Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today

What is food insecurity—and how does it impact children and families in Canada today? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Drawing from her lived experience as a single mother raising three children while facing poverty and food insecurity, Lori offers rare insight into what stru...

What if the key to raising emotionally intelligent, resilient kids isn't about managing their behavior — but about shifting your own? Lorena Seidel, Montessori teacher, emotional intelligence coach, and creator of the Cooperation Shift framework, joins Lianne Castelino host of the Where Parents Talk podcast, for a candid, research-backed conversation about why good intentions alone won't rewrite o...

Are we raising a generation that knows more but thinks less? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, educator, developmental theorist, and author Dr. Jonathan Strecker joins host Lianne Castelino to unpack why modern convenience — from AI tools to screen time — may be quietly undermining the intellectual, emotional, and social development of today's teens. Dr. Strecker, Head of School a...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with entrepreneur, business coach, and mom of four, Alana Kayfetz, to explore why so many mothers put themselves last—and how to change that. From mom burnout and self-neglect to self-prioritization and identity shifts in motherhood, this conversation dives into the real challenges modern moms face. Learn how to bal...

Why do tantrums, emotional outbursts, and teenage shutdowns happen—and what can parents do differently? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with award-winning mediator, peacemaker, and bestselling author Doug Noll about the groundbreaking science behind emotional validation and why traditional parenting approaches often miss the mark. Drawing on decades...

What happens when autism and ADHD go undiagnosed until adulthood? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with neurodiversity consultant and entrepreneur Noelle Sinclair about her late diagnosis—and how it transformed her life as a parent, professional, and individual. Sinclair shares eye-opening insights into masking in girls, the hidden signs of neurodiver...

What does it really mean when your adult child isn't "launching" on your timeline? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett — developmental psychologist, Clark University senior research scholar, and the man who coined the term "emerging adulthood" — to unpack one of the most misunderstood life stages of our time. Dr. Arnett...

Can cannabis use during the teen years slow your child's cognitive development — even before you notice the signs? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to neuroscientist and cannabis researcher Dr. Krista Lisdahl, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who breaks down the findings of the largest long-term s...

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Anna Levy-Warren has spent more than two decades helping kids and families navigate executive functioning challenges — but it wasn't until she became a mother of three neurodiverse children that her understanding truly deepened. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast with host Lianne Castelino, Dr. Levy-Warren unpacks why home is such a difficult envir...

Are schools missing the most important lessons kids need to succeed? In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with youth mentor and entrepreneur Rob Heller, founder of the BOOST Program and author of The Missing Course for Today’s Youth . With over 20 years of experience, Rob shares why success is not luck-based—but skill-based—and explains the critical life skills kids...

Parenting teens today isn’t just challenging—it’s completely different than it used to be. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman to unpack what’s really driving the rise in teen anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm—and why so many parents feel unprepared to handle it. Drawing on nearly three decades of e...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, Lianne Castelino speaks to Chris DeArmitt, PhD, materials scientist, a global advisor on plastics policy and evidence-based research, speaker, author and father. The discussion explore one of today’s most debated environmental and health topics: plastics and microplastics in everyday family life. De Armitt shares a controversial and science-driven...

Substance use and addiction are affecting more families than ever—and many parents feel unprepared, overwhelmed, and alone. In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with certified family recovery specialist Kim Porter, co-founder of Be Part of the Conversation . Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience as a mother, Kim shares powerful insights into...

The tumultuous waters of parenting in today's world often requires a nuanced understanding of emotional and mental health, especially as our children face unique challenges such as bullying, social media pressures, and the complexities of consent and relationships. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Micheline Green, an integral master coach, educator...

In today’s fast-moving digital world, parents face an urgent challenge: how to raise children who can think critically, question information, and navigate the growing influence of AI and social media. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with John Krotec—educator, entrepreneur, U.S. Army veteran, and founder of Neo Masculinity Solutions—about why teaching...

Strong relationships are the foundation of a healthy family—but parenting stress, busy schedules, and miscommunication can take a toll on even the strongest couples. In this episode of Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with therapist Dr. Dan Sneider about how parents can build stronger, more connected relationships while raising children. Learn practical, research-backed str...

Why do children misbehave—and what is their behaviour really trying to tell us? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with paediatrician, author, and mother Dr. Kristen Cook about the science behind children’s behaviour and what today’s overwhelmed parents need to know. Drawing on more than 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Cook explains how understandi...

Why are so many young adults struggling with independence today—and what can parents do differently? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk Podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with licensed school psychologist, author and father David Krasky, whose book Raising Future Adults explores how parents can prepare children and teens for real-world success. Drawing on two decades of experience workin...

On this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast host Lianne Castelino sits down with leading body image researcher Dr. Charlotte Markey, professor at Rutgers University and author of The Body Image Book for Girls , for a conversation about raising confident kids in a social media-saturated world. With nearly 30 years of research on body image, eating behaviours, puberty, and mental health, Dr. M...

On this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with picky eating expert, educator, and founder of Raising Healthy Families, Katie Kimball. Kimball explains why teaching teens to cook is about far more than food. It’s about: Reducing teen anxiety through competence and ownership Building executive functioning and life skills Strengthening family connection Prepar...

How do you raise safe, confident kids in a world of gaming chats, AI tools, social media, and constant connectivity? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to cybersecurity professionals Chad Rychlewski and Kae David, who share expert, practical advice from their book Cyber Smart Parenting . As both industry insiders, they translate enterprise-level cyberse...

Why do so many parents feel like they’re failing — even when they’re doing everything “right”? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino is joined by Manu Brune, postpartum specialist, parent coach, mother of 3 and author of Overcorrecting: Parenting in the Middle While the World Shouts in Extremes . They unpack a timely issue facing parents today: overcorrection. Br...

Life insurance can feel overwhelming for parents — especially when you’re juggling kids, careers, mortgages, and everyday life. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Laura McKay, co-founder and COO of PolicyMe and a mom of two, to break down life insurance in simple, practical terms for families. This essential conversation for parents covers what lif...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Matthew Kaufman, camp director, author, lifelong camp professional and father, about the powerful science behind camp and what parents can learn from it. Drawing from his book The Campfire Effect: How to Engineer Belonging in a Disconnected World , Kaufman explains how camp environments intentionally create safety...

What if your child’s genius has nothing to do with grades or test scores? In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with Houlie Duque, educator, homeschool coach, and founder of Homeschool To Go, to challenge traditional ideas of intelligence and success in education. The conversation explores how every child is intelligent—just in different ways—and why the current educ...