The Whinypaluza Podcast

👉 Are you ready to finally get what you want this Mother’s Day—without guilt, stress, or disappointment?

This week on Whinypaluza Wednesday, host Rebecca Greene and her husband, Seth Greene, share hard-earned wisdom from her years of parenting and speaking with countless moms.

Whether you’re a planner mom, a go-with-the-flow mom, or just a mom hoping for hot coffee for once—Rebecca has crafted “Mother’s Day prescriptions” to help you make this year’s celebration truly meaningful.

✅ Lower your expectations and avoid the common Mother’s Day pitfalls.

✅ Tell your family what you really want—no more mind-reading required!

✅ Choose just one thing to plan so you don’t set yourself up for disappointment.

✅ Release the guilt and “shoulds” that weigh moms down.

✅ Find ways to honor your journey, no matter what season of motherhood you’re in.

Rebecca and Seth also discuss honoring moms who are no longer here, navigating Mother’s Day as a single mom or a mom who has experienced loss, and how families can truly support the mom in their life.

✨ Rebecca’s Quote:

“Your child’s behavior does not define you as a mother. Who you show up as every day—that’s what counts.”

✨ Seth’s Quote:

“If you tell me what you want, I’ll do it. That’s how we make Mother’s Day—and every day—a win.”

🎧 Don’t forget: Your worth as a mom isn’t measured by perfect days or perfect kids. It’s about showing up, loving fiercely, and taking care of yourself too.

👉 Listen now, share this episode with a mom who needs a little extra support this Mother’s Day, and remember—you deserve to be celebrated not just today, but every day.

Happy Mother’s Day from Rebecca, Seth, and the Whinypaluza family! 💐

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Is your relationship with your spouse evolving as you both grow and change?

In this engaging Whinypaluza Wednesday episode, Rebecca Greene and her husband Seth take listeners on a heartfelt journey through the realities of maintaining a strong marriage while navigating the challenges of parenting.

Drawing on their 21+ years together, Rebecca and Seth share candid insights about how their relationship has evolved, particularly as they navigate parenting their three children through different developmental stages. Their conversation explores practical applications of relationship wisdom, combining research-based principles with real-life examples from their marriage. 

Key Takeaways:

→ Communication requires continuous updating as partners grow and change. Couples need to stay curious about each other’s evolving interests, preferences, and dreams. 

→ Small, everyday moments are the big things – simple activities like running errands or spending quality time together create precious memories that strengthen your relationship. 

→ Personal growth within a marriage happens through embracing mistakes as valuable learning experiences rather than sources of shame.
→Taking brief “adult timeouts” when emotionally overwhelmed helps partners regulate and return to discussions more productively.

→ Building a foundation of friendship and genuine affection for your partner fosters resilience in life’s inevitable challenges.

Featured Quotes:

“I think I have a secret decoder ring for marriage…and I think that the code is to really like your partner. We love them, we fell in love with them, we need to stay in love with them. But I like who Seth is.”  – Rebecca Greene

“Change happens in a moment of decision. You made a decision to prioritize your health, and it’s inspiring.”  – Seth Greene

Connect with Whinypaluza:

Website: https://www.whinypaluza.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/

Podcast: https://www.whinypaluza.com/podcast

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What if punishment isn’t the answer? Revolutionizing parenting with a punishment-free approach

In this transformative episode of Whinypaluza, host Rebecca Greene speaks with parenting expert Rebecca Woulfe, author of “The Gift of a Punishment-Free Childhood: A New Way to Parent for a New World.” With over 30 years of experience raising four daughters without using punishment as discipline, Rebecca shares how the Columbine school shooting near her home became a pivotal moment in her parenting philosophy. 

She explains that punishment teaches children that punishment is an acceptable way to control behavior—a lesson she wanted to prevent her children from learning. Throughout the conversation, Rebecca offers practical alternatives to traditional disciplinary methods, emphasizing a teaching approach rather than a controlling one, and shares compelling examples from her “grand experiment” of raising children without punishment.

Key Takeaways

→ Children learn what they live—when we punish them, we teach them that punishment is justified and an acceptable way to control others’ behavior.

→ Punishment-free parenting isn’t a free-for-all but requires more energy, creativity, and engagement, focusing on discipline as a teaching process rather than a control mechanism.

→ Problem-solving versus blaming is essential—staying calm, asking questions, and understanding the underlying issues helps children develop better emotional regulation.

→ Giving children appropriate choices, a voice in decisions, and helping them feel capable builds their confidence and creates more cooperative relationships.

→ Research shows punishment creates more misbehavior, not less, while eroding the parent-child relationship and teaching children to use punitive approaches with others.

Memorable Quotes from Rebecca Woulfe

“What would happen if we didn’t punish our children, if that wasn’t something that they lived as children?”

“When they’re not punished, there’s no adversarial relationship with the parent. We’re in this together. When your child feels like you have their back, they are more likely to want to support your requests.”

How to Reach Rebecca Woulfe

Website: RebeccaWoulfe.com

Book: “The Gift of a Punishment-Free Childhood: A New Way to Parent for a New World” – Available on Amazon as print, e-book, and audiobook

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When your spouse handles all the travel planning, how do you suddenly navigate airports and ride-sharing apps on your own?

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Rebecca Greene shares her spring break adventures with her daughter, Lillie, in Orlando, while reflecting on how family vacations evolve as children grow older. After a family trip to Ithaca for her son Max’s Cornell acceptance weekend, Rebecca and Lillie embarked on their mother-daughter Disney adventure, while her husband, Seth, stayed home with their older children.

Key Takeaways:

→ Parents shouldn’t feel obligated to make vacations democratic – it’s okay to make executive decisions about family trips

→ One-on-one trips with individual children create special bonding experiences that aren’t possible in larger family groups

→ As children grow older, family members develop different vacation preferences that may require flexible arrangements

→ It’s important to learn all travel skills rather than relying completely on your partner – from airport navigation to using ride-sharing apps

→ Being “present where your feet are” makes for more meaningful experiences with whoever you’re with in the moment

Notable Quotes from Rebecca:

 “I need to just enjoy whoever I’m with 100% and that’s hugely different, because it used to be all of us together all the time.” 

“Don’t sit back and let your husband do things, because then you don’t know how to do things. We gotta pay attention people.”

Connect with Rebecca Greene:

• Join the Whinypaluza Mom Group on Facebook for free support and community
• Visit https://www.whinypaluza.com/ to find Rebecca’s link tree with all her resources
• Sign up for her three-times-weekly email newsletter

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Can your child’s emotional meltdowns actually be opportunities for powerful connection and growth?

In this insightful episode, Dr. Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang join Rebecca to discuss their upcoming book, “The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8.” They share practical strategies for helping children manage their emotions while strengthening the parent-child connection. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal parenting experiences, they offer compassionate advice for parents feeling overwhelmed by their children’s big emotions and provide actionable tools that families can use immediately.

Key Takeaways:

→ Co-regulation is foundational to self-regulation: Children learn to manage their emotions through their parents’ calm, supportive presence during moments of distress, starting from infancy.

→ Parents must regulate themselves first: To help children with emotional regulation, parents need strategies to stay calm during challenging moments. Setting this foundation consistently over time is more effective than quick fixes.

→ The 5-8 age group is uniquely challenging: These children appear more capable but still lack problem-solving skills and emotional perspective, creating a gap between expectations and abilities.

→ Playfulness is powerful: Even just 5 minutes of play builds connection, which motivates children to maintain or return to regulated states when emotions run high.

→ Repair is essential: When parents make mistakes (we all do!), acknowledging them and discussing them later creates valuable learning opportunities and models healthy emotional management.

Quotes from the Guests:

“Any parent is capable of this. If you’re worried about doing this right, you’re already in a good place because it means you’re thinking about it. You care about supporting your child.” – Dr. Kahlila Robinson

“Children five to eight, they’re pretty young still, and they really need their parents. It’s very important that the parents have a certain comfort and mindset around helping their children regulate.” – Sarah Gerstenzang

The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8 Available April 15, 2025 on Amazon and select bookstores Publisher: Ulysses Press

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Can changing your mindset actually lead to fewer days that suck?

Deborah Mallow, known as “Your Ray of Sunshine,” joins Rebecca Greene to share her transformative approach to positive thinking and mindset coaching. As the founder of the Daily Decisions Positive Energy Club and creator of the “6 Steps to Fewer Days that Suck,” Deborah reveals practical strategies that can help anyone reduce stress, break negative habits, and find more joy in everyday life.

In this uplifting conversation, Deborah explains how our brains naturally prioritize negative information (the “caveman brain negativity bias”) and offers simple but powerful techniques to retrain our thinking. From giving yourself permission to be imperfect to flipping negative self-talk into positive affirmations, Deborah’s compassionate approach helps listeners understand why 91% of what we worry about never happens and how we can focus our energy on what truly matters.

Key Takeaways:

→ Give yourself permission to say “I am enough” and “I do my best” instead of being overly self-critical – this simple mindset shift can transform your daily happiness.

→ Our brains seek patterns and tend to prioritize negative information over positive; with practice, we can retrain our minds to focus on positive patterns instead.

→ Taking a pause before reacting to stressful situations helps break the “domino effect” on negative emotions and prevents regret later.

→ Procrastination creates unnecessary stress – breaking tasks into small, manageable steps and celebrating each completion builds momentum and confidence.

→ Instead of being jealous of others’ achievements, be curious about what positive changes you can make in your own life and what opportunities might be around the corner.

Quotes from Deborah:

“Comfort zone isn’t comfortable. The repetitive patterns we fall into might feel safe, but they’re actually keeping us stuck and preventing growth.”

“We cause ourselves stress. It becomes a pattern that develops over time, and we need to give ourselves permission to stop it, to take a step back and not go there.”

How to Connect with Deborah Mallow:

Website: thedailydecisions.com

Join her Positive Energy Club: thedailydecisions.com/inspire

Book: “6 Steps to Fewer Days that Suck” – Available on Amazon in April

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Are you spending too much time with your feelings instead of solving the problem?

In this enlightening fan favorite episode of Whinypaluza Wednesday, Rebecca and Seth Greene dive into effective problem-solving strategies inspired by Rebecca’s interview with Leslie Cohen Ruby. The couple candidly compares their contrasting approaches to handling life’s challenges – Seth’s direct “solve it yesterday” methodology versus Rebecca’s tendency to process emotions first. Through personal examples and lighthearted banter, they explore the five ways to respond to problems, including solving them directly, reframing your perspective, accepting the situation, doing nothing, or potentially making things worse.

5 Key Takeaways:

🔍 Identify the problem clearly first, then consider multiple options before choosing the best solution.

⏱️ Setting a time limit for feeling upset (like Seth’s “two minutes to be upset” rule) can help you move more quickly to productive problem-solving.

🧠 Sometimes changing how you view a problem (reframing) can eliminate the negative emotions entirely.

🤝 Different problem-solving styles can complement each other in relationships – Seth’s quick action balances Rebecca’s emotional processing.

🚫 Simply accepting certain problems (like Rebecca’s son’s early lunch schedule) is sometimes the most effective response.

“I am freaking human. I’m going to get upset. Yes, I’m never going to be perfect. Trying to achieve that will just set me up for failure.” – Rebecca Greene

“I want to spend 5% of time on the problem and 95% on the solution.” – Seth Greene

Listen to this week’s fan favorite episode to discover how to balance emotional processing with effective problem-solving!

How do YOU typically respond to problems?

Let us know in the comments below!

#WhinypaluzaWednesday #ProblemSolving #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #RelationshipAdvice

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 What if your exhaustion, anxiety, and chronic stress weren’t from your job or parenting—but from your marriage?

🎧

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver joins Rebecca Greene to share her journey through a toxic, narcissistic marriage and how it led her to a life-changing mission: helping high-achieving women break free from emotional abuse. Dr. Cynthia discusses the hidden signs of narcissistic relationships, how women can begin to set boundaries, and why healing starts with believing your own truth. Through raw honesty and expert insight, she offers hope, validation, and a roadmap toward thriving after surviving.

🖋️ 5 Key Takeaways:

➤ Narcissistic abuse often hides behind a charming public facade, making victims feel isolated and disbelieved.

➤ Chronic stress and burnout in women may stem more from emotional abuse than from external responsibilities.

➤ Boundary setting with a narcissistic partner must be clear, non-emotional, and above all—safe.

➤ Grieving a toxic marriage is valid and complex; healing requires time, compassion, and community.

➤ Helping children recognize unhealthy dynamics is essential in breaking generational cycles of abuse.

💬 Quote of the Episode:

“You have to go through the grief to get to the other side. And on that other side—there’s relief, peace, and your true self waiting for you.” – Dr. Cynthia Hawver

💡This episode is a must-listen for any woman questioning her relationship, feeling emotionally depleted, or silently wondering if something more is going on behind closed doors. Dr. Cynthia’s story reminds us that leaving isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a stronger, freer version of yourself.

🌐 Connect with Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver:

🔗 Website: www.drcynthiahawver.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drcynthiahawver

🔗 Facebook: facebook.com/drcynthiaedwardshawver

🔗 Instagram: instagram.com/dr.cynthiahawver

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🔥 What does earning a third-degree black belt in Krav Maga teach you about discipline, perseverance, and becoming a better partner and parent?

🎧 In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Rebecca Greene sits down with her husband, Seth Greene, to celebrate his incredible achievement: earning his third-degree black belt in Krav Maga. But this conversation goes far beyond martial arts. Together, they reflect on the lessons learned through years of training — lessons about discipline, mindset, emotional control, and showing up for your family.

Rebecca shares her observations as both a proud wife and an insightful host. At the same time, Seth opens up about the mental and physical challenges of boot camp, the power of community, and how martial arts have shaped his personal growth. From staying calm in chaos to pacing yourself through pain, this episode is a masterclass in resilience — and in love.

💡 Key Takeaways:

➡️ Discipline is a daily practice, not a one-time decision.

➡️ Growth comes from pushing through the uncomfortable moments.

➡️ Strength includes knowing when to hold back and protect others.

➡️ Mental perseverance is more powerful than physical stamina.

➡️ Mastery is a mindset — there’s always more to learn.

🗣️ Quotes to Remember:

Seth Greene:

“Just one more move… I made every little step a win. Because if you think about everything you have to do, you get overwhelmed and want to quit.”

Rebecca Greene:

“Perseverance is the real black belt. And what moved me most was not just that you passed, but that you helped others through it.”

💕 Why This Episode Matters:

This isn’t just about martial arts — it’s about showing up consistently, embracing growth, and becoming the kind of person your family can count on. Rebecca and Seth’s love and mutual respect shine through in every moment of this episode, reminding listeners that success is not just about the end goal. It’s about who you become along the way.

📢 Connect with Seth Greene:

🌐 MarketDominationLLC.com

🎙️ Co-host of The Sharkpreneur Podcast

📚 Author of 9 bestselling books

📷 LinkedIn – Seth Greene

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or Facebook.

Rebecca’s Linktr.ee  https://linktr.ee/whinypaluzamom

💌 Know someone who’s working toward a big goal or needs inspiration?

Share this episode with them — it’s full of lessons on strength, humility, and heart.

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What if your trauma doesn’t count you out, but actually gives you superpowers to achieve more than you ever thought possible?

In this enlightening conversation, clinical psychologist Dr. Charlynn Ruan shares her expertise on women’s mental health, especially for high-achieving women and female founders. She explains how trauma can become a catalyst for growth rather than a limitation, discusses the unique mental health challenges women face throughout different life stages, and offers practical advice for ADHD, insomnia, and reaching peak performance.

Dr. Ruan provides insight into how our brains process trauma and how treatments like EMDR can help release trapped trauma. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, sleep issues, or simply want to optimize your performance, this episode offers valuable guidance on understanding your brain and body to create strategies that work for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

→ Trauma can be a powerful catalyst for growth rather than a limitation – Post-Traumatic Growth is real. When we use difficult experiences to grow, we can become “wiser, faster, smarter” and accomplish incredible things.

→ EMDR therapy helps process trapped trauma by moving memories from the reactive amygdala to the “filing cabinet” hippocampus, making them less triggering.

→ Women’s sleep struggles often stem from biological differences, hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause, and evolutionary roles as caregivers – understanding these factors is crucial for finding effective solutions.

→ ADHD presents differently in women than men, often overlooked because symptoms don’t match the hyperactive stereotype – adult women with ADHD frequently internalize shame messages about being “lazy,” “messy,” or “unable to follow through.”

→ High-achieving women need to treat themselves like race cars with proper maintenance and support teams – it’s not about slowing down but ensuring all systems are optimized for sustained performance.

QUOTES FROM DR. CHARLYNN RUAN

“You know you have trauma if you feel like sometimes you lose your free will. You’re walking along in the world, you see something, and then all of a sudden you interact with somebody, and then you feel like a child—feel like a child as opposed to the powerful woman that you are.”

“I see you’re a race car, and the answer isn’t going to be tootling down the back lane, but you have to know that you can’t have these loose bolts on your car rattling, because that’s going to cause a crash. Get early about listening to what your nervous system needs.”

CONNECT WITH DR. CHARLYNN RUAN

•  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcharlynnruan
•  https://www.facebook.com/ThrivePsychologyGroup/

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