The Whinypaluza Podcast

Episode 520: Never Give Up on Your Parenting

In this Whinypaluza Wednesday episode, Rebecca Greene delivers a raw, heartfelt pep talk for parents who feel exhausted, discouraged, or like nothing they’re doing is working. Speaking honestly about the long game of parenting, Rebecca reminds parents that struggle does not equal failure, boundaries still matter, and connection always comes before control. This episode is part encouragement, part truth-telling, and part reminder that showing up again tomorrow is what makes you a good parent.Key Takeaways→ Parenting is a long game, not a daily performance review→ Challenging behavior is often developmentally appropriate, not a sign you’re failing→ Stop measuring success by today’s behavior and start measuring how you show up→ Your kids are listening even when it looks like they are not→ Connection, not control, is what creates lasting change→ Borrow hope from others when you’ve run out→ Taking a break is not quitting, it’s refuelingMemorable Quotes“Just showing up and not giving up is what makes you a good parent.”“Your child’s struggle is not your failure.”“Throw in the towel today, pick it back up tomorrow.”Resources MentionedRead the full blog at Whinypaluza.comTeenage Tuesday blog by Ella GreeneJoin the Whinypaluza Moms Facebook GroupSign up for the free weekly email newsletterListener InvitationIf this episode helped you, please share it with another parent who could use a reminder. Subscribe, rate, review, and let Rebecca know what topics you want covered next.

Conflict Resolution Skills We Were Never Taught

What if conflict is not a sign that something is wrong, but proof that something matters, and we were never taught how to handle it?In this eye-opening episode of Whinypaluza, host Rebecca Greene sits down with Kimberly Best, RN, MA, a mediator and conflict management expert who spent years in critical care before dedicating her career to helping people navigate the conversations they avoid most.Kimberly explains why conflict is normal, why silence often causes more damage than honesty, and how emotional regulation and curiosity can completely change outcomes in marriage, parenting, divorce, and the workplace. Drawing from lived experience, mediation practice, and deep compassion, this conversation reframes conflict as a skill set problem rather than a people problem and offers practical tools listeners can use immediately.5 Key Takeaway → Conflict is normal and does not mean a relationship is broken → Silence and avoidance often cause more harm than difficult conversations → The person is not the problem. The problem is the problem → Emotions are information and learning to regulate them changes everything → Listening with curiosity creates better outcomes than trying to be rightQuotes from the Guest“The most important conversations are often the ones we are not having.”“Conflict is normal. We do not have people problems. We have a skill set problem."If you want to learn how to have hard conversations without damaging relationships, connect with Kimberly Best at bestconflictsolutions.com to explore her conflict management training, mediation services, and speaking programs.

Stop Blaming Yourself

Do you ever find yourself caught in a cycle of self blame, taking responsibility for things that are far beyond your control? In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Rebecca and Seth Greene explore the pervasive nature of self blame and offer a compassionate guide to letting it go. They share personal stories and practical strategies to help you distinguish between healthy responsibility and destructive guilt, empowering you to embrace a more forgiving and growth oriented mindset.In this episode, you will learn:→ How to recognize the subtle ways self blame shows up in your daily life.→ The critical difference between taking responsibility and assigning blame.→ Why you are only one piece of the puzzle in your children's lives.→ The power of practicing repair over rumination to heal and move forward.→ How to cultivate self compassion and let "good enough" be your new standard."Blame makes me feel shameful. Responsibility is what leads us to grow and change." - Rebecca Greene"Why do you think that you're so important that it's all your fault?" - Rebecca Greene

For the Moms Who Carry Everything and Keep Going

Burnout has quietly become a badge of honor. But what if it is actually your nervous system asking you to stop, listen, and do things differently?In this episode of Whinypaluza Podcast, Rebecca Greene sits down with Helen Malinowski, founder of the Somatic Integration Institute and Beacon of Hope Counseling, for a deeply grounding conversation about sustainable success.Helen shares how her own experience with burnout during pregnancy reshaped her approach to leadership, motherhood, and business. Instead of pushing harder, she built a seven figure group therapy practice centered on nervous system regulation, community, and human first leadership.This episode explores why burnout has become normalized, how somatic awareness helps us regulate stress in real time, and why true success supports your clients, your family, and yourself without sacrificing any one of them.Key Takeaways → Burnout is a warning sign, not a measure of dedication or success. → Nervous system regulation begins with simple grounding and awareness practices. → Community is one of the strongest protectors against burnout, both at work and at home. → Sustainable leadership balances people, purpose, and business needs together. → Boundaries are embodied, not just spoken, and require practice and self-awareness. → Small moments of regulation throughout the day can prevent long-term overwhelm.If this conversation resonated with you, take a moment to notice where your body is asking for more support. Share this episode with someone who is carrying too much, and remember to spend every day laughing, learning, and loving.

Winter Emotional and Physical Storms

What happens when winter storms outside mirror the emotional storms happening inside your home?In this Whinypaluza Wednesday episode, Rebecca Greene opens up about the physical dangers and emotional weight that winter brings, especially for families with kids away at college. With constant storm warnings, difficult drives, and the heartbreak of readjusting after a child returns to school, Rebecca and Seth talk candidly about anxiety, preparedness, flexibility, and resilience.The episode opens with a special Teenage Tuesday appearance from Rebecca’s daughter Ella, who shares four thoughtful lessons winter teaches us about rest, patience, readiness, and adaptation. Her perspective sets the tone for a powerful conversation about letting go, trusting the process, and learning to handle hard things one season at a time.From whiteout driving conditions to empty seats at the dinner table, this episode reminds listeners that storms do pass and families do adjust even when it feels overwhelming.Key Takeaways• Winter is nature’s reminder that rest is not optional• Anticipatory anxiety is often harder than the moment itself• Preparation reduces fear when facing physical storms• Emotional adjustment takes time and that is normal• We model resilience for our children by handling hard things openlyFeatured SegmentTeenage Tuesday with EllaLessons from WinterCall to ActionSubscribe, rate, and share Whinypaluza with a parent who needs reassurance this winter.Join the free Whiny Feels Mom Group for monthly challenges and support at whinypaluza.comQuotable MomentsFrom Ella“Even the earth needs a break. Winter is nature’s time to rest, and that’s not weakness. It’s sustainability.”From Rebecca“One of the best lessons we can teach our kids is that we can handle hard things even when we don’t like them.”