Why Family Meetings Matter (Podcast Episode 22)

Do you ever feel like you’re too busy to deal with family problems? Or that when you do try to talk, everyone gets too upset?

Welcome to the first episode of our new series, where we introduce the Circle In Family Meeting ToolKit. It’s a simple, weekly 20-30 minute meeting that helps you solve problems, create connections, and plan fun activities with the people you love.

We’ll share how this timeless method, backed by decades of practice, can help you and your family. Family meetings aren’t about lecturing or criticism—they’re about slowing down to build skills like respect and appreciation, so your family can speed up and thrive.

Research shows:

  • Habits like a weekly Family Meeting strengthen children’s brains and teach essential life skills.
  • A reliable, dependable routine for connection and problem-solving calms the nervous system.
  • Weekly family meetings build belonging, reduce sibling conflict, and prove to children their voices matter.

Join us and learn how to create a whole new kind of family dynamic, one filled with collaboration and joy.

💬Join the Conversation: Your ideas and questions matter. Have you tried a family meeting? We’d love to hear your experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly! What questions come up for you?

🙏Subscribe & Rate: If you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to rate and review us wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

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Hosts 

Marjie Longshore, Founder of Family Leadership Center
Paige Trevor, Parent Coach
Special thanks to our editor Max Cotter, and our team Marike Pienaar and Wendy Tracy. You make a valuable difference.

Resources

🎧 Need a refresher on strengths? Listen to Episode 018 Finding Strengths: The Essence of Encouragement
♥️ Marjie shares a personal story about Family Meeting
💻 Read Paige’s blog about sharing family work
📖 The CircleIN podcast from Family Leadership Center is based on Adlerian philosophy, including the work of Dr. Alfred Adler. Dr. Adler’s core needs were translated into The Four Crucial Cs by Drs. Amy Lew and Betty Lou Bettner. The Cs are: Connect (belonging), Capable (movement, progress), Count (significance, mattering), and Courage (encouragement).

  • Ansbacher, H. L., & Ansbacher, R. R. 1956. The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler, Basic Books. New York.
  • Bettner, B.L. & Lew, A. 1989. Raising Kids Who Can. Connexions Press. MA. (available for sale at familyleadershipcenter.org)
  • Dreikurs, R. & Soltz, V. 1964. Children: The Challenge. Hawthorn Books. New York.

Stay Connected

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⚖️Subscribe to Paige’s newsletter 

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