138: Inspire Health Podcast with Dr Jason Loken - Episode 138138: Inspire Health Podcast with Dr Jason Loken - Episode 138
UK Health Radio Podcast
Dr Jason Loken and Taya speak with Dr Larry Palevsky about building spiritual resilience in children by allowing them to experience discomfort safely and honestly. The conversation links parenting, trauma recovery and critical thinking, with stories that show how small day-to-day choices can shape a child’s capacity to cope with life’s challenges.
51:05•2 Aug 2026
Building Spiritual Resilience in Kids: Dr Larry Palevsky on Parenting, Trauma and Tough Feelings
Episode Overview
- Resilience in children includes a spiritual dimension, moving from “I want, I get or I die” to “I don’t always get, and I’m still okay”.
- Parents build resilience by allowing children to feel discomfort safely instead of constantly soothing it away with distractions or rewards.
- Comfort and discomfort both have a beginning, middle and end; children need direct experience of this rather than having every struggle removed.
- Answering every question for a child makes them see life only through adult eyes; reflecting questions back encourages curiosity and creativity.
- Parents’ own ability to stay with uncomfortable sensations and emotions strongly influences how well they can support their children’s growth.
“Comfort exists. Discomfort exists. And neither lasts.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction, stress and overload in their own families? This conversation on the Inspire Health Podcast heads straight into the heart of parenting, trauma recovery and what Dr. Larry Palevsky calls “spiritual resilience”. Speaking with host Dr Jason Loken and co-host Taya, Dr. Palevsky – a New York state licensed paediatrician with decades of experience – shares how resilience in kids starts much earlier than most people think.
He adds a fourth pillar to the usual physical, mental and emotional mix: the spiritual side. For him, this means helping children move from the baby brain of “I want equals I get or I die” to the adult awareness of “I want, I don’t always get, I’m okay, life is still good”. The talk ranges from tantrums in the consulting room to grandparents over-protecting teens.
One standout moment is his story of a boy having a meltdown because he can’t leave the office. Instead of bribing him with toys, Dr. Palevsky calmly says, “Comfort exists. Discomfort exists. And neither lasts,” then lets the child feel upset while staying connected and kind. It’s a live demonstration of how kids learn that tough feelings won’t actually destroy them.
There’s plenty here for parents in recovery or anyone trying to raise emotionally sturdy kids while healing their own wounds. Taya shares her meditation practice and how sitting through intense physical discomfort helped her see why blocking every sad or angry feeling in her children would backfire. If you’ve ever rushed in with “crayons” – snacks, screens, treats – to stop tears, this episode gently asks: what if sitting with discomfort is the real gift?
And how might that change the way the next generation relates to stress, cravings and life’s rough patches?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.