Interview Descriptions

We have included interview descriptions of each speaker recording. Please note: these summaries do not cover everything that was discussed. The descriptions touch on a few points that were addressed during Susan’s wide-reaching conversations with each speaker.

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Our summit features interviews with these exceptional speakers.

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Rhea Lalla, Conscious Parenting Coach

Want to help your children develop emotional intelligence and reduce conflict? Tune in to hear Rhea Lalla talk about how to coach children when there’s fighting, and why encouraging them to say, “I’m sorry” often backfires. A terrific conversation that will get you thinking about old, ineffective ways of handling arguments while providing actionable steps for fostering genuine closeness between your children.

Harville Hendrix, Author, Getting The Love You Want

These relationship superstars share gems of wisdom for establishing a family climate that allows disagreements to be safely aired without put downs or judgments. They describe the Zero Negativity policy-including code words (“Marshmallow”) for helping children hit the Pause button when conflict is becoming hurtful. And they beautifully discuss how to help siblings embrace differing likes and points of view–a habit that will serve them throughout their lives.

Elizabeth Lesser, Author, Marrow: A Love Story

Elizabeth tells the extraordinary story of the process she and her sister Maggie went through to clean up their relationship prior to the bone marrow transplant they were to undergo to help save Maggie’s life. In addition, she speaks about the challenges of raising three boys after being raised with three sisters, step-parenting and blending her family, and mindful practices to slow down our reactivity when sibling squabbles knock us off our feet. A riveting conversation!

Elisha Goldstein, Author, The Now Effect

Tune in to this fantastic conversation for tips that have been tested in the trenches of life with three boisterous boys under the age of eight! You’ll get tips on finding one on one time when you’re already stretched thin, ideas for creating space for each child when bedrooms are shared, and ways to take care of yourself when the noise and chaos is too much too handle.

Dr. Wendy Behary, Author, Disarming The Narcissist

When siblings grow up with a narcissistic or highly self-absorbed parent, each child in the family is significantly impacted. One may become the chosen or “Golden” child with the parent basking in the glory of their achievements. This pressure–and the envy of brothers and sisters who receive less attention–creates profound pain and resentment between siblings. A crucial conversation to hear if you are co-parenting with a narcissist–or were raised by one.

Rachel Macy Stafford: Author, Hands Free Mama, and Only Love Today

In this wide-ranging conversation, Rachel shares invaluable tips for fostering closeness between siblings to prevent squabbles and fights. She talks about how to help children express their needs without putting down their siblings, and shares simple ways that busy parents can establish one on one time to help reduce sibling rivalry. In addition, Rachel speaks eloquently about the long-term gains in helping our children become dear friends.

Betsy Brown Braun, Author, You're Not The Boss Of Me

Betsy is funny, straight-shooting, and concise as she talks about how to ensure that every child feels seen and appreciated as they are. The mother of triplets (who never referred to her children as “the triplets”!), she talks about managing parental overwhelm, dealing with “The Rotating Pill” (the child who at any particular time seems to be the most challenging), and what to say when asked, “Which one of us do you love the most?” You’ll get a fun dose of wisdom in this interview!

Shelly Lefkoe, Creator, The Lefkoe Method

Listen as Shelly talks about the impact of beliefs, and how we can instill in our children a healthy sense of self, steering clear of comparison with siblings. She offers tips for challenging those beliefs we ourselves have inherited–like, “I’m not important” — so that we can avoid creating harmful meaning from our experiences, reduce stress and avoid fostering self-doubt in our children and teens.

Dr. Christine Carter, Author, Raising Happiness

It’s not easy to establish closeness between step-siblings, but Christine Carter has done just that, creating a loving blended family with her two children and her husband’s two. She describes in detail how they combined households, handle conflict, and put rituals in place to create a family where all the kids want to show up for dinner…and hang around afterward, just to enjoy each other’s company.

Gretchen Rubin, Author, The Happiness Project

Wow! If you wonder why one of your kids finds it easy to cooperate and another refuses every request, you’re going to LOVE this interview! Gretchen delivers loads of information about how to approach children who routinely dig in their heels or question every request, and shines a light on ways to motivate each of our children based on their personality style.

Dr. Ross Greene, Author, The Explosive Child

If you have a child who is explosive, do not miss this interview! Dr. Greene lays out the specific steps needed to help what he calls “unlucky” children—those lagging in the skills needed to cope with the expectations placed upon them. He describes a collaborative process for addressing the unsolved problems of everyday life, and offers advice for helping siblings who may have adapted by walking on eggshells around an explosive sibling.

Dr. Laura Markham, Author, Peaceful Parents, Happy Siblings

Dr. Markham offers a wealth of wisdom on coaching children through conflict, helping children with different personalities get along, and managing an older siblings expectations who may find the new sibling more of a wrecking ball than a playmate! She shares vital tips for regulating ourselves so we can remain calm in the storm, and speaks beautifully about establishing rituals of connection.

Helen LaKelly Hunt, Author, Faith and Feminism

Janet Lansbury, Parent Educator

Janet beautifully lays out guidelines for helping children adjust to the presence of a new baby in the family. She talks about when to intervene during squabbles and when to let little ones work things out on their own, describing what to do if you discover that your older child has pushed over the newly-walking baby. Great tips for creating a family that feels safe and loving for all.

Stefanie Goldstein, Psychologist

Dr. Laurie Kramer, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Dean, University of Illinois

Dr. Kramer draws from her longitudinal research study of 30 families that began 1984 when the family was awaiting the arrival of a second child. In this fascinating conversation, she shares guidance on how to coach siblings during conflict, create natural opportunities for bonding, and how to prepare children for the arrival of a new member of the family.

Amy McCready, Author, The Me, Me, Me Epidemic

If you’re looking for a practical, structured guide to creating family meetings to foster connection and cooperation, look no further! Amy McCready lays out a clear, structured outline for creating weekly family meetings that allow children to develop the practical skills of listening, problem-solving, and negotiation to forge closer bonds and reduce sibling rivalry. A session packed with ideas that you won’t want to miss!

Kim West, LCSW and Sleep Coach

If sleep and bedtime challenges are on your list of things that continue to challenging you, you’ll want to tune in to hear this interview. “The Sleep Lady” really knows her stuff, and talks about everything from managing shared bedrooms, sleep coaching babies and pre-schoolers, and getting through bedtime when kids have different bedtimes.

Don Meyer, Author and Speaker

In families with an atypically developing child (Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, physical impairments), siblings often feel shortchanged and resentful. Don Meyer eloquently describes some of the steps parents can and should change to help typically developing children understand and talk about their developmentally-challenged brother or sister’s issues and avoid feeling marginalized when one child’s needs seem to eclipse their own.

Dr. Michael Gurian, Author, The Wonder of Boys & The Wonder of Girls

A fascinating discussion exploring the idea that boys deepen bonds of attachment through “aggression nurturance,” helping us see the risk of misinterpreting the physicality of boys’ natural play and behavior. Dr. Gurian helps parents create safe boundaries for their children while reminding us that sibling conflict is an essential element in the maturation process.

Dr. Michael Thompson, Psychologist and Documentarian

Do you wonder whether to intervene when brothers are fighting? Want to know how to help a boy develop a care taking attitude toward younger siblings? Interested in what one the world’s most in-demand experts on raising healthy boys advises parents to do when an older boy is picking on the littler kids? Tune in for an eye-opening conversation.

Maggie Dent, Parenting Author and Educator

Maggie’s grounded guidance will calm your worries as she normalizes sibling conflict and offers ways to settle arousal levels down before someone gets hurt. This teacher, parent educator, and mom of four adult sons is a delight to listen to as she shares ideas for managing chaos, letting go of perfection, fostering genuine empathy–even in small children– airing grievances, and forging strong sibling bonds through joyful play.

Melissa Hood, Parenting Coach

While sibling rivalry is normal, when children have the intention of hurting hurt others’ bodies or feelings, the behavior need to be stopped. In this sobering conversation, Melissa uses stories from parenting her sons to illustrate how to address the underlying causes of bullying behavior and how to fortify a child who has become a chronic target. Essential listening for anyone whose children cross that line.

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