Family Dynamics Episodes

Jennifer Brunton, is an autistic mother and grandmother, and primary caregiver to two brilliant, intense, neurodivergent toddlers. Her projects encompass books, talks (including Keynotes), thought leadership and other articles, and consulting. She is coauthor of The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy. She's worked as a writer and editor at Forbes, Random House, Mirabella, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, as well as for a range of individual, corporate, and academic clients. Are you a grandparent na...

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...

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 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...

Have you felt the fentanyl crisis impact? Lost a child and now find yourself raising a grandchild while navigating profound grief, financial upheaval, and relentless societal judgment? Are you searching for understanding, practical support, and a community that truly sees the struggles and resilience of grandparents in kinship care? You're not alone. I'm Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this episode, we sit down with guest Laurel Exne...

This episode is about kinship youth identity. Welcome to this powerful episode featuring Brayden, an “identity restorer” and dream catalyst whose work with the rising generation will inspire and equip you. Together, we dive deep into his personal journey from self-doubt to empowerment, the transformative influence of storytelling, and actionable methods for nurturing true self-worth in young people who feel defined by circumstances they didn’t choose. You’ll discover: How family trauma an...

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 kinship classroom dyslexia. Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren who struggle with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning challenges, feeling the pressure of school evaluations and overwhelming labels? Are you questioning how to advocate for your grandchild in a world that expects you to fit the 1950s stereotype of a calm, apron-clad grandmother? Do you find yourself navigating kinship care, facing not only academic hurdles but also painful family secrets, wondering how t...

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 co-regulation for neurodiverse children. Are parenting strategies from decades past falling short with your neurodiverse grandchild? Do meltdowns and anxiety leave you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or questioning your instincts as a caregiver? Are you searching for actionable solutions to soothe trauma-driven behaviors, foster emotional health, and rebuild the bonds in your family? I’m Laura Brazan, and as both a seasoned mother and a grandparent unexpectedly raisin...

Have you noticed the unequal load—both seen and unseen—that grandmothers often carry, while searching for ways to bring grandfathers more fully to the caregiving table? You’re not alone. The gender gap in kinship care is real and significant, often leaving women overwhelmed and resentful, while men struggle to find their place and purpose in the caregiving journey. We need to engage grandfathers in kinship care. I’m Laura Brazan, and on "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through A...

What happens when a visionary leader is brought to their knees by a family crisis? In this heartfelt episode, Laura Brazan welcomes Brad Hoffman, pastor and grandparent raising his grandchildren after the loss of his daughter, to explore the transformational power of integrating personal adversity with leadership. Together, they discuss the unique challenges grandparents face as primary caregivers, reveal practical strategies for self-care, and unpack the shifting nature of identity after traum...

Are you raising a grandson who struggles to express his emotions, acts out in anger, or suffers from aches and pains you can’t explain? Do you worry about protecting the emotional future of the boys in your care, yet feel unsure how to break generational cycles of silence? You’re not alone—and it’s not too late to create lasting change and build emotional intelligence in boys. I’m Laura Brazan, and welcome to 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this episode, ...

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 you a grandparent navigating the unexpected challenges of raising your grandchildren, seeking comfort and understanding in the face of loss or family upheaval? Do you wonder how to nurture resilience and hope in your grandkids while struggling with your own emotional, financial, and physical limits? Are you searching for meaning in the everyday moments of caregiving and longing to connect with others who truly understand how isolating—and transformative—kinship caregiving can be? I’m Laur...

Are you a grandparent who’s become the unexpected parent, suddenly responsible for raising your grandchildren? Are you navigating complex emotions, challenging family dynamics, and difficult decisions you never anticipated? Do you feel the loss of retirement freedom, longing to simply be the “fun grandparent,” while finding yourself as the primary source of stability, discipline, and guidance? I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this e...

Are you a grandparent suddenly stepping into the role of raising your grandchildren, seeking guidance to break generational cycles and create lasting change? Do you find yourself wondering how to offer wisdom, resilience, and opportunity despite limited resources or unexpected challenges? Are you searching for strategies to foster independence, emotional healing, and practical success in your grandkids—while juggling your own needs and dreams? I’m Laura Brazan, and I know firsthand the journey ...

Are you a grandparent facing the daily complexities of raising your grandchildren, wrestling with family turbulence, generational conflicts, and questions of legacy? Do you long for meaningful conversations and expert guidance on navigating the emotional, legal, and financial realities of kinship care? Are you searching for connection, clarity, and hope in your unique caregiving journey? I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this episode...

Have you found yourself unexpectedly raising your grandchildren after a family tragedy, feeling lost in a system that seems impossible to navigate? Are you carrying the immense weight of grief while advocating for the children you love? Do you wish for a community that understands the unique challenges faced by kinship caregivers and offers guidance, not judgment? The struggle of turning personal pain into a force for change can feel lonely and overwhelming. I’m Laura Brazan, and I know firstha...

Are you a grandparent who’s suddenly been cut off from your beloved grandchildren, heartbroken and powerless in the face of family conflict or shifting laws? Have you poured years—sometimes decades—of your life, love, and resources into nurturing your grandkids, only to have that sacred bond abruptly severed? You are not alone, and your pain is shared by countless grandparents across the country. I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In eac...

This episode addresses childhood trauma for grandparents raising grandchildren. Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren? Struggling to break cycles of silence and create an emotionally healthy home? Do you worry about how your own childhood wounds impact your family’s well-being? Are you searching for real-world strategies to help your grandchildren heal in a world that feels very different from the one you grew up in? I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturi...

What we need is a grandparenting revolution! Are you a grandparent navigating the joys and hardships of raising your grandchildren, yet find yourself caught in cycles of power struggles and miscommunication? Do you wonder why old-school discipline methods seem to backfire, leaving you feeling disconnected and frustrated? Are you longing for practical tools to break generational patterns and foster deeper bonds with your grandkids, all while reconciling your own upbringing and personal emotions? ...