Parenting When You’re Not OK How to Be Honest and Build Connection with Steven Phillip

06/10/2025 42 min
Parenting When You’re Not OK How to Be Honest and Build Connection with Steven Phillip

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Episode Synopsis

When you’re not OK, your kids don’t need perfection – they need your presence. In this conversation with Steve Phillip of The Jordan Legacy, we talk about how to be honest with your kids on hard days, how to listen first, and how vulnerability at home strengthens attachment, safety, and trust.Steve shares Jordan’s story, the warning signs he wishes he had recognized sooner, and practical ways families can talk about mental health; including how to name suicide responsibly and age-appropriately. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode will help you lead with presence, not performance.Timestamps00:00 Intro – why authenticity matters for parents01:15 Steve’s story – the day everything changed05:30 Two choices after loss – purpose vs. paralysis08:10 Three things parents must know about youth mental health13:05 The signs we missed – sleep, “feeling trapped”, masked distress17:42 How to get educated as a parent – beyond the broken system22:18 Talking about suicide safely – language, age awareness, intent28:40 Getting into your child’s world – listen before you lead33:55 Modelling “I’m not OK today” without oversharing39:20 Building secure attachment through everyday honesty45:02 Family habits that increase connection at home51:10 Workplaces, wellbeing, and present-eeism55:28 Final takeaways – make time, drop the ego, stay closeWhat you’ll learnSimple language to say “I’m not OK” while staying the steady adultEarly signs parents often miss – and how to respondHow to talk about suicide with care and clarityWhy entering your child’s world first changes the conversationDaily family habits that build safety, trust, and connectionWatch next“You Don’t Need Perfect Words – You Need to Show Up”“How to Listen So Your Teen Feels Safe”“Connection over Control: Getting on Their Turf”👉 If this helped, subscribe for more parent education, youth mental health, and family connection conversations. Comment with one way you’ll model healthy vulnerability this week.GuestSteve Phillip – Founder, The Jordan Legacy. Speaker and advisor on workplace wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.https://www.stevephilliptalks.com/👉SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC5ApSFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBW New releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Connect with me for more parenting insights and support: Instagram: / drsuzannesimpson LinkedIn: / dr-suzanne-simpson ...

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