Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

What happens when every instinct tells you something is wrong, but no one can find answers? In this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Christina Bernardo, Cuban-American mother of five and co-founder of Avocado Health, to discuss parenting through uncertainty, navigating unimaginable grief, and learning to trust your instincts. Christina shares the story of her daughter, Avi...

In today’s rapidly changing world, family values and parenting strategies are constantly being challenged—especially when adult children return home with new beliefs and perspectives. If your home feels out of sync, it may not be a lack of love—it may be a lack of clarity. This episode introduces a powerful concept: creating a family code of conduct that aligns your values, strengthens communicati...

In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Jessica Robertson about the family values behind Duck Dynasty , the role of faith in shaping their home, and the challenge of raising grounded children in a culture obsessed with fame, screens, and constant noise. Jessica shares how her family protected their marriages, children, and routines during the height of public attention, and why authenticity, fo...

What if the key to a healthier family dynamic has already been read by 20 million people—but you haven't applied it at home yet? In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Dr. Gary Chapman , author of the international mega-bestseller The 5 Love Languages , about how his globally recognized framework can transform parenting. Dr. Chapman introduces his newest book , The Lo...

In this Christmas episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker invites parents to slow down and reflect on the deeper meaning of Emmanuel— God with us —during seasons when parenting feels uncertain, overwhelming, or out of control. Through reflections on Christmas traditions, gingerbread houses, and the sacred rhythms that shape family life, Dr. Meeker explores how simple rituals create belong...

In this insightful episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Larissa May and Dr. Raghu Appasani , co-founders of Ginko —an AI-powered parenting tool designed by clinicians to help families manage screen time and support their children's mental health. As screens increasingly dominate our kids' lives, this episode offers a powerful look at how Ginko promotes digital wellness through...

Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood . In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption in kids and teens. Dr. Twenge shares powerful tips from her book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World , including: Delay smartphone use...

In this follow-up to our conversation on divorce and healing, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with therapist and integrative healer Dawn Wiggins to talk about what it really takes to recover from any kind of trauma — whether it’s divorce, loss, or years of emotional stress. Wiggins explains how trauma shapes our nervous system, thoughts, and relationships — and how real healing happens when we reconnect...

Children process divorce very differently than adults do. In this episode, we explore how to recognize their pain, help them express big emotions, and avoid critical parenting mistakes post-divorce. Learn the do’s and don’ts of co-parenting, when to introduce a new partner, and why listening is your most powerful tool. Topics Covered : How children's grief differs from adults' Emotional and cognit...

In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado to talk about parenting peace, faith-based mindset shifts, and the concept of "picky thinking." Learn how to guard your mind, model faith for your teens, and help your children battle anxiety, negative self-talk, and social media pressures. Max shares his personal stories, paren...

In this transformative episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes psychotherapist and parenting coach Todd Sarner to unpack powerful, research-backed parenting strategies that prioritize connection and attachment over behavior control. Sarner challenges the traditional "behavior-first" models and instead encourages a relational, attachment-first parenting style that fosters emotiona...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Ray Alex Williams , a man who transitioned to living as a trans woman—and later de-transitioned. His story offers rare, firsthand insight into what happens when someone believes gender transition is the answer, only to discover it isn't. As more parents navigate complex conversations with their children a...

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Tia Slightman to explore the "why" behind your child's behavior. Together, they provide simple, effective strategies for disciplining with love and respect —without power struggles or emotional explosions. You’ll learn how your own personality influences your discipline style, how to set firm boundaries , and how to stay calm ev...

From finding joy in small, everyday moments to leveraging technology as a tool for inspiration, this episode offers practical advice for overwhelmed parents and emphasizes how awe can be a protective emotional anchor in today’s chaotic world. Whether it's watching clouds, taking in art, or sharing a heartfelt show like Carl the Collector , you’ll walk away with actionable tips and renewed inspirat...

In Part 2 of this live series , Meg returns with practical solutions for one of the biggest challenges facing today’s families: protecting kids from online porn and predators . If Part 1 opened your eyes to the harsh reality, Part 2 arms you with real tools, proven strategies, and powerful conversations that can help you take back control. Join Meg as she unpacks: How predators target kids through...

In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with journalist and author Leland Vittert , who shares his compelling journey growing up on the autism spectrum. From enduring bullying to discovering his voice through writing, Leland opens up about the key role his father played in his development and how perseverance and unconditional support changed the trajectory of h...

In You Can’t Teach Calm If You Can’t Be Calm , Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes guests Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang , co-authors of The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8 . Together, they unpack how parental self-regulation plays a crucial role in helping children build emotional resilience and develop lifelong emotional skills. This episode dives into why your own calm sets the to...

In this compelling episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, TEDx speaker, parenting coach, and author of the upcoming book Rewrite the Mother Code: From Sacrifice to Stardust . Together, they explore how outdated beliefs around motherhood continue to shape women's emotional lives—and how to break free from them. They discuss how emotional suppression, lac...

Is pornography hijacking your child’s brain? In this essential episode of Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker , Dr. Meg sits down with Parker Hymas , Director of Public Outreach at Fight The New Drug , to expose the growing threat pornography poses to kids and teens in today’s digital-first world. 📊 First exposure happens as early as age 9 . 🧠 Discover how pornography rewires young brains a...

What happens when the kids no longer need you 24/7? In this heartfelt episode of Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker , we dive deep into the emotional and identity-shifting journey that many mothers face when transitioning from full-time parenting into the next chapter of their lives. Dr. Meg sits down with Karen Johnson , a former educator, stay-at-home mom, and author of What Do I Want to B...

In this special Ask Dr. Meg live Q&A session, Dr. Meg Meeker dives into the 7 most common parenting mistakes —but this time, with a powerful twist: she shares how each of these actions actually makes your child feel . From yelling and criticism to withdrawing affection or missing connection, Dr. Meg walks listeners through not only what to avoid—but how to repair and rebuild trust, connection,...

Are your parenting methods helping or hindering your child’s development? In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker, pediatrician and bestselling author, breaks down the four key parenting styles —authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful—and how each one affects your child’s emotional and behavioral growth. You’ll learn how to identify your default parenting style ,...

Can faith and perseverance really transform a life from survival to success? In this inspiring episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Angela “Stikks” Adams—a single mom turned successful model and founder of the Christian Models Association. Angela opens up about her incredible story of overcoming hardship, staying grounded in her Christian faith, and choosing purpose over popul...

Parenting strong-willed kids can be exhausting—but it doesn’t have to be a constant battle. In this episode, Dr. Meg is joined by Kirk Martin , founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast , to talk about how to handle big emotions—starting with your own. From defusing power struggles to managing anxiety and sibling fights, Kirk shares practical, often humorous strategies to he...

Can today’s teens still achieve financial freedom in a world of soaring inflation, student debt, and housing costs? In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Rachel Rodgers , entrepreneur and author of Future Millionaires , to uncover actionable strategies for helping young people become financially independent. From building marketable skills to encouraging entrepreneurship and resilience, R...