The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Dana Baltutis
Welcome to the Empowered Parent Podcast! This is your space to grow your confidence and skills in communicating, interacting, and understanding your children—so you can become the empowered parent you are destined to be.
In each episode, I speak with inspiring parents, therapists, and community leaders who truly understand the joys and challenges of parenting. Together, we explore a treasure trove of information and practical ideas for you to try at home.
We cover topics like:
- Celebrating neurodivergence
- School readiness
- The power of play
- Managing behaviors with compassion
- Discovering your and your child’s unique profiles
- Stories of parents finding strength and purpose through their parenting journey
This podcast is for all parents. It’s a place to build community and a sense of belonging—a space where you can ask questions, connect with others, and learn from experts who work with children every day.
Our goal is to empower you to:
- Learn more about yourself as a parent
- Take time for your own growth and well-being
- Discover new tools and resources to raise happy, confident kids
- Nurture your self-confidence in parenting
Let’s work together to make the world a better, more understanding, and compassionate place for everyone—young and old!
Don’t forget to like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. I’d love to hear your topic suggestions and guest speaker ideas. Reach out via danabaltutis.com or join my Facebook community: My Therapy House And Friends Empowered Parent Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583062577433444
Let’s connect, grow, and thrive together!
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Top 10 The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Episode 51: Dana Baltutis (Parent Coach And Speech Pathologist) Welcome to 2025 - Walking Meditation Experience - Cultivating Inner Strength and Abundance for the New Year!
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
01/01/25 • 13 min
Step into a transformative journey that promises to unlock your inner strength and guide you toward the person and parent you aspire to be in 2025. Imagine each step releasing stress and inviting abundance into your life, as you embrace qualities like patience, strength, and joy. In this episode, I offer you a walking meditation experience designed to ground you physically and mentally, paving the way for a future filled with clarity and resilience. If you're seeking a fresh start to the year, where health and prosperity effortlessly flow into your life, this meditation will serve as your guiding light.
Join me for this unique session where we not only focus on the goals you want to achieve but also on the qualities you want to embody. Feel the rhythm of your steps as it calms your mind and anchors you in the present. Let go of the burdens you cannot control, and visualize a life where you and your family thrive emotionally, physically, and financially. I will guide you through an experience that instills resilience and trust in your inner power, so you can confidently stride into a fulfilling future. Embrace the journey of becoming the parent and person you are destined to be, one step at a time. Happy 2025!
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 64: Bethany Burrell (Speech Pathologist): Rural Speech Therapy: Hidden Challenges, Real Impact
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
04/02/25 • 53 min
What happens when you're the only speech pathologist for hundreds of kilometers? Meet Bethany Burrell, founder of Speak To Bee, who travels across 200 kilometers of rural Victoria supporting children and adults with complex communication needs. Her journey reveals the hidden struggle of families in remote communities facing five-year waiting lists, three-hour drives to specialists, and profound isolation.
Bethany shares how her own neurodivergence became her superpower, creating therapy sessions that look nothing like traditional table-work. "If they want to be under the table with a blanket over the top, that's completely fine. If we're walking on the beach having fun, that's fine too," she explains. This flexible approach helps her connect with clients who might otherwise struggle in conventional settings.
The boundaries between professional and personal blur dramatically in small towns where your GP might also treat your clients, and grocery shopping becomes a therapy reunion. Yet these close connections create rich, meaningful relationships that sustain both therapist and client through challenges. Bethany's candid discussion about burnout—the warning signs, the recovery process, and the boundaries necessary for survival—offers valuable wisdom for any helping professional.
For speech pathologists considering rural practice, Bethany paints an enticing picture of professional growth, personal development, and the incomparable reward of helping someone order their first hot drink or say "I love you, mum" for the first time. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most significant impact happens far from the spotlight, where dedicated professionals quietly transform lives one conversation at a time.
Ready to explore how you might make a difference in underserved communities? This episode will challenge your assumptions about rural practice and might just inspire your next career move.
speaktobee.com
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 1: Introduction to The 6 week Empowered Parent Coaching Program
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
01/12/24 • 1 min
This is a short podcast introducing the Empowered Parent Coaching Program. In 2024 I am offering 6 weeks of 1:1 work with myself to support parents to start thinking in different ways about their children and trying to break through their limiting beliefs and their limiting decisions they make around parenting their children. Please let me know if you have any questions you would like me to answer or topics you would like me to discuss during this podcast! Look forward to hearing from you!
https://www.danabaltutis.com/appointments
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/
Episode 67: Rose Irranca (Social Worker and Holistic Therapist): Holistic Kids: Revolutionizing Child Wellness in Australia
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
04/23/25 • 31 min
Looking beyond conventional healthcare for your child can feel like navigating without a map. Where do you find practitioners who understand children need support for their body, mind, and spirit? How do you know which approaches might help your unique child thrive?
Rose Irranca, a social worker with over 20 years of experience working with children, faced this exact challenge. After adding neuro-linguistic programming, hypnotherapy, Reiki, and kids' yoga to her professional toolkit, she struggled to connect with families who were open to these powerful but often misunderstood approaches. This sparked her vision for Holistic Kids – Australia's first comprehensive directory connecting families with practitioners who nurture the whole child.
The conversation delves into why children's natural intuitive abilities and connection to their subconscious mind often diminish around age seven, and how holistic approaches can help them maintain this powerful self-awareness. Rose shares powerful examples of looking beyond symptoms to root causes – whether for bedwetting, anxiety, or behavioral challenges – and how diverse modalities from child acupuncture to specialized Pilates can address issues conventional approaches might miss.
With 33 businesses already registered across Australia after launching just three weeks ago, Holistic Kids is rapidly growing into a movement that normalizes complementary approaches to children's wellbeing. Rose's vision extends beyond creating a directory to building a collective voice that can advocate for children's holistic health needs at policy levels.
If you're a parent seeking more comprehensive support for your child or a practitioner wanting to connect with families who value holistic approaches, this episode illuminates the path toward integration, collaboration, and truly supporting children to thrive in body, mind and spirit. Check out holistickids.com.au to explore the growing community and find the support your family deserves.
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 5: Louise Trinkle (Parent) - Navigating the Neurodiversity of Twins
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
02/15/24 • 43 min
Louise a mum and passionate saxophone player, shares her journey with neurodivergent twins and how she navigated through the education and health systems to provide the right support for them. Today, she can rest and enjoy learning a new skill, knowing she has done everything she could to support both of her boys on their journey.
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 59: Sonia Taddeo (Sustainability Advocate) - Embracing Authenticity and Simplicity Through Sustainable Living and Small Impactful Actions
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
02/26/25 • 47 min
Imagine shifting from a life of constant hustle to one of fulfilling simplicity. In our latest episode, Sonia Taddeo returns to share her powerful journey of overcoming public speaking fears and embracing authenticity, all while spearheading her "33 steps" initiative. This project highlights the importance of taking small yet impactful actions for the betterment of our environment and society. Sonia's personal experiences and the support she found along the way serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring listeners to become active participants in creating a positive global change.
We delve into the transformative experience of sustainable living and its profound contrast with the instant gratification culture. Explore the rewarding journey of rediscovering nature and the lasting impact of sustainable practices on future generations. Discover practical steps for integrating sustainability into daily life, from using reusable bags to understanding recycling processes better. These practices not only reconnect us with our environment but also foster a sense of abundance that transcends material wealth.
The conversation further explores community-focused solutions like swap parties to reduce waste and build connections. Sonia and our team discuss how fostering meaningful interactions and repairing or upcycling items can lead to a sustainable lifestyle. We also touch on the empowering effect of individual actions, such as decluttering and reducing plastic use, in promoting a compassionate and sustainable future. Finally, we underscore the importance of raising children with a mindset centered on minimalistic abundance, where experiences trump possessions, cultivating a more thoughtful and conscious generation. Join us to learn how every small step can contribute to a larger, lasting change for our planet.
(7) Refuse Reduce Reuse Recycle in Adelaide | Facebook
‘Beyond the Kerb’ waste & recycling tours - KESAB
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 38: Steph Curtis (Blogger, Parent and Autism Advocate) - Navigating the Complexities of Autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Family Life
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
10/02/24 • 52 min
When Steph Curtis first started her blog, "Steph's Two Girls," it was a way to process and share the journey of her youngest daughter's autism diagnosis. Fast forward 15 years, and her blog has not only been a therapeutic outlet but also a beacon of hope and knowledge for countless families. In this episode of the Empowered Parent Podcast, Steph takes us through the trials and triumphs of raising daughters with autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), offering candid reflections on the emotional rollercoaster her family experienced from the early diagnosis to today.
We uncover the nuances of Pathological Demand Avoidance, a profile of autism characterized by resistance to everyday demands and complex social strategies to avoid tasks. Steph breaks down the key differences between PDA and conditions like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and understanding. Through real-life examples, she highlights how recognizing the anxiety-driven behaviors of children with PDA can lead to more compassionate and effective parenting strategies.
Living with a sibling who has PDA presents unique challenges, and Steph shares heartfelt stories about her daughters' dynamic and the broader impact on their family. We discuss how small changes in language and approach can significantly influence a child's behavior and well-being. For any parent or caregiver navigating similar paths, this episode provides invaluable insights into fostering empathy, community support, and the necessity of seeing beyond the surface of misunderstood behaviors. Join us for an enlightening conversation that underscores the power of awareness and the strength found in shared experiences.
Steph's Two Girls
www.stephstwogirls.co.uk
'PDA in The Family: Light After The Light Bulb Moment' Steph Curtis, 2024
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 57: Amanda Collings-Wells (Wellness Entrepreneur, Hypnotherapist and NLP Master Coach) - Embracing Holistic Wellness and Self-Care for Parental Balance and Personal Growth
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
02/12/25 • 50 min
Have you ever wondered how a career in government could transform into a successful journey in holistic wellness? Amanda Collings-Wells took that leap, motivated by a personal loss and a desire for a more meaningful path. In our conversation, Amanda opens up about her inspiring transition from a government agency worker to a thriving wellness entrepreneur. She shares her insights on overcoming fears and embracing part-time work, while highlighting her journey as an NLP master coach. Amanda's story is a testament to the power of mindset and self-talk in overcoming obstacles and achieving personal and professional growth.
Parenthood is a journey filled with love, challenges, and overwhelming pressures, especially in today's social media-driven world. Amanda helps us navigate these waters by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing self-care amidst the demands of work and childcare. Hear her insights on the significance of quality time with children and how small, consistent self-care practices can prevent burnout. Amanda's practical advice on listening to one's body and cultivating manageable routines offers a roadmap for parents seeking balance between family and personal well-being.
Holistic wellness isn't just a profession for Amanda; it's a calling. Learn about the soothing realms of massage and aromatherapy, and how they create therapeutic environments for relaxation and emotional release. We dive into the benefits of gentle movement, lymphatic drainage massage, and ancient practices like ear candling. Amanda's passion for tailoring wellness practices to individual needs shines through as she discusses her empathetic and personalized approach. Her dedication to empowering others through holistic wellness serves as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging us all to embrace a healthier, more balanced life.
https://www.facebook.com/celestialaromatics
https://www.instagram.com/celestial_aromatics/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-collings-wells/
https://celestialaromatics.com.au/
https://www.tiktok.com/@celestial_aromatics?lang=en
https://www.youtube.com/@CelestialAromatics
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 16: Sarah Lovett (Social Worker) - Embracing Neurodiversity and PDA
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
05/01/24 • 56 min
As a mother and social worker with a profound connection to the world of neurodiversity, Sarah's story is both a testament to personal strength and a guidebook for those navigating similar paths. She unpacks her journey from paramedic to social work, spurred by her son's autism diagnosis, and how this led her to identify and embrace her own neurodivergent traits, including PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). Guiding us through the labyrinth of parenting twins with PDA, Sarah's candid revelations about the empowerment found in diagnosis and the advocacy needed in our communities suggest that the understanding of neurodiversity is not just a personal quest but a societal mandate.
Raising PDA Kids https://raisingpda.com Declarative Language Cheat Sheet
https://www.ourpdakids.com.au – For resources and research and service
PDA Australia and NZ http://pdaanz.com
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
Episode 29 - Jason Tyndall (CEO of Nature Play SA) - Transforming Children's Well-Being Through Nature Play
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
07/31/24 • 77 min
What if nurturing your child's curiosity could significantly boost their well-being? Join us as we sit down with Jason Tyndall, CEO of Nature Play SA, who passionately discusses the transformative power of nature on children's development. Jason shares innovative strategies for encouraging outdoor exploration, highlighting the benefits of quality time in nature. Discover how accessible spaces like Glenthorne National Park can become a playground for family bonding and adventure.
Through engaging stories and practical advice, Jason reveals how to foster safe and enriching play experiences for children, even in urban settings like apartments. He offers insights into overcoming parental fears and sensory sensitivities, ensuring that personal limitations don't hinder a child's adventurous spirit. Learn how simple changes in language, such as asking "What's your plan?" instead of "Stop, be careful," can nurture a child's critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Explore the joys of integrating nature into everyday family life, from finding caterpillars on neighborhood walks to planning outdoor adventures. Jason emphasizes the mental and physical health benefits of activities like forest bathing and nature-based education. By sharing his vision for a large, accessible nature play park in South Australia, and highlighting successful initiatives like the Forest Festival, Jason inspires us to embrace nature play in all weather conditions, fostering independence, confidence, and social interactions in children.
NaturePlay SA is a fantastic organisation helping so many children and families. They are now working with neurodiverse groups. Your financial support would be most welcomed!
https://natureplaysa.org.au/
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis have?
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis currently has 68 episodes available.
What topics does The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis cover?
The podcast is about Parenting, Kids & Family and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis?
The episode title 'Episode 10: Dr. Emily Carroll (General Medical Practitioner) - Choosing a Medical Professional' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis?
The average episode length on The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis is 47 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis released?
Episodes of The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis?
The first episode of The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis was released on Jan 12, 2024.
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