Calm Parenting Podcast
Kirk Martin
Have a strong-willed child who doesn't respond to consequences, argues like an attorney, and refuses to do things your way? Good! You're in the right place. Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin has given over 1,000,000 parents and teachers around the world practical, life-changing strategies to stop power struggles, yelling, and defiance NOW. Based on work with 1,500 challenging kids (many with AD/HD, OCD, ODD, ASD, etc.) in his home, and years spent in classrooms, Kirk's approach is refreshingly practical, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny! Questions? Visit us at www.CelebrateCalm.com or email us directly at Casey@CelebrateCalm.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 1, 2026 • 24min
5 Scripts When Kids Argue, Prove Their Point, Won't Relent. #568
Strategies for handling relentless, justice-driven kids are laid out in five practical scripts. Learn how to acknowledge argumentative skills without conceding. Discover ways to redirect intensity into responsibility and delayed decisions to teach impulse control. Hear techniques for validating fairness, asking what the child truly wants, and rebuilding trust through ownership.
Feb 27, 2026 • 41min
Practical Ways to Establish Boundaries & Stay Connected With Really Intense Kids #567
Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and parenting camp leader, shares practical strategies for parents of strong-willed or neurodivergent children. He explains trigger boards to break reactive cycles. He reframes relentless arguing into strengths and offers co-parenting tactics when one parent still yells. He recommends natural moments for tough talks and ways to redirect sibling bullying into positive outlets.
10 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 21min
How to Address Unfairness When A Sibling Has PDA, ADHD, ND #566
They explore why fairness feels impossible when one child needs different supports. Practical scripts and analogies are shared to normalize accommodations. Strategies include validating feelings, giving one-on-one time and privileges, and teaching assertive language. A sample letter and ways to reframe supports as family teamwork are offered.
Feb 22, 2026 • 22min
Practical Ways to Discipline (Not Punish) Toddlers Through Teens #565
Practical strategies for handling stealing, lying, and bad attitudes from tweens to teens. Clear contrasts between punishment and discipline with ten key distinctions. Tips for teaching truth-telling, managing picky or impulse eating, and redirecting sensory-seeking behavior. Advice on calm, decisive phone and curfew management while using moments to connect and problem-solve.
Feb 18, 2026 • 20min
Punishment v. Discipline: 10 Ways to Get Unstuck From Endless Consequences #564
A clear breakdown of punishment versus discipline and ten key differences to rethink how you respond. Conversations about shifting from control and anger to patient, teaching-focused approaches. Practical ideas like related consequences, restitution, stacking wins, and giving tools that build competence. Emphasis on repairing trust, listening more, and trading shame for responsibility.
Feb 15, 2026 • 18min
When PDA Kids Resist | What My Son Taught Me About Anxiety #563
A parent shares personal PDA experiences and a hiking story that reveals role reversal in anxiety. The conversation explores how attention can heighten a child's distress and why giving space sometimes helps. Strategies for managing anxiety transference and choosing when to push or pause are highlighted. Resources and a parenting program for PDA support are mentioned.
Feb 11, 2026 • 26min
When YOU Feel Out of Control As A Parent... #562
Practical ways to stop lecturing and replace long rants with short, constructive feedback. Tips for giving kids space after school and using curiosity questions instead of interrogations. Strategies to deescalate meltdowns with empathy and motion. Guidance on post-event discipline, asserting calm leadership, and breaking generational parenting patterns.
Feb 8, 2026 • 24min
How to Get Kids to Finally Listen...Without Using Words #561
A parent explores why lecturing fuels anger and trust breakdown. Calm teaching is contrasted with anxious repetition. Techniques include pausing, modeling behavior, and using quiet activities to settle the household. Practical tips cover role-play, simple boundaries, and lowering future-focused anxiety to reduce nonstop talking.
9 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 41min
My Son, Casey, Explains How My Changing As A Dad Affected Him #560
Joe Sanoc, podcast interviewer, guides a candid conversation. Casey Martin, Kirk Martin’s son, shares his experience growing up and perspectives on fatherhood and masculinity. They explore how a dad’s shift in behavior changed their relationship. Short, honest stories about humility, emotional expression for men, learning to ask for help, and rebuilding trust.
Feb 4, 2026 • 21min
Tough Toddler, Teen & In-Between Behavior Issues #559
Practical ways to turn frustrating toddler, elementary and teen behaviors into chances for connection. Stories show praising effort instead of lecturing can build trust. Strategies cover why procrastination happens and how to teach alternatives. Tips explain validating kids, investigating motives, and channeling physical needs into productive activities.
