Punishment Doesn’t Work: What Actually Helps Kids Thrive with Parenting Coach Bette Alkazian

Parenting doesn’t get easier because life gets calmer — it gets easier when you get calmer inside the chaos.

In today’s episode, Jennifer and Britney sit down with Bette Alkazian, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and parenting coach known for her grounded, practical tools that help parents move through hard moments with more calm, clarity, and connection.

They talk about why we can’t prevent every parenting “crisis,” how to shift from reactive to proactive parenting, and why what we often call “bad behavior” is usually a child communicating an unmet need. Bette also breaks down the difference between punishment vs. natural consequences, how to build emotional intelligence at home, and how screens impact kids’ brains and regulation. Plus: how to stay close to your kids as they grow into teens and adults — without being overbearing.

From wellness rituals and biohacks to beauty truths, travel tips, and style cues, they bring expert guests and signature wit to every conversation. It’s honest, elevated, and just cheeky enough to keep things interesting.

Past Episodes

  • Ep. 25

    Interview – Bette Alkazian, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Parenting Coach

  • Ep. 24

    Interview – Zack Schuler, Cybersecurity Expert

  • Ep. 23

    Interview – Heather McDonald, Comedian, Bestselling Author, and Pop-Culture Powerhouse

  • Ep. 22

    Interview –Dr. Sheri Levy, a functional medicine genetic nutrition specialist and creator of SexyStrongLife®,

  • Ep. 21

    Interview – Dr. Paul Hersh, Therapist, truth-teller, emotional X-ray.

  • Ep. 20

    Interview – Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, Sex Educator and Relationship Expert

  • Ep. 19

    Interview – Michelle Borquez, RN Founder | BODYWRX

  • Ep. 18

    Interview - April Beyer, Founder & CEO of LEVEL Connections

  • Ep. 17

    Interview - Rebecca Maas, Clinical Nutritionist, Naturopathic Herbalist, and Functional Medicine Practitioner

  • Ep. 16

    Interview – Lisa Gache, Etiquette Coach, Lifestyle Expert, and Founder of Beverly Hills Manners

  • Ep. 15

    Interview – Liat Gerszt, Podcast Host of Heal 2 Feel


  • Ep. 014

    BFF Chit Chat

  • Pic of 3 ladies standing

    Ep. 013

    Interview - Dr Etel Leit, Your Love Doctor

  • Ep. 012

    What We're Buying On Social Media


  • Ep 011

    Interview – Kiki Tobar, Founder Kashmir Hair

  • Jay Luchs

    Ep. 010

    Interview – Jay Luchs, Commercial Real Estate Broker

  • Bobby Levsey

    Ep. 009

    Interview – Bobby Levsey, Nutritionist and Personal Trainer

  • Jasmine Khorsandi

    Ep. 008

    Interview – Jasmine Khorsandi, Founder of SonoBreasts

  • Melanie Mandles

    Ep. 006

    Interview – Melanie Mandles, Family Law Attorney

  • Dr. Michael Schwartz, Plastic Surgeon

    Ep. 005

    Interview – Dr. Michael Schwartz

  • Dr. Leila Zafaranchi, OBGYN

    Ep. 004

    Interview – Dr. Leila Zafaranchi

  • John Cataldo & Devin Semler

    Ep. 003

    Interview – John Cataldo & Devin Semler

  • BTS Paris Fashion Week

    Ep. 002

    BTS Paris Fashion Week

  • Brit Semler & Jennifer Cataldo

    Ep. 001

    Brit Semler & Jennifer Cataldo

Two women in pink, fluffy, tulle dresses sitting on a pink velvet sofa, smiling and hugging. Behind them is a marble fireplace with two decorative dog sculptures and a colorful abstract painting with the word 'HAHAHA' repeated in pink and red.

Meet the Hosts

Join hosts Jennifer Cataldo and Britney Semler as they serve up a fabulous podcast for women over 40 who are living louder, laughing harder, and leveling up—on their own terms.