Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity

Are you a grandparent watching your grandchild spiral after a bad grade, wondering how to lift the heaviness of trauma without passing on your own survival anxieties? Do you recognize yourself in the urge to fix, micromanage, or praise only perfect outcomes—while quietly wishing for deeper connection and resilience in your home?
I’m Laura Brazan, and I know what it’s like to see a child caught between perfectionism and complete shutdown, especially in kinship care. The old rules—pushing harder, rewarding only achievements, and bottling up our struggles—don’t build true strength. They create hypervigilance and reinforce a belief that worth equals performance.
That’s why, on this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Through Adversity,' we welcome Dr. Carla Caturia, elite mental performance coach, mother, and creator of the RISE Framework. Drawing from over 20 years of experience guiding families through trauma and growth, Dr. Carla shares practical insights for breaking the “success without self” trap our systems unknowingly enforce. She explores how to praise effort over outcome, help our children build identity and autonomy, and—most importantly—regulate our own emotions before trying to shape theirs.
You’ll learn actionable tools like the 5 C’s for challenging negative self-talk and how to model vulnerability, growth mindset, and healthy boundaries at home. Dr. Carla shows that by validating feelings and encouraging authentic effort, we can nurture self-worth and emotional safety—regardless of what’s on the report card.
Join our community of grandparents rewriting family legacies, one healing, growth-minded conversation at a time. Your voice and story deserve to be heard. Together, we’ll transform adversity into strength, for ourselves and the children we love.
Send us Fan Mail
So many caregivers are doing what may seem the impossible to others. Here's one from this week. You all are my heroes! Share your story. It matters!
New! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support Circle! Starting Wednesday, October 7th, we meet every other Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern.
A peer-first, confidential space—free from cross-talk, judgment, or unsolicited advice. Guided by certified therapists, specialized family coaches, and counselors who truly understand kinship care.
I want to know how you’re doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other!

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
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The kitchen table is not a hiding place—it’s your boardroom. Grandparents and kin caregivers are not just enduring the fallout of a broken system; you are the frontline, demanding justice, resources, and lasting change for your families. The days of surviving in silence are finished. This episode arms you with real-world strategies, radically honest language, and a call to challenge every system that fails our kids.
Dr. Janet Rosenzweig, a nationally recognized child welfare expert and author, joins us with the unfiltered truth and the actionable playbook you need to transition from quiet survivor to a grassroots leader fighting for trauma-informed policy, Medicaid protection, and economic justice.
Key Takeaways:
Expose the Hidden Foster Care Crisis: We unveil how kinship families shoulder trauma while states downplay their sacrifice—and why keeping quiet only helps abusers and bureaucrats.
Demand Economic Equity and System Reform: Discover why Medicaid, housing, and funding for trauma services aren’t frills or favors—they are non-negotiable rights for every kin caregiver.
Hold Every Institution Accountable: Get the concrete steps to interrogate youth organizations and schools, making safety, transparency, and accountability the new standard.
Break Silence, Build Safety: Learn why using real language and setting clear household boundaries dismantles shame, empowers children, and disrupts cycles of abuse.
Dr. Janet Rosenzweig brings a lifetime of expertise in child welfare, sex education, and public policy. With advanced degrees from Rutgers and Harvard’s Kennedy School, she has led at the state and national level, advised public and private organizations, and authored The Sex-Wise Parent, a trusted guide for caregivers determined to protect and empower children with resilience and knowledge. Dr. Rosenzweig is relentless in her advocacy for trauma-informed systems and practical, honest resources for families.
Order her book, "The Sex-Wise Parent" and find empowering resources at www.sexwiseparent.com.
Your call to action:
Share your story, contact your representatives, and pass this episode to others who refuse to accept silence and shame as protection. Change starts at your kitchen table. The reform our children deserve begins now.
Send us Fan Mail
So many caregivers are doing what may seem the impossible to others. Here's one from this week. You all are my heroes! Share your story. It matters!
New! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support Circle! Starting Wednesday, October 7th, we meet every other Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern.
A peer-first, confidential space—free from cross-talk, judgment, or unsolicited advice. Guided by certified therapists, specialized family coaches, and counselors who truly understand kinship care.
I want to know how you’re doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other!

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Are you a grandparent raising a neurodivergent grandchild, feeling both proud and anxious as high school graduation approaches? Have you spent years protecting them, only to realize that the transition to college is a daunting cliff, stripping away the legal protections and daily support they’ve relied on? Does the idea of sending them into a maze of unfamiliar systems, forced to self-advocate overnight, fill you with dread and uncertainty?
You’re not alone in facing these challenges. Many of us have devoted ourselves to fighting for our grandchild’s rights—endless IEP meetings, constant emails, staying vigilant with school portals—all out of deep love and a desire to shield them from harm. But when the safety net disappears after graduation, it’s not enough to simply protect; we must equip our grandchildren to become their own best advocates.
Welcome to “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.” On this podcast, we delve into the complexities of kinship care—especially when supporting neurodivergent children and those navigating trauma. You’ll hear from experts like Dr. Tara Williams, a trailblazer in higher education and a champion for students with disabilities, who shares practical strategies for building self-advocacy and implementing universal design at home.
Together, we’ll examine every stage of this journey, from the emotional reality of letting go to concrete steps parents and grandparents can take to bridge the gap between K–12 protections and college independence. Discover stories of hope, insight, and resilience from families just like yours. We’re here to offer not just advice, but a community of support and understanding.
Read more here about Dr. Williams and the Innovative Collegiate Consultants team. 
Join me as we empower both ourselves and our grandchildren to navigate uncharted territory and create brighter futures—side by side, never alone.
Send us Fan Mail
So many caregivers are doing what may seem the impossible to others. Here's one from this week. You all are my heroes! Share your story. It matters!
New! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support Circle! Starting Wednesday, October 7th, we meet every other Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern.
A peer-first, confidential space—free from cross-talk, judgment, or unsolicited advice. Guided by certified therapists, specialized family coaches, and counselors who truly understand kinship care.
I want to know how you’re doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other!

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Are you a grandparent who finds yourself thrust into parenting once more, often on short notice and without a clear roadmap? Do you wake up exhausted, tending to children who have walked through trauma, while your own dreams and routines fade into the background? Are you longing for steadiness amid the emotional storms—conflicts, diagnoses, behavioral challenges—that seem to erupt daily in your household? The strain of kinship caregiving, coupled with personal loss or change, can feel endless and isolating, especially when old wounds and perfectionism rise to the surface.
I’m Laura, and like many of you, I never expected to be leading a second family in this season of life. Navigating complicated family histories, the heartbreak of loss, and the friction of daily caregiving, I’ve discovered that my patterns of stress and autopilot weren’t created by parenting—they were simply exposed. The journey of raising my husband’s grandchildren has pushed me to confront deep-seated beliefs about control, resilience, and what it means to lead with grace.
Welcome to ‘Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.’ On this podcast, we explore the unique journey of kinship caregivers. You’ll hear honest conversations with those who know this path, as well as practical tools from trauma experts like Lati Ganem to help you identify and regulate your triggers, hold boundaries with empathy, and model healthy leadership at home. We don’t promise perfection—just a supportive community where your struggles, victories, and hopes are understood and valued.
Join us as we rewrite the future for our families—one grounded, courageous step at a time—and discover that, together, we are not just a safety net, but the solution.
Send us Fan Mail
So many caregivers are doing what may seem the impossible to others. Here's one from this week. You all are my heroes! Share your story. It matters!
New! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support Circle! Starting Wednesday, October 7th, we meet every other Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern.
A peer-first, confidential space—free from cross-talk, judgment, or unsolicited advice. Guided by certified therapists, specialized family coaches, and counselors who truly understand kinship care.
I want to know how you’re doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other!

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Are you a grandparent who suddenly became the anchor for your grandchildren’s future, feeling as if your living room has transformed overnight into a command center? Are you buried under legal forms, switching between crisis management and nurturing, and wondering if anyone sees the full scope of what you’re carrying? The reality of kinship care can feel like running a multi-department enterprise in the dark, all while holding together the threads of family.
Eleven years ago, Dr. Kristy Smith and her husband went from celebrating their empty nest to welcoming two grandsons into their home, changing their retirement plans in a matter of days. With three business degrees and decades leading in HR and project management, nothing prepared her for the emotional and logistical challenge of navigating foster systems in three different states, making quick decisions with stakes higher than any boardroom. For more information on Dr Smith, to puchase her books, please visit her website.
Welcome to "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity." This podcast is your community—a place where your lived experience is honored, your struggles seen, and your triumphs celebrated. Here, you’ll find authentic conversation and expert insights on legal, financial, and emotional issues. We’ll talk with those who understand the complexities of raising children who have experienced trauma, and we’ll share strategies to create stability and love, even in uncertain times.
You are not alone in this journey. Together, let’s rewrite our families’ futures by sharing stories, best practices, and hope—so you can lead your home with the heart and resilience of a true executive, surrounded by a network that understands.
Send us Fan Mail
So many caregivers are doing what may seem the impossible to others. Here's one from this week. You all are my heroes! Share your story. It matters!
New! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support Circle! Starting Wednesday, October 7th, we meet every other Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern.
A peer-first, confidential space—free from cross-talk, judgment, or unsolicited advice. Guided by certified therapists, specialized family coaches, and counselors who truly understand kinship care.
I want to know how you’re doing. Is the podcast giving you what you need? What support are you missing most right now? Send me a Direct Message on Facebook or Instagram or email me directly at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org. I read and reply to every message because this community is built on supporting each other!

Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg

Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden 
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook