotionally aware, resilient, and confident kids. We explore why family dinners matter more than ever in the age of AI, how to make space for connection amid busy schedules, and how to approach uncomfortable but essential conversations with teens. Leisse shares her perspective as both a mom of three and a leadership expert on

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37 results

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