Parenting Kids in Turbulent Times: Conversations That Build Connection, Courage, and Well-Being

Utah families are raising children in a moment marked by rapid change, heightened stress, and an overwhelming flow of information. Youth today are navigating rising mental-health concerns, the relentless influence of social media, and the emotional impact of community challenges and national events that reach them instantly. Many parents want to talk with their children about these realities but feel unsure where to begin, how much to share, or how to support their kids without increasing fear or anxiety.

This fall webinar brings together three leading Utah experts who work at the intersection of parenting, trauma, youth development, mental health, and family resilience. Together, they will offer research-informed guidance and practical tools for navigating difficult conversations and strengthening emotional safety at home.

Dr. Christy Kane, PsyD, will translate the latest neuroscience and mental-health research into actionable strategies parents can use immediately — including how screen use, anxiety, and modern stressors shape children’s emotional responses. Jessica Holzbauer, LCSW, will bring a trauma-informed lens to understanding how children and teens process stress, uncertainty, and complex social dynamics, and how parents can respond with clarity, compassion, and stability. Dr. Brian Higginbotham, PhD, will share evidence-based practices from decades of family-life research, including how to build connection, foster resilience, and support youth who are struggling.

Topics will include how to initiate meaningful conversations; how sons and daughters may experience stress differently; how to respond when children show signs of anxiety or withdrawal; and how families can create emotionally safe environments in a world that often feels overwhelming. The session will also highlight the role of community, extended family, and social networks in supporting parents and caregivers.

Participants will leave with practical strategies, deeper understanding, and renewed confidence — and with a sense of community support that many parents, grandparents, and caregivers have been seeking but rarely find.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Dr. Christy Kane, PsyD, is a nationally recognized clinical mental health counselor, author, and speaker whose work focuses on strengthening families, improving youth mental health, and helping communities navigate the psychological impact of modern life. She is known for translating complex neuroscience into practical tools parents, educators, and leaders can use immediately. Dr. Kane has advised schools, universities, and government agencies on mental health policy and prevention, and her research and advocacy have shaped statewide conversations about screen use, anxiety, and adolescent well-being. She is the founder of CONNECT, a mental health consulting organization, and a trusted voice for parents seeking clarity, confidence, and connection in turbulent times.

Jessica Holzbauer, MSW, LCSW is a Utah-based social worker and advocate specializing in trauma-informed services, suicide prevention, and family support. She has extensive experience in community organizations providing clinical care to youth affected by trauma, and families navigating crisis. Her background spans clinical practice, case management, and program development across Utah’s social services ecosystem. Jessica’s work centers on evidence-based intervention, survivor-focused support, and interdisciplinary education. Known for strengthening systems that promote long-term safety and healing, she contributes regularly to statewide conversations on youth mental health, social media, and trauma.

Dr. Brian Higginbotham is a Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and a Family Life Specialist with Utah State University Extension. For more than two decades, his work has focused on relationship education, parenting, and family resilience, with an emphasis on evidence-based programs that strengthen families across Utah. He directs Healthy Relationships Utah and provides leadership for statewide initiatives supporting justice-involved individuals, intergenerational poverty efforts, Work Success programs, and child-support policy. His applied research has produced more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and multiple validated assessment tools used nationally. A widely recognized land-grant scholar, he is known for advancing accessible, research-informed resources that promote long-term family well-being.

Moderator:
Dr. Susan R. Madsen is considered one of the top global scholars and thought leaders on the topic of women’s leadership, has authored or edited nine books, and has published hundreds of articles, chapters, and reports. Her research has been cited in the U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Parenting Magazine, Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Washington Post. She is also a regular contributor to Forbes and other local and state newspapers. Professor Madsen is the Professor of Leadership in Extension at Utah State University and serves on many nonprofit and community boards. She is also the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, the visionary behind Utah’s A Bolder Way Forward, and her passion is to strengthen the impact of girls and women in Utah and worldwide.