Drawing on more than 30 years of experience helping executives, couples, and high performers build stronger relationships and emotional resilience, Michael shares a simple framework for creating more peace, connection, and intentionality in everyday life.

Together, they discuss how your body, thoughts, and guiding principles work together to shape your reactions—and how small shifts can help you stay calm under pressure, communicate more effectively, and show up as the person you want to be.

Whether you're navigating parenting challenges, marriage, difficult conversations, or simply trying to manage stress more effectively, this episode offers practical tools you can begin using immediately.

In this episode:

• [00:00] Introduction and why reacting vs. responding matters
• [03:12] The simple breathing practice that calms your nervous system
• [06:55] What to do in the middle of a difficult conversation
• [08:42] Teaching emotional regulation by modeling it for your children
• [10:05] How posture, muscle tension, and breath reveal your emotional state
• [12:20] The surprising power of physical touch and nervous system regulation
• [15:30] Why yelling affects adults more than we realize
• [18:15] Managing your own energy before interacting with others
• [20:35] Body, Mind, and Spirit: Michael's framework for intentional living
• [21:10] Defining your personal values and guiding principles
• [23:20] Using faith, grace, and truth during difficult conversations
• [24:55] Three ways to evaluate whether you're living your values
• [29:45] Michael's daily gratitude practice for creating more joy

Mentioned in this episode:

Michael Ostrolenk:
michaeldostrolenk.com

S.S. Coulter Books & Resources:
https://sscoulter.com

Try this at home:

The next time you feel frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed, pause and take six slow breaths:

Inhale for five seconds.
Exhale for five seconds.

Then ask yourself:

"How do I want to respond in this moment?"

Notice how your body, thoughts, and emotions begin to shift.

Subscribe for new episodes weekly wherever you listen.

Download the Joy PDF →
https://sscoulter.com/joy

📖 Shop the Books →
https://sscoulter.com/pages/books

Connect on Telegram →
@SSCoulter

Official Author Profile:
https://share.google/lTsVnh0AvHUGgPmmc

Send a question or guest pitch →
hello@sscoulter.com

In this episode of Let There Be Joy, parenting leadership expert Janet Krebs shares a simple but powerful mindset shift: your job isn't just to raise kids—it's to raise capable adults. If you're tired of carrying all the responsibility, constantly answering questions, managing every detail, and feeling like your children depend on you for everything, this conversation will give you practical ways to start building independence one small step at a time.

Janet explains why moms are actually the CEOs of their families, how leadership principles apply just as much at home as they do in the workplace, and why giving children more responsibility can create more joy for everyone involved.

You'll learn how to identify tasks your children are capable of handling, why natural consequences are some of life's best teachers, and how letting go of a little control today can help your children become confident, responsible adults tomorrow.

Whether your child is five or fifteen, these simple strategies can help you stop over-functioning and start leading with confidence.

⏱️ Chapters

• 00:00 – Finding joy through laughter
• 02:53 – Meet parenting leadership expert Janet Krebs
• 04:01 – Why moms are the CEOs of their families
• 08:10 – Leadership skills that transfer from work to home
• 10:42 – Everyday leadership lessons kids are always watching
• 11:04 – Stop raising kids. Start raising adults.
• 13:20 – Teaching responsibility through real-life experiences
• 16:26 – What is a "capacity audit"?
• 17:47 – The backpack responsibility test
• 20:23 – The homework strategy that builds independence
• 24:32 – Why kids should wake up to their own alarms
• 27:09 – The three parenting shifts every family can make
• 29:42 – How doing less can bring more joy
• 30:42 – Final encouragement for parents

About Janet Krebs

Janet Krebs is a speaker, leadership strategist, four-time bestselling author, and parenting expert who helps families raise confident, capable, self-reliant children. Through her work, she teaches parents how to apply leadership principles at home to build independence, responsibility, and resilience.

Subscribe for new episodes every week wherever you listen to podcasts.

📄 Download the latest Joy PDF:

sscoulter.com/joy

🎉 Get a FREE Family Fun Activity Pack:

sscoulter.com

📚 Explore Shannon's Books:

sscoulter.com/pages/books

💬 Join the Conversation on Telegram:

@SSCoulter

⭐ Follow Shannon's Official Author Profile:

https://share.google/lTsVnh0AvHUGgPmmc

Let There Be Joy is a podcast for people seeking more presence, purpose, and joy in everyday life. Through inspiring conversations, practical wisdom, and simple habits, you'll discover ways to slow down, reconnect, and create a life you truly enjoy.

#parenting #raisingkids #independentkids #confidentkids #intentionalparenting #familyleadership #momlife #lettherebejoy #positiveparenting #raisingresponsiblekids

Autumn shares the practical habits that help her stay focused on what matters most, from starting the day with gratitude and faith to creating healthy boundaries with technology and being more intentional in her relationships. If you've been feeling distracted, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin, this conversation offers simple, actionable ways to reconnect with your purpose, your family, and your peace.

In this episode:

• [00:00] Welcome and introducing Autumn Dawson
• [02:12] Why surrendering your mornings changes everything
• [05:28] Gratitude, faith, and creating a morning routine that works
• [09:29] Healthy boundaries with devices and technology
• [12:37] The power of intentional relationships
• [15:15] Recapping the three habits that create more peace
• [16:39] A prayer for encouragement and purpose
• [17:34] One thing to try this week

Mentioned in this episode:

Next Level with JoJo & Autumn

https://nextlevelwithjojoandautumn.com

JoeJoe Dawson YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@JoeJoeDawson

Roar Church Texarkana

https://www.youtube.com/@RoarChurchTexarkana

Related Episode:

Episode 1 — Are Screens Stealing Your Family's Joy? Here's Where to Start

Try this at home:

Tomorrow morning, wait five minutes before picking up your phone. Spend those minutes writing down three things you're grateful for and three things you intend to do that day.

Subscribe for new episodes weekly wherever you listen.

Free family activity PDF when you join the newsletter → sscoulter.com

Read the books → sscoulter.com/pages/books

Send a question or guest pitch → hello@sscoulter.com

What if the things we spend our lives fighting are actually trying to tell us something? Matthieu shares how understanding the way nature works can help us create healthier gardens, but also healthier lives. Through practical gardening tips and surprisingly powerful life lessons, you'll learn how working with nature instead of against it can bring more simplicity, less stress, and a whole lot more joy.

In this episode:

• [00:00] Welcome and the conversation that sparked this podcast
• [03:50] Why Matthieu left his dream job and rebuilt his life from scratch
• [06:36] The surprising truth about weeds
• [10:40] What dandelions reveal about your soil
• [15:58] Fixing the root problem instead of fighting the symptoms
• [19:34] The lazy gardener approach to a beautiful yard
• [21:31] Using nature as a teacher instead of an enemy
• [24:58] One thing to try this week

Mentioned in this episode:

Garden of Your Dreams Masterclass

masterclass.gardenofyourdreams.com

The 12 Universal Laws of Nature

by Matthieu Mehuys

Related Episode:

Episode 2 — Feeling Overwhelmed? Three Daily Habits That Bring More Peace

Try this at home:

The next time you notice a weed, pause before pulling it. Use Google Lens or an AI app to identify it and learn what it might be telling you about your soil.

Subscribe for new episodes weekly wherever you listen.

Free family activity PDF when you join the newsletter → sscoulter.com

Read the books → sscoulter.com/pages/books

Send a question or guest pitch → [hello@sscoulter.com](mailto:hello@sscoulter.com)

After years of helping her own children develop stronger play skills and healthier relationships with technology, Shannon opens up about what worked, what didn't, and why this conversation matters just as much for adults as it does for kids. You'll learn what to expect from future episodes, how this community will approach screen-lite living with grace instead of guilt, and three practical strategies you can start using today.

If you've ever felt distracted, overwhelmed, stuck in a scrolling habit, or worried about the role screens play in your family's life, this episode offers a hopeful starting point and simple steps to help you build a life you don't want to escape from.

In this episode:

• [00:00] Why Let There Be Joy exists
• [03:20] What technology is doing to our joy, presence, and imagination
• [08:12] Raising screen-wise kids without perfection or guilt
• [13:25] What to expect from future episodes and expert guests
• [17:10] The Swiss Army Phone method for breaking the scroll habit
• [21:45] Decluttering your digital life through unsubscribing
• [24:40] The "Three in Three" gratitude and intention practice
• [28:15] One thing to try this week

Mentioned in this episode:

Telegram Community: @SSCoulter

S.S. Coulter Books & Resources:

https://sscoulter.com

Try this at home:

Before picking up your phone tomorrow morning, write down three things you're grateful for and three things you intend to accomplish that day.

Subscribe for new episodes weekly wherever you listen.

Free family activity PDF when you join the newsletter → sscoulter.com

Read the books → sscoulter.com/pages/books

Send a question or guest pitch → [hello@sscoulter.com](mailto:hello@sscoulter.com)