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PODCAST

The Art of Raising Humans

Parenting Legacy

Kyle and Sara Wester are Licensed Professional Counselors and parents of three who have spent more than two decades helping children, teens, and families build stronger relationships. Through the Art of Raising Humans podcast, they share practical, brain-based guidance to help parents lead with confidence, strengthen connection, and navigate hard moments with more calm. Their hope is to equip parents with the tools and encouragement to raise healthy, resilient humans while building relationships

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

31:38

How to Say No Without a Power Struggle: The “Yes,...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/10/05

Most parents know the question is coming: “Can I go to my friend’s house?” “Can I stay out later?” “Can I get a phone?” And sometimes, before we have even thought it through, the answer comes out: no. Of course, kids need parents who protect them, guide them, and hold healthy boundaries. But saying no does not have to mean shutting every door. In this episode, Kyle and Sara introduce a simple shift: looking for a real “yes, and…” “Yes, you can, and here is what needs to be true ...

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30:51

Your Child Isn’t Finished Yet: Why “Knowing Better”...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/09/28

Your child can know what to do—and still be unable to do it in a hard moment. When they struggle with something they managed yesterday, it is easy to assume they are being lazy, disrespectful, or simply choosing not to try. But what if there is more going on underneath the behavior? In this episode, Kyle and Sara explore why a child who seemed capable yesterday may struggle today—and how parents can respond with curiosity, calm limits, and support instead of labels and shame. Th...

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37:16

When You and Your Spouse Parent Differently: How to...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/09/21

You love the same kids. You probably even want many of the same things for them. So why can you and your spouse look at the exact same parenting moment and see it completely differently? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara share more of their own parenting story—including the beliefs they brought into parenting, the conflicts they didn’t expect, and the very different approaches they initially had to sleep, big emotions, discipline, connection, and their roles a...

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32:30

The Wonder and Danger of Curiosity: How to Help Kids...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/09/14

Curiosity is one of the most beautiful parts of childhood. It drives kids to ask questions, explore new ideas, take healthy risks, and discover who they are. But as kids get older, curiosity can also become scary for parents. What happens when curiosity leads your child toward pornography, vaping, alcohol, sex, risky online content, dangerous challenges, or choices they may not be ready to handle? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara explore how par...

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30:48

Are You Giving Your Child Real Choices? How to Build...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/08/31

Do you ever feel like you are managing every detail of your child’s life—schoolwork, activities, friendships, schedules, and responsibilities—yet worry they may not be learning how to handle life without you? Or maybe you try to give your child more freedom, only to watch them become overwhelmed, make a choice they regret, or expect you to rescue them afterward. In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester talk about the difference between giving children small ch...

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32:12

When Your Teen Has No Idea What to Do With Their Life...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/08/24

Does your teen have no clear plan for college, work, or life after high school? When they say, “I don’t know,” it can bring up a lot of fear for parents. Are they behind? Unmotivated? Will they be able to support themselves and find a meaningful path? In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester explain why pressure often makes teens shut down and how parents can guide their teen forward without taking over or backing away completely. Your teen does not need to have their whole future figured...

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35:18

When Your Child Is Just Like You: How to Stop...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/08/17

Why can the child who is most like you also be the one who pushes your buttons the fastest? Maybe their anxiety, sensitivity, stubbornness, big emotions, or need for control feels painfully familiar. Without realizing it, parents can begin reacting to their own past instead of responding to the child in front of them. In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara explore why familiar traits can feel so triggering and how parents can interrupt old patterns without b...

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47:48

How to Build a Secure Attachment With Your Child at...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/08/10

Have you ever worried that you missed your chance to build a secure attachment with your child? Or wondered why your child shuts down, becomes clingy, or struggles to bring their emotions to you? In this episode, Kyle and Sara talk with licensed professional counselor and attachment expert Eli Harwood, also known as The Attachment Nerd, about what secure attachment really looks like and how parents can strengthen it at any age. Eli explains why attachment is not about perfect pa...

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29:11

When Your Child Says “I Don’t Care” or “I Don’t Know”...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/08/03

Few things frustrate parents more than trying to have an important conversation with a child or teen and hearing, “I don’t care” or “I don’t know.” It can feel dismissive, disrespectful, avoidant, or even scary. Parents may start wondering: Do they really not care? Are they lying? Are they avoiding responsibility? Am I losing influence? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara talk about what may actually be happening underneath these common responses. They explain w...

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51:00

Why Teens Need a Rite of Passage and Parents Need One...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/07/27

What if our teenagers’ risky choices, rebellion, or need to prove themselves are partly attempts to answer a deeper question: Am I ready to grow up, and does anyone see who I am becoming? For thousands of years, communities intentionally helped young people transition from childhood into adulthood. Today, many teenagers are left to create their own rites of passage through drinking, drugs, sexual experiences, reckless behavior, or other choices they believe will prove they are grown. &...

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39:44

What You Should Never Try to Fix About Your Child...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/07/20

Have you ever wondered whether your child’s sensitivity, strong will, quietness, or intensity is something you need to change? When a behavior repeatedly frustrates or worries us, it is easy to start seeing our child as the problem. We may lecture more, push harder, compare them to other children, or try to shape them into someone who feels easier and less frightening to raise. But what if the trait you are trying to eliminate was never broken? In this episode, Kyle and S...

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44:26

Raising Boys in a Digital World: Masculinity, Porn,...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/07/13

In today’s digital world, boys are being shaped by voices most parents never invited in. Social media, porn culture, toxic influencers, looksmaxxing, pressure to be rich, pressure to be ripped, and the constant message to “act like you don’t care” are all reaching boys earlier than many adults realize. But how do we talk to our sons about these things without fear, shame, lectures, or panic? In this episode of The Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara talk with Daniel Principe, a...

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37:37

AI, Homework, and Kids: How to Use AI Without Letting...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/07/06

In Part 1 of this conversation, Kyle and Sara talked about how AI is changing childhood and why parents need to stay curious, connected, and informed. In this Part 2 conversation, they get practical. Kids are already using AI for homework, writing, studying, brainstorming, advice, and entertainment. So the question is no longer, “Should my child ever use AI?” The better question is, “How do we teach our child to use AI wisely?” Kyle and Sara discuss how parents can guide ...

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35:56

How AI Is Changing Childhood: What Every Parent Needs...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/06/29

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of childhood. Kids are using AI for homework, studying, entertainment, advice, emotional support, and even companionship. In this episode, Kyle and Sara begin a two-part conversation on what parents need to know about AI. They discuss how to approach AI with curiosity instead of fear, why connection matters more than control, and how parents can help kids develop the skills AI cannot replace: critical thinking, creativity, emotional inte...

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47:07

The Good Enough Dad with Maggie Dent (Episode 217)

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/06/22

In this episode of Art of Raising Humans, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with beloved Australian parenting author, educator, and champion for boys Maggie Dent to talk about dads, sons, emotional safety, repair, and why children do not need perfect fathers. Maggie shares practical wisdom for fathers who want to parent differently but may not know what that looks like in real life. Together, we explore how dads can be strong without being harsh, how boys often open up through side-by-side...

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34:20

Screen Time Without the Power Struggles (Episode 216)

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/06/15

If you're like most parents, you've probably had a moment this summer where you said, "Okay, time to turn it off," and suddenly found yourself in a negotiation, an argument, or a full-blown meltdown. Screens have become one of the biggest parenting challenges of modern life. They're entertaining, social, educational, and often genuinely helpful. But they can also create power struggles, emotional outbursts, and frustration for both kids and parents. In this episode, Kyle and Sar...

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40:39

Why So Many Boys Are Angry Today with Dr. Katie Hurley

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/06/08

Many parents are worried about what they're seeing in their sons. Maybe your son seems more angry, aggressive, withdrawn, or difficult to reach than he used to be. Maybe you're wondering why conversations feel harder, emotions stay bottled up, or small frustrations quickly escalate into conflict. In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Katie Hurley to explore what is really happening beneath the surface for boys today. Together, the...

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33:31

How To Stop Punishing Without Becoming Permissive

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/06/01

Many parents today feel stuck between two extremes: Punishment and power struggles,OR permissiveness and inconsistency. But what if there’s another way? In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester from Art of Raising Humans walk parents through their GUIDE framework, a practical, relationship-based approach that helps parents hold boundaries, teach responsibility, and build emotional regulation without relying on fear, shame, or punishment. This conversation is filled with: real...

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40:19

Why Punishment Doesn’t Work (And What Actually Helps...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/05/25

Check out Jon Fogel's "Parent Lab" membership. It has courses, challenges, and coaching included. Learn more at Members.wholeparentacademy.com. In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester sit down with parenting educator and author Jon Fogel to unpack the science behind punishment, discipline, emotional regulation, and raising resilient kids without fear, shame, or power struggles. Jon explains why punishment often teaches the wrong lessons, what actually happens in a child’s brain during ...

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29:07

Why Your Teen Needs to Disagree With You (And How to...

The Art of Raising Humans ·

2026/05/18

Why does your teen suddenly argue about everything? Why do simple conversations turn into tension, frustration, or shutdown? In this episode, Kyle and Sara Wester unpack what’s actually happening in the teenage brain during adolescence and why disagreement is often a healthy sign of development—not disrespect. You’ll learn why teens naturally start questioning parents, what fear this can trigger in moms and dads, and how to respond in ways that strengthen connection inste...

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232 results

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