Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

Do your kids shut down when you try to talk? In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by licensed therapist Beliza Perez , the creator of FAM Gabs , for a sponsored conversation on how to build emotional closeness through simple, intentional questions. You’ll learn why some kids stop sharing, how to avoid parent-child communication traps, and what to do instead. Beliza shares therapy-based tools—...

When 12-year-old Harrison Haynes met a 19-year-old “mentor” in an online game, it felt like a friendship—until it turned into manipulation and abuse. In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Harrison about his firsthand experience with online grooming, how his mental health struggles played a role, and the steps his parents took to intervene and help him heal. N...

July has been all about parenting in the digital age, and today we take a hard look at the dark side of school devices, emojis, and disappearing apps—with Titania Jordan, Chief Parenting Officer at Bark Technologies and a nationally recognized expert in online safety. In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker dives into the hidden vulnerabilities that come with your child’s screen time—from unfiltered schoo...

Is your response to your teen’s emotions helping—or hurting—the situation? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Sheri Gazitt , teen life coach and founder of Teen Wise, to explore how parents unintentionally contribute to the emotional “drama” of adolescence—and what to do instead. Together, they unpack the real reasons teens act out, how parents can shift from reacting to re...

Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Leslie Tyler , Director of Parent Education at Pinwheel and a champion for Children’s Digital Wellness, to unpack the risks and opportunities AI brings into our children’s lives. In this episode, we explore: Why children are early adopters of AI—and what parents need to know. The double-edged sword of AI as both a learning tool and a potential digital crutch. Key risks for...

Is your parenting stress spilling over into your child's life? You're not alone—and you're not powerless. In this episode, Mark Gerson, author of God Was Right , shares how biblical wisdom—paired with modern psychology—can radically shift the way we understand independence, fear, and success in parenting. We cover: The connection between parental stress and children's anxiety How ancient stories l...

In this special Father’s Day episode, Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Rob Finlay, author of Hey Dad, Everything You Should Have Learned About Life but Didn’t . They dive into how parents—especially dads—can raise kids who are prepared for real-world responsibilities. In this episode: The life skills every teen needs before leaving home Why failure builds independence and confidence Communication, budget...

What happens when a high-achieving, all-American girl is silently battling depression? In this powerful episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Allie Marie Smith , life coach, speaker, and author of Social Media Reset , to explore how the pressure to be perfect—and the influence of social media—nearly led her to end her life. Allie shares her story of growing up in Silicon Valley, struggling with h...

Do you feel like you're falling short as a parent? Dr. Meg Meeker, pediatrician and parenting expert, sits down with child and family therapist Craig Knippenberg to unpack why “good enough” is more than enough in today’s complex parenting landscape. Craig is the author of Shame-Free Parenting: Building Resiliency in Times of Hardship, Guns, and Social Media , and together, he and Dr. Meg explore h...

What happens when a parent, once strong and accomplished, finds themselves trapped in addiction? In this compelling episode of the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Nick Padlo , founder of Sophros Recovery in Tampa. A former combat veteran and addiction survivor, Nick shares how his journey through military service and personal struggle led him to create a treatment center f...

Do you feel like you're constantly running on empty trying to be the “perfect” parent? In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Israa Nasir , licensed psychotherapist and author of Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Always Demands More , to unpack how the pressure to always “do more” is impacting parents and their chil...

What does it mean to parent when the world isn't built for you? Jessica Slice, author of Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World , joins Dr. Meg Meeker to share her powerful story of raising a child with a disability. Jessica discusses the myths around "perfect parenting," the societal barriers disabled parents face, and how true connection matters far more than physical p...

What’s the real key to college admissions success? It might not be what you think. In this empowering episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Dr. Pamela Ellis , also known as The Education Doctor . With experience guiding over 30,000 families and helping students earn an average of $75,000 in scholarships , Dr. Ellis shares invaluable insights that every parent needs to hear....

What’s driving the surge in teen anxiety—and how can parents help kids take back control of their mental health? In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Dr. Jodi Aman, a seasoned psychotherapist, author, and educator with nearly 30 years of experience helping teens and families break free from the grip of anxiety. Together, they explore the real reasons behind today’s teen mental health crisi...

What does it take to raise kids who think critically, challenge the status quo, and build real-world skills early in life? In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Connor Boyack , founder of the Libertas Institute and author of the bestselling Tuttle Twins book series. Connor shares how his work is helping families teach children about liberty, economics, and critical thinking—skills often lef...

Can allowing teens to drink at home teach them responsible alcohol use? Dr. Claudia Black, a leading expert in teen substance abuse and addiction, reveals why this approach may actually encourage drinking outside the home. In this episode, we discuss: Why parental supervision doesn’t prevent teen drinking – It often normalizes alcohol use. The real reasons teens drink – Peer pressure, social accep...

Struggling with your child's sleep? In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with sleep expert Dana Obleman , founder of the Sleep Sense Program , to tackle common sleep challenges in babies, toddlers, and teens. They discuss: Why children wake up at night and how to help them sleep independently The four-month sleep regression and how to navigate it Strategies to reduce...

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with 15-year-old Elle Liemandt, the creator of Ask Elle , an AI-powered dating coach app designed for teens. They dive into the challenges of modern teen dating, exploring how social media platforms like Snapchat influence relationships and shape teen interactions. Elle shares insights on how her app helps teens rebuild essential s...

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Joe Hashey to discuss balancing career ambitions with a thriving family life. Joe, a former educator turned fitness leader, shares his journey of recognizing work-family imbalance and the steps he took to correct it. After his father’s passing, he re-evaluated his family’s health and values, leading to The Strong Family Projec...

💡 What do adults wish they had known about teen dating? How can parents guide their teens to make healthier relationship choices? In this episode of Parenting Great Kids , Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with team member Alexie, who reflects on 20 years of dating experiences—starting at just 15. She shares insights on relationship challenges, emotional struggles, and regrets, highlighting the impact of...

With Valentine’s Day just behind us, many parents are reflecting on teen dating—when it should start, what rules to set, and how to guide their kids through relationships. In this Ask Dr. Meg episode of the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker answers the most common questions from parents, covering everything from the right age to start dating to setting healthy boundaries and expectation...

“Authenticity isn’t about staying the same—it’s about being true to yourself across life’s many roles.” In this episode, media personality Jeanne Sparrow shares how she has embraced authenticity throughout her career and personal life, offering practical lessons for maintaining genuine connections. From interviewing iconic figures to navigating personal relationships, Jeanne reveals how to balance...

In this episode, we delve into the journey of sobriety with Chris Janssen, MA, BCC, author of Grace Yourself: How to Show Up for the Sober Life You Want. Chris shares her inspiring story, from recognizing her own drinking problem to the pivotal moment that led her to seek help. She provides valuable insights into understanding addiction, managing family and social dynamics, and the importance of b...

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker , Dr. Meg is joined by Julie Ryan McGue—an award-winning writer, domestic adoptee, and identical twin—to dive deep into the complexities of adoption and identity. Julie opens up about her journey of growing up as an adoptee, the emotional impact of being part of a closed adoption, and her search for birth relatives to uncover critical med...

Join Dr. Meg Meeker for a meaningful conversation with Jim Burns, founder of HomeWord, on navigating conversations about sexuality with kids in today’s social media-driven world. They discuss how societal norms and digital influences shape children’s perceptions of sex and share practical strategies for parents to approach sex education with confidence and clarity. From handling awkward moments to...