The HeyKiddo Parenting Podcast with Dr. Nicole Lipkin

"Our kids are carrying their own baggage. If we give them ours too, the journey becomes even harder." Puberty today starts earlier, lasts longer, and happens with a phone in hand. In this episode, bestselling author and This Is So Awkward podcast host Vanessa Kroll Bennett shares how to support kids through all the weirdnes - from early blooming to group chats, from body changes to porn...

“Whether you realize it or not, you already have a brand. Your digital footprint is shaping how the world sees you, and if you’re not in control, someone else will be.” Your digital footprint is already shaping your future, whether you like it or not. In this eye-opening episode, Stephanie Humphrey exposes the hidden risks behind every careless post, awkward handshake, and overlooked message that...

"People think taking care of themselves is selfish, but it's actually your gift to the world. We have a responsibility to bring the very best of ourselves to the people around us."  Executive coach and author, Madelaine Weiss, talks to Dr. Lipkin about the power of "good company" - not just in the people we surround ourselves with, but in the thoughts we allow to stay in o...

"Money is the number one stressor in most American adults' lives, and when we reframe it the way we just described, we are literally rewiring our brain."  We’re joined by Nick Ashburn, an expert on financial wellbeing, to explore how parents can reframe their relationship with money and shift focus from material gifts to meaningful experiences.  Nick walks us through the PERMA frame...

"You don’t have to fix everything. You just have to be the person your child can fall apart with and still feel safe."  Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, pediatrician and resilience expert, shares how parents can foster emotional strength, confidence, and well-being in their children—without trying to shield them from every challenge. In this episode, Dr. Ginsburg introduces the concept of "lig...

"If we change our relationship with the chatter in our heads, that does actually change how we think." In this episode, Dr. Mark Bertin - an expert in ADHD and executive function - shares powerful strategies to help families navigate the complexities of ADHD. We explore how mindfulness can improve self-awareness and executive functioning, how to break the cycle of rumination, and what tr...

“It’s not about fixing a kid, it's about understanding and supporting where they’re at in their development and helping them to build skills from there.” Dr. Bre Davis-Shoemaker, occupational therapist and movement expert, joins Dr. Nicole Lipkin to explore the powerful connection between physical activity and children’s mental health. Bre shares how to make movement simple, fun, and effectiv...

"Let your child be on their own journey. You are invited into their journey, but it's their life to live." You could call Dana Kaplan the “child whisperer.” She’s that good at fostering emotional resilience, independence, and self-awareness in children. In this episode, Dana shares how parents and educators can guide children toward emotional regulation, self-understanding, and a st...

It’s always been true that if you want to get your message across, tell a story. And that’s exactly what Dave Mossman and Brian Nolet did with their Jungle Buddyz books for kids, dedicated to teaching social-emotional skills through engaging stories. Dr. Nicole Lipkin talks to Dave and Brian about The Buddyz books, the importance of social emotional learning and life for kids pre-and-post pandemic...

We know stress is a part of life but we’re not always aware of when and how it’s hitting us, particularly when it comes to our kids who may not always know what’s happening internally. Moreover, stress is contagious and without self-awareness we can easily spread our own stress throughout our family.  This week Dr. Nicole Lipkin speaks with trauma-informed specialist, Kathy Magnusson, about what t...

This is part 2 in the everything you always wanted to know about sensory processing but were afraid to ask episode!” We only touched the surface with Emily Charles on our last episode so we wanted to go deeper with her to get some practical, at-home techniques we can do with our kiddos who might be experiencing regulation issues. Emily discusses the signs of sensory processing challenges and expla...

Wouldn’t it be great if our kids always came up to us and said, “Mom, Dad, this is how I’ve been feeling lately?” But that rarely - if ever - happens. More often than not, our children’s behavior is their form of communication, indicating their need for specific sensory input or support. This week, we dive into the world of sensory processing with Emily Charles, a seasoned professional with a Mast...

How do we take care of ourselves as parents? What exactly is self-care? Dr. Nicole Lipkin chats with Chris Downs, a child and family therapist, about the benefits and challenges of embracing your child as a whole person while taking care of yourself.  Chris shares practical insights on effective listening, setting appropriate limits, and supporting children through their struggles. Together, we ex...

When we hold ourselves to too high of a standard as parents, we burn out and we run ourselves down. It’s okay to be tired, confused, angry, uncertain, stresses this week’s guest, Robin Hornstein. We are of course going to make mistakes as parents. So, what does course correction look like? Dr. Nicole Lipkin talks to Robin Hornstein, a licensed psychologist and counselor, who specializes in treatin...

Creativity isn’t just about making art and hanging it up on the fridge; it’s about problem-solving, critical thinking, and emotional expression.  Join clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Lipkin and art therapist and licensed professional counselor, Demi Leleux, as they chat about sparking creativity and imagination in children. Together, they explore insights and practical strategies for parents to i...

“When we validate [our children’s emotions],” says this week’s guest, Erika Malm, “we're helping our kids to be able to learn how to self-regulate so that they don't have to turn to symptoms or substances or to other people for validation.” This week’s guest, Erika Malm, discusses emotion coaching for parents, the practice of equipping parents and caretakers with tools to help their own...

Race is an extremely tough subject to tackle with your child. “What if I mess up and say the wrong thing?” is a common anxiety among parents. Messing up is ok, but what happens when you mess up is important to navigate. How should you approach that as an adult? How should you help your child approach it? This week, Teran Tadal, the Director of Equity and Inclusion at the Wharton Undergraduate Divi...

If you’ve ever wondered, “How does anyone maintain a 50/50 work/life balance?” You’re not alone. And the good news is, it’s a myth.  “Work/life balance is a joke,” says Marissa Green, the creator of Work/Life Reimagined, a work/life design program for working parents. She also hosts The Reimagine Ambition podcast focused on inspiring parents to design work/life on their own terms.  Marissa draws o...

What are the signs that your child might have gender identity questions? How do you create an environment where your kids feel comfortable talking to you about gender identity? These can be difficult, uncomfortable questions for many parents, but if we hold a lens of loving curiosity and attempt to understand the journey of self exploration your child is on, it will make it that much easier for al...

How do children's responses to grief differ from adults, and why is it important to recognize these differences? At what point should parents or caregivers consider seeking professional help for a grieving child, and what signs should they look out for? These are some of the questions Dr. Nicole Lipkin and her guests, Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner explore in this week’s episode. Additiona...

There is a saying: “When you meet one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” No two children with autism are the same, but this is true of all children stresses this week’s guest, Jennifer Berzok. Jennifer is the mother of an autistic son, an attorney, and government relations consultant who lobbies Congress on health policy issues; additionally, she provides training to grassroot...

Middle school can feel like stepping into a jungle of social dynamics, where friendships bloom and sometimes thorns appear. But fear not! Hilary Katz is here to guide parents through the jungle, armed with practical strategies to build resilience in the face of social challenges. This week, Dr. Nicole Lipkin talks with Hilary Katz, a middle school social worker, to discuss the unique challenges th...

ABOUT RACHEL Rachel is a dynamic speaker, a parenting expert, and an incredible resource for parents who long for an easier life with kids, especially boys. Listen up if you struggle with kids that are emotionally explosive, don’t listen, or get wild and aggressive if they don’t get their way. Rachel is on a mission to help parents raise these kids into future leaders with high levels of social em...

ABOUT OUR GUESTSara Asch is the Bereavement Services Coordinator for the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine. The Center for Grieving Children was founded in 1987 by Portland, Maine resident Bill Hemmens, following the death of his sister. In trying to find help and support for his niece Erin, Bill recognized that children need peers and caring adults to support them through their grie...

ABOUT OUR GUEST Brittany Cephas is a Licensed Psychotherapist located in Columbia, Maryland who provides mental health services to school-aged children and adolescents who are having a difficult time coping with social and emotional related issues. She is also a Professional School Counselor supporting students in grades K– 8  providing individual and group counseling services, psychoeducational s...