Resilience & Wellness Episodes

Are you a grandparent or kinship caregiver, shouldering the immense responsibility of raising children scarred by trauma? Do you often feel overwhelmed, running on empty to shield your grandchildren from the cracks in a broken system? Are you chasing after the elusive standard of being the “perfect” caregiver, all while quietly questioning if you’re doing enough—or if your exhaustion and frustration make you a bad guardian? I’m Laura Brazan, and on 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing...

Do you ever feel unseen as a grandparent or relative raising grandchildren—overlooked by the very systems meant to protect children? Have you discovered, the hard way, that the so-called “support” for kinship caregivers is riddled with gaps, bureaucracy, and outdated ideas? Are you constantly told that “family is enough,” even as you struggle for resources, support, and answers about trauma your grandchild has faced? The silence you endure, the love you give, and the hardship you shoulder—these ...

This episode highlights issues concerning rural kinship care. Are you a grandparent stepping into the role of raising grandchildren, questioning how to build a sanctuary out of chaos—especially when trauma lingers in your family’s story? Do legal barriers, relentless exhaustion, or the stigma of addiction leave you feeling stranded, yearning for guidance grounded in real science rather than just willpower? If you’ve ever wished you could pause the world for a moment of rest or clarity, you are n...

Have you ever felt like the system is writing the ending of your grandchild’s story before they’ve even found their voice? Are your grandchildren weighed down by labels—traumatized, behind, abnormal—while you’re expected to manage their pain and follow rigid rules? If you’ve ever felt powerless to change the narrative or wished you could help your grandchild reclaim their identity from the case files, this episode is for you. I’m Laura Brazan, and after my own family was reshaped by adversity, ...

Have you ever been told that your golden years should be about rest, only to find yourself back in the world of school runs, sports practices, and sleepless nights? Are you a grandparent raising your grandchildren, wrestling with exhaustion and identity loss, while quietly wondering if you’ll ever reclaim a piece of yourself? You may be feeling the heavy weight of duty, but beneath the surface, there’s a quieter transformation happening—kinship caregiver benefits. I’m Laura, and on this episo...

Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren, carrying the silent weight of anger, resentment, or shame from a family crisis? Have you been told to “just forgive” but found that advice hollow, leaving you alone with pain that keeps resurfacing? Does your anger feel like a protective shield—yet you secretly yearn for true relief, clearer connection, and more energy to nurture those in your care? In this space, we explore the deep, messy, and necessary journey of forgiveness for kinship caregivers—...

Are you a grandparent thrust unexpectedly into raising your grandchildren, feeling the relentless drizzle of exhaustion and caregiver burnout, even as you keep your family afloat? Do you sometimes find yourself trapped in a loop of irritation or resentment, questioning if joy is even possible on this journey? You are not alone. What if I told you that you don't have to raise your grandchildren? What if I told you that every dish in your sink and every mile you drive to school is a choice, not...

Does bedtime feel less like a cozy ritual and more like crossing a battlefield filled with tears, anxiety, and wakeful shadows? Are you a grandparent tirelessly nurturing grandchildren scarred by trauma, craving not just peace at the end of the day, but real tools to foster resilience? Perhaps you recognize yourself in those moments—the digital quick fixes, the fear of changing routines, the exhaustion weighing down your resolve—wondering if traditional sleep training for trauma is the answer, o...

Do you ever wonder how to truly connect with a teen who’s pushing you away, when every word feels like it could spark a door-slam or an icy silence? Are you a grandparent navigating the dizzying maze of parenting teens in kinship care—grappling with the fear that trauma might repeat itself, and unsure how to bridge the gap as your grandchild grows into adolescence? When “I love you” turns to eye rolls and “goodnight” is answered by a closed door, it’s easy to feel like an outsider in your own ho...

Are you a grandparent thrust into the role of primary caregiver, managing the relentless stress, marriage challenges, and behavioral transitions that come with grandparents raising grandchildren? Do you wonder how to move from surviving daily crises to building a sanctuary in your home—one where healing and hope are possible for both you and your grandchildren? Has your retirement story taken an unexpected detour, leaving you to mourn lost dreams while navigating the high-stakes world of kinship...

Are you a grandparent, caregiver, or child impacted by generational trauma? Do you wrestle with questions of connection, healing, and the breaking generational trauma? Are you searching for authentic guidance to rewrite your family’s future after abuse or neglect? I’m Laura Brazan, and in this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' we confront the realities of trauma and healing. Our guest, therapist and author Johnzelle Anderson, shares his powerful sto...

Are you a grandparents raising grandchildren who finds yourself stepping back into the exhausting world of parenting, unexpectedly raising your grandchildren in the wake of family upheaval? Do you ever mourn the peaceful retirement you imagined, longing for slow mornings and carefree days, only to wake up facing a mountain of responsibilities you didn't choose? Does the gap between the life you hoped for and the reality you’re living sometimes feel like a weight you carry in solitude? I’m Lau...

Are you a grandparent overwhelmed by the high-paced chaos of raising grandchildren, trying to break cycles of crisis and create lasting stability? Do you find yourself burning out, reacting to emergencies instead of building a resilient, nurturing home for the children in your care? Are you searching for practical ways to slow down, reconnect, and find the “campfire moments” that bring warmth and peace to your family? This video is about slow growth parenting. I’m Laura Brazan, and after becomin...

This episode is about building a good kinship care framework. Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren while trying to balance compassion with structure in your home? Do you find yourself reverting to “because I said so” parenting, only to meet resistance, trauma triggers, or confusion from the children in your care? Are you yearning for practical guidance, emotional support, and a framework to help you navigate this unexpectedly challenging season of life? I’m Laura Brazan, and like you, ...

This episode is about the ROI of kinship love. Are you a grandparent wondering if the small, steadfast acts of love you give truly shape your grandchildren’s future? Do you ever feel invisible, pouring your heart into healing generational wounds and wondering if your impact will last? Are you navigating the complexities of kinship care, trauma, and family resilience, looking for inspiration and validation along the way? I’m Laura Brazan, host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing T...

This episode is about emotional hygiene for caregivers". Are you a grandparent, foster, or adoptive parent feeling overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of kinship caregiving? Do you find yourself longing for peace and clarity as you juggle legal, financial, and family traumas—sometimes sinking under the weight of tough choices, chaotic homes, and the persistent sense that you "should" be able to handle it all? You’re not alone. The unseen labor of nurturing children through adversity can b...

In this heartfelt episode of *Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity*, host Laura Brazan, welcomes Ellie Moss, creator of the whimsical world of Lickity Pop, to explore the healing power of softness and sanctuary for families navigating trauma. Drawing on personal experience and creative resilience, Ellie Moss shares how she built Lickity Pop—not from a business plan, but as a survival strategy to soothe overwhelmed minds and restore nervous systems stretched thin. Toge...

Are you a single grandparent shouldering the full weight of raising your grandchildren? Are you constantly battling daily chaos—laundry piles, endless paperwork, and legal hurdles—while sacrificing your own sanity? Do you want kinship care advice? A better way to manage the relentless demands of kinship care, or fear you’re failing at the logistics behind the love? I'm Laura Brazan, and after years of navigating trauma, court dates, and school forms, I learned it’s not a personal failing—it’s...

There are 2.7 million grandparents in the U.S. raising their grandchildren. We are a silent army, often grieving our "Retirement Version" of life while navigating school runs and midnight fevers. In this powerhouse Series 2 premiere, Laura Brazan unveils The 2.7 Million Project Manifesto—a call to action for the "unpaid safety net" of America to move from survival mode to intentional leadership. In this episode, Laura shares a raw, never-before-told look at the midnight phone call that changed ...

A 60-second introduction to the new mission for grandparents and kinship caregivers moving from survival to significance. Send us a text Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined. Remember, you're not alone ...

Are you a grandparent unexpectedly thrust into the role of primary caregiver for your grandchildren? Do you feel overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting again while navigating the complexities of legal, financial, and emotional support? In the "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" podcast, renowned parenting expert Nicholeen Peck shares powerful strategies to simplify your parenting experience and bring harmony to your household. Discover how the innovative "Teaching Self Government" approach...

Grandmothers Inspire TedX Speaker. Are you inspired by the powerful legacy grandparents can leave for their grandchildren? Are you striving to move beyond daily crisis management and set up systems for lifelong resilience, healing, and financial stability? Do you wonder how the lessons of your own upbringing could shape the future of the children in your care? I’m Laura Brazan, host of "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity." In this episode, I sit down with Natha...

Are endless sleepless nights leaving you and your grandchildren exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed? Are you as a grandparent struggling to juggle caregiving, homework, and household responsibilities—all while running on empty? You’re not alone. Sleep deprivation can impact everyone in the household, from your grandkids’ behavior and learning to your own health and emotional resilience. I’m Laura Brazan, and in this week’s episode of “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adv...

Are you a grandparent who has stepped up to raise your grandchildren following profound family loss, feeling the weight of multi-layered grief while striving to create a nurturing, stable home? Do you find yourself struggling to support children’s emotional needs while managing your own sorrow and uncertainty? For many grandfamilies, the journey through grief is complex and often misunderstood, leaving caregivers searching for effective, faith-based tools to bring healing and hope. I’m Laura Br...