Raising Good Humans

In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Vonda Wright, author of 'Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Aging with Power.' We discuss the importance of bone health, muscle building, and lifelong mobility, particularly for women in their thirties and forties. Dr. Wright emphasizes the need to start addressing bone density and strength early in life to prevent issues in later years. We discuss practical tip...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Christopher Willard, a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School and co-author of College Mental Health 101, to explore how parents can support college-bound teens through the transition to campus life. We get practical with research-backed basics like sleep, movement, medication management, and executive function supports, along with a simple “support...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Marc Berman, the pioneer of environmental neuroscience, to explore the surprising science behind how nature enhances cognitive, physical, and social wellbeing. We dive into how spending time in nature—whether it’s a walk in the park or simply looking at nature photos—can boost attention, memory, and mood. Dr. Berman also shares practical tips for how to inco...

What is gentle parenting, really? And why is it annoying so many parents? I’m joined by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson to unpack the truth behind the trend, clear up major misconceptions, and explain why the real gold standard—authoritative parenting—still matters most. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit....

In today's episode I sit down with Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute to discuss cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). We delve into the misconceptions, tools, and techniques of CBT, and how parents and children can benefit from these strategies. Dr. Anderson explains the importance of understanding emotions, practicing mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring. We also share practical a...

In today’s episode I am joined by Yale neuroscientist Dr. Dylan Gee for a fascinating look at what’s actually happening in our children’s brains when we offer support, warmth, and connection. We delve into the neurobiology and neurobiological mechanisms that underpin parent-child interactions, particularly focusing on emotional development. We also dive into the individual differences in children'...

In today's episode I speak with activist Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, about her new book 'Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age'. Shannon shares her journey from corporate PR to leading a grassroots movement against gun violence and discusses how women can discover their core values, ignite personal and professional transformations, and find a sen...

In this episode, Tina and I discuss personal moments of our parenting missteps, explore instances where our reactions didn't align with my expertise and what we might have done differently. We discuss the benefits of imperfections, the power of repair, and the importance of modeling self-compassion for our children. Through our real-life anecdotes, we highlight the challenges and lessons learned f...

In this episode, I’m joined by James Kimmel Jr. JD, a lecturer in psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and author of The Science of Revenge, to explore what the latest neuroscience tells us about revenge, grievance, and retaliation. We discuss how the brain’s reward system becomes activated in response to perceived harm—often fueling cycles of conflict that begin in childhood. Together, we ex...

In today's episode I dive into one of the most triggering parenting challenges: backtalk. From eye rolls to attitude, I’m sharing 10 practical, research-backed ways to respond to backtalk without damaging your connection with your child. From toddlers asserting independence to teens testing boundaries, I’ll share developmentally informed approaches to help you regulate your response, set respectfu...

Today I sit down with Claire Lerner to discuss practical approaches for parents managing highly sensitive, highly reactive, or 'orchid' children. We address common struggles parents face, such as interpreting sensitive caregiving, setting boundaries, and dealing with tantrums. Using real-life case studies, the importance of creating 'positive discomfort' for growth is emphasized. Tips include sett...

In today’s episode, brought to you by WaterWipes, co-founders, authors and chemists, Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu of Chemist Confessions crack the case on hidden ingredients that may be found in a parent’s most used product, Baby Wipes. Victoria and Gloria share their expertise from nearly 20 years in the skin care industry and discuss the benefits of leaning towards products with minimal ingredients...

In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Thomas Boyce, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at UCSF, about his 40 years of research on temperamental differences in children, specifically focusing on his concept of 'orchid' and 'dandelion' children. Dr. Boyce explains how while most children are resilient like dandelions, a significant minority are sensitive 'orchids' who react more strongly to the...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Professor Rob Turrisi, a leading expert in behavioral decision-making and substance misuse prevention, to discuss teen drinking. With decades of research, Turrisi shares insights on the developmental factors influencing alcohol use among adolescents and emerging adults, exploring the transition from high school to college, peer environments, and alarming data o...

This week I sat down with New York Times bestselling author Melinda Wenner Moyer about her new book Hello, Cruel World. We explore the fear that drives so much of modern parenting, how to help kids build self-compassion, what the research really says about tech and substance use, and why a little discomfort might be exactly what our kids need to grow. Buy her book HERE. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Orde...

In today’s episode Yale professor and The Happiness Lab host Dr. Laurie Santos breaks down the science of happiness, sharing what research actually shows boosts our wellbeing—and what doesn’t. We explore the difference between feeling good in your life and feeling good about your life, and how strategies like social connection, movement, sleep, time affluence, and self-compassion can make a measur...

Pelvic health is often ignored until something goes wrong—but it’s essential at every stage of a woman’s life. In this episode, Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as the Vagina Whisperer, breaks down what every woman needs to know about her pelvic floor. From painful sex and postpartum recovery to perimenopause, proper toilet habits, and how we talk to our kids about their bodies. Purchase her book HERE...

In this powerful and refreshingly playful conversation, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson returns to talk about The Way of Play—her newest book and a much-needed reminder that play isn't just fun, it's foundational. We dive into the science and soul of play—from its impact on brain development and emotional intelligence to how it builds lifelong connection and resilience. We also discuss why roughhousing isn’...

In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Blaise Aguirre, renowned Harvard psychiatrist to explore the roots of self-hatred and how it differs from everyday self-criticism. We unpack how early experiences—often subtle and unintentional—can shape a child’s sense of worth, and what it takes to unlearn those damaging lessons. We talk about how to respond when your child says “I hate myself,” why curiosi...

In today’s episode I sit down with with Dr. Tom Hildebrandt, clinical psychologist and director at Mount Sinai’s Center for Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders, to unpack the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders—and why that distinction matters. We dive into how to foster healthy food environments at home, when (and how) to talk to your kids about food and body image, an...

I’m so excited to welcome back Dr. Ethan Kross, psychologist, neuroscientist, and author of Chatter, for a fascinating conversation about the inner voice we all live with—and how it can help or hurt us. We talk about how to support our kids (and ourselves) when that voice gets loud, critical, or overwhelming. Ethan shares incredibly helpful, science-backed tools for calming the chatter, building r...

How can doodling and daydreaming - when your child might otherwise be paying attention - be a good thing? How does art support our child's health? What skills do our kids acquire in art class that help them later in life? This week, join me in conversation with Susan Magsamen, author of Your Brain On Art. She serves as executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, part of the Brain Scie...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by clinical neuropsychologist Dr. William Stixrud, co-author of The Self-Driven Child and the brand new Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child workbook. We talk about how to nurture internal motivation, what it really means to be autonomy-supportive, and how to step back without checking out. We also explore the difference between intrinsic and extrinsi...

In today's episode I sit down with bestselling author Gretchen Rubin to talk about her new book, The Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives. We dive into the power of short, impactful wisdom, how to pass life lessons to our kids without sounding like we’re lecturing, and why accepting ourselves while still expecting more of ourselves is the key to growth. Gretchen shares some of...

How do children learn to understand and regulate the emotions? In this episode, I sit down with professor and psychologist Kristen Lindquist to explore how kids develop the ability to recognize, label, and regulate their emotions. We talk about the power of language in shaping emotional growth, the fine line between validating feelings and overwhelming kids with labels, and how temperament plays a...