What’s the Right Way to Talk to a Teen Struggling With Mental Health?
Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health. Please listen with care. What if your teen’s big emotions weren’t the problem, but your response was? Kate Mason sits down with licensed therapist and author Katie K. May, a leading expert in teen self-harm, DBT, and emotional regulation. Together, they explore the often-quiet struggles parents face when their teenager is overwhelmed by big, burning feelings, what Katie calls being “on fire.” Drawing from her personal journey and professional experience, Katie explains why some kids feel more intensely, how parents unintentionally fuel the flames, and the radical shift needed to connect with and support teens through emotional storms. Listen For3:36 Why do teens self-harm and what does it achieve?7:26 How did Katie K. May overcome self-harm and trauma?12:57 What is radical acceptance in parenting?20:32 Why does fixing your teen often backfire?30:15 Can stable teens still engage in self-destructive behavior? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Katie K. MayLinkedIn | TikTok | Instagram | Instagram | Facebook Contact Kate: Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X
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Why Your Baby’s First Foods Matter More Than You Think
Is your baby really hungry—or just hooked on ultra-processed foods? Kate Mason sits down with children’s nutritionist and author Mandy Sacher to unravel the tangled world of feeding babies and toddlers. From decoding misleading food labels to tackling fussy eating head-on, Mandy shares her powerful journey, from developing childhood obesity programs with UK hospitals to launching Australia's first real food rating system. She opens up about how her own child’s love of broccoli sparked a national movement for better children's nutrition. Together, Kate and Mandy tackle the myths, the fears, and the everyday realities of starting solids, avoiding food-related anxiety, and raising resilient eaters in an ultra-processed world. Listen For3:02 Why did Mandy shift to kids' nutrition?6:00 What’s wrong with food labels?12:47 When should babies start solids?19:10 How can parents stay calm at mealtimes?34:34 When does picky eating start? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guest: Mandy Sacher | Pediatric Nutritionist and Chief Nutrition Officer Website | Instagram | Real Food Rating Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Contact Kate: Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X
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REPLAY - Adult Kids Moving Back Home: Is This the NEW NORMAL?
This is an episode originally published in November 2024. It is one of my most popular. Are you tired of living with your adult kids? The phenomenon of adult children living at home with their parents has become increasingly common, leaving many to wonder: is this the new normal?Kate looks at the realities of adults living with their parents, whether due to economic challenges or shifting cultural norms. Joined by life coach Jeanine Mouchawar, they discuss how to navigate this complex dynamic with grace and mutual respect. From reshaping communication styles to setting boundaries and fostering independence, this episode is packed with practical advice for parents and adult children. Listen For:7:06 Parental expectations vs. economic realities13:56 Resetting boundaries17:51 Avoiding conflicts: Top communication strategies22:32 Sitting in the hole: How to truly support your childGuest: Jeanine MouchawarInstagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Website |Contact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X
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How to Set Boundaries with Family During Christmas Chaos?
Is Christmas your calm or your chaos? Kate Mason welcomes returning couple therapists Helen and Shahn to unpack why the festive season so often becomes a pressure cooker and how couples can reclaim it with clarity and compassion. They share their own blended-family reset, choosing Christmas morning at home to create sleep, sanity, and new traditions.From end-of-year exhaustion to old family roles that snap back under one roof, they explain how reactivity takes over and how to stay “untangled” by planning ahead, agreeing on boundaries, and responding by values. You will hear practical scripts like saying “ouch, that is sharp,” advice for united communication with parents and in laws, and survival tips that include pre warning, lightening the alcohol, and offering grace when family of origin ghosts appear. The result is a toolkit for couples who want a kinder, more intentional holiday season.Listen For3:00 How do you create new Christmas traditions when old ones no longer work?7:28 Why does Christmas bring back old family roles and tension?11:00 What should you do if you're stuck with a toxic relative during dinner?23:42 How can couples set boundaries with their families around Christmas?30:13 What are the best survival strategies for a smoother festive season? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Connect with guests: Shahn Baker Sorekli, Director | Author | App Founder | Clinical Psychologist | Couples Therapist | Board Approved SupervisorShahn's LinkedIn Helen Robertson, Director | Clinical Psychologist | Author | Advanced Certified Schema Therapist | Schema Certified Supervisor | Board Approved SupervisorHelen's LinkedIn The 8 Love Links Book | Website | Instagram |TikTok |Tiktok Contact Kate: Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X
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How to Reconnect With Your Partner in Five Minutes
Is your partner your teammate… or just your roommate? Kate Mason dives deep into why so many loving couples start to feel emotionally disconnected—not because of conflict, but because of neglect. With warmth and insight, Kate introduces the "Five-Minute Personality Check-In," a powerful weekly ritual that helps couples realign, reconnect, and stay curious about each other, even when life gets chaotic. She explores how our unique personality types shape how we connect (or clash), revealing practical tools to bridge the gap between introverts and extroverts, thinkers and feelers, planners and free spirits. If your relationship feels more functional than emotional lately, this episode offers a refreshingly simple yet powerful way to find your way back. Listen For6:57 How do introverts and extroverts experience connection differently?9:26 How do thinkers and feelers misread each other’s intentions?11:52 Why does planning the week create conflict for some couples?14:15 What are the three questions in the Five-Minute Check-In? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click Contact Kate:Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X
One thing about being a parent – there’s no shortage of personalities to be surrounded by. Our kids, our partners, our family, our friends. They keep us laughing, growing, loving, and crying. If only they understood us. Like the musician Van Morrison once sang “When people understand what I mean, mama said there will be days like this.” Adelaide Australia’s Kate Mason is an author, wife, and mother who has spent her career studying personality and relationships. In this podcast she looks at why relationships work, and why some don't. She also looks at how our personalities impact our relationships and examines what compels our children, husbands, wives and others to behave the way they do. This podcast is designed to help you understand those you love. A half hour listening on your own, will connect you with the ones you care about the most.
Ireland