About Calm Nights, Strong Days: A Sleep, Stress, and Resilience Podcast
If your child has big emotions that affect your daily life, you are not alone.
Since my son was born he has experienced intense anxiety and emotional outbursts that have been challenging.
This led me to become a sleep, stress, and resilience coach helping me understand and learn how to regulate my son's nervous system so he was not living in a stressed fight or flight state all of the time.
The school environment heightened his anxiety as they focused on managing his outbursts rather than understanding their root causes.
While navigating these complexities, I’ve faced numerous challenges and setbacks.
However, each phase of my son's development has brought new opportunities for growth and learning for both of us.
It’s a continuous process, but it is possible to support and understand children with big emotions more effectively.
Through this podcast, I aim to reassure and inspire you. Many children experience intense emotions, and together, we can discover better ways to support not only them but also your entire family.
Join me on this journey, and let’s learn from each other.
Visit my website at www.andiclark.com to learn more about my experiences and access valuable resources. With over 30 years in the health world, I'm here to share my knowledge and support you every step of the way.
123 The Hidden Stressors Impacting Kids’ Emotions with Safiya
Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com (http://www.andiclark.com)
Self Assessment form: https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment (https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment)
Book a 30-Minute Call with Andi – Get your questions answered and explore next steps: Book here: https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall (https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall)
In this episode of Kids With Big Emotions, I sit down with Safiya Omosanya to explore the often-overlooked stressors that can impact how our kids think, feel, and behave. From sensory overload to environmental triggers, Safiya shares her insights on what’s really going on beneath the surface when children experience big emotions—and how we as parents can create calmer, more supportive environments.
Together, we talk about moving beyond quick fixes, the importance of parent self-care, and why embracing neurodiversity can transform not only our children’s lives but also our own parenting journey.
Whether you’re in the thick of meltdowns, struggling with school expectations, or simply wondering what else might be affecting your child’s emotional regulation, this conversation is here to guide you.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Hidden stressors—like noise, smells, light, or overstimulation—can play a bigger role in your child’s meltdowns than you might realize.
Shifting from punishment to understanding opens the door for real connection and growth.
Parent self-care is not optional—it’s foundational to modeling regulation for your child.
Schools and specialists are helpful, but parents are the strongest advocates and anchors for their child’s needs.
Embracing neurodiversity allows children to thrive in their uniqueness rather than feeling “broken” or “less than.”
⏱️ Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction and Safiya’s background
[04:20] Why traditional discipline often misses the root cause
[09:45] How hidden environmental stressors affect kids’ behavior
[15:10] The role of parental regulation and self-care
[21:30] Rethinking reliance on schools and specialists
[28:40] Embracing neurodiversity and celebrating strengths
[34:15] Safiya’s takeaways for parents navigating big emotions
4 Aug 2025
122 How to help your child in the Middle of a Meltdown
Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com (http://www.andiclark.com)
Self Assessment form: https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment (https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment)
Book a 30-Minute Call with Andi – Get your questions answered and explore next steps: Book here: https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall (https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall)
Meltdowns are not a sign your child is being disrespectful—they’re a sign they’re overwhelmed, stuck, or trying to communicate something they don’t yet have the words for. In today’s episode, we’re focusing on how to meet your child where they are in the middle of an emotional outburst, and what to do (and not do) to help them feel safe, seen, and supported.
You’ll learn how your own nervous system impacts your response, why some kids shut down completely, and what’s actually happening in their brains when they “lose it.” You’ll also get ideas you can try today—even if your child refuses every tool you’ve learned.
💡 Key Takeaways
You can’t teach during a meltdown—the moment is for safety and regulation, not lessons.
How your own stress animal influences your response—and what to do if you're triggered too.
Why some kids go silent or “freeze” in the middle of a meltdown, and how to support them without pushing.
Co-regulation doesn't always look like calming your child down—sometimes it means just being a calm presence beside them.
Strategies like turning on a calming show or offering stillness aren’t “giving in”—they’re resetting the nervous system.
🕰️ Episode Highlights with Timestamps
[03:20] What’s really happening in your child’s nervous system during a meltdown—and why logic doesn’t work at that moment.
[06:12] The difference between a tantrum and a meltdown—and why assuming your child is “in control” can make things worse.
[09:05] What to do if your child shuts down or goes silent—and why stillness doesn’t mean they’re fine.
[13:40] How your own stress response shows up in these moments—and how to ground yourself first, even if it’s just one breath.
[17:55] The one thing that makes co-regulation effective—and why trying to “fix” the meltdown too soon backfires.
[21:30] Tools that don’t require your child to engage—like a calming show or sitting in quiet together—that reset their nervous system without adding pressure.
[25:10] Why your child may reject every tool in the moment—and how to stop taking that personally.
[29:00] A reminder that meltdowns are built up over time—and your response today is one step in a longer journey of safety and trust.
🔗 Resources Mentioned
“Stress Animals” Framework (Dolphin, Shark, Turtle, Clownfish) Episode 110 https://andiclark.com/podcast/ (https://andiclark.com/podcast/)
Book a free coaching call: https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall (https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall)
💬 If this episode helped you see meltdowns in a new light, please share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps more parents feel less alone.
🎙 Listen to all episodes at: https://andiclark.com/podcast/ (https://andiclark.com/podcast/)
28 Jul 2025
121 Behavior is a Signal, Not the Problem with Amy Dooley
Website: 🌐 www.andiclark.com (http://www.andiclark.com)
Self Assessment form: https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment (https://subscribepage.io/big-emotions-self-assessment)
Book a 30-Minute Call with Andi – Get your questions answered and explore next steps: Book here: https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall (https://tidycal.com/andi1/bookacall)
In this powerful conversation, former special education teacher and parent coach Amy Dooley joins Andi to explore what it really means to parent from a place of connection, not control. Amy shares her personal shift from traditional classroom discipline to connection-based parenting, and how that journey led her to support parents in transforming their own limiting beliefs.
Key Takeaways:
Behavior is a signal, not the problem. When kids act out, it’s often a cry for safety, not defiance.
You are worthy, even in the mess. Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent—they need a present one.
Parenting shifts begin with self-work. To truly support your child, start by noticing and healing your own patterns.
Control isn’t connection. Old-school discipline methods may suppress behavior, but they don't meet your child’s underlying needs.
Safety comes before strategies. When your child feels seen and supported, their nervous system calms—and so does yours.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] – Welcome + Amy's background as a teacher and homeschool parent
[02:00] – Early career belief: “Control = good teaching”
[04:50] – The moment Amy realized she wasn’t seeing the child—just the behavior
[06:30] – The Coke bottle metaphor: why behavior is the symptom, not the problem
[08:30] – Shifting from labeling kids to understanding them
[10:00] – Step one: Assigning positive intent to your child
[12:30] – Why parents must start with their own healing
[14:10] – “I am worthy. Period.” and what today’s kids are demanding
[16:00] – Parenting through generational change
[17:50] – The screwdriver and screw analogy: why parent shifts must come first
[20:00] – Why Amy left the classroom to work with parents
[22:30] – A child’s progress is limited when the home foundation is shaky
[25:30] – How presence—not perfection—builds trust
[28:00] – Feeling like you’re not enough as a parent
[30:00] – What “being enough” really looks like in the messiest moments
[33:00] – Why your own regulation matters more than the strategy
[35:00] – Amy’s story of timing meltdowns vs. being present
[37:00] – When you shift, your child’s behavior shifts too
[39:00] – Forgiving your former self and building new tools
[42:00] – The parenting purse analogy: replacing outdated tools
[45:30] – Final message: You are worthy. Your mess doesn’t disqualify you.
Resources Mentioned:
💡 Amy Dooley's Free Quiz: Discover your parenting strengths and get 3 connection-based strategies: <a href="https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/683657ece9067900158eb2a9" rel="noopener noreferrer"...
Who has been a guest on Calm Nights, Strong Days: A Sleep, Stress, and Resilience Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Josh Aronovitch
Melissa McIntosh
Kristina Rajes
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
12,317
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 72 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
87
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
68
Contact Calm Nights, Strong Days: A Sleep, Stress, and Resilience Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Calm Nights, Strong Days: A Sleep, Stress, and Resilience Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
