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Healthy Mind, Healthy LifeAuthor: Avik Chakraborty
Welcome to Healthy Mind By Avik - Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, a podcast that explores the connection between mental health and overall well-being. Join us each week as we delve into topics related to positive psychology, mindfulness, and personal development, and provide practical tips and strategies for cultivating a healthy and balanced mind.Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? Send Avik a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Sexuality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Psychological Flexibility for Parents: Raising Emotionally Resilient Families with ACT with Brooke Susanne Barrett
Sunday, 3 May, 2026
Parenting isn't just about guiding your children — it's about learning to guide your own mind. When the house is loud, emotions are running high, and you're stretched thin, the difference between snapping and staying grounded often comes down to one skill: psychological flexibility. In this episode, board-certified behavior analyst and author Brooke Susanne Barrett shares how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help parents move through overwhelm with more awareness, compassion, and intention — and how those same skills, when shared with children through simple language and daily habits, can transform the emotional culture of an entire family. About the Guest: Brooke Susanne Barrett is a board-certified behavior analyst, former special education teacher, author, and homeschool mom based in Arvada, Colorado. She is the creator of the Oaklings Children's Book Series, which brings ACT principles to life for young readers through nature-based stories and shared family language. Her work is grounded in behavioral science and lived experience as a mother of two. Key Takeaways: Psychological flexibility isn't about staying calm — it's about staying present. Rather than pushing emotions away or fusing to them as identity, it means noticing what's happening, opening up to it, and choosing a response that aligns with your values. The ACT hexaflex gives families a practical roadmap. The six core skills — acceptance, cognitive defusion, present moment awareness, self-as-context, values, and committed action — work together as a system, not in isolation. Your thoughts are not your identity. Saying "I am overwhelmed" locks you into a story; saying "I am feeling overwhelmed" creates space to respond rather than react — and you can model this shift for your children every day. Children learn emotional flexibility through consistent, shared language. Simple phrases like "that makes sense that you feel that way" or "what do you notice in your body right now?" build emotional literacy over time, far more than telling a child to stop crying. Short-term fixes in parenting often undermine long-term connection. Yelling to stop a sibling argument ends the noise but teaches nothing. Pausing, getting on their level, and naming the emotion creates a values-based response that builds the family culture you actually want. The process is the point. Psychological flexibility is not a destination — it's a daily practice of returning to what matters, especially when it's hard. Connect With the Guest: Website: www.brookesusannebarrett.com Instagram: @brooke.barrett_ Episode Chapters: [00:00] Welcome & Host Intro — Setting the scene: why the hardest part of parenting might be your own inner world [04:05] Meet Brooke Barrett — Who she is, what she does, and the Oaklings book series [05:50] Becoming a Mother and Finding a New Way — The moment Brooke realized she needed as much attention as her children [08:45] What Psychological Flexibility Actually Means — Busting the myth that good parents always stay calm [11:45] ACT in the Chaos — A real-world scenario: sibling fights, partner stress, and how to pause and pivot [17:00] The Six Core Processes of ACT — Acceptance, defusion, present moment, self-as-context, values, and committed action explained in plain language [21:00] Teaching Flexibility to Children — Simple phrases, shared language, and the Oaklings series as a bridge to emotional literacy Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here. By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. Healthy Mind By Avik™ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters. Subscribe and be part of this healing journey. Brand: Healthy Mind By Avik™ | Email: https://www.podhub.club/contact | Website: https://www.podhub.club | Based in: India & USA Listen to all podcast shows: https://www.podhub.club/podcastnetwork | Be a guest: https://www.podhub.club/beaguest | Newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/ #podmatch #healthymindbyavik #podhub.club #psychologicalflexibility #parentingmentalhealth #ACTtherapy #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #consciousparenting #emotionalresilience #mindfulparenting #parentingtips #familywellness #mentalwellness #emotionalintelligence #behavioranalysis #innerchild #parentingpodcast #selfcompassion
