Dr. Todd Talks

Some conversations aren’t really conversations—they’re tactics. In this 2-minute Everyday Parenting episode, Dr. Todd explains how kids use “noise” to wear us down—and what to do when your child won’t take no for an answer. If you’ve ever given in just to stop the arguing, this will help. In this short episode, you’ll learn: • What “noise” sounds like—and why it’s not real communication • How to h...

Even a quick glance at your phone can have a bigger impact than you think. In this 2-minute Everyday Parenting episode, Dr. Todd shares what research says about phone use around kids—and how it can lead to more acting out, less cooperation, and a weaker bond. If you’ve been feeling distracted or disconnected lately, this one’s worth your time. In this short episode, you’ll learn: • Why even occasi...

How to Connect With a Child Who’s Nothing Like You You don’t have to be the same to be close. In this 2-minute Everyday Parenting episode, Dr. Todd tells the story of a dad and son with nothing in common—and what finally brought them closer. If your child feels like a mystery, this is your roadmap to connection. In this short episode, you’ll learn: • Why shared interests aren’t the key to closenes...

Most parents think they’ll lose their influence during the teenage years. But for many, the real moment of disconnection happens much earlier—around age six—when kids begin turning to peers instead of parents for emotional support and identity. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What “peer orientation” is—and why it starts younger than you think • How to stay emotionally connected as your child grow...

Why Your Kids Don’t Respect You (And How to Change It) Respect doesn’t come from being strict—it comes from being consistent. In this 2-minute Everyday Parenting episode, Dr. Todd shares what helped his own kids grow up with respect, resilience, and a strong bond with their parents. If you’ve been feeling like your kids don’t listen or take you seriously, this episode is for you. In this short epi...

The One Morning Habit That Makes Kids Happier All Day It’s not about having a perfect morning routine. It’s about how your child feels when they start their day. In this 2-minute Everyday Parenting episode, Dr. Todd shares a simple habit from his own home that helped his kids feel calmer, more capable, and ready for the day ahead. A small win in the morning can change everything. In this short epi...

Stop Praising Your Kids—Do This Instead for Real Self-Esteem In this short Everyday Parenting episode, Dr. Todd explains why praise isn’t the path to real self-esteem—and what to do instead. Self-esteem doesn’t come from compliments, trophies, or likes. It comes from coping with hard things and noticing your own strength. This small shift can help your child build true confidence that lasts. In th...

Why Behavior Problems Often Start at Birth (And How to Prevent Them) Most behavior issues aren’t caused by defiance or lack of discipline. They’re rooted in a child’s early attachment experience—long before they can even speak. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How attachment in the first five years shapes behavior later on • What every child needs in each year from birth to age five • The “Four S’...

Want Your Kids to Listen? Try This First In this episode, I share a story about a tough conversation with my daughter — one that started with resistance and silence, but turned into something deeper once I stopped trying to make my point and just listened. It’s not always about finding the right words. Sometimes, the key to being heard is simply listening first. You’ll learn: Why kids shut down wh...

The One Thing That Actually Changes Your Child’s Behavior In this episode, I share a story about my son, one of the world's greatest escape artists as a child! He was an adventurous child who used to run off until something shifted, not because of punishment or rewards, but because of connection. If you’ve ever wondered what truly motivates lasting behavior change in kids, this is the episode to h...

Step-Parents: Stop Trying So Hard (This Works Better) In this episode, I share a story about Kathy — and the quiet, respectful way she joined our family after my mom passed away. She didn’t try to take anyone’s place. She just showed up with warmth, patience, and openness. And it made all the difference. If you’re a step-parent feeling unsure of your role or wondering how to build trust in a blend...

Why Your Kids Can’t Stop Scrolling (And What to Do) We all know the feeling — your kid won’t get off their phone, and every limit turns into a battle. But the real issue isn’t just screen time. It’s how devices are shaping your child’s brain, emotions, and behavior. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why kids feel glued to screens — and why it’s not about laziness • What constant scrolling does to t...

Want a Closer Relationship With Your Child? Do This One Thing In this episode, I share a quiet moment with my teenage daughter that reminded me how powerful small, simple one-on-one time can be. No big plans. No special agenda. Just time together. If you want to strengthen your relationship with your child, the answer might be easier than you think. You’ll learn: Why one-on-one time builds emotion...

The One Thing Your Kids Will Never Forget (It’s Not What You Think) In this episode, I tell the story of a volleyball game where my son barely got off the bench — and why that moment turned out to matter more than I expected. He didn’t score the winning point or make a big play. But what happened between us is something I'll always remember. What our kids remember most isn’t what we say. It’s that...

How to Help Your Child Calm Down—Without Saying a Word In this episode, I share a quick story about my son, his hatred for math homework, and the quiet way we’ve learned to connect—without lectures, fixes, or words. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do to help your child calm down is simply to be there. When kids are overwhelmed, they don’t need explanations. They need presence. And that’s...

From Meltdown to Calm: Teaching Kids Emotional Regulation That Actually Works In this episode, I share a personal story of one of the most emotional moments I’ve had as a parent — and how a small, instinctive act of connection helped my daughter find calm. Every parent has been there: the meltdown, the tantrum, the emotional spiral that logic just can’t fix. But emotional regulation isn’t about st...

You think your child pulling away is just part of growing up — but what if it’s not? What if it’s a warning sign? In this episode, I share the powerful story of a mom who did something radically different to reconnect with her daughter — not by fixing her child, but by healing herself. We’ve been told that teens pulling away is just part of adolescence. But that belief is leaving families emotiona...

You think your connection with your child is strong — but what if it’s quietly fading and you don’t even realize it? In this episode, I’m sounding the alarm on a subtle but dangerous shift happening in families today. Kids are becoming more emotionally attached to their peers than to their parents — and most parents think it’s just “normal adolescence.” It’s not. Drawing from my own clinical exper...

In today’s episode, I dive into powerful parenting lessons from the Netflix series Adolescence — and what it teaches us about truly connecting with our kids. If you’ve ever felt like no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to reach your child anymore, this conversation is for you. I’ll share what it really means to “meet them where they are,” why small moments matter more than grand gestures, a...

🔥 NEW EPISODE! 🔥 “Raising a Pro: A Father-Daughter Talk on Strength, Mindset, and Speaking Up” This one’s personal. I sat down with my daughter Katie — D1 volleyball player and soon-to-be pro — to talk about the mental game behind her 10-year journey. 💪🏐 We covered: ✅ How to speak up and advocate for yourself ✅ Coping with negative thoughts by thinking neutrally ✅ Regulating emotion without...

Parenting Advice: Dealing With Strong-Willed Kids Parenting a strong-willed child can be exhausting, frustrating, and overwhelming—but it can also be incredibly rewarding. In this episode of Dr. Todd Talks , I’ll share insights from my clinical experience to help you set firm boundaries, build trust, and stay emotionally connected with your child. You’ll learn: ✅ The key to credibility —why your...

In this episode of Dr. Todd Talks , I share a powerful true story about my friend Tim and his daughter. For years, their relationship was strained—she was distant, shut down, and unresponsive to his attempts to connect. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t break through. Then, something changed. In one conversation, everything shifted, and it became a defining moment in their relationship. What ma...

Are you a helicopter parent? If so, you might want to listen to this. Helicopter parenting might seem like the ultimate way to show love and support, but it often backfires, leaving kids anxious, dependent, and unprepared for real life. In this video, I break down the three key behaviors that define helicopter parenting and explain why this approach can have long-term negative effects on children....

Some people heal relationships. Others destroy them. But can someone who has spent a lifetime damaging relationships truly repair them? Can they really change? And if so… how? In this video, I break down the essential steps to repairing broken trust, healing relationships, and becoming a relationship builder instead of a destroyer. We explore: ✅ Why humility is the foundation of change. ✅ How to...

Warmth Is the Secret Sauce of Parenting: Be a Warm Parent by Doing These 3 Things Want more than just tips? My parenting course, Connection & Credibility , helps you build a strong bond with your kids while setting healthy boundaries that actually work. Explore the course: https://drtoddtalks.com/course/ For more parenting insights, visit my website: https://www.drtoddtalks.com Find me on YouT...