Transforming The Toddler Years- Parents and Educators Raising Calm, Connected, Capable Kids
Transforming the Toddler Years is the go-to podcast for parents, caregivers, and educators who see tantrums as growth moments. Hosted by Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed.—author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting—each episode blends science and soul to raise emotionally intelligent kids. Learn to use intentional language, calm chaos, and turn struggles into teachable moments. If you want to raise confident, connected kids, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
Want to know how to really connect with your child?
In this episode, I talk about connection being the key first step in the collaborative discipline cycle. Spoiler alert: connection is not made with words!
Ready to take the next step?
Check out my short video training, where I guide you through the process of writing your personalized mission statement for raising and to teaching extraordinary human beings. Find all th...
Are modern parenting styles helping us—or holding us back?
Gretchen Camp joins me in this episode to explore what it truly means to raise and teach toddlers in today’s parenting culture. We reflect on how teaching and parenting overlap, how intuition is being drowned out by parenting “labels,” and why connection—not curriculum—is the foundation of learning for young children.
Gretchen is a toddler behavior specialist, holds a...
Join me as I discuss the four C's of collaborative discipline, starting with a positive definition of discipline. I then give an overview of the four intentional steps of collaborative discipline and share a story where I recently practiced this approach.
Ready to Adopt the 4 C’s of Collaborative Discipline?
Grab your free download and embrace connection before correction! Get it here.
October 7, 2025
Episode 281
The 4 C...
Struggling with fatigue, mood swings, or feeling “off” after motherhood?
In this episode, Vanda Aubrey joins me to discuss balancing maternal hormones and explore how functional medicine differs from traditional approaches. Learn practical ways to restore balance, reclaim your energy, and finally feel like yourself again.
Vanda is a Functional Medicine Nurse and Board-Certified Nurse Coach specializing in hormone health for ...
Does your toddler fall apart when there is a sudden change of plans?
In this episode, I explore simple, conscious parenting strategies to help little ones feel safe, supported, and more adaptable during transitions and share mindful ways to guide your child through sudden changes with calm, connection, and confidence.
Parenting is hard – support shouldn’t be. Get my weekly dose of encouragement & strategies. Sign up here!
...
Want to teach your littles self-regulation?
Lisa Danahy joins me in this episode to discuss connecting on an energetic level as a great way to start building more positive and effective emotional regulation and communication, as we peel away authority and expectations and become co-creators in our children’s spaces. We also discuss emotions as energy in motion and co-regulation through mindful movement and breathing.
Is tech helping or hurting your kids?
In this episode, I unpack the toxic effects of screen time on toddlers, tweens, and teens. From AAP screen-time guidelines to real-life stories, we explore how early habits shape focus, social skills, and even addiction. Walk away with practical steps to set boundaries, foster connection, and rethink your family’s relationship with technology.
Teachers and ECE Professionals- what typ...
Want your kids to thrive long after they leave the house?
In the final episode of a very special mini-series with my 20 year old daughter Caroline, she reflects on her journey into adulthood, including the leap of faith she took moving to Japan at 18. She shares candid stories about navigating uncertainty, building independence, and finding strength in faith and communication.
This conversation offers a rare, vulnerable look...
Feel like you're always entertaining your little one?
In this episode, I share why it is our job as parents, caregivers and educators to allow infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to experience the world, not to manufacture their experience by entertaining them at all times.
Join the community! Weekly insights, tools and real talk about parenting – delivered to you in my weekly newsletter.
Sign up here!
September 1...
Want to raise kids who become healthy adults?
In episode of two of a very special mini-series with my 20 year old daughter Caroline, she reflects on her journey into adulthood, including the leap of faith she took moving to Japan at 18. She shares candid stories about navigating uncertainty, building independence, and finding strength in faith and communication.
This conversation offers a rare, vulnerable look at parenting c...
Want to avoid power struggles with your toddler?
In this episode I talk about the 90/10 parenting principal and how it can help us set boundaries and avoid power struggles. You'll hear how to use this method and a few examples of it in action!
If you want to know more about this entire methodology, I invite you to look at my Transforming the Toddler Years course.
Want to raise kids who become healthy adults?
In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, I welcome my 20 year old daughter Caroline. She reflects on her journey into adulthood, including the leap of faith she took moving to Japan at 18. Together, we discuss the power of intentional parenting, resilience, and the lasting impact of early childhood experiences. Caroline shares candid stories about navigating uncertainty, buildi...
Nervous system regulation and toddlers? Listen to this!
In this episode, I reflect on my summer hiatus and reground listeners into the mission of the podcast. I emphasize the importance of understanding children's behaviors through a lens of nervous system regulation, trauma, and emotional safety. I invite parents and caregivers to observe, connect, and lean into the humanity of their children during this season of transitio...
School drop off have you stressed?
In this episode, I talk about some of our kids biggest struggles: social and separation anxiety. This episode continues our back-to-school re-release series as kids begin a full-time daycare, preschool, or Kindergarten programs. Learning how to say goodbye without tears is a big transition. Help set your kids (and yourself) up for smoother mornings!
Love what you hear?
Please take a minute to rate a...
Does your child resist going to daycare, leaving you feeling frustrated or unsure?
In this episode special re-release episode, I talk about how to handle when kids don't want to go to school or daycare. I emphasize that even when it's hard, telling the truth sets us up for success.
Looking for some support on your parenting journey?
Book a complimentary connection call with me and we can see ho...
Does your child act like an angel at school and then come home and fall apart?
In this episode special re-release episode, I take you inside your child's brain and body as they start something new. Big transitions take BIG energy. Learn why they are out of resources when they come home to you at the end of a long daycare, preschool, or Kindergarten day.
Teachers and ECE Professionals- what type of professional development would you b...
Always struggling to get out the door on time?
In this special summer re-release, I talk about the power of routines and how they support our goals by empowering your kids to be a participant in the plan. Getting out the door on time is hard, especially when you're starting a new transition with time restrictions, like school. Set yourself and your kids up for success!
Looking for intentional language scripts you can use ...
Does your toddler struggle with social anxiety?
In this special summer series re-release, I discuss how to support your child and their social anxiety. I emphasize being aware of what spaces your child can be successful in and setting reasonable and achievable expectations. I also offers tips for getting your child to express when they are overwhelmed, how to be there with them to support them, and ultimately, show up for them.
<...
Curious about the difference between traits and characteristics?
In this episode I discuss the difference between traits and characteristics and why it is important to be mindful of the difference. I explore the idea of a growth mindset in relation to learning characteristics.
Looking for some support on your parenting journey?
Book a complimentary connection call with me and we can see how we can get to know each ...
Looking for homeschool and alternative education options?
Kimberly Gawne joins me in the special summer re-release to discuss homeschool and alternative schooling options, because every child's needs are different. We discuss the importance of parents being the primary educator of their children and that parents should be empowered to make the best and most appropriate educational decisions for their child.
Popular Podcasts
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.