The Parent Pod

In this deeply personal solo episode, Rachel shares what it has been like being the mum of a transgender child. With permission and honesty, she opens up about the grief, fear, love, learning, and growth that has shaped their family’s journey. This episode is for any parent trying to hold love and uncertainty at the same time.
In this episode, parents will hear about:
• How this journey first showed up in childhood
• The grief of letting go of a perceived future
• The fear and protectiveness that can come with parenting a trans child
• What it means to support your child while doing your own internal work
• Why love, safety, and trust matter most

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion around PTSD, mental health, trauma, and suicide.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kym for a really honest conversation about what it’s like to love, support, and parent alongside someone living with PTSD. We talk about how trauma can shape family life, relationships, emotional safety, and parenting, and what it means to hold your own wellbeing while supporting someone you care about.
If you are parenting in the middle of stress, trauma, or mental health challenges, this episode will help you feel less alone.
• What PTSD can look like in day-to-day family life
• How trauma can impact relationships, parenting, and emotional connection
• Ways to support children when PTSD is part of the family story
• Why partners and caregivers need support too
• What resilience, honesty, and connection can look like in hard seasons
For resources to help you:
https://www.code9ptsd.org.au/
https://www.code9ptsd.org.au/code-9-ptsd-kids-book-first-responders
mydadmyhero.com.au

** Content warning: This episode includes discussion of PTSD, mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. **
In this episode of The Parent Pod, Rachel Russell speaks with Mark Thomas, Victoria Police officer, co-founder of The Code 9 Foundation, and father of two, about parenting while living with PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Mark shares his personal mental health journey, from psychological injury and diagnosis to recovery, and how trauma shaped his experience as a parent. Together, we explore how PTSD can impact relationships with children, the importance of connection, and what kids really need from parents navigating their own struggles.
This conversation offers insight, hope and practical reflection for parents living with trauma, reminding us that growth, healing and strong family relationships are possible.
To contact Mark:
facebook.com/sgtmarkthomas
Instagram.com/sgtmarkthomas
linkedin.com/in/sgtmarkthomas
https://www.code9ptsd.org.au

Why do parents react in ways they don’t want to? In this episode, Rachel Russell explores how the nervous system and early patterns shape our parenting reactions, and what parents can do to build awareness, interrupt old patterns and respond with greater calm and connection.To purchase a copy of Raising R.A.D. Kids: Parenting with the brain in mind - https://amzn.asia/d/0egbG1O0

Talking to our kids about bodies, gender, sex and consent can feel awkward. It can make even the most confident parent freeze.
In this episode, I’m joined by Danae Beckwith, sexologist, therapist and educator, to unpack how we actually do these conversations in real life.
We talk about:
What matters more than getting the words right.
How to respond when your child asks something that catches you off guard.
What kids need to understand at different ages and what can wait.
And how to shift from fear to steadiness when these topics come up.
Danae brings warmth, humour and zero judgement to conversations that many of us didn’t grow up having. Together, we explore how open, age-appropriate conversations build trust, body confidence and emotional safety.
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know what to say,” this episode will help you feel calmer and more equipped.
If this episode sparked something for you, Danae works directly with individuals, couples and families who want more confidence and clarity in this space.
Instagram link
Facebook link
nurturedintimacy.com.au
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