Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan: #1 Podcast for Inspiring Conversations to Live and Lead On Purpose

Dr. Dan interviews Dr. Charles Sophy, psychiatrist and the former medical director for the County of Los Angeles Department of Children & Family Services. Dr. Sophy has been a regular  on Dr. Phil for the last twenty years and now he brings his experience and expertise to his new book, Family Values, continuing his work on repairing parent-child relationships. Dr. Sophy has helped many families br...

Dr. Dan talks to the esteemed Geoffrey Cohen – expert, author, Stanford University Professor of Psychology – about disconnection, loneliness, belonging, community, happiness and his new book Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides.  Dr. Dan and Geoff dive deep in order to focus on our deeply human need to belong. They offer hopeful solutions to our challenging times. Pro...

BONUS EPISODE Originally aired Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Welcome to another new “Sitting Down with Dr. Dan” episode exclusively for Wondery + subscribers. Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint producer and twin Mom Laura Rossi discuss family time, TikTok challenges, childless by choice, and more. Every month Dr. Dan answers your questions about parenting (and adulting, too!) on our “Sitting Down With Dr....

Dr. Dan speaks to Mom, Special Needs Parent, Advocate, and Coach Rachel Pastiloff.  Rachel talks to Dr. Dan about parenting, family, and her road to becoming a Manifesting Mom. Rachel is  mom to two sons (one with special needs) and her conversation with Dr. Dan is filled with wisdom, strength, and grace. Listening to Rachel tell her story is riveting, enlightening, powerful, and, at times, painfu...

Dr. Dan interviews Sally Koslow former magazine editor, author, parent, and grandparent about the complex relationships between mothers- and daughters- in law (MIL, DIL). Sally is the author of Slouching Toward Adulthood: Observations from the Not-So-Empty Nest and several novels. Her newest book The Real Mrs. Tobias is a sharply funny and big-hearted multi-generational story that is ultimately ab...

Dr. Dan interviews professional astrologer, mom, and author Catherine Urban on today’s episode about the ways astrology (and our cosmic blueprint) can help individuals and families including: *Gaining insight into patterns and how to rework them to better serve us *Having a clearer understanding of our purpose, strengths, challenges *Getting confirmation and clarity on important decisions or major...

Dr. Dan interviews journalist and recent National Public Radio education reporter Anya Kamenetz about how the pandemic decimated the public school system—and left lasting harm on our children.  Dr. Dan and Anya discuss the collapse of the childcare system, mothers driven from the workforce, children going hungry in record numbers, and other pandemic effects. Anya’s just-released book THE STOLEN YE...

BONUS Episode original air date: August 30, 2022 Welcome to the new “Sitting Down with Dr. Dan” episode exclusively for Wondery + subscribers. Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint audio engineer (and girl Dad) Phil discuss new topics this month including parents struggling with mental health challenges, discussing birth control with your tweens/teens, conversations about divorce, and in-laws & babysitting...

Dr. Dan and journalist/mom/author Diana Kapp have an impactful, inspiring, and timely conversation about the environment, activism, books, and much more.   Jane Fonda (actor, political activist, environmentalist) says Diana’s new book “Girls Who Green the World shows how brave girls who pay attention have launched ideas and organizations that may very well save us all.”   Dr. Dan interviews Diana...

Dr. Dan and entrepreneur, mom, NYT bestselling author Christina Geist discuss friendship, parenting, her new children’s book Buddy's New Buddy, and being married to her childhood sweetheart, SUNDAY Today show Host Willie Geist ,for 19 years (they met in sixth grade!!!). On this inspiring episode, Dr. Dan and Christina also focus on empathy, overwhelm, family support, and her popular series of pict...

Dr. Dan interviews single parent, social media phenomena, TikTok star, and advocate Eeka McLeod about parenting, fostering, family, disability and so much more. Eeka McLeod’s journey to building her family began when she made the decision to pursue her dream of adopting a child. After becoming a licensed foster parent while in graduate school, she started welcoming children into her home. Througho...

On this highly anticipated episode Dr. Dan talks to the incomparable Jennifer Pastiloff —author, mother, writing/retreat leader, activist, and truth warrior. Dr. Dan interviews the incredible, dynamic, singular, inspiring Jennifer Pastiloff about: her philosophy “Don’t Be An Asshole”, Roe Vs. Wade, #shameloss, her empowering platform, and her book On Being Human.  Jennifer is a truth teller, a wri...

On today’s new episode Dr. Dan and Los Angeles teacher, parent, and author Julie Clark talk about many topics including lies, second chances, single parenting, and more.   Julie is the single mother of two teenage boys and teaches 5th grade. She is also a successful bestselling author with a devoted following. Julie’s honest conversation about her parenting choices, her parents, teaching, writing,...

Welcome to July’s “Sitting Down with Dr. Dan” episode exclusively for Wondery + subscribers. Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint podcast producer (and twin mom) Laura Rossi discuss diverse topics this month: therapy dogs (and cats!), abortion, summer fun, and one-on-one time for grandparents and grandkids. Each month Dr. Dan answers questions about parenting (and adulting, too!) on our exclusive “Sitting...

Dr. Dan interviews Rabbi Steve Leder about life, grief, love, suffering, and legacy. Newsweek Magazine twice named him one of the ten most influential rabbis in America but most important to Steve is being a husband and a dad. Steve Leder is the senior rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, one of the largest synagogues in the world. He is the author of five books including the new For...

Dr. Dan interviews mother, daughter, bestselling author, and lifelong worrier Mary Laura Philpott and the two explore answers to such provocative questions as how do we keep living when the unexpected can happen at any moment? And what does it mean to be human, to love, to lose, and to live? Today’s episode is a powerful and poignant look at motherhood, daughterhood, personhood, and caregiving, al...

Dr. Dan interviews writer and author Maressa Brown about her parenting journey, birth astrology, journalism, her forthcoming book, and much more. If you (or a loved one) are navigating a fertility journey then this episode is for you! And if you are curious about astrology then you will love hearing Maressa discuss Dr. Dan’s chart. Dr. Dan talks to Maressa Brown about her real life experiences as...

Dr. Dan interviews speaker, coach, founder of The Legacy Letter Challenge and proud Dad Blake Brewer on this inspiring episode.  The Legacy Letter Challenge helps dads connect with their children on a deeper level by writing a letter from their heart. Blake is on a mission to help 1 million dads write one well written, meaningful, lasting Legacy Letter to their children. At 19 years old Blake’s fa...

Dr. Dan interviews author, parent, therapist, podcaster, and co-founder of Zen Parenting Radio, Cathy Adams on this new episode.  The current mental health crisis for teens (and parents, too) makes today’s episode timely, urgent, and necessary.  Dr. Dan and Cathy discuss how parental self-awareness decreases stress and overwhelm for parents – and it leads to a more authentic and meaningful connect...

On this new bonus episode, Dr. Dan and podcast engineer Phil answer all new listener questions about important parenting topics including eating disorders, cursing, fear of dogs and how to help your kids make friends after moving. All of our “Sitting Down with Dr. Dan” special episodes answer real life parenting questions every month from listeners at every stage of parenting.  Remember to submit...

On this exciting episode, Dr. Dan interviews Glory Edim, the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a book club, festival, and creative community dedicated to Black women.  Dr. Dan and Glory discuss many topics including: motherhood/parenting, podcasting, purpose, uplifting black voices, work/life balance, self-compassion, and so much more.  Dr. Dan and Glory also talk about Glory’s new podcast from Pus...

Dun dun! Welcome to the Exactly Right and Parent Footprint one year anniversary episode!   Today's guest is Kara Klenk, co-host of Exactly Right’s That’s Messed Up: An SVU Podcast.   One year ago this June, Dr. Dan kicked off Parent Footprint’s network debut by interviewing Georgia Hardstark and soon after Karen Kilgariff. In the spirit of podcast family fun, today’s guest is Kara Klenk and she ta...

Dr. Dan interviews author, editor, speaker, mom, podcaster, and disability/ability advocate Mindy Henderson about her new book THE TRUTH ABOUT THINGS THAT SUCK (and How To Make Them Suck Less) and much more.  Mindy is the Editor-In-Chief of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s family of Quest content including the magazine, newsletter, blog, and podcast, and a powerful leader in disability/ability...

Trigger warning: School shooting, violence, trauma Welcome to a new “Sitting Down with Dr. Dan” episode exclusively for Wondery + subscribers. Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint podcast producer Laura Rossi discuss the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas and answer listener questions about other topics including the process of obtaining a diagnosis for your child, college kids and chores, and autism...

Dr. Dan welcomes inspiring author and mom Marie Myung-Ok Lee to the podcast today. This episode about parenting, autism, maternal instinct, and research/writing is powerful – it will resonate with listeners for a very long time. Marie and her husband are devoted parents raising their young adult autistic son in New York City. Marie is a pioneer using cannabis to treat her son (she was featured on...