Raising Us: A Parenting Podcast

(Note: This episode originally ran on September 9th, 2025) What do kids learn when they hear “fat” used like an insult? And what do we say when they turn that word on themselves? In this episode, we talk about how to name fatphobia, challenge it, and model true body respect at any size. Back-to-school season often brings comments about weight, growth, and how bodies “should” look. For parents of t...

While headlines about ICE raids, immigration crackdowns, and family separation ripple through communities, our kids are noticing. Host Elise Hu revisits conversations with Duncan Tonatiuh and Anya Kamenetz to explore how parents can talk to their kids honestly about immigration without spreading fear. First, author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh shares how his children’s books are inspired by his...

When kids see protests, political debates, and powerful emotions playing out in real time on the news and in headlines, it’s up to parents to help make sense of it all. Elise Hu revisits conversations with educator and author Sharon McMahon, and activist Tabitha St. Bernard Jacobs to explore what it means to use your voice, stand up for others, and participate in shaping the world through democrac...

When puberty hits earlier and emotions run higher, the conversations we have with our kids about their bodies, sex, and consent matter more than ever. Kids are already learning about these topics earlier and earlier from peers, media and the world around them. To help parents keep up, host Elise Hu revisits earlier conversations with Dr. Cara Natterson and Dr. Nadine Thornhill with their expert gu...

Adoption is a lifelong process of identity and belonging, and how parents talk about it with our kids matters from the very beginning. Nefertiti Austin, author of Motherhood So White and a mother of two adopted kids, joins Elise Hu to share her personal path to adopting, why she chose to adopt within her own community, and the mindset she carries through parenthood. Nefertiti offers practical guid...

As families head into summer break, screentime may feel top of mind for parents trying to raise healthy, balanced kids in a screen-saturated world. Elise Hu revisits two Raising Us conversations to help parents make sense of how screens are shaping kids’ lives, learning, and wellbeing. First, public school teacher, librarian, and author Ash Brandin offers alternatives to strict screen time limits...

Raising resilient kids and understanding how to support their mental health often starts with their self-esteem and self-compassion. Host Elise Hu revisits two empowering conversations to help parents understand how intertwined self-esteem and mental health are. First, Kelli Joy Richardson, founder of The SonRise Project, debunks common myths about mental health and shares practical tips on how to...

Divorce can reshape every part of family life for kids and parents alike, from routines and living arrangements to feelings of grief, anger, and confusion. In this episode of Raising Us, Elise Hu talks with divorce parenting expert, educator, and author Christina McGhee about how parents can help children navigate divorce with honesty and stability. Christina shares insights from both her professi...

What do you say when your child asks about race, racism, or representation – and you’re not sure where to start? In this special episode of Raising Us, host Elise Hu is joined by Jelani Memory, founder of A Kids Co. and author of A Kids Book About Racism , to answer questions from real parents navigating challenging conversations. From starting at step one to deciding when your child needs more su...

From scrolling on social media to watching sports and TV, kids are constantly absorbing messages about who gets to be seen, and who doesn’t. Joining host Elise Hu to talk about why representation in media matters for kids is WNBA legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist Angel McCoughtry. She reflects on growing up without seeing herself represented in sports, to now inspiring and actively creatin...

Trauma in kids isn’t always obvious, but kids are constantly taking in the world around them and paying attention to how we adults respond to it. Actor, comedian, and author Paul Scheer joins host Elise Hu for an honest and personal conversation about trauma and parenting. Paul opens up about his childhood experiences with trauma shared in his new memoir, Joyful Recollections of Trauma . He reflec...

Talking to kids about sex and consent can feel awkward, overwhelming, and easy to put off — but these conversations can start earlier and easier than we think. Host Elise Hu sits down with sex educator Dr. Nadine Thornhill to unpack how parents and families can approach topics like bodies, boundaries, relationships, and consent with more openness. They explore the most common questions families ha...

Eating disorders in kids are more common than parents realize, but many still question how to spot early warning signs, talk about healthy habits and body image, and support with compassion. Host Elise Hu sits with professional squash champion Amanda Sobhy and National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) CEO Jessica Scheer to unpack the realities of eating disorders and disordered eating in childr...

From wildfires and floods to melting ice caps, today’s kids are exposed to the realities of climate change earlier than ever. Host Elise Hu is joined by author, marine biologist, and cofounder of the Urban Ocean Lab, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, to discuss how climate anxiety shows up in kids, and how parents can help share the truth without overwhelming kids about reality. Drawing from her New Yo...

With news about ICE, immigration raids, and family separation everywhere, many parents are wondering how to talk to kids about everything going on. How do we share harsh realities without overwhelming them, while still being honest? Host Elise Hu speaks with Maria Hinojosa, founder of Futuro Media and longtime host of Latino USA about her decades of learnings from reporting on immigration and fami...

Whether they notice a wheelchair, limb difference, or how parents respond to disabilities, kids pick up on physical differences earlier than we think. Raising Us host Elise Hu is joined by team USA’s three-time Paralympic gold medalist Alana Nichols as she reflects on her life-changing injury and how representation and community really matters, especially for kids with disabilities.  Later in the...

From explosive meltdowns and slammed doors to tears that seem to come out of nowhere, some kids simply feel everything more intensely. Joining host Elise Hu to unpack what parenting a deeply feeling kid or teen might look like is Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and host of the Good Inside podcast. She and Elise dive into Dr. Becky’s new children’s book Leave Me Alone,...

Impostor syndrome in kids is more common than we think, and how parents respond to self-doubt can shape their children’s confidence for life. Joining host Elise Hu is Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she reflects on her built resilience and found motivations throughout her life. Justice Jackson shares her best strategies for combating impostor syndrome, and finding community in a new...

Kids are seeing political protests, activism, and civic engagement unfold on screens, in schools, and in their own communities. With that constant exposure these days, talking about social justice is an essential part of parenting today. Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs is a mom, writer, and organizer familiar with kickstarting these conversations and age-appropriate involvement in her own home.  A foun...

(Note: This episode originally ran on November 18th, 2025) When sharing life lessons with our kids, parents can often only hope that these lessons stick. Comedian, actor, and dad Roy Wood Jr. joins Elise Hu to talk about how humor, humility, and honesty has helped navigate parenting and giving his son the tools to thrive in a world without him. Roy shares the most impactful lessons he’s learned, t...

Kids’ mental health is becoming an increasingly important topic for families, as the CDC reports rising rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use. Host Elise Hu is joined by mental wellness advocate and founder of The SonRise Project, Kelli Joy Richardson, to explore how parents can support children navigating mental health challenges. Kelli opens up about her personal journey with her son’s...

What does the research actually say about screen time and video games? After we received more questions about regulating kids’ screen time for both school and play, author and gaming expert Dr. Rachel Kowert joined us for a conversation on video games and how they affect kids’ behavior, mental health, and relationships. She helps break down the science behind kids and video games, and outlines the...

History isn’t just a subject in school – kids are already absorbing it in real time through news, culture, and everyday life. How parents talk about historical events at home can shape how kids understand the world, think critically about the past, and apply learnings to their present day. Journalist, historian and creator Garrison Hayes joins host Elise Hu to share how families can make history f...

(Note: This episode originally ran on September 30th, 2025) Artificial Intelligence is everywhere — from ChatGPT to TikTok algorithms, AI is transforming childhood, parenting, and everything about how we live today. Creator and co-host of podcast Life With Machines Baratunde Thurston chats with Elise Hu about the ways we can help kids and ourselves navigate this new technology with curiosity and c...

Educational technology is a daily part of school for kids, from learning apps and video lessons to digital group projects. But is all this screen time actually helping kids learn? In this episode of Raising Us, host Elise Hu explores the benefits and challenges of educational technology in classrooms, including concerns around distraction, data privacy, and child development.  Kate Brody, educator...