Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

238 Are You Solving Too Much for Your Kids?

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Helping kids build resilience isn’t about protecting them from discomfort, it’s about guiding them to trust their own inner compass.In this episod...

Are We Accidentally Raising Kids Who Are Afraid to Fail?

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When support starts to take over, kids lose the chance to grow.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Caroline unpacks the everyday habits that qui...

236. Why Doesn’t Reassurance Work for Anxiety and Big Feelings?

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Helping children manage big emotions doesn’t start in the moment of meltdown—it starts long before.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. C...

235. Are You Helping Kids Too Much—and Hurting Their Confidence?

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode challenges one of the most common habits adults fall into: trying to make kids feel better too quickly.Dr. Caroline breaks down what actu...

234. Why Do Kids Lose Control of Their Emotions — And What Signals Do We Miss First?

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Children rarely melt down without warning. Their bodies, thoughts, and behaviour usually send signals long before emotions explode. The challenge for ...

233. The Hidden Skill Kids Need to Control Their Behaviour

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Children rarely “choose” big reactions. Most of the time, they simply don’t notice what is happening inside their body until it’s too late.In ...

232. Impulse Control vs Distress Tolerance | Which Skill Matters More?

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Self-monitoring is the skill that quietly changes everything: focus, impulse control, distress tolerance, and even conflict at home and school. In thi...

231. Heart-Focused Attention for Kids | Emotional Regulation Without Power Struggles

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when a child’s anger shows up fast—and keeps showing up? In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline sits down with Lumi...

230. What’s the “Next Right Thing” to Say When a Student Is Panicking?

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Radical acceptance is a strong start… then kids still look at you like, “Okay, now what?” In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline...

229. Radical acceptance for kids & teens: Reduce big emotions without pretending it’s fine

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Big feelings don’t go away just because we want them to. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko teaches radical acceptance a...

228. Are We Accidentally Making Anxiety Worse by Reassuring?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kids and teens don’t struggle because they feel anxious — they struggle because they believe they can’t handle uncertainty. In this episode of O...

227. What If Emotional Regulation Starts With Discomfort, Not Comfort

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Big emotions don’t shrink by talking about them. They shrink through practice.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline shares playful,...

226. Distress Tolerance vs. Emotional Avoidance | What Works

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are adults accidentally making anxiety stronger?In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko explains why accommodation, reassurance...

225. When Kids Can’t Tolerate Frustration, What’s Actually Missing?

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If kids melt down the second something feels hard, this episode is for you.Dr. Caroline explains distress tolerance — a core emotion regulation skil...

224. How Can We Teach Impulse Control When Emotions Take Over

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Impulse control is a foundational skill for emotion regulation—and many kids don’t have it yet.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Carol...

223. What do kids need before impulse control can improve?

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Impulsivity doesn’t come from nowhere. It shows up when emotions move faster than skills.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline move...

222. Why do kids react before they think?

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Many kids struggle with impulse control, and adults are often left wondering why strategies don’t stick. This episode breaks down the foundations of...

221. Resilience Goals for Kids: Celebrate Growth, Set Intentions

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we close out the year, this holiday replay of Overpowering Emotions focuses on helping kids reflect on how far they’ve come and set resilience in...

220. How to Build Emotional Resilience in Kids During Holiday Stress

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Holiday break can bring joy… and a whole lot of overwhelm. In this Holiday Special Replay of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline shares what holiday...

219. Overstimulated, Overwhelmed, and Over It: Emotion Regulation During the Holidays

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays are supposed to be joyful—but for many families, they quietly amplify stress, overwhelm, and emotional reactivity.In this special cross...

218. Can play help kids release trauma and anxiety?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Big feelings don’t always need more rules and structure. Sometimes they need play, movement, and a bit of silliness.In this episode of Overpowering ...

217. How do kids learn to regulate emotions? Turning big feelings into smart choices.

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Big feelings are not the problem. The real issue is when kids don’t know what those feelings are for or what to do with them.In this episode of Over...

216. Are Kids Really “Mad”… or Is Their Brain Just Guessing?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kids say “I feel bad” all the time. But what does that actually mean for their brain and their behaviour? In this episode of Overpowering Emo...

215. Are we accidentally teaching kids to stay afraid?

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Dr. Caroline unpacks one of the most misunderstood parts of emotion regulation: Why avoidance keeps anxiety alive and how real-world experi...

214. How can we help kids reflect instead of explode?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do kids learn to think about their emotions instead of being swept away by them? In this episode, Dr. Caroline breaks down strategic emotion manag...

213. What does mental wellness really look like for kids and their parents?

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does mental wellness really mean, and how do we teach it to kids and teens when the adults around them are stretched thin? In this episode, Dr. C...

212. What if kids could outsmart their anxious thoughts?

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kids don’t just feel emotions—they also create stories about what those emotions mean. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline focu...

211. Are we rushing kids out of emotions they actually need?

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kids don’t always slam doors or shout when emotions overwhelm them. Sometimes the signs are quieter—flat energy, withdrawal, or a heavy sadness th...

210. How do we help kids handle big emotions with confidence?

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline discusses the high-energy, often “unpleasant” emotions that kids struggle with — the stor...

209. How can excitement help kids learn—and when does it tip into chaos?

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline explores the often-overlooked role of pleasant emotions in self-regulation. From the high-energ...

208. How can we help kids understand their own emotional map?

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Decoding Emotions: Helping Kids Understand What They Feel—and WhyEmotions aren't problems. They're messages. And when we teach kids how to read them...

207. What is silent trauma and why does it stay hidden?

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Caroline speaks with Dr. Shahrzad Jalali—clinical psychologist and trauma specialist—to unpack the idea of sile...

206. Are kids being misdiagnosed when their bodies are just tired?

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emotions don’t just “happen”—they’re built on signals from the body. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we explore how affect—the b...

205. Are kids melting down because they don’t have the right words?

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline zeroes in on emotional literacy as an essential foundation of all self-regulation. From everyda...

204. What’s the difference between emotions, feelings, affect, and moods? (And why does it matter?)

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emotions aren’t just “big feelings” — they’re information. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions Dr. Caroline breaks down the building bl...

203. How can peer influence boost self-regulation in teens?

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Teen years are a time of big feelings, strong peer influence, and still-developing self-control. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Ca...

202. Are we ignoring the one thing that actually builds resilience?

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Self-regulation isn’t just about teaching kids to “calm down.” It’s about what’s happening around them—the relationships, routines, and en...

201. What actually builds self-regulation in kids?

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of #OverpoweringEmotions breaks down the most effective strategies to help kids and teens manage their impulses, emotions, and behaviours...

200. What if boredom is the emotional reset your child actually needs?

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is boredom a problem—or a powerful emotional signal? In this episode of #Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline challenges the modern urge to “f...

199. Why doesn’t “stop and think” work? And what should we do instead?

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline breaks down self-regulation into its three essential parts—cognitive, emotional, and behavio...

198. What if "laziness" is just missing skills?

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s really behind your child’s procrastination, meltdowns, or avoidance? It might not be defiance—it could be a gap in self-regulation skills...

197. What's the difference between self-control and self-regulation?

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today Dr. Caroline breaks down the difference between self-regulation and self-control—and why confusing the two leads to ineffective strategies. Sh...

196. Are kids lazy—or just lacking a plan?

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kids aren’t defiant, lazy, or unmotivated—they’re often stuck without the tools to follow through. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions...

195. How can music help kids manage big emotions?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Music hits different when it speaks to your soul—and it can do the same for kids. In this episode, Dr. Caroline explores how music affects the brain...

194. How can movement & problem-solving make kids feel better?

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We know movement is good for mood. But what if it’s also the missing link to helping kids (and adults) become better problem solvers? In this e...

193. Are we giving kids the emotional tools they actually need?

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if emotional health wasn’t something we “talked about” but something kids could actually practice—every single day? In this episode, Rafa...

192. Are we overlooking the basics of raising healthy, resilient kids?

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of #OverpoweringEmotions, Dr. Caroline chats with holistic psychotherapist Keri Cooper about the overlooked building blocks of mental ...

191. What's wrong with telling kids, “Just Breathe?”

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Caroline takes a closer look at the surprising ways breathing can interfere with emotional regulation, especially for children an...

190. How can we help teens feel less alone?

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest, Laura Lyles Reagan, family sociologist and parenting communication coach, brings powerful reminders about the deep social roots of te...

189. Can writing help kids regulate better than talking?

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When emotions get tangled up in rumination, kids—and adults—can stay stuck. Expressive writing offers a way out.In this episode of Overpowering Em...

188. Can touch regulate emotions better than words?

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to helping kids manage big emotions, we often think about what to say. But sometimes the most powerful support isn’t verbal—it’s p...

187. Are kids really manipulating us—or are we reinforcing their behaviour?

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kids don’t manipulate—they learn. And often, they’re learning from us.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko takes a har...

186. Why do kids resist help?

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do kids push back when we’re just trying to help? Why do teens dig in their heels at the simplest request? In this episode, Dr. Caroline chats a...

185. How can we help kids overcome the “I can’t” mentality?

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline speaks with Kevin Elworth, a father of five, entrepreneur, and resilience advocate, to explore how d...

184. Are you the thermostat or the thermometer in your kid’s life?

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emotions are contagious—and kids absorb others' emotions the fastest.In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline breaks down the science ...

183. How do kids’ inner voices shape their confidence?

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you notice the voice in your head? That constant chatter guiding your choices, second-guessing decisions, or even holding you back? On th...

182. Are you making kids’ meltdowns worse without knowing it?

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Helping Kids Regulate Their Emotions – Without Escalating the ChaosEmotional regulation isn’t just about calming kids down—it’s about teaching...

181. What’s the best way to help kids handle big feelings?

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emotional regulation isn’t about staying calm all the time—it’s about recognizing emotions, processing them, and responding in a way that helps ...

180. Are you challenging kids the RIGHT way? How to find their learning sweet spot

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Finding the "Just Right" Challenge: How to Help Kids Grow Without OverwhelmLast week, we talked about the importance of resilience and how stress play...

179. How do we raise resilient kids (even when life gets tough)?

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about learning to face them. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we’re breaking down exa...

178. Are we raising confident kids—or just keeping them (overly) safe?

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline chats with Justyna Bronski, a life coach and former high school math teacher, to explore the emotional ch...

177. How do we help kids feel loved and connected?

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Love isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s in the little everyday moments that build connection, trust, and self-worth. In this special Valentine...

176. What’s the secret to turning chaos into calm?

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are stress and reactivity running the show? Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline chats with parenting expert Linda Clement to uncover how surv...

175. How can kids manage their emotions in real-time?

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, we’re talking about what happens after kids learn to name their emotions. Understanding feelings is just the start—...

174. How do emotions shape behaviour in kids?

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions I discuss how to guide kids in recognizing, accepting, and channeling their feelings to make better decisions and devel...

173. Is kids' anxiety hiding in plain sight? And how do we help?

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anxiety in kids and teens doesn’t always look like panic attacks or overt distress. Often, it hides behind stomach aches, perfectionism, or school a...

172. Why is Emotional Intelligence important and how do you know if kids have it?

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I dive back into emotional intelligence (EI) as the foundation for resilience. Discover why teaching kids to...

171. How can we help kids set resilience goals?

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As this year comes to a close, it is important for kids to reflect on their growth and set meaningful resilience goals for the year ahead. From celebr...

170. How can strong relationships build lifelong resilience in kids?

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I revisit the foundational elements of raising resilient kids just in time for the holiday season. Learn how...

169. How can we turn holiday chaos into resilience?

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays can be a mix of joy and stress. In this special episode of Overpowering Emotions, we explore practical ways to strengthen resilience duri...

168. What is a key skill needed for emotional resilience? 2024 recap

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions I recap a key skill in building emotional resilience. A key way to manage emotions during stress, foster mindfulness, a...

167. Is focusing on kids feelings too much making things worse? Part 2

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions: Part 2 of why over-focusing on children’s emotions might do more harm than good (recast from the podcast, Parents of...

166. Is focusing on kids' feelings making things worse? Part 1

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions I decided to recast a two-part series from Parents of the Year where Andrew and I talked about how an overemphasis on c...

165. How can sounds help kids recognize and manage big emotions?

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Caroline welcomes special guest Bridgette Melton, an educator, children's author, and trauma resilience expe...

164. Is breaking up positive experiences they key to long-lasting joy?

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we dive into the brain's natural ability to adapt to stimuli, known as habituation, and how it can be used t...

163. How can structured activities boost emotional resilience?

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline is joined by award-winning choreographer and dance educator Leslie Kuny. Together, they explore...

162. Are we pushing kids to be perfectionists?

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Perfectionism can silently shape how kids see themselves, and it often starts with the expectations we unintentionally set. In this episode of Overpow...

161. Are we accidentally teaching kids to be perfectionists?

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on #OverpoweringEmotions, Dr. Caroline discusses how parental perfectionism spills over to kids, creating a cycle of anxiety, fear of failure, a...

160. How can kids master their emotions like pro athletes?

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we continue our journey beyond perfectionism and discuss how to help kids use those perfectionistic, binary,...

159. Are kids stuck in a perfectionist loop? Help them break free!

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline goes deeper into the practical side of overcoming perfectionism with a focus on procedural thin...

158. Is this the ONE thing sabotaging a child's mental health?

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we’re tackling the one thing that can completely sabotage a child's mental health. Perfectionism. Today, w...

157. Beyond the Illusion: How can our kids find true resilience and well-being?

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions join Dr. Caroline with special guest Chana Studley, a remarkable figure who transitioned from a Hollywood special effec...

156. How can we handle school avoidance? Part 3

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this concluding episode of this series on managing school avoidance, Dr. Caroline wraps up the school avoidance discussion by focusing on the essen...

155. How can we handle school avoidance? Part 2

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, I continue part two of this series on school avoidance, focusing on treatment considerations.I emphasize the need for ...

154. What do we do when kids refuse to go to school? Part 1

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline discusses a hard topic: school-avoidant behaviours. This is a three-part series, as school avoidance is a...

153. How do we manage separation anxiety?

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While it's completely normal for young children to experience separation anxiety, when these feelings persist into the elementary years and beyond, it...

152. How do we help manage kids back-to-school worries?

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Back by popular demand, we're recasting Dr. Caroline's highly-popular episode of Overpowering Emotions focusing on managing back-to-school worries and...

151. How do we help kids transition back to school successfully?

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the new school year approaches, ensuring a smooth and confident transition for our children and teens is crucial. In this popular episode of Overpo...

150. How can self-care boost kids’ resilience and how can you encourage it?

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I look at the critical topic of self-care for children. I explore why self-care is essential for kids a...

149. What strategies build resilient thinking in children?

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions I discuss the the critical skills of self-talk and resilient thinking.Building on the previous discussion about managin...

148. How can kids turn anxiety into problem-solving power?

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I chat about how kids can manage anxiety and empower themselves by responding to their anxiety-driven t...

147. How can tailored wellness strategies enhance resilience in children and teens?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we jump into the fascinating world of emotional and physical wellness with guest expert Brenda Wollenberg.&n...

146. How can kids channel their inner Avengers to master emotional regulation?

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, we explore the intriguing concept of 'subselves'—the different parts of our personality that shape our thoughts and ...

145. How do internal cues help kids master their emotions?

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on #OverpoweringEmotions, learn about the internal cues of emotion that drive behaviours and how to guide kids to recognize these to manage emot...

144. Why is understanding emotions key to emotion regulation?

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, I discuss how emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and joy drive our behavior and influence our responses to the world ...

143. How can mindfulness, acceptance, and fear extinction create an anxiety-proof brain?

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special recast episode of #OverpoweringEmotions, we explore how to optimize the brain's resistance to anxiety by integrating fear extinction, ...

142. Why is acceptance so important to help kids master emotion regulation?

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, uncover the power of acceptance in guiding children through their emotions effectively. Discover how nurturing resilie...

141. How do we help kids build self-awareness to master emotion regulation?

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline walks through the next step in helping kids develop the core skill they need for emotion regulation and r...

140. What is the most important core skill kids need to master emotion regulation?

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline talks about the foundational core skill of managing anxiety and other big emotions to build resilience. B...

139. What are the key stages of resilience and how can we navigate them?

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko welcomes Stephanie Elliston to chat about resilience. They explore its stages and how t...