175: A Game-Changing Toolkit to Help Kids Conquer Worry and Build Courage

The Best of You

The world has changed, and raising kids now requires a new kind of courage.

In this encouraging, yet practical episode, Dr. Alison is joined by counselors and best-selling authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas of Daystar Counseling in Nashville.

Together, they discuss why anxiety is showing up earlier and more intensely in children, and how parents can respond with both empathy and practical tools.

Sissy and David share practical & creative ways they’re helping kids build courage, resilience, self-control, and perspective. From therapy dogs and illustrated children’s books, to powerful stories from their counseling practice, Sissy and David deliver hopeful reminders that your calm matters, and practical strategies can help your kids step into the world with more confidence.

This episode explores:

• Why childhood anxiety is rising, and how it looks different in boys and girls

• The surprising ways technology impacts emotional health

• The unintended consequence of overprotective parenting

• Practical tools that help kids develop resilience, risk-taking, and healthy coping

• When to seek counseling for your child

This episode is a hopeful reminder: Kids don’t need a perfect parent. They need a present one who believes in their courage and helps them practice it.

For More from David and Sissy: Check out their website, https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com and pre-order the DayStar Dogs books here:

📚Pippa Learns to Share the Spotlight: A Lesson About Jealousy

📚Happy Finds Her Calm: A Lesson in Self-Control

📥 Grab your 3 free Boundaries For Your Soul resources here:

📥 Download Alison’s free printable with the five boundary tools when you sign up for her weekly email.

Here are some other episodes you might like :

Episode 65: Vulnerability, Parenting, and Letting Go of Control

Episode 85: The Goal of a Healthy Family & 6 Roles We Take On In Dysfunction

📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here

💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.

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Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍

© 2025 Alison Cook. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please do not copy or share the contents of this webpage or transcript without permission from the author.

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