Parenting a Spicy Child? How to Use Movement to Find Calm and Connection
Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman
Nutritious Movement
4.8 • 686 Ratings
🗓️ 12 November 2025
⏱️ 77 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What does it mean to raise — or be — a “spicy one”? In this deeply honest and energizing conversation, Katy Bowman and author Mary Van Geffen unpack what it’s like to parent strong-willed, big-feeling kids (and stay sane while doing it). They discuss how movement can support self-regulation and co-regulation, helping both parent and child navigate intensity with compassion and humor. Together, they look at the role of movement before, during, and after heated moments — as well as the art of knowing when to walk away. This episode offers practical wisdom for growing your “calm muscle” and showing up as the safest person in the room.
Jeannette chats with inventor, designer, and athlete Tyler Benner of Venn Design — the creative mind behind movement-friendly furniture like the Air Chair and the revolutionary barefoot cycling shoe. They explore Tyler’s “genius energy” and how movement awareness informs everything he creates, from furniture to archery tools and innovative footwear.
Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
0:00 – Meet Mary Van Geffen – Parenting insights for “Spicy Ones”
0:05 – What is a “Spicy One”? – Understanding strong-willed, big-feeling kids
0:07 – Regulation & Co-Regulation – How parents and kids navigate intensity together
0:10 – Contagious Emotions & Training your ‘Calm’ Muscle– Mirror neurons in action
0:14 – Quick Regulation Tools – Breathing, sensing, and self-talk
0:19 – Move to Regulate – Using movement before, during, and after heated moments
0:37 – Massage & Connection – Diffusing tension with touch
0:52 – Mary’s Resources – Books, classes, and meditations
0:53 – Meet Tyler Benner & Venn Design – Movement-friendly furniture and innovative tools
0:54 – Dynamic Furniture – Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage motion
0:57 – Genius Energy & Archery – Aligning bones for power and precision
1:04 – Tyler’s Shot Trainer – Archery form and physics made simple
1:07 – Barefoot Cycling Shoes – The first foot-shaped cycling shoes designed for comfort and performance
BOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONED
Parenting A Spicy One: A comprehensive Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid by Mary Van Geffen
Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman
"Movement Hunger" Signals by Katy Bowman
CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN
Join Katy's Newsletter: Movement Colored Glasses
Follow Katy on Substack
Try Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!
About Mary Van Geffen
OUR SPONSOR
Venn Design makes gorgeous, movement-friendly furniture that turns your home into a space that inspires you to move. Strong Feet Athletics’ barefoot cycling shoes give your feet freedom, comfort, and power—say goodbye to cramped toes!
Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.com
Your Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey friends, because you like listening to the sound of my voice, I thought I would let you know that I've just dropped a new audiobook. I know I should exercise, but. Forty-four reasons we don't move and how to get over them. This is the first book ever on fitness psychology. There are many on sports psychology, but not any about this psychology |
| 0:23.0 | of general physical activity and moving more in just everyday life. And this isn't a book about |
| 0:28.9 | psychology written for psychologists. It was written with practicality in mind. There are 44 |
| 0:35.0 | excuses from regular people that have been grouped into seven buckets. |
| 0:40.2 | I'm not motivated. I don't have enough time. I'm too embarrassed. It's uncomfortable. I'm stuck to my |
| 0:47.9 | screen. My environment makes it impossible. And my favorite, it's hard to move with other people. This audiobook is a fun |
| 0:57.2 | listen and don't let the title fool you. It's a book about the way the mind likes to pop in with |
| 1:02.5 | all the thoughts that keep us from doing the movements we both want and need to do. Yes, |
| 1:07.7 | it's also for regular exercises as well as people who hate to move, movement professionals, |
| 1:13.3 | health and psychology professionals, little kid parents, teen parents, dog parents, partners of those |
| 1:20.5 | who love exercise, partners of those who hate exercise. Did I leave anyone out? Oh yeah, me. This book |
| 1:27.2 | has helped me get over my own barriers to |
| 1:29.4 | movement. Yes, I have them too. Through the end of November, you can get this book on sale from my website |
| 1:35.7 | nutritiousmovement.com. Go to the store and then go to audiobooks. And you'll find all my |
| 1:41.2 | audiobooks on sale through the end of the month. Be the first to get it. |
| 1:45.1 | Other platforms will not have this book until October 28th and for more money. |
| 1:50.0 | And P.S., Amazon's Audible only pays publishers 10% of the sale price, |
| 1:54.5 | so when you buy directly from me, a lot more of that goes to the people making and writing |
| 1:59.4 | the book. |
| 2:00.2 | You can also support my |
| 2:01.3 | audiobooks by requesting them from your library. Shout out to all the librarians and libraries |
| 2:07.3 | out there making the world a better place. P.S. All my audiobooks have bloopers. The blooper reel |
... |
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