Podcast Episodes

Anxiously ruminating or worrying requires an internal focus: “But I’m worrying about my kids, or people I care about,” the worrier tries to argue. “I’m not focusing on myself!” Well, you are. You focus on your version of events, your particular construct, your perceptions. In this episode, we talk about how a genuine external focus leads to a disconnection from one’s own compelling (and often stress-driven) narrative. Here is the earlier Flusterclux episode that Robin & Lynn mention in today's ...

This is a juicy episode— and a really important one for all concerned about the mental health trends with our teens. After thirty-five years in the mental health field, Lynn addresses very directly her concerns about the messages teens are receiving, and articulating, about their mental health. It's time to be candid about toxic trends, misinformation, and where our teens are heading. Can we shift this paradigm for them? [This is a recast of an episode from Season 5.] Here's the previous Fluste...

Two (really) stressed gals show up for this episode to talk about injecting fun and playfulness into holiday events. Robin and Lynn share lots of ideas wrapped up in a little encouragement, and by the end, they both feel better. We think you will, too! WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7...

Human beings are judgy creatures. It’s part of being social animals. But want to guarantee conflict during the holidays? Start judging other family member’s parenting. Too much sugar for your cousin’s toddler? The horror! Not enough emotional expression allowed by your brother-in-law? Disappointing! Whether you are the judge or the judged (and we’re often both), shifting your approach during holiday gatherings will benefit everyone. Let’s talk strategy, reality, and talking at least 85% less. W...

On this episode we answer two listener questions: our first mom is trying to sort through her toddler's discomfort with anything “messy” and his demands to clean things up. Her family is concerned, and she wants to know what’s normal. Another mom is noticing how her own anxious thoughts are anticipating a health problem with her daughter, even when all is well. It’s a habit of worrying, and she wants to break it. Here's the episode that Lynn & Robin mention that they recorded with "The Poop Lad...

Although the holidays can be special, the patterns that show up in people are predictable, even if it is Thanksgiving or Christmas. Critical parent? Passive aggressive sibling? Catastrophic you? In this episode, we talk about the most common and stressful holiday traps and how you and your family can disrupt them. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we sug...

Cindy Pierce returns, sharing her immense knowledge on pornography and its impact on young people. Get ready because we go there! Cindy talks directly about the disconnection, misinformation, and other serious consequences of porn use. Cindy tells us that parents are the most influential sources of healthy sexual information. More awkward conversations? You bet. But she’ll help us through. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: P...

In the first of a two-part conversation, Cindy Pierce, social sexuality expert, speaker and author, is here to help parents talk to their kids about sex. Do we want to have these conversations? Probably not. Do they make us anxious? Of course! But Cindy gives us language and encouragement and pulls no punches about why it’s so important to step into the awkwardness. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, ...

We answer a listener question in this episode from a mom who wonders if her young son’s rigidity is sensory-driven, an anxiety issue, or both. When do we accommodate and how do we promote more flexibility? When needing things “just right” gets in the way of normal and fun activities, what’s a mom to do? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starti...

If you’re anxious as a parent, are your kids doomed? Not necessarily, but there are risk factors you have to pay attention to and patterns to interrupt. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part anxiety disruptor series as well as a 3-part series on the skills most helpful in managing anx...

Lynn had too little sleep and too much coffee, so she’s telling it like it is with Robin’s complete endorsement. What are the three things Lynn keeps hearing from parents and therapists that we need to stop doing? Buckle up for some straight talk. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part...

Our guest this episode is Jessica Lahey, author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation. Her goal is to provide straightforward facts to parents about kids and substance use. You know how much we love talking prevention and myth busting, and Jessica is happy to oblige. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist ...

Whether you are a new or veteran listener of the podcast, Lynn Lyons and Robin Hutson talk about how to use the podcast best to help learn anxiety management skills for adults and children. Listen up and hear how to address the situations in your own family with these strategies. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist fe...

On Flusterclux, we love focusing on prevention. What are the big picture “moves” we can incorporate into our families now that lessen risk for struggles later on? In this episode, we talk about the role of ritual and tradition in families, with an important emphasis on the everyday routines that bolster connection. Family dinners? Reading together before bed? Weekend errands and worship services? It’s worth the effort! Hear The Deerfields on Apple Music & on Spotify. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OU...

We received a listener question about handling a child’s extreme discomfort with her parents’ “alone time.” Robin thinks this a unique issue. Nope! says Lynn. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part anxiety disruptor series as well as a 3-part series on the skills most helpful in managi...

What do a 3 year old and a 13 year old have in common? A temperament that makes it tricky for parents to help navigate how and when to “step in.” And is this type of temperament a problem? Not necessarily when connection is the goal. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part anxiety disru...

Phones, phones, phones! Everybody’s talking about them (including us!) In this episode, we share a hopeful report on school phone policies, and then help out a mom who has discovered some disturbing group chat conversations on her middle schooler’s phone. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and th...

We often think of summer as fun time (understandably) and the start of school as back to work. But can’t we take some of that joy into the fall? What small but impactful things can you do as a family to cultivate joy even as routines and demands shift? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7...

In this episode, we’re talking toddlers. Based on a listener request, Lynn describes how to start early teaching flexibility, emotional management, and connection. We address how technology impacts them…and what parents of little ones need to pay attention to with their own patterns. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlis...

Schools have figured out that smart phones are a distraction to learning…again. After several years of virtually no enforcement, bell-to-bell policies are being introduced. And although adults will agree in principle, how will parents actually respond? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7...

“He is so moody!” says almost every parent as their child moves through the tween and teen years. Managing one’s moods is a key skill for young people to learn, and (as usual) modeling matters. How do we help our kids navigate their emotional ups and downs, with better modeling, less pathologizing and a good dose of reasonable expectations? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand...

When we reunite with our kids at the end of the day, we’re often full of questions and curiosity. How was your day? Did you like your lunch? How’d that geometry test go? But genuine interest can sometimes turn into unsatisfying inquisitions. And if we add anxiety’s need for certainty, reassurance and LOTS of detail, the interaction goes south quickly. How can you get information, bolster connection, and keep those worrier impulses at bay? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RE...