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

Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children—and for many parents, the fear and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with Malina Malkani, pediatric registered dietitian, bestselling author, and mom of three, to break down the latest science-backed guidance on food allergy prevention. Learn why early introduction of allergenic foods like...

Modern parenting often feels like a race against time. Between school pressures, screens, and rising rates of anxiety and depression, many parents are left wondering what their children truly need—and how to support them without burning out themselves. In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino is joined by occupational therapist, naturalist, parent coach, and author Kathleen Lo...

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the world our children are growing up in, many parents are left wondering: What does this mean for my child’s identity, values, and future? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with global technology thought leader and author Don Tapscott to explore the rise of identic AI and why understanding it is no longer op...

In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks to licensed professional counsellor, teen therapist, author and mom Katie K. May about teen mental health. Drawing from her own experience as a former “teen on fire” and her clinical work with adolescents and families, May unpacks emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and the powerful role validation plays in strengthening parent-t...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with Marcus Fernandez — founder and CEO of the largest homeopathy school in the U.K., bestselling author, longtime educator, and father of two — about natural medicine and family health. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, Fernandez shares how public perception of homeopathy has evolved, why more parents are e...

In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks to Dr. Caroline Fleck—licensed psychologist, Stanford instructor, corporate consultant, and author of Validation: How the Skill Set that Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life . Dr. Fleck breaks down one of psychotherapy’s most impactful yet misunderstood tools:...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Dr. Will Dobud, an award-winning researcher and social worker. Dr. Dobud sheds light on the alarming rise in youth anxiety and depression, suggesting that perhaps the real issue lies not within the kids themselves, but in the systems surrounding them. The discussion explores the importance of communication and indep...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Sami Timimi, psychiatrist and author of Searching for Normal. The conversation examines the current approach to diagnosing mental health conditions in young people. Drawing on extensive clinical experience, Dr. Timimi questions the growing tendency to interpret behavioural patte...

How can parents teach kids to think critically, tell truth from falsehood, and navigate an online world filled with AI-generated content and misinformation? In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, about practical ways parents can build digital media literacy at home. Discover how to talk to your kids about hon...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Michael Chiasson — speaker, musician, writer, and author of Things We Wish Our Parents Knew . Drawing on 20+ years of speaking to youth across North America, Chiasson shares lessons from thousands of anonymous letters written by teens about what they wish their parents understood. Discover what today’s young people...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Rebecca Faye Smith Galli — columnist, resilience expert, advocate, and bestselling author — about what it truly means to live with resilience in the face of unimaginable loss and change. A mother of four (including two children with special needs) and a grandmother, Smith Galli’s journey has been marked by profound...

Did you know that your child’s stomach aches might have more to do with their mind than their meals? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Ali Navidi, licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of GI Psychology, about the link between the gut and the brain — and what every parent should know. Dr. Navidi explains how gut–brain disorders such as irritabl...

What should parents really be telling their kids before they leave the nest? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to writer and mom of three, Joanne McHugh, creator of the newsletter Things Your Mom Should Have Told You. McHugh how parents can help their young adults navigate love, work, money, and life’s inevitable messiness — without lecturing or sugarc...

In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks with Pamela Hobart — philosopher coach, writer, mother of four, and gifted education advocate. Hobart shares her journey from academia to coaching, and now to her work at GT School, where AI-driven mastery learning meets life skills education for high-ability students. Drawing on her background in philosophy and coaching, Hobart...

Self-regulation is a superpower that can transform a teen’s emotional, social, and academic life. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to psychologist and first-time author Dr. Cathy Wu. The former college professor and mom dives into why mastering self-regulation is essential for today’s youth—and how parents can help. From navigating technology and soci...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Shawn Kelly, pediatrician, adolescent addictions specialist, and father of two. Dr. Kelly shares why he co-authored a Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial on gambling advertising, the moment his own young son confused sports stats with betting terms, and why he sees this issue as a “Wild West” for yo...

When children leave home, parents often face a powerful mix of emotions—grief, pride, uncertainty, and even freedom. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, licensed therapist, TEDx speaker, author, and mom Molly Carroll joins host Lianne Castelino to explore the realities of the empty nest . From the emotional challenges of letting go, to redefining identity and rediscovering purpose,...

In this episode of Where Parents Talk , host Lianne Castelino speaks to Dr. Brett Hill—chiropractor, entrepreneur, and father of four teenagers—to uncover the surprising connection between posture, overall health, and parenting. Dr. Hill explains why posture is more than just “sitting up straight.” From screen time to stress management, posture plays a critical role in our children’s brain develop...

On this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Jenny Perez, entrepreneur, mother and founder of Unplugged an organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the impact of smartphones and social media on children. Perez shares her insights on how constant device use can affect physical health, emotional well-being, and family communication, while also co...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Annie Brock and Heather Hundley—seasoned educators and co-authors of the newly revised The Growth Mindset Coach. The conversation explores how this simple yet transformative approach can reshape parenting, teaching, and the way children see themselves. They reveal practical ways parents can nurture growth at home: c...

Adolescence is often described as turbulent—but in the digital age, the waves are higher and the currents stronger. In this week’s Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with bestselling author, mental health advocate, journalist and mother of five, Rachel Kelly ( The Gift of Teenagers: Connect More, Worry Less ) about the forces shaping today’s teens: hormonal changes, relentles...

Estrangement between parents and adult children is more common than many realize — affecting an estimated 26% of adults aged 18 to 40. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino talks with Catherine Hickem, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, founder of Parenting Adult Children , author and mom, about why these painful breakups happen and how to repair t...

Balancing the needs of aging parents while supporting young adult children is no easy task—and for millions in the sandwich generation , it’s a daily reality. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino dives into the realities of the sandwich generation —those balancing the care of aging parents while supporting young adult children with guest Dr. Shirley Davis. A sea...

First love can feel all-consuming—especially for teens navigating overwhelming emotions, identity, and digital pressure all at once. In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino sits down with acclaimed journalist, professor, and author Lisa A. Phillips, whose book "First Love: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak" explores the emotional rollercoaster of teen romance....

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Ted Dintersmith, education disruptor, former venture capitalist, and author of Aftermath: The Math You Wish You Took . The discussion explores the gap between traditional math education and the real-world skills students actually need to succeed. Dintersmith distills the status quo by emphasizing the importance of c...