This episode is such a sweet throwback. We recorded this short, 10-minute conversation with my daughter seven years ago when she was turning 10—and honestly, I had completely forgotten about it. The title says "Two Productivity Secrets from a 10-Year-Old," but what surprised me most wasn't just her insights—it was hearing her sweet voice and noticing how I talked to her. The way I spoke to her then is the way I still speak to her now.

Revisiting the 200th Episode of Authentic Parenting. Longtime listener Lauren Thomas interviews Anna about parenting, podcasting, and the unforgettable "green stroller" moment—an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the show.

Lauren asks about some of my most favorite guests, the top three most impactful episodes, and the most authentic moment of the podcast. We talk about interviews that went off the rails, guests who caught me off guard, and moments that challenged me as a parent and host. You'll hear about the most difficult age with my kid, the ways I keep a "go-with-the-flow" approach, the little things that embarrass my tween but I keep doing, and even why a 3-star review made me cry for a week.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15)
• 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.
• info@authenticparenting.com
• Send audio messages using Speakpipe.
• Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook.
• Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.

Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

What did it really mean to reach 100 episodes in the early days of podcasting?
As part of our 10-year podcast anniversary, we're revisiting the 100th episode—a major podcast milestone at a time when most shows didn't last beyond a few episodes. This special throwback episode includes listener participation, the original podcast intro, and early production from the show's beginnings. A meaningful look back at how this podcast started, what it was built on, and why honoring the past matters as we continue to grow.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15)
• 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.
• info@authenticparenting.com
• Send audio messages using Speakpipe.
• Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook.
• Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.

Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

As the podcast marks its 10-year anniversary, I'm sharing a personal message about the lessons, growth, and moments that shaped this journey. I'll also let you know what's coming up in January as we begin a new year together.

This is our final episode of the year, and today I'm doing something I always love—looking back and reflecting. I'll be revealing the Top 10 most downloaded episodes of 2025, sharing why these conversations resonated so deeply, and highlighting a couple of episodes and guests that were personal favorites for me.

1. Mastering the Art of Validation: How to Make People Feel Seen and Understood with Caroline Fleck, PhD
2. How to Raise Capable and Resilient Children with Sheryl Ziegler
3. Raising Emotionally Aware Boys Who Turn into Strong Men with Tosha Schore
4. Reclaiming Your Inner Child: Heal the Past and Live Fully with Nina Mongendre
5. The Family Dynamic: The Mystery of Sibling Success with Susan Dominus
6. Why Kids Are Struggling—and How to Help Them Thrive with Ned Johnson
7. Stop People Pleasing: How to Value Yourself and Your Needs with Amy Wilson
8. How to Recover from Burnout by Regulating Your Emotions and Nervous System with Michelle Grosser
9. How to Connect Deeply With Yourself and Others with Kristy Lauricella
10. 7 Ways to Improve Well-Being, Reduce Stress, and Stay Grounded in Difficult Times with Anna Seewald and Laura Froyen

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15)
• 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.
• info@authenticparenting.com
• Send audio messages using Speakpipe.
• Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook.
• Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.

Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

In this final episode of the year, we slow down and reflect on what this year held—the meaningful moments, the hard ones, and the lessons we want to remember. I'm joined by my dear friend Kristy Lauricella as we answer reflective questions (available to download), share our unexpected words of the year, and talk about the books, podcasts, and shows that stayed with us. This conversation isn't about doing the year "right," but about noticing, closing the year with intention, and offering ourselves a little more self-compassion.

Download this free PDF with pwoerful questions.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15)
• 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.
• info@authenticparenting.com
• Send audio messages using Speakpipe.
• Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook.
• Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.

Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11

Jeff Hittner on the invisible pressures dads carry every day—balancing ambition with presence, holding emotions they were never taught to express, feeling the weight of being a provider while wanting to be deeply connected, and silently wondering whether they're doing enough.

• 03:18 — Why dads default to fixing

• 06:10 — How conflict exposes emotional patterns you didn't realize you were repeating

• 09:27 — What happens inside your body in the first seconds of reactivity

• 12:55 — How shame hides in anger or withdrawal and shifts your parenting

• 16:40 — Why ambition and presence feel at odds—and how to hold both

• 19:12 — How the definition of "providing" can create hidden distance

• 22:03 — What kids actually need from you when they're dysregulated

• 26:44 — How small repairs rebuild connection after hard moments

• 29:58 — Why dads often hide their struggles and how vulnerability helps

• 33:21 — How real-time emotional attunement works—and what derails it

• 37:49 — What regulated fatherhood looks like in everyday interactions

• 41:30 — Why self-compassion matters more than perfect parenting

• 44:56 — How tiny daily habits build long-term emotional resilience

• 48:20 — What keeps parents stuck in reactive cycles and how to break them

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15)
• 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.
• info@authenticparenting.com
• Send audio messages using Speakpipe.
• Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.

Are you ready to start the new year with calmer, more connected parenting? In this episode, I share 7 practical ways to parent with intention in 2026 while avoiding common pitfalls that can derail your goals. We cover screen time, home environments, children's play, shared meals, technology, and the small but powerful shifts that can transform your family life. You'll also hear exercises and tips to check in with yourself, stay intentional, and create a year filled with connection and purpose.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15)
• 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.
• info@authenticparenting.com
• Send audio messages using Speakpipe.
• Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook.
• Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.

Podcast Production by Aminur: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~019855d91718719d11