Episodes

Have you ever wondered whether your grandchild’s emotional outbursts, hyperactivity, or inability to focus are really the result of past trauma—or if something deeper might be at play in their bodies? Are you overwhelmed trying to balance household expenses, legal paperwork, and your own health, all while struggling to understand why traditional therapies just aren’t working? As a grandparent raising grandchildren in today’s world, it can feel like you’re carrying an invisible load, searching fo...

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...

In this powerful episode, we dive into the deeply complex and often overlooked intersection of Eating Disorders and Kinship Caregiver Health. Grandparents raising grandchildren frequently navigate the profound impact of childhood trauma, which can manifest in children as severe disruptions to eating behaviors and emotional regulation. However, the toll isn't just felt by the youth; the immense stress of caregiving can drastically impact a grandparent's physical and mental well-being as well. Join us as we explore the underlying trauma responses driving eating disorders in kinship families, discuss practical strategies for creating a healing home environment, and offer vital advice on how relative caregivers can protect their own health while doing this vital heart-work.

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 fighting the legal system, drowning in red tape, and wondering if the finish line of adopting your grandchild will ever come? Have you sat through courtrooms hoping to be heard, worried for your grandchild’s safety, and navigating a system that seems to mistake your love for inconvenience? Do you long for the day you can finally just parent—no more last-minute visits or home inspections, no more lingering uncertainty? I’m Laura Brazan, and I know how heavy the “club sand...

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 grandparent 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 Laura, and like you, I've wr...

Have you lost a child to the fentanyl crisis 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 Exner, a grandmo...

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? I’m Laura Brazan, and after becoming the primary caregiver to my grandchildre...

Are you a grandparent or kinship caregiver navigating the maze of IEPs, 504 plans, and medical decisions while advocating for a child impacted by trauma and neglect? Do you feel overwhelmed by failing systems, mislabeled as a troublemaker simply for demanding the support your grandchild needs to heal? You’re not alone. I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In this powerful episode, legal social worker Paula Yost joins us to break down the e...

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 and shame impact children’s beliefs about themselves—...

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, I was thrust overnight into the world of kinship caregiving for ...

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 to nurture your grandchild’s unique brain while kee...

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 Through Adversity. In today’s episode, “More Than ...

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 raising my granddaughter Athena, I know firsthand the struggle of navig...

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. I’m Laura Brazan, and on "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity," we get real about the deeply rooted neu...

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 be isolating and exhausting, leaving you searching for hop...

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...

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 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 wonder if there’s 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 a broken ...