Leadership Parenting- Resilient Moms Raise Resilient Kids
Welcome to Leadership Parenting, the podcast that empowers you to become the resilient, grounded mom your kids need—because resilient moms raise resilient kids. Hosted by Leigh Germann, licensed therapist, resilience coach, and mom of five grown children, this show is your weekly guide to building emotional strength, navigating tough moments, and leading your family with confidence. With over 30 years of experience helping thousands of women, Leigh brings you practical tools, compassionate insights, and the science of resilience—so you can feel better, parent smarter, and model strength to your children. Here, we talk about the real stuff: how to manage stress, anxiety, anger, and self-doubt… without losing yourself in the process. You’ll learn how to care for your mind and body, set healthy boundaries, and rise strong through the challenges of motherhood. Most importantly, you’ll discover how to teach your kids these same life-changing skills so they can grow into confident, capable, and emotionally healthy adults. If you're ready to feel more in control of your emotions, strengthen your connection with your children, and lead your family through life’s ups and downs with calm, clarity, and resilience—this is the podcast for you. Resilient moms raise resilient kids—and Leadership Parenting shows you how.Hit subscribe and let’s walk this path together.
Episodes
In this episode of the Leadership Parenting Podcast, I’m talking about something almost every mom experiences but rarely feels safe admitting: moments when your emotions feel so big that you wonder, “What is wrong with me?”
I explain why this happens from a nervous system perspective, how chronic stress and emotional load shrink our ability to regulate, and why big emotions are not a sign of weakness — they are actuall...
In this episode, I’m talking about the kind of fresh start we actually need as moms—not a giant life overhaul, but a few small, intentional habits that truly support the mom we want to be. Instead of calling our patterns “bad habits” and shaming ourselves, I walk you through a gentler, brain-based way to work with your habits so they align with your body, your heart, and your relationships in this new year.
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In this episode, I share a gentle message for the night before anything important—a wedding, a holiday, a celebration, or any meaningful day we’ve worked so hard to create. I walk you through how our nervous system reacts before big moments, why things feel so intense, and how anchoring yourself in the deeper meaning shifts everything. I share the story of my daughter’s wedding crisis, the science of cognitive apprais...
This episode is for any mom who lies in bed overthinking, worrying, planning, replaying, or feeling unable to “turn off.” We talk about why racing thoughts happen, especially for moms, and why this doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It’s actually your brain trying to protect the people and responsibilities you love most. I share the science behind nighttime overthinking and how stress and sleep affect each ot...
Today we're talking about something so many of us need during the holidays: permission to let go of perfection and choose peace instead. I walk you through the hidden pressures that turn this season into an emotional marathon, the “should” thinking that steals our joy, and why judgment makes stress so much heavier. Then I share three simple steps to help you create a peaceful, meaningful holiday—asking what matte...
In this episode, I’m talking about something many moms quietly worry about during the holidays: “Am I raising a selfish child?” I walk you through what’s really happening inside your child’s developing brain — the loud wanting and the quieter, growing capacity for generosity — and why both are normal and healthy. You’ll hear the science behind children’s big emotions, their self-centeredness, and their surprising natu...
Words don’t just describe your life — they shape your experience of it. In this episode, we explore how the language running through your mind can either activate your threat response or support your steadiness. You’ll learn the three types of Resilient Language — words that open instead of close, words that honor truth and protect hope, and words that give your brain direction instead of letting it spiral. You’ll wal...
Holiday gatherings don’t have to come with a knot in your stomach. In this episode, we dive into a practical, compassionate roadmap for navigating difficult people while staying grounded, clear, and calm. I walk through the exact steps I use with clients: making a real choice about where you spend time, running physical and emotional safety checks, and separating clean boundaries from hidden scripts that hand your ha...
Do you ever want to feel grateful… but you’re just too tired?
You’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll talk about what’s really happening in your brain when gratitude feels out of reach and how small, intentional shifts can help you rediscover peace and appreciation — even in the middle of the messy.
You’ll learn why gratitude isn’t about pretending everything’s fine, how it helps calm your body and rewire your thi...
Ever feel like your thoughts won’t stop looping—worrying, criticizing, replaying mistakes? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore how to handle the thoughts that won’t let go—and why “just think positive” doesn’t work. Leigh Germann, therapist and mom of five, shares how to build real mental resilience using her LIFT method to calm racing thoughts, ground your body, and shift toward compassionate self-talk. Lea...
Ever wonder why some people can face the same challenge and bounce back faster?
In this episode, we break down the real science of optimism — not the “just think positive” kind, but the kind that changes the way you explain what’s happening in your life. You’ll learn how your explanatory style shapes your resilience, your mood, and even how your kids learn to handle hard things.
If you'd like to...
When emotions run high, it’s so easy to get swept into the storm—especially when it’s your child, your teen, or even your partner who’s upset. In this episode, I talk about how to stay grounded and calm when the people around you aren’t. I’ll walk you through how co-regulation really works, how to respond instead of react, and why your calm body is one of the most powerful tools you have to teach emotional safety.
Thes...
Halloween gives us a rare opportunity to explore emotions through play.
In this short and meaningful Leadership Parenting episode, we look at how the thrill of being scared — the racing hearts, the laughter, the pretend monsters — becomes powerful practice for resilience. We’ll talk about why kids love spooky fun, how dressing up helps them experiment with courage and identity, and simple ways to turn Halloween ni...
Have you ever had a thought so disturbing that you instantly felt fear or shame? Intrusive thoughts can show up out of nowhere—especially when you’re stressed, exhausted, or caring deeply for others—and they can make you question your sanity or goodness. But here’s the truth: these thoughts don’t mean anything about who you are. In this episode, we’ll unpack what intrusive thoughts really are, why your brain produces ...
Comparison is sneaky—and in motherhood, it’s everywhere. From social media feeds to the carpool line, it’s so easy to look at what other moms are doing and feel like you’re falling behind. But comparison isn’t just an annoyance; research shows it’s linked to higher stress, depression, and lower satisfaction for moms.
In this episode of Leadership Parenting, I break down the science of why we compare, why moms are espec...
Punishment might stop misbehavior in the moment, but it doesn’t help kids learn better choices—and it often chips away at connection. In this episode, we’ll look at a simple formula to help you find the right way of teaching and correcting that works for your family. You’ll also learn three research-backed strategies that offer a better path than punishment or permissiveness: encouraging positive behavior, setting kid...
If you feel like motherhood is wearing you down, you aren’t imagining it. Research shows moms’ mental health has been steadily declining over the past several years—and I know how heavy that can feel in real life. Sleepless nights, constant worry, the endless mental load, and that quiet question in the back of your mind: Am I enough?
But here’s the part I don’t want you to miss—there’s hope. Science also shows there ar...
Motherhood often comes with a silent struggle that few dare name: the overwhelming feeling of depletion that can leave you feeling like a shadow of yourself. Even when we love our children fiercely, the constant giving without replenishment leads many mothers to a state of burnout that affects every aspect of life.
This powerful episode delves into why so many mothers feel worn down and what to do about it. W...
Ever found yourself reacting to your children in ways you immediately regret? The space between trigger and response might be the most powerful parenting tool you've never fully utilized.
Stress, frustration, and overwhelm aren't personal failings—they're biological responses deeply wired into our nervous systems. When faced with the constant demands of parenting, our bodies interpret these cha...
Navigating life's hardships comes with the added challenge of deciding what to share with others. Whether you're facing job loss, health concerns, or family difficulties, questions from others can feel intrusive and overwhelming. In this episode, I introduce a powerful framework called The Four Levels of Response, designed to help you know exactly what to say—and what not to say—depending on who’s asking.
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