Parenting without Punishment: Tools for Positive Discipline

When a child misbehaves, what's the most effective response? For generations, many parents relied on punishment as the primary tool for discipline. Today, growing evidence points to a different approach. Hosted by acclaimed psychologists Dr. Leslie Roos and Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, this episode explores the science behind discipline, what children's behaviour is really telling us, and practical strategies that help families move beyond punishment toward teaching, learning, and connection

About the Podcast
Parenting is one of life's greatest joys, and one of its greatest challenges. Every day brings new questions, and every family is different.
Hosted by psychologists Dr. Leslie Roos and Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen, You're Doing It Right is where science meets real life. Across this 12-part series, they explore the topics parents ask about most - from sleep and behaviour to emotional regulation, screen time, family wellness, and mental health.

Each episode combines the latest research, expert guests, and practical strategies to help parents navigate everyday challenges with greater confidence and less stress.

At the heart of the podcast is a simple belief: parenting was never meant to be done alone. Our goal is to provide trusted information, compassionate support, and practical tools that help families thrive.

Because parenting isn't about perfection - it's about showing up, learning as you go, and remembering that you're doing better than you think.
Subscribe and join us each week for conversations that remind parents, in more ways than they realize, they're doing it right.

About the Hosts

Dr. Leslie Roos
Dr. Leslie Roos is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of children, youth, and families.

As a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Chair in Implementation Science and co-lead of the PRIME Initiative (Partnering for Research Innovation in Mental Health through eHealth Excellence), she leads innovative research that expands access to evidence-based mental health care for families.

Dr. Roos is also the co-developer of the BEAM program, an accessible digital mental health program designed to support both parents and children through peer connection, coaching, and evidence-based resources. Her research focuses on family mental health, early childhood development, mental health equity, and community-based approaches that translate scientific evidence into practical strategies parents can use every day.

Through her research, clinical work, and commitment to knowledge sharing, Dr. Roos helps families navigate parenting with confidence, compassion, and evidence-based support.

Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen
Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen is a psychologist, researcher, and professor whose work focuses on supporting the mental health and well-being of parents, children, and families.

She is the Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Equity at the University of British Columbia and co-leads several nationally recognized research initiatives, including the Pregnancy During the Pandemic study and the BEAM (Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health) program.

Her research explores how family relationships, sleep, and mental health shape child development, with a focus on creating practical, evidence-based solutions that improve outcomes for families. Drawing on extensive clinical experience in mindfulness, self-compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and emotionally focused interventions, Dr. Tomfohr-Madsen brings a compassionate, research-informed perspective to the realities of parenting.

She is passionate about translating leading-edge research into practical tools that help families build resilience, connection, and well-being.

Guest Experts
Dr. Ashley Stewart-Tufescu is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Social Work and a Registered Social Worker whose research focuses on child and family well-being, parenting, childhood adversity, and the prevention of family violence. Her work spans 19 countries and explores how evidence-based parenting and violence prevention programs can support families across diverse cultural and social contexts. An award-winning researcher, Dr. Stewart-Tufescu collaborates on projects funded by leading Canadian health and research organizations while continuing to work with community-based organizations to support caregivers through trauma-informed approaches.

Resources & Links

• You're Doing It Right Podcast Website
• Connect on Instagram
• Harvard Center for the Developing Child
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Childhood Adversity and Resilience
• Dr. Ashley Stewart-Tufescu Research
• Mosaic

Social Media Clips

CTV Your Morning
Why time outs don’t work | Your Morning
The American Academy Of Pediatrics On Spanking Children: Don't Do It, Ever. : NPR

Next Episode

We're tackling family anger, because every family experiences it, and understanding what's beneath those big emotions can help us respond with greater confidence and connection.

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