Legit Parenting

Send us Fan Mail We explore how autism shows up in girls, why masking hides risk, and how explicit teaching around consent, pacing, and online safety can prevent harm. Lila Kopelioff Kimel, Ph. D. shares clinical and lived insight on assessment, advocacy, and building real-world skills. • girls’ masking, misdiagnosis, and different profiles • safety education for consent, pacing, and online traps...

Send us Fan Mail  Join us for an emotionally moving episode of Legit Parenting as we welcome Meghann and Ziggy Guentensberger, the heartfelt founders of Rylie's ARK.  Meghann and Ziggy recount joyful memories of their daughter Rylie and the tragic accident that forever changed their lives.  Together they share their raw emotional journey, highlighting the strength and resilience required to n...

Send us Fan Mail Social media isn't just a pastime for teenagers—it's a battleground for social ranking and self-worth. We reflect on old-school methods of social comparison and how they have been drastically amplified online, influencing youth mental health.  We explore the contentious issue of cell phone usage in schools, highlighting initiatives that aim to foster organic socializatio...

Send us Fan Mail When you're at the end of your rope with parenting challenges that seem insurmountable, finding a beacon of hope is crucial. This episode of Legit Parenting welcomes the remarkable Gina He-man, who lights the way for parents grappling with the complexities of raising children impacted by trauma. With a heartfelt blend of personal insight and unwavering support, Gina reflects...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where the reality-altering temptation of substances beckons, we're peeling back the layers on teen experimentation and its cultural influences. We tackle the hard questions – like how to manage when you discover your teen may be vaping or using marijuana – with a focus on communication and understanding rather than anger. The the return of Steve Carleton, LCSW, CAS...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating modern parenting, Dr. Andrea Mata, Ph. D joins our crew, sharing her knowledge from the front lines of clinical child psychology and tips from her new book The No. 2 Parenting Book: Practical Tips for the Pooped Out Parent .  Dr. Mata guides us through strategies to ward off the exhaustion that tip the balance of parental sanity.   We reflect on the idea that reaching f...

Send us Fan Mail As your ever-curious host Craig Knippenberg, begins season 4  with stories, news and discussions that matter to you as a modern parent.  We're going to unpack the potential game-changer that is New York's proposed legislation on safeguarding our kids' digital playground, and why your role in this is more critical than ever.  In the wake of a mother's landmark c...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the choppy waters of parental substance use, we're joined by Steve Carleton LCSW, CAS | Founder @ Growth Effect. Steve is a seasoned addiction specialist, who helps us unpack the effects this has on the family dynamic. As we shed light on the stark realities and societal judgements surrounding substance abuse – with an especially magnified lens on motherhood – our...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the foundations of strength in our children as Dr. Robert Brooks, a distinguished psychologist and author, joins us to share his invaluable wisdom on resilience. This episode is an enlightening journey into the key elements that contribute to raising individuals who can navigate life's adversities with grace. Dr. Brooks offers a lens through which we can understand t...

Send us Fan Mail We share heartfelt stories and practical advice for those tricky family discussions, grounding our guidance in real-life experiences. 

Send us Fan Mail Discover the unvarnished realities of parenting as , Craig Knippenberg slices through the gloss of social media. We tackle the evolving landscape of teen habits, from vaping's decline to the ramifications of a cell phone ban in a high school that's revolutionizing student interactions. This episode also takes a sobering turn as we explore the darker facets of social medi...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling the weight of parenting pressures? You're not alone. Join us as child and family therapist Craig Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Div and co-host Sydney Moreau unpack the life-changing approach of Shame-Free Parenting. With a blend of wisdom from my nearly forty years in practice and fresh perspectives from Sydney, we take you through the art of building resilience in your childr...

Send us Fan Mail When the golden hues of fall sweep through Colorado, my thoughts often drift to the cozy warmth of a hoodie – a simple pleasure overshadowed by the profound struggles faced by today's adolescents. Sydney joins Craig Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Div in a heart-to-heart on the mental health crisis gripping our youth, from the sharp rise in anxiety and depression to the harrowing realit...

Send us Fan Mail A riveting discussion as we scrutinize and dissect traditional gender roles and the impact of media on our perceptions of beauty, using popular culture and film as our roadmap. We are also thrilled to share insights from my new book, Shame-Free Parenting – a manual that's empowering parents everywhere. Diving into the meat of the matter, we analyze the science of gender diffe...

Send us Fan Mail Today we discuss significant initiatives like Safe to Tell, which has seen a rise in calls, indicating a growing willingness among teens to reach for help. We also delve into the labyrinth of gun laws, assessing their effectiveness in curbing violence. Our conversation takes a deeper route as we bridge the connection between a parent's mental health and the wellbeing of their...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Legit Parenting! We promise an enlightening journey as we navigate the often misunderstood territory of OCD in children and teens, alongside our distinguished guest, Dr. Elysia Sotiriou. Renowned for her expertise in dealing with OCD, eating disorders, and body image concerns among young people, Dr. Elysia is here to dispel common mi...

Send us Fan Mail Is your child battling with climate change anxiety? Ponder upon this as we set out to explore this pressing issue with our highly esteemed guest, Aleeza Lampert, MA, LPC  Drawing on her extensive expertise, Aleeza uncovers the deep-rooted impacts of climate anxiety on today’s youth and offers insightful strategies on how to mitigate this growing concern.  Our intriguing discussion...

Send us Fan Mail Do you feel the pressure of parenting in this digital age? We dive headfirst into the trenches of parenting, discussing how gratitude practices can foster resilience and mental wellbeing in families. The transformative power of gratitude is immense; it can alleviate depression, anxiety and strengthen our connections with loved ones. In the chaos of daily life, gratitude can be you...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how trauma could look like ADHD symptoms? Craig Knippenberg had the pleasure of inviting Dr. Ana Dodson to shed light on this fascinating yet disturbing connection. Anna's research has opened new realms of understanding between trauma and ADHD, with her survey results revealing whether mental health practitioners recognize this crucial relationship. Trauma has v...

Send us Fan Mail Does the surge in teen anxiety and depression alarm you as a parent? We're betting it does. It’s a pressing concern, and one we're addressing head-on in this episode. We're looking at some important news revealing how social media, particularly TikTok, is contributing to escalating levels of anxiety and depression among our youth.  We emphasize the urgency to open c...

Send us Fan Mail Join Craig and special guest, Elizabeth Bennet, author of Courageous Conversations as they discuss key concepts for connection with teens.  About Elizabeth Bennett: As an award winning principal with over 35 years of teaching, administration and coaching experience, I offer a unique blend of leadership, vision and a vast background of knowledge. I have a relentless passion for tra...

Send us Fan Mail Join Craig Knippenberg, and special guest Henrietta Pazos, PsyD as they discuss the parental grief cycle with children who have disabilities.   Henrietta Pazos, PsyD, specializes in testing for ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Developmental Disabilities, and Gifted Identification.  She also provides individual and group therapy for children, adolescents and adults.  She has practiced in De...

Send us Fan Mail Join Craig Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Div, and special guest, Stephanie Scheer, ACES Director of Research and Innovation and Marry Ann Alinas, VP Clinical and Community Outreach at ACES.  About ACES: Dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by autism or other developmental disabilities, ACES provides comprehensive autism therapy and intervention services to help individuals ma...

Send us Fan Mail Join Craig Knippenberg with special guest, Roxanne Bradley an educational advocate as she helps listeners navigate the complex world of the educational system.  About Roxanne Bradley, a certified special education advocate, Roxanne helps parents navigate the educational system to get the supports their child needs to be a successful learner. She brings her unique background to bea...

Send us Fan Mail Join Craig as he welcomes his listeners to season 3 of the Legit Parenting Podcast! In Season 3, Craig will focus on parenting your unique child.  Today's episode he shares tips to get the season started.