The Parent Pivot Podcast

"My Adult Child Won't Speak to Me!" - Interview with Dr. Ken Canfield and Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield

One of the pains of our hearts is when we hear from our listeners that their is a broken relationship with an adult child.  Maybe they have cut-off all communication and Mom & Dad are left wondering, "What can we do?"
On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia welcome Dr. Ken Canfield and his wife Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield to the podcast to dive deeper into this subject and bring hope to hurting pivoting partners.
If you have an adult child who is not speaking to you, or know someone who is going through this, this podcast is for you/them.  Please share it, rate it, and write a review.
[Podcast production note: We apologize for the change in audio about halfway through. We lost internet connection to our recording platform and had to use our laptop speakers as mic's.]
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "Let’s Talk: Conversation starters for Dads & Daughters" by Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield.
2. "Forgiving the Unforgiveable" by Beverly Flanagan
3. For a FREE copy of the 6-step process Dr.Michelle mentioned on today's podcast -  A PROCESS FOR FORGIVENESS - send us an email: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com and we will send it to you
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 
Background on today's guests:
Ken Canfield PhD, is a nationally-known leader and scholar, and has committed his life to strengthening fathers and families. He founded and is president of the National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com), as well as the National Association for Grandparenting (www.grandkidsmatter.org), and continues to engage in several organizations dedicated to improving family well-being.
Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC, is a national speaker, author, professional counselor of 30 years, and founder of The Abba Project, a nine-month group forum for dads whose daughters are in their teens and 20’s.  She writes guest articles regularly for journals and magazines as well as her own bi-monthly Dad-Daughter Friday blog, and is the host the award-winning The Dad Whisperer Podcast.

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: Musings of an Adult Child: Interview with Steve & Julia Cummings

If you've ever wanted to be a "fly on the wall" of a real-life, real-time, intimate conversation with pivoting partners and their adult child - this is the podcast you will be glad you heard.
The tables get turned on Steve and Julia on this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast when their daughter Jamilyn interviews them about a variety of issues she is facing as their adult child living under their roof.  Real life conversations with adult children in real time! 
Don't miss it - and then share it with your adult child.
Mentioned on the podcast:
18 year-old Jamilyn does Dance Dares in the Airport.
https://www.instagram.com/heyitsjamilynjoy/
https://www.youtube.com/@heyitsjamilynjoy
Quote from Jim Carrey on depression:  “I believe depression is legitimate. But I also believe that if you don’t exercise, eat nutritious food, get sunlight, consume positive material, surround yourself with support, then you aren’t giving yourself a fighting chance.” 

For 2026 - Take the 30,000 Foot View!

A new year has begun—and so has a new season of The Parent Pivot Podcast.
After a season of loss, reflection, and hard conversations, we are back with a powerful reminder for parents of adult children.
Today we talk about grief, legacy, forgiveness, and what really matters when the noise fades.
How do you stop majoring on the minors?How do you keep short accounts with your adult kids?And what kind of parent do you want them to remember when you’re gone?
This conversation will challenge you to pivot—from control to connection, from parenting to partnering.  If you want healthier relationships with your adult children in 2026, this episode is for you.

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: "Mammas, Don't Let Your Sons Grow Up . . . NOT!”

Pivoting from "Mamma parent" to "Mamma partner" can be one of the toughest things you'll ever have to do - especially if you have an adult son.
On this Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia discuss the unique dynamics of the Mother/Son relationship and what you want that to look like as they start their own life without you as the #1 woman in their life. It's not a sad story and doesn't have to be. Find out how to see the joy in this next season.
 
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "A Tale of Two Brains - Men's Brain Women's Brain" - Mark Gungor. 
2. "The Parent Pivot" - by Steve and Julia Cummings. 
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org
 

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: What to Do With Your Kids Stuff When They Move On

It happens to all of us at some time.  Our kids become adults.  Leave home.  Get married.  And all their stuff from childhood remains in our basements and garages.
What does that have to do with pivoting from parent to partner?
On this Best of The Parent Pivot podcast, we get an insightful look at how Julia faced this recently and what this "emotional torture" taught her in her pivot to partner.
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org
 

"Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast" - Being Generous to Our Adult Children: How Much is Too Much?

One dynamic that comes into play as we pivot from being a parent to a partner is: What is the balance between financially helping our adult child(ren) - and enabling them?  
Whether it's paying for college, a car, a down payment on a new home, or childcare for the grand babies, how much is too much?  Especially when you aren't seeing any grateful hearts and expectations begin to take over because, "Mom and Dad will cover it."
Can you relate?
On this "Best of" editon of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia sort that tension out for us and provide wisdom to help you have the right conversation with your spouse about how generosity plays out for you with your adult child(ren).  Don't miss it!
For a free copy of "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn, text Steve at 714-742-9625 or email parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: Becoming a Champion Partner to Your Adult Child

In the Cummings' kitchen is a wooden plaque that says, "Simplify."  We often get overwhelmed in life trying to balance, juggle, and learn new things.  Don't you wish you could just simplify life more?
On today's Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia help us simplify how we can focus on a few things on the road to becoming a champion partner to our adult children.
Resources mentioned on this "Best of" podcast:
1. "How We Love" by Milan and Kay Yerkovich
2.  Take the Enneagram Test here
3. "The Road Back to You" for understanding and insight.
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org
 

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: 31 Words That Will Change Your Family Trajectory for Generations

“The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face shine on you    and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you    and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
These verses from the Old Testament are known as "The Blessing" and are the focal point of this "Best of" edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast. Steve and Julia share how it's not to late to change generational "stuff" and see what God does in the lives of your adult children, and their children's children.  Don't miss it!
Listen to "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe 
Email Steve & Julia your story at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org

Gratitude, Connection, and the Power of Choosing Peace.

This Thanksgiving, families gather, memories surface, and… so do the opinions.
On this week’s episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, we’re leaning into the heart of the holiday—gratitude, connection, and the power of choosing peace.
Join us as we share fun family memories, talk about how to stay unoffended around the dinner table, and give you practical ways to steer conversations away from hostility and toward harmony.
Whether your family is calm, chaotic, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you navigate Thanksgiving with grace, humor, and a whole lot of love.
So before you pass the mashed potatoes, hit play on this special Thanksgiving edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast—and make this holiday one your family will actually be thankful for. 🦃✨
Email Steve & Julia your story at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast - Hot Tip #44 to a Deeper Relationship with Your Adult Child: Speak Life

Pivoting from parent to partner isn't easy.  It's a road of what seems like constant change.  But! . . . the intentional effort you put in, will reap a stronger, deeper and more healthy relationship with your adult children.
On this "Best of" episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia show us how we can have a lasting legacy that will strengthen your relationships with your adult children for a lifetime.
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship?
Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or email her at: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com