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Krystal Burrell

Parenting With...

A Government podcast

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About the show

Parenting can be beautiful. It can also be messy, exhausting, heartbreaking and healing, often all in the same day. Hosted by Krystal Burrell, a trauma and attachment specialist, mum of three, kui of one and aunty to many, this podcast explores the real stories behind family life. From the everyday wins and worries to the deeper impact of trauma, connection and the systems that shape parenting, no topic is off limits in Parenting With... Often joined by her daughter, Harmony Hanover, who is also navigating parenthood, the pair offer a rare and deeply personal perspective on whānau, connection and healing across generations. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, grandparent or part of a wider village, Parenting With... is a place to feel seen, supported and inspired.

Newest episodes

Parenting With... a chronic plot twist

26 min

Krystal shares a raw health update: she's become critically unwell, has lost around 40% of her body weight since December, and is now "fighting for my life", as doctors investigate complex conditions alongside lupus and epilepsy, with a feeding tube needed to stop starvation. She explains the podcast will shift to documenting parenting through chronic illness in real time, including the realities of private specialist care, funding strain and gaps in New Zealand's helath system, while holding onto hope, humour and moments of connection with her kids.

Episode 7: Parenting With...Whaea Krystal Pt.2

28 min

Krystal continues her story from where she left off after Harmony's birth, tracing how childhood experiences, family violence, and an abusive relationship shaped her parenting philosophy — and how leaving that relationship let her raise Harmony on her own terms, through hard years of healing, cultural connection, and learning to parent a neurodivergent child. The turning point came with The Incredible Years, a child-centered program that gave language to what she'd always instinctively believed: that connection and relationship are the foundation of healing. She closes with a call to parent — and live — in ways that build the kind of world we want to be part of.

Episode 6: Parenting With....Whaea Krystal (Part 1)

22 min

In this episode, host Krystal steps away from the guest chair to share her own story. From a turbulent childhood marked by family violence and years of running from school and home, to the truancy and youth aide officer who showed her what safe boundaries could feel like - Krystal traces the roots of the parenting philosophy she now teaches. She opens up about becoming a mum at 18, the guilt of struggling with postnatal depression and how that journey pushed her into social work and eventually, into helping other whānau build parenting practices rooted in connection, boundaries and healing intergenerational patterns. Honest, vulnerable and grounded in te ao Māori, this is the story behind the podcast.

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All episodes

Parenting With... a chronic plot twist

26 min

Krystal shares a raw health update: she's become critically unwell, has lost around 40% of her body weight since December, and is now "fighting for my life", as doctors investigate complex conditions alongside lupus and epilepsy, with a feeding tube needed to stop starvation. She explains the podcast will shift to documenting parenting through chronic illness in real time, including the realities of private specialist care, funding strain and gaps in New Zealand's helath system, while holding onto hope, humour and moments of connection with her kids.

Episode 7: Parenting With...Whaea Krystal Pt.2

28 min

Krystal continues her story from where she left off after Harmony's birth, tracing how childhood experiences, family violence, and an abusive relationship shaped her parenting philosophy — and how leaving that relationship let her raise Harmony on her own terms, through hard years of healing, cultural connection, and learning to parent a neurodivergent child. The turning point came with The Incredible Years, a child-centered program that gave language to what she'd always instinctively believed: that connection and relationship are the foundation of healing. She closes with a call to parent — and live — in ways that build the kind of world we want to be part of.

Episode 6: Parenting With....Whaea Krystal (Part 1)

22 min

In this episode, host Krystal steps away from the guest chair to share her own story. From a turbulent childhood marked by family violence and years of running from school and home, to the truancy and youth aide officer who showed her what safe boundaries could feel like - Krystal traces the roots of the parenting philosophy she now teaches. She opens up about becoming a mum at 18, the guilt of struggling with postnatal depression and how that journey pushed her into social work and eventually, into helping other whānau build parenting practices rooted in connection, boundaries and healing intergenerational patterns. Honest, vulnerable and grounded in te ao Māori, this is the story behind the podcast.

Parenting With a Chronic Illness - Part 2

28 min

The invisible challenges of chronic illness don't end when the day begins, and neither does parenting. In Part 2 of this kōrero, Harmony Hanover and Krystal Burrell continue their heartfelt conversation about raising children while living with a chronic illness. They explore the importance of self-compassion, navigating changing expectations, accepting help, and finding ways to stay connected with your tamariki, even on the hardest days. A reassuring kōrero for parents and whānau, reminding us that being a good parent isn't about being perfect, it's about showing up with love, in whatever way you can.

Parenting With a Chronic Illness - Part 1

27 min

How do you show up for your tamariki when your own body is struggling to keep up? In this deeply personal episode, Harmony Hanover turns the microphone on her mum, Krystal Burrell, as they explore the realities of parenting while living with a chronic illness. Together they unpack the daily challenges, the guilt that so many parents carry, the relentless negative self-talk, and the constant tug-of-war between your values, your health and your desire to be a reliable, consistent parent. An honest, compassionate kōrero for parents navigating chronic illness, and for the whānau who love and support them.

Parenting with Disabilities - Part 3

27 min

What does a typical day really look like when you're parenting a child with severe disabilities? In the final episode of this three-part kōrero, Krystal Burrell and Harmony Hanover take listeners inside the everyday realities of family life. They share the exhaustion, fear, frustration and constant problem-solving that often goes unseen, while also celebrating the strength, community and unexpected connections that have carried them through. An honest, heartfelt conversation that reminds us of the power of aroha, understanding and standing alongside one another.

Parenting With Disabilities - Part 2

28 min

Loving your child shouldn't mean fighting the system every step of the way. Krystal Burrell and Harmony Hanover continue their honest conversation about parenting a child with severe disabilities, exploring the daily challenges families face beyond the home. Together they unpack the gaps in support, the pressures placed on parents already carrying so much, and what needs to change to create a more inclusive, compassionate Aotearoa. An eye-opening episode for parents, whānau and anyone who wants to better understand the realities families live every day.

Parenting with Disabilities - Part 1

28 min

Every parent imagines what life with their child will look like. Sometimes that journey takes an unexpected turn. In the very first episode of Parenting With..., Krystal Burrell is joined by her daughter, Harmony Hanover, as she shares the deeply personal story of discovering her child had severe disabilities. Together they talk honestly about grief, adjusting to a new reality, and the unexpected joy, resilience and hidden gifts found along the way. This is a powerful kōrero about love, acceptance and finding hope when life doesn't go to plan.

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