Podcast
RAISING EQ
Hosted by Dr. Holly Symons · EN
A clinical psychologist supports parents in raising their kids and their own emotional intelligence through simple, everyday tools that will help them stop surviving and start thriving. Solving everyday parenting struggles with practical, easy-to-use tips. Hear interviews with real parents going through real difficulties, episodes with other relevant experts, and Dr. Holly's top tips. Become a better parent and raise successful kids.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Moody, Messy, Misunderstood: What’s Really Going on in the Teenage Brain
Mar 2600:17:40Tap to summarizeWhy does your once easy-going child suddenly become moody, reactive, or distant during the teenage years?In this episode, we explore what’s really happening beneath teenage behaviour—and why it’s not just “attitude” or defiance, but brain development in action.Drawing on neuroscience and psychological research, we break down how the adolescent brain is still under construction, why emotions can feel overwhelming, and why risk-taking and independence are actually essential parts of growing up.Most importantly, we look at how parents can support teenagers using emotional intelligence—building connection, strengthening emotional regulation, and helping teens develop into resilient, self-aware adults.You’ll learn:✨Why teenage behaviour changes so dramatically ✨What’s happening in the adolescent brain ✨Why emotions are more intense during adolescence ✨How relationships shape brain development ✨Practical, emotionally intelligent strategies to support your teen If you’ve ever wondered how to respond to mood swings, conflict, or emotional outbursts—this episode will give you both understanding and practical tools.
Transcribe →“I Hate You” What It Really Means and How to Respond Calmly
Feb 1900:17:29Tap to summarizeWhen your child says, “I hate you,” it can trigger hurt, anger, and self-doubt. Many parents wonder if they’ve done something wrong — or how to respond without making things worse.In this episode, we explore what these words really mean and what’s happening in your child’s emotional brain when they lash out. You’ll learn why children use hurtful language when they feel overwhelmed, and how your response can either escalate the situation or help your child develop emotional intelligence and self-regulation.This episode includes practical, real-life tools you can use immediately to stay calm, respond with confidence, and strengthen your relationship — even in the hardest moments.You’ll learn:• Why children say “I hate you” (and what they really mean) • What’s happening in your child’s brain during emotional overwhelm • How to stay calm when your child says hurtful things • What to say instead of reacting with anger or punishment • How to build emotional intelligence and emotional safety • How calm responses strengthen trust and long-term resilienceThis episode is especially helpful for parents dealing with tantrums, big emotions, anger, and emotional outbursts.Raising emotionally intelligent children doesn’t require perfect parenting — it requires calm, connection, and understanding.You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →Parenting Without Burnout: How Emotional Intelligence Can Transform Your Parenting
Feb 600:13:28Tap to summarizeParenting is hard — but burnout doesn’t have to be the norm.In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore how emotional intelligence (EQ) can help parents reduce stress, manage emotional overwhelm, and respond more calmly — even on the hardest days.Backed by psychology and neuroscience, you’ll learn practical, real-life EQ tools to:✨Recognize and regulate your own emotions✨Reduce stress and emotional overload✨Respond instead of react when your child pushes your buttons✨Model calm and emotional regulation for your kidsIf you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in cycles of yelling and guilt, this episode will help you pause, reset, and parent with more confidence and connection.🎙️ Because raising emotionally intelligent kids starts with emotionally supported parents.
Transcribe →Owning Our Mistakes - Why Apologies Are Hard - and How Teaching Our Kids Accountability Can Change the World
Jan 2600:15:06Tap to summarizeWhy is saying “I was wrong” so difficult — even when we know it matters?In this episode of Emotionally Intelligent Parenting, we unpack the science behind why apologies are emotionally challenging for adults and children alike. Drawing on research in psychology and child development, we explore how cognitive dissonance, ego protection, and shame can block accountability — and how parents can break that cycle at home.You’ll learn:✨Why apologizing feels threatening to the brain (and why that’s normal)✨How owning your mistakes actually builds trust and authority with your child✨What research says makes an apology meaningful and effective✨Why forcing kids to say “sorry” often backfires✨Practical scripts and strategies to help children apologize with empathy, responsibility, and repair✨How to model accountability in age-appropriate, emotionally intelligent waysThis episode is for parents who want to raise emotionally intelligent kids — not by being perfect, but by showing how to repair, reconnect, and grow after mistakes.Because strong families aren’t built on getting it right every time — they’re built on knowing how to make it right when things go wrong.Research Links:Why an apology is psychologically hard (cognitive dissonance & ego defense):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonanceChild apologies are often prompted — research observation:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5386507/Apology + restitution reduce negative emotion and build empathy:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7082420/Framework on elements of an effective apology:https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/effective-apologies-include-six-elements.html✨A Grounding Practice to Support You✨When the world feels heavyPause.Put one hand on your chest or belly.Breathe in slowly through your nose.Longer out than in.Remind yourself:This is hard.And I am here.Feel your body being supportedby the floor, the chair, the ground.Say silently:My child does not need me to be perfect.They need me to be present.Soften your jaw.Drop your shoulders.Remember:I can hold my feelings.My child does not need to hold them for me.Bring your child to mind.Offer steadiness, not answers.Finish with this truth:I am the adult.I am the safe place.You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →Helping Kids Feel Safe When the World Feels Scary
Jan 1600:14:53Tap to summarizeWhen the world feels frightening—or something hard happens inside your family—parents often feel pressure to say the right thing. But emotional intelligence isn’t built through perfect explanations. It’s built through presence, boundaries, and regulation.In this episode, we share research-backed, simple tools that parents can use to help children feel safe during scary or uncertain times—without overwhelming them or asking them to manage adult emotions. You’ll learn how to regulate yourself first, model healthy emotional processing, prevent emotional role reversal, and create the kind of steady presence that helps kids build lifelong resilience.This episode is for parents who want to raise emotionally strong children while staying grounded themselves—especially when life feels heavy.✨A Grounding Practice to Support You✨When the world feels heavyPause. Put one hand on your chest or belly.Breathe in slowly through your nose. Longer out than in.Remind yourself:This is hard. And I am here.Feel your body being supported by the floor, the chair, the ground.Say silently:My child does not need me to be perfect. They need me to be present.Soften your jaw. Drop your shoulders.Remember:I can hold my feelings. My child does not need to hold them for me.Bring your child to mind. Offer steadiness, not answers.Finish with this truth:I am the adult. I am the safe place.You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →What AI Can’t Teach Your Kids: Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Future Skill They Need to Thrive
Jan 800:18:33Tap to summarizeAs artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and everyday life, many parents are asking the same question: What skills will my child truly need to thrive in the future?In this episode, we explore what AI can’t teach your kids—emotional intelligence. While machines can process information, they can’t replace empathy, self-awareness, emotional regulation, or meaningful human connection. These are the skills that help children adapt to change, build healthy relationships, make ethical decisions, and navigate an increasingly complex world.You’ll learn:✨Why emotional intelligence is becoming more valuable than IQ in the age of AI✨What research shows about EQ, success, mental health, and future-ready skills✨How parenting styles shape a child’s emotional development✨Practical, everyday ways parents can raise emotionally intelligent kids✨How to balance technology use while strengthening emotional awareness and resilienceThis episode is a reminder that as technology grows smarter, our role as parents becomes even more important. By nurturing emotional intelligence at home, we’re not just preparing our kids to succeed—we’re helping them stay human in a machine-driven world.This episode is perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone raising children in the digital age.You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQResearch referenced in this episode reflects current findings in psychology, education, and workforce development. Sources are listed below for further exploration.References & ResearchGoleman, Daniel. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. https://www.danielgoleman.info/topics/emotional-intelligence/Frontiers in Psychology (2025). Emotional Intelligence and Life Outcomes: Global Evidence. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychologyWorld Economic Forum (2023). The Future of Jobs Report. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/Harvard University – Center on the Developing Child Executive Function & Self-Regulation Skills. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/CASEL – Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning What Is SEL? https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/American Psychological Association (APA) Emotional Intelligence and Leadership. https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov01/emotionalOECD (2021). Social and Emotional Skills for Life. https://www.oecd.org/education/global-competence/social-emotional-skills/National Scientific Council on the Developing Child Children’s Emotional Development. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/children%E2%80%99s-emotional-development-is-built-into-the-architecture-of-their-brains/McKinsey & Company (2023). Defining the Skills Citizens Will Need in the Future of Work. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-workPew Research Center (2022). Parenting Children in the Digital Age. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/
Transcribe →Why Willpower Isn’t Enough: The Emotional Side of Achieving Goals
Jan 300:18:13Tap to summarizeSetting and achieving goals sounds simple—but for kids (and parents), big emotions often get in the way of success.In this episode of Raising EQ, we explore why traditional goal-setting strategies don’t work unless emotional intelligence is part of the picture. Drawing from neuroscience and psychology, you’ll learn how emotions like frustration, fear, boredom, and shame can derail even the best intentions—and what parents can do instead.We break down how emotional regulation supports motivation, persistence, and follow-through, and share simple, science-backed tools you can start using right away with your kids. From emotion-based goal setting to helping kids name and manage feelings when things get hard, this episode offers practical strategies that build both confidence and resilience.You’ll also learn why modeling your own emotional intelligence matters more than any reward system—and how focusing on process over outcomes helps kids stick with goals without pressure or power struggles.If you want to raise kids who don’t give up when it feels hard, this episode will help you build the emotional foundation that makes goal-setting and goal-achieving stick.If you want to read more about the areas spoke about check out the following links. 🧠 Research & Further Reading James Gross – Emotion Regulation Research (Stanford): https://spl.stanford.edu/people/james-grossDan Siegel – Name It to Tame It & Interpersonal Neurobiology: https://drdansiegel.comAngela Duckworth – Grit & Perseverance: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book/Carol Dweck – Growth Mindset Research: https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/American Psychological Association – Emotional Regulation & Child Development:https://www.apa.org/topics/emotion-regulationYou can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →The Power of Reflection: How Self-Awareness Helps Busy Parents Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids
Dec 2700:16:40Tap to summarizeAs parents, the end of the year often feels like a sprint — school events, holidays, deadlines, and emotional exhaustion all competing for our attention. In this episode of Raising EQ, we shift gears and focus on something that often gets overlooked: reflection and self-awareness.Research shows that self-awareness is a foundational component of emotional intelligence and plays a critical role in emotional regulation, stress management, and healthy relationships — including our relationships with our children. In this episode, we break down what self-awareness really means for parents, why reflection is backed by science, and how even small moments of intentional reflection can create meaningful change.You’ll learn:✨Why self-awareness is essential for emotionally intelligent parenting✨How reflection improves emotional regulation and reduces stress✨Simple, realistic reflection practices for busy parents✨How modeling reflection helps children build their own emotional intelligenceWhether you have five minutes at the end of the day or a quiet moment with your morning coffee, this episode offers practical tools to help you pause, reflect, and grow — without adding more to your to-do list.As the year closes, this episode invites you to reflect, not to judge yourself, but to better understand yourself — and to carry that awareness into the year ahead.🔗 “The Value of Emotional Intelligence: Self-Awareness…” — Review on self-awareness and EI components (Technium Education & Humanities, 2024) ResearchGate 🔗 Measuring the Effects of Self-Awareness — Research demonstrating outcomes of self-awareness (NIH/PMC) PMC 🔗 Why Self-Awareness Matters in Parenting — Practical insights on parent-child relationship benefits childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk 🔗 Benefits of Self-Awareness for Well-Being — Summary of research linking self-awareness to emotional balance blogs.reading.ac.uk 🔗 Reflective Practice Enhances Emotional Skills — Study linking reflection to improved EI skills ResearchGateYou can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →You're Not Failing, You're Triggered: Nervous System Tools To Save Your Holiday
Dec 1900:16:40Tap to summarizeThe holidays are intense—for parents and kids alike. Disrupted routines, heightened emotions, family dynamics, and sensory overload can leave everyone feeling dysregulated.In this episode of Raising EQ Parents, we explore why the holidays trigger the nervous system and share research-backed, practical tools you can use in real time to support regulation—for yourself and your child. You’ll learn how to calm your body in moments of stress, co-regulate with a dysregulated child, and repair after things don’t go as planned.This episode is a reminder that emotional intelligence isn’t about staying calm all the time—it’s about knowing how to return to connection.✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:🌱Why holiday stress triggers the nervous system🌱How to regulate yourself in the moment using neuroscience-backed tools🌱What children actually need when they’re overwhelmed🌱How co-regulation builds emotional intelligence🌱Why repair matters more than perfectionPerfect for parents who want calmer holidays, stronger connections, and emotionally resilient kids—without unrealistic expectations.You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →When Trying Our Best Isn’t Enough: How Owning Our Part Strengthens Connection
Dec 1100:16:40Tap to summarizeIn today’s episode of Raising EQ, we dive into one of the most powerful yet overlooked skills in parenting: owning our part. Even when we truly try our best, it doesn’t always land the way our children experience it—and that gap between intention and impact can shape how safe, seen, and understood they feel in our presence.We explore what research shows about the impact of parental repair, including how acknowledging our missteps and validating our children’s perspectives can support healthier emotional development, strengthen attachment, and increase trust. You’ll hear why humility is a parenting superpower, how to set your own feelings aside in moments that matter, and how simple, honest ownership can turn conflict into connection.If you’re ready to raise emotionally intelligent kids—and grow right alongside them—this episode gives you the tools, language, and mindset to start today.You can find out more about Dr. Holly and Raising EQ on her website.Instagram @raising_eqFacebook Raising EQ
Transcribe →