Raising the Next Gen Podcast

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia chats with psychologist Clarissa Ee to explore how becoming parents impacts connection, communication, and conflict between partners. They discuss why relationship satisfaction often declines after kids and how misalignment between parents affects the whole family.
The episode also highlights how the way parents handle conflict becomes a powerful model for their children. Teamwork between couples is emphasized, and you’ll hear practical tools for managing defensiveness, pausing heated arguments, repairing after missteps, and communicating needs without blame.
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Clarissa Ee is a mom of two, a psychologist, and a speaker from Ontario, Canada. Her heart for serving couples comes from the transformation she experienced in her marriage through tools learned from professional training, having personally struggled with fertility challenges and postpartum anxiety, she is passionate about supporting couples who are building their family and navigating parenthood.
Clarissa feels grateful to have supported couples over the past decade through therapy and workshops, and looks forward to helping more couples break generational cycles and build healthier relationships.
Follow and connect with Clarissa on Instagram @renew.your.relationship, LinkedIn and her website.
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia is joined Vicky McGrath, author of The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact and the Tales from the Clinic graphic novel series. Vicky shares how a season of isolation during COVID motivated a creative breakthrough, blending her daughter’s love of animals, a passion for science, and a lifelong appreciation for adventure, magic, and storytelling.
Sonia and Vicky explore graphic novels, citizen science, environmental stewardship, and fostering a sense of wonder, agency, and bravery in kids. This conversation is a reminder that stories can inspire learning, connection, and imagination.
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Vicky McGrath is the International Bestselling author of The Dragon and the Mysterious Artifact, Book One of the Tails from the Clinic novel series. Vicky was inspired to write the novel series by her daughter's desire to become a veterinarian and their shared love of Harry Potter. When she's not writing, Vicky loves spending time with her family, traveling and running with her dog, Archie.
Follow and connect with Vicky on Instagram @vicky.mcgrath and her website, where you will also find her book and learning resources mentioned in the podcast.
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia sits down with holistic wellness specialist, trauma coach, and Reiki Master Preeti Kapoor for an honest conversation about Preeti’s deeply personal journey which was sparked by a heartbreaking question from her young son: “Mom, will you ever be happy again?”
Together, Sonia and Preeti explore what it really takes to connect with teens in a digitally distracted world, why safety matters more than perfection, and how parents’ emotional regulation shapes the entire household. This episode offers practical insights on moving from reacting to responding, releasing guilt and shame, and modelling calm for our kids.
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Preeti turned her own healing journey into a mission to help others thrive. With 20 years as a Reiki Master and 15 years in global HR, she understands both the corporate climb and the soul's calling.
She's that friend who's been through it all - burnout, transformation, and rebirth.  These experiences taught her life's most powerful lesson: within each of us lies the innate power to heal.
As a Past Life Regression therapist, trauma coach, and intuitive guide, she helps leaders move from surviving to thriving.
Her healing programs create safe spaces where women, (both professional and stay-at-home) drop the mask and reclaim their power. She bridges spirituality with modern psychiatry, guiding clients to break through negative patterns and release deep-rooted pain.
As a holistic wellness specialist, she shares transformative knowledge that unveils the mind-body connection, helping people move beyond limiting beliefs into joy and self-acceptance.
Follow and connect with Preeti on Instagram @healinwithin and her website.
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I sit down with motherhood coach and maternal mental health advocate Annalisa Vicente to talk about what it really means to raise emotionally aware, resilient kids while caring for our own wellbeing.
Together, we explore how to model vulnerability, build real human connection in a digital world, and nurture family bonds through simple shared experiences. Annalisa also opens up about her personal journey parenting with bipolar disorder and the powerful lessons she’s learned about self-compassion, rest, and letting go of the “perfect mom” myth.
From toddler tantrums to teen independence, this conversation is a reminder that we don’t have to do it all — and that healing, connection, and growth often begin when we allow ourselves to be seen.
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Annalisa Vicente is a wife and proud mother of two amazing boys. She is an early childhood educator and motherhood coach. Annalisa is a passionate maternal mental health advocate. She is determined to break the stigma around mental illness by normalizing vulnerability. Her journey has been deeply enriched by her work with children with diverse needs and their families, teaching her the profound impact of resilience and compassionate care. Annalisa’s mission is to inspire women in community, through meaningful connections, and creative expression to strengthen their self-compassion so that they feel seen, heard, and heal.
Connect with Annalisa on Instagram @thriving.mama.coach, LinkedIn and her website.
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I welcome Irina Cazazaeva, a Hollywood nutrition and mindset coach, to explore how personalized nutrition and daily habits can help families thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Irina shares her science-based approach to eating for your unique body chemistry, from balancing hormones to preventing inflammation, and how even “healthy” foods can sometimes do more harm than good. We discuss both wins and struggles, from helping tweens eat better without nagging to tackling posture, screen fatigue, and energy crashes. Irina also opens up about her daughter’s food sensitivities, the surprising discoveries from DNA testing, and how they’re learning to navigate gluten-free living together. 
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Working with Hollywood actors as a nutrition and mindset coach, Irina Cazazaeva creates science-based, personalized strategies that fit seamlessly into busy lives - helping clients boost energy, shed excess weight, slow down ageing with minimal efforts by aligning nutrition and lifestyle with individual body chemistry.
She believes that even "healthy" foods can cause inflammation if they are not right for your body, leading to deficiencies that impact cellular renewal and long-term health. By optimizing nutrient intake, hormonal balance, detox pathways, and more, her clients eliminate cravings, feel energized, and achieve their ideal weight-without restrictive diets.
Irina gives them the tools to live longer, look younger, and feel happier through sustainable lifestyle changes. With a university degree and training in nutrition, naturopathy, neuroscience, cooking with superfoods, TCM, Irina is a lifelong learner committed to help others thrive.
Follow and connect with Irina on Instagram @hollywoodbodymethod, YouTube and her website.
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Resources:
Irina's bestselling book Hollywood Body Method: Practical Steps for a Sustainable, Healthy Lifestyle to Look Younger and Feel Your Best
Irina's Lemon Protein Gummy recipe
Easy Protein Snacks For Active Kids And Parents
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It was Thanksgiving this past weekend in Canada, and each time this holiday rolls around, I am reminded of how a painful accident turned into a lesson in gratitude, perspective and the need to slow down. In this short episode, I share what happened to me and how it changed it me for the better. 
As I recall this time in my life, I'm reminded of the book The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, and how being grateful for how far we've come vs. dwelling on how we're falling short was transformational for me.
Tune in and find a simple exercise you and your family can use to help each other slow down, reflect and take stock of your progress - big and small.
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I sit down with leadership coach and author Leisse Wilcox to talk about how everyday family rituals—especially shared meals—can shape emotionally aware, resilient, and confident kids. We explore why family dinners matter more than ever in the age of AI, how to make space for connection amid busy schedules, and how to approach uncomfortable but essential conversations with teens.
Leisse shares her perspective as both a mom of three and a leadership expert on why slowing down, creating white space, and prioritizing human connection at the table can help kids develop the communication and confidence skills they’ll need for life.
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Leisse Wilcox transforms leadership by helping you become the leader everyone wants to work with.
An expert in behavioral change, resilience, and high-performance leadership, she’s known as “the Secret Weapon of the C-Suite” and “the Marie Kondo of Your Unconscious.” She helps leaders clear mental clutter, navigate change, and future-proof their leadership for long-term success.
A Forbes contributor and trusted by brands like TD, AGF, Aviva, and Entrepreneur, Leisse empowers leaders to create human-centered workplaces where people thrive. As an award-winning speaker, certified Leadership, Executive, and Organizational Development Coach, cancer survivor, and twice-bestselling mental health author, she champions mental well-being, confident communication, and courageous leadership.
When she’s not lighting up the stage, the page, or the internet, you’ll find Leisse road-tripping for tacos with her husband, listening to Taylor Swift with her three daughters, or binge-watching HBO with her dog.
Follow and connect with Leisse on Instagram ⁠@leissewilcox⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Find out about her work on her ⁠website⁠, and see here speaking ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠.
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, I sit down with Alanna Negri, a dream maker, education advisor, and regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, to explore how parents and teens can navigate the often overwhelming journey of post-secondary education. Alanna shares wisdom from 25 years of experience helping students discover their passions, bridge the gap between parental expectations and personal dreams, and create meaningful education pathways.
We discuss how exploration, curiosity, and hands-on experiences like co-ops and study abroad programs can shape more confident, self-aware learners. Alanna highlights the growing flexibility in education, from online high school credits to immersive international programs where students can study subjects like English or history abroad.
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Follow and connect with Alanna on Instagram @alannanegri ⁠⁠and find out about her programs and services to assist teens and parents on her website at Tru Education. 
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In Season Two, I share life lately, from supporting my daughter’s transition to high school to caring for my aging parents, and doing it while finding new ways to balance “full days” versus “busy days.” Through my reflections, I explore how shifting mindset and priorities can transform overwhelm into gratitude and connection.
You’ll also get a preview of new guest episodes and I'd love for you to provide feedback on the topics that matter most to you with this survey.
If you missed episodes frome Season 1, you can find easy links to them with the new highlight in my Instagram profile @raisingthenextgen_
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In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, Sonia Dong speaks with Dr. Jennifer Noble (aka Dr. Jen), a clinical psychologist specializing in teens and mixed race identity. Dr. Jen shares valuable insights from her work with adolescents and parents and the complexities of identity, belonging, and independence during the tween and teen years.
Dr. Jen explains how mixed race teens often face additional layers of identity exploration and misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of cultural exposure, validation, and access to diverse communities. 
Together, Sonia and Dr. Jen dismantle stereotypes of adolescence as a “difficult stage” and offer practical, compassionate guidance for parents seeking to better understand, support, and connect with their teens. 
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Dr. Jennifer Noble is a child/adolescent psychologist with a private practice specializing in teens as well as women of colour. She is also a coach for parents raising mixed race kids.
Follow and connect with Dr. Jen on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about Dr. Jen's ⁠Free to Be Collective community⁠ and her services on her ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.
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