Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman12 Nov 2025

Parenting a Spicy Child? How to Use Movement to Find Calm and Connection

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

October Retreats 2026

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(209)

Too Much Sitting, "Spiky" Cholesterol, and Heart Disease

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack emerging research on heart disease, inflammation, cholesterol, and arterial plaque. Inspired by a recent Scientific American article, ...

24 Jun 53min

What Your Husband, Brother, Son, or Dad Might Need to Know About Movement

This is the Men’s Health episode in honour of Father’s Day this month.Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr Jeannette Loram discuss health issues more common in male bodies, including abdominal ao...

10 Jun 47min

Good Vibrations: Walking, Running, Minimal Shoes & Vibration Plates

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr Jeannette Loram explore the fascinating world of vibration: the benefits and costs of impact to the body and the importance of sensing vibration in humans and...

27 Mai 1h 20min

Pelvic Alignment: Constipation, Sacral Pain & Sexual Health

Biomechanist Katy Bowman speaks with physical therapist Dr Anietie (Tia) Ukpe-Wallace about pelvic health, movement, and self-care.They discuss Tia’s recent book, Tending To Your Womb, a guide to cari...

13 Mai 56min

Beyond Lifespan and Healthspan: The Case for Joyspan

Biomechanist Katy Bowman speaks with gerontologist and author Dr. Kerry Burnight about her concept of joyspan—a missing piece in how we think about aging well.We often hear about lifespan (how long we...

29 Apr 1h 14min

Determining if you're FRAIL (or "Pre-Frail") and What to do About it

Frailty isn’t just something that happens “later”; it’s a gradual loss of resilience that can begin much earlier than most people think. Katy Bowman and Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack what frailty and pre...

17 Apr 54min

Movement & Disability: Stacking Movement and Education for a Meaningful life

Inspired by a moving letter from a parent of an adult son with autism, biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram explore the relationship between movement, health, and quality of life...

2 Apr 1h 8min

Amenorrhea, Energy Deficiency & the Female Athlete

We dive into the often-overlooked topic of amenorrhea: the absence of menstruation. Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack the science with a focus on Functional Hypothalami...

25 Mar 53min