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Parents of the Year
We were never given a manual on how to parent. It is easy to get overwhelmed to know the right thing to do. There is so much contradictory information out there and everyone has their own advice. Parenting is a rewarding but messy, confusing, infuriating, guilt-inducing, and overwhelming journey. While it's easy to get lost, Andrew Stewart, a real dad, and Dr. Caroline Buzanko, a real mom, child psychologist, and parenting expert (who also happens to be married to Andrew) will help you get back on track. In each episode, Andrew and Caroline have open and honest chats about everything parenting. Join them in honesty, laughter, and tears (Caroline is a bit of a cry baby) as they help you navigate this journey of parenting. And, every so often, you may get some gems of expert advice. Our goal is to make your parenting journey less stressful, more forgiving, and more awesome. Please join us every Wednesday for new episodes of Parenting of the Year.
Episodes
157 episodes
157. Do labels like 'lighthouse parenting' actually help — or just sell books?
Parenting trends come and go — gentle parenting, helicopter parenting, lighthouse parenting. But what if all these labels are just distractions? In this episode, Andrew and Caroline dive into why chasing parenting fads can pull us f...
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Season 1
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Episode 157
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32:57
156. Are we teaching skills kids actually need?
Raising independent, capable kids isn’t about giving them the perfect road map—it’s about teaching them how to navigate life’s twists and turns. In this episode of Parents of the Year, bestselling author and dad of four, Ro...
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Season 5
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Episode 156
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32:32
155. How can we use writing to process big emotions and connect with our kids?
Have you ever considered how storytelling—whether through writing, conversations, or reflection—can help kids (and adults) process emotions, strengthen relationships, and even reframe painful experiences? In this episode of Pare...
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Season 4
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Episode 155
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25:15
154. Part 2: Are we getting parenting right?
How do we teach kids to think critically, appreciate different perspectives, and celebrate the success of others—even when it’s tough?In Part 2 of this Parents of the Year episode, Andrew and Caroline dig into the essential life...
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Season 4
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Episode 154
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29:19
153. Are we getting parenting right? Part 1
How do you know if you’ve done a good job as a parent? What really matters when it comes to raising kids who believe in themselves, handle challenges, and feel loved? In this episode of Parents of the Year
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Season 4
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Episode 153
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26:46
152. How do we help kids build independence without letting chaos take over?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat with Leslie Josel, an ADHD parenting coach and founder of Order Out of Chaos, to break down executive functioning, mood regulation, and the real reasons...
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Season 4
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Episode 152
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40:14
151. How can we make valentine’s day special for everyone?
In this episode of Parents of the Year Valentine’s special, Andrew and Caroline explore how to make this day meaningful for everyone—not just couples!What you’ll learn:❤️ How to make Valentine’s Day special for your kids—wit...
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Season 4
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Episode 151
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21:41
150. How can we help kids thrive under pressure?
Parenting comes with its fair share of pressure—from helping kids handle school stress to managing the expectations we place on them (and ourselves). In this "Best of" recasts, which happens to be one of their first groundbreaking episodes, Car...
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Season 4
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Episode 150
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50:03
149. How can we shape kids' futures?
In another heartfelt and humorous episode, Andrew and Caroline dive into one of the biggest questions parents face: What does it take to raise kids who are happy, content, and good people? With real-life anecdotes, laughter, and a touch...
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Season 4
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Episode 149
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21:57
148. How can we inspire everyday acts of kindness in kids?
Kindness isn’t just for the holidays that have already come and gone… it’s a practice we can carry throughout the year! On this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat with retired elementary teacher and children’s aut...
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Season 4
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Episode 148
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26:08
147. How should you react to your kids’ shenanigans (especially when police are involved)?
When your teenager gets busted by the cops for pulling donuts in a parking lot, how do you respond?This week on Parents of the Year, we dive into parenting through those ridiculous, boneheaded, and sometimes hilarious choices ou...
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Season 4
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Episode 147
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35:54
146. What should parents resolve to do differently in 2025?
As we step into 2025, Andrew and Caroline tackle an urgent question: How can parents foster a kinder, more respectful world for their children? In this powerful episode, Andrew and Carolina discuss the rise of disrespe...
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Season 4
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Episode 146
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28:42
145. How can you navigate holiday family conflicts and still love everyone at the end?
In this festive episode of #ParentsoftheYear Caroline asks Andrew abut the joys and challenges of navigating family dynamics during the holidays. From setting boundaries with extended family to creating meaningful traditions, this epis...
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Season 4
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Episode 145
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21:15
144. Best of Recast: How do we unspoil our kids?
In the second part of our discussion on entitlement, Andrew and Caroline tackle some of the most challenging—but crucial—aspects of parenting. This week, we explore:Why not rescuing your kids is an essential step toward fos...
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Season 4
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Episode 144
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40:54
143. Best of Recast: How do we unspoil our kids? Part 1
Are you worried your child might be entitled? Entitlement isn’t something any parent sets out to cultivate, but it can happen more easily than you think. The good news? It’s never too late to make a change. In Part 1 of...
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Season 4
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Episode 143
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34:33
142. How can reframing kids’ challenges lead to their success?
Today on #Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat with teen life coach Kevin about the power of mindset, active listening, and positive reframing to help kids thrive. Learn practical strategies for identifying red flags, empowering kids’ ...
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Season 4
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Episode 142
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28:54
141. What are 10 key lessons parents are not teaching their kids?
Are we raising a generation ready for life's challenges—or shielding them too much? Get ready for a lighthearted but real discussion on parenting, childhood resilience, and fostering independence! In this Parents of the Year ep...
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Season 4
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Episode 141
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35:13
140. How can parents help girls navigate the emotional rollercoaster of puberty?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline welcome Kimberly Grustas, founder of Good For You Girls, to discuss how parents can navigate the whirlwind of puberty wi...
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Season 4
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Episode 140
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38:49
139. Should chicken-training be the first step to parenthood?
In this wild and offbeat episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew, Caroline, and their daughter, Maya dive headfirst into the unpredictable world of parenting. This episode goes all over the place from the art of being an annoyingly lovi...
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Season 4
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Episode 139
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34:38
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138. Is your parenting helping or hindering your child's growth?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline dive into the all-too-common struggle of over-parenting. From parents attending university orientations to learn how to "manage" their adult children, to navigati...
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Season 4
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Episode 138
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30:26
137. Hidden Dangers: How can we protect kids from everyday chemical toxins?
Today on Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat with environmental health advocate and best-selling author, David Steinman, to discuss the hidden chemical toxins lurking in everyday products. David, author of Raising Healthy Kids: Ho...
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Season 4
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Episode 137
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42:18
136. How do you teach kids to contribute to family life?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline chat about the challenges of fostering cooperation and independence in kids without turning every request into a battle. From navigating the chaos of messy bedroo...
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Season 4
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Episode 136
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19:00
135. How can you reconnect intimately after having kids?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline welcome special guest Sofia Fortin, founder of The Happy Vee Project, to discuss the complexities of maintaining intimacy after having kids. Sofia, a certified sex coach, and edu...
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Season 4
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Episode 135
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46:43
134. How can parenting like our ancestors make our kids more confident and independent?
Join Andrew and Caroline for a hilarious and thought-provoking episode of Parents of the Year as they tackle parenting in today’s world inspired by an old-world lens. Join them as they deep dive into how modern parenting compares with ancient, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 134
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32:47
133. What does it take to be an empowered single dad?
Today on Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline discuss the raw and transformative journey of Rob Rohde, a single father of five daughters, as he navigates the challenges of parenthood, from overcoming the deep sense of failure to becoming an...
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Season 4
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Episode 132
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47:53
