Parenting For The Present

This week, we're joined by parenting expert, author, and podcast host Ned Johnson for an honest conversation about raising resilient, motivated, and emotionally healthy kids in today's world. As president and "tutor-geek" of PrepMatters, Ned has spent more than 50,000 hours working one-on-one with teens, helping them better understand themselves as learners, build motivation, and manage anxiety in...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most talked about topics in parenting and wellness: sleep. What starts as a lighthearted conversation turns into an honest discussion about routines, expectations, and what actually works. We're joined by Mary Cantwell , founder of Rest To Your Nest, whose passion for helping families began during her own experience with exhaustion and navigating her baby's...

Meet this week's guest, Kendra Delahooke — therapist, speaker, and founder dedicated to helping children feel understood, not "fixed."  In this episode, Kendra shares her perspective on raising and supporting sensitive kids in a world that often misunderstands them. We talk about the power of emotional awareness, how to reframe "big feelings" as strengths rather than problems, and practical ways p...

In this episode of Parenting for the Present , we're joined by Kelly Miller for an honest conversation about the questions parents are really asking. With a background spanning CNN, CBS, PBS, and crisis management before transitioning into child and family psychology Kelly brings a unique, well rounded perspective to supporting families. We talk through common concerns parents face, when to seek a...

In this episode of Parenting for the Present , we're joined once again by Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson of Birds & Bees , trusted voices helping parents navigate conversations about sex, bodies, boundaries, and safety with confidence. Mary Flo has been equipping parents to talk to their children about sex since 1986, using a practical, values-based approach rooted in research, experience, an...

Why do some teens and young adults struggle to take the next step into adulthood—and how can parents support independence without rescuing or enabling? In this episode of Parenting for the Present , we sit down with renowned clinical psychologist and author Dr. Mark McConville , whose groundbreaking work Failure to Launch has helped thousands of families navigate the complex transition from adoles...

In this episode of Parenting for the Present , we're joined by Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar, McCourtney Professor of Child Studies and Professor of Psychology at Penn State. Dr. Pérez-Edgar is a leading researcher on temperament and anxiety, studying how individual differences in attention shape children's emotional development. In this conversation, Dr. Pérez-Edgar explains what temperament really is,...

If you have little ears nearby, this is an episode to pop in your headphones. In today's episode of Parenting for the Present, we're taking on one of the most challenging and most essential topics facing modern families: kids' exposure to explicit online content. Our team sat down with Timothy Ateek, Lead Pastor at Watermark Community Church, to unpack what he describes as the realities of raising...

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Mandy Grass Behavior Analyst (BCBA), parent coach, and mom of three — for a deep, practical conversation about the real reasons behind our kids' behavior. Mandy has worked with hundreds of families and school districts to teach evidence-based strategies that help children thrive at home and in the classroom. She's also built a community of nearly 700,000 peopl...

Today we're sitting down with the incredible Jessica Lahey. New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure  and The Addiction Inoculation .   Jess brings wisdom from decades in the classroom, from teaching middle and high school to working with teens in drug and alcohol rehab. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post , The Atlantic , and her long-running New York Times column, "Th...

This week on Parenting for the Present We're joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist who takes a whole-body approach to medicine—fusing lifestyle, functional medicine, and science-backed facts to help people understand their fertility and their bodies. Together we talk about hormonal health, self-advocacy, and why every woman and their partner deserves to truly understand th...

Phones. Screens. Social media. They've become a normal part of everyday life, but what are they doing to our kids' brains? In this episode, we dive deep into the science and psychology behind technology's impact on children and teens. From the constant pings of notifications to the endless scroll of social media, today's kids are growing up in a digital world that's rewiring how they think, feel,...

We are excited to announce the launch of Season 9 of Parenting for the Present . Thank you for being part of this journey, whether you have been listening from the beginning or are just joining us now. Your support makes this work possible. This season, we are pleased to welcome Eve Wiley, Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Clinical Training at The Housson Center. As both a clinician...

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, best-selling author of Mommy Burnout™ and host of Dr. Sheryl's PodCouch , is a leading expert in stress, parenting, and mental health. She empowers parents, especially moms, to overcome the pressures of perfection and prevent burnout. Through relatable stories and practical advice, this episode offers tools to help parents break the burnout cycle so they can show up as their be...

Today, we're gathering around one of the most difficult — yet deeply human — topics: grief . In light of the devastating flood in Texas, many in our community are facing unimaginable loss. Whether your family was directly impacted or your child is struggling with the weight of this tragedy from afar, this episode is for you. Here are the links to all of the resources mentioned in our show: Article...

What if something as simple as sitting down for dinner could transform your family's health and happiness? In this episode, we're joined by Kasley Killam — Harvard-trained social scientist, two-time TED speaker, and author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier . Together, we explore why prioritizing family dinners is mor...

This week, we're joined by Dr. Laurie Santos, the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Dr. Santos offers valuable insights into why modern parenting can feel more overwhelming than ever—and what we can do about it. Drawing on evidence-based research, she shares practical strategies to help parents reduce stress and boost their well-be...

This week on Parenting for the Present,  we're joined by Dr. Bethany Teachman, Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She also leads public research initiatives focused on reducing anxious thinking and exploring how our unconscious beliefs shape our mental and physical health. With anxiety levels continuing to rise, Dr. Teachman h...

This week, we are joined by Casey Bonano, RD, LD, CEDS-C, the owner and CEO of Dallas Nutritional Counseling. Casey recognizes the importance of her specialty and acknowledges the challenges it presents, but she also finds it incredibly rewarding to help individuals nourish themselves and rediscover the joy in food. In this episode, Casey discusses the difference between picky eating or food prefe...

We hope you're ready for this week's episode of Parenting for the Present ! We have a special guest, Alyson Schafer, joining us all the way from Canada! She is an internationally acclaimed parenting expert, speaker, bestselling author, and media personality. We were fortunate to speak with her and hear her insights on parenting. In this episode, we discuss how parenting has evolved over time, what...

To kick off Season 8, we're excited to welcome our "friend," Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD. Eileen is the creator of the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast, where she answers kids' questions about making and keeping friends. She's also the author of several books for children and parents, and has delivered an inspiring TEDx talk. This podcast has taught us so much about what it truly means to be a frie...

We are back with another incredible episode! Today, we have David Yeager, PhD., a professor and co-founder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. Yeager walks us through what it means to have a growth mindset. He touches on the idea of communication and how good communication increases mutual respect. And shares that our brain growth is just like our muscle growth, but hear how on t...

Our special guest this week, Larissa May, has some wonderful insight for all of us through her background in social media. She discusses tools and guidelines for technology as we grow with it. She gives us practical tips for parenting, hacking the online algorithm, and the dangers of social media replacing real human connection. Check out the podcast to learn more information!

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Jerome Hunter. Throughout our discussion, we explored the concept of family and its varied interpretations, as well as the role of technology and video games in the lives of young boys, including strategies to encourage balance. Jerome also highlighted his dedication to teaching and his passion for developing comprehensive curriculums tailored fo...

We are back with Eli Lebowitz on another incredible Parenting for the Present episode. Today, we hit some very important topics. We hit on acceptance and confidence and how kids with anxiety may be seeing their parents as anxious. Lebowitz catches us up on how he has been training therapists to deal with situations and encouraging parents to talk about problems and get the help they need. He empha...