Episodes

  • TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public

    TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public
    Oct 31 2025
    Today, we’re talking about such a pressing consideration for anyone raising a kid these days — what it means for today’s generation of kids to grow up with very public lives and coming of age in a digital world where so many aspects of their lives are online and available for public consumption, not to mention that much of their important work of identity formation is being shaped by the media and technology they interact with. My guest, Devorah Heitner, gets into all of this in her brand new and essential book for any parent, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. For this conversation, I asked Devorah to talk us through what I see as some of the more pressing issues for parents like us, including how to balance a child’s right to privacy in their texts and online lives with valid concerns about online influences and engagement when that child is dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health disorder, the impact of social media on kids who may already be struggling to fit in and find their people, and how many homework and grading apps used by schools may actually be undermining our kids development of executive function skills and creating additional stress for parents. Things you'll learn How to navigate the transition from being highly involved in a children’s tech life to respecting their privacy Why violating our kids’ trust by reading their texts will drive them further apart from us What to track or monitor when your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders How engaging in social media may impact kids who are struggling to fit in and find their people Why social media can act as an intensifier for whatever kids are experiencing and how it causes a dip in self-esteem What sharenting is and how to navigate permissions, cleaning up past shares, and more Why apps like ClassDojo are particularly challenging for families with differently-wired students How grading apps often work against differently wired students Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • TPP 472: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Transforming Conflict Into Connection with our Teens

    TPP 472: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Transforming Conflict Into Connection with our Teens
    Oct 28 2025
    Today we’re talking about one of my favorite topics — what it really means to connect, collaborate, and let go of control as our kids grow into themselves as they enter the transformative teen years. My guest is Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach who helps overwhelmed parents raise confident, emotionally healthy kids and teens, and the author of the brand new book, Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict Into Connection. In our conversation, Ann-Louise shares insights from her book and offers a powerful reframing of what it means to parent through the teen years. We talk about shifting from control to curiosity—especially when raising neurodivergent kids—along with individuation, cognitive dissonance, and why living a fulfilling life as a parent is one of the best ways to model healthy behaviors for our teens. She also reminds us that it’s never too late to repair, reconnect, and love the teen we have right now. About Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is a pediatric psychologist, parent coach, speaker, and author who helps overwhelmed parents raise confident, emotionally healthy kids and teens. As the founder of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, she empowers families to move from chaos to connection using practical tools rooted in clinical expertise and real-life parenting. She is the author of an upcoming book launching October 28, 2025 titled, Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict Into Connection. She has been featured in The New York Times, Parents, HuffPost, and on The Today Show. Her dynamic, relatable style has made her a trusted voice for parents nationwide. Things you'll learn from this episode Why it’s never too late to repair and rebuild connection with your teen How curiosity helps parents better understand what’s really driving their teen’s behavior Why focusing on connection over control leads to stronger, more trusting relationships How individuation is a healthy and necessary part of adolescence for both teens and parents Why modeling a fulfilling, authentic life can positively influence your child’s growth How resetting expectations and embracing collaboration can transform communication and repair past ruptures Resources mentioned Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s author website Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict Into Connection by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart A New Day Pediatric Psychology (Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s practice) Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Instagram Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Facebook Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s YouTube channel Chris Voss & The Art of Negotiation (Masterclass) Lighthouse Parenting: Raising your Child with Loving Guidance for an Enduring Bond by Dr. Ken Ginsburg Maggie Dent on How to Parent, Love & Support Today’s Teens (Full-Tilt Parenting) Education Leader Chris Balme on Navigating the Tricky Middle School Years (Full-Tilt Parenting) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • TPP 356a: Supporting Healthy Digital Media Use for Neurodivergent Kids

    TPP 356a: Supporting Healthy Digital Media Use for Neurodivergent Kids
    Oct 24 2025
    Many of our kids spend a LOT of time engaging on screens and with technology, and I don’t know about you, but for me it feels like this is an ever-changing, and fast-changing landscape, and one that can be hard to stay on top of. Whether we’re talking about assistive technology, videos, games, or social media, these forms of media continue to offer new ways of interacting, developing relationships, and even exploring identity, and this has added to the complexity of raising neurodivergent kiddos. So I invited Dr. Meryl Alper, a researcher on the social and cultural implications of communication technologies with a focus on disability, digital media, and children and families’ tech use to join me to talk about how we should be thinking about our kids’ relationship with screens and tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • TPP 313a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Online Safety and Internet “Rabbit Holes” and Neurodivergent Kids

    TPP 313a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Online Safety and Internet “Rabbit Holes” and Neurodivergent Kids
    Oct 17 2025
    Today is an important conversation about online communities and internet rabbit holes. And I felt pulled to tackle this topic for the show because I know that the past few years in particularly has been a time where differently wired kids have beenspending a LOT more time online and connecting with people they may not have even meant in real life and doing their identity development largely online. And I also know that this can put our kids, and us as their parents and caregivers, in challenging positions as we navigate a seemingly endless stream of discourse that may lead our kids down the wrong paths. So I asked my friend and screen and tech expert Dr. Devorah Heitner to join me for a frank and open conversation about it all. We talked about the ways differently wired kids might be exposed to harmful content, and why our kids may be more susceptible to toxic or unhealthy virtual rabbit holes in the first place, the popular places where teens and kids are hanging out the most right now, the way our kids’ worldview and their brain development is impacted they content their engaging with, and what we parents might not know that we should know about regarding this topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • TPP 470: How Can I Stay Grounded When My Child Falls Apart After School?

    TPP 470: How Can I Stay Grounded When My Child Falls Apart After School?
    Oct 16 2025
    In this Parent Lean In episode, Margaret Webb joins me to answer a listener's question about those tough moments when our kids are totally dysregulated—especially after long, overstimulating school days. We get into why these behaviors happen, how important it is for kids to release pent-up energy, and what it really means to co-regulate. We also talk about how to stay grounded ourselves when things get loud or chaotic, and remind parents that these rough patches are hard, but they are temporary—and we don’t have to face them alone. Key Takeaways Why understanding common concerns about social skills in autistic children can help parents feel less isolated and more empowered How parental anxieties can shape decisions around social opportunities and why self-awareness is key Why clarifying your own worries before addressing your child’s needs leads to more intentional and effective support How using scaffolding strategies can make playdates more successful and comfortable for neurodivergent kids Why keeping playdates short and thoughtfully matched can reduce stress for both kids and caregivers How lowering expectations and partnering with teachers and other parents can create more positive social experiences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    17 mins
  • TPP 469: Helping Neurodivergent Girls Know They’re Enough, with Kate Rope

    TPP 469: Helping Neurodivergent Girls Know They’re Enough, with Kate Rope
    Oct 14 2025
    Today we’re talking about raising girls—what it means to help them feel strong in both body and mind, and how we as parents can nurture that confidence from an early age. My guest is Kate Rope, an award-winning journalist and the author of the new book, Strong as a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves. In this episode, we talk about empowerment, self-compassion, and listening deeply to our daughters, as well as the role parents play in creating a supportive environment. We also explore the importance of representing diverse experiences, including those of neurodivergent girls, and how to help our kids develop a strong, steady inner voice. About Kate Rope Kate Rope is an award-winning freelance journalist and author whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and many other outlets. She is the author of Strong as a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves and Strong as a Mother. How to Stay Healthy, Happy and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenting, co-executive producer and co-author of the Audible Original Soldiers of Science, and a mom on a mission to help everyone be Strong as a Human. Things you'll learn from this episode How early conversations about self-advocacy can empower young girls to trust their voices Why including diverse experiences enriches the way we parent and support our daughters How validating emotions like anger helps girls embrace their full humanity instead of suppressing themselves Why neurodivergent girls often face extra layers of societal pressure and expectation How prioritizing self-worth over self-esteem builds a stronger foundation for girls’ well-being Why encouraging autonomy and practicing self-compassion are key for raising confident, resilient girls Resources mentioned Kate Rope’s website Strong As a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves by Kate Rope Strong as a Human (Kate’s Substack) Kate on Instagram Soraya Chemaly Creating Neurodiversity Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin & Emily Kircher-Morris (Full-Tilt Parenting) Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin About Universal Design Activist Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability (Full-Tilt Parenting) Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau Dr. Katie Hurley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • TPP 365a: Dr. Alok Kanojia Explains How to Raise Healthy Gamers

    TPP 365a: Dr. Alok Kanojia Explains How to Raise Healthy Gamers
    Oct 10 2025
    Where is the line between healthy gaming and unhealthy gaming? How much gaming is too much? And when does a gaming habit evolve into gaming addiction? These are some of the questions regarding screen time that I hear from many parents, and they highlight some of the ongoing challenges families face in raising children who can be responsible tech users and whose screen use and gaming doesn’t interfere with their lives in a way that can be harmful or keep them stuck. So when I learned of the new book How to Raise a Healthy Gamer: End Power Struggles, Break Bad Screen Habits, and Transform Your Relationship with Your Kids by Dr. Alok Kanojia, I knew I wanted to invite him onto the show to talk about all things gaming with us. In this conversation, we talked about how we as parents can know whether our child is addicted to video games or not, why screen time limits and restricting gaming time are at odds with the goal of raising a healthy gamer, and how to shift to a holistic approach that considers overall well-being and goal-setting. We also talked about why children with ADHD are more susceptible to addictive behaviors surrounding gaming and how to raise healthy gamers from a young age. Dr. Alok Kanojia is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in the intersection of technology x mental health. Also known as ”Dr. K” to millions of people on the internet, Dr.Kanojia is the co-founder of Healthy Gamer, a mental health platform that serves the digital generation. He has inspired millions of people with online content while overseeing the mental health coaching of thousands of young people. He is widely regarded as the foremost expert on video game addiction and most prominent mental health authority for young people. When he’s offline, he’s usually traveling, gardening, or grilling with his family. Things you’ll learn from this episode How to determine if your child has a gaming addiction, and why it’s important to trust your instincts Why screen time limits and carrot and stick approaches surrounding a child’s gaming is at odds with the goal of raising a healthy gamer Why children with ADHD are more susceptible to addictive behaviors surrounding gaming The importance of engaging in open and non-judgmental communication with your child about their gaming habits and the impact it has on their life How to shift to a holistic approach that considers overall well-being and goal-setting Ideas for proactively creating healthy gaming habits with younger children learn more at https://tiltparenting.com/session365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • TPP 468: Helping Empaths and Highly Sensitive Kids Thrive with Dr. Judith Orloff

    TPP 468: Helping Empaths and Highly Sensitive Kids Thrive with Dr. Judith Orloff
    Oct 7 2025
    Today we’re diving into the world of empaths and highly sensitive people—what it means to be one, what makes it complicated, and why it’s also such a gift. My guest, psychiatrist, author, and empath Dr. Judith Orloff, shares her own journey as a highly sensitive child and how it shaped her work as a psychiatrist. We talk about the science behind sensitivity, how to recognize a highly sensitive child, and why self-care and co-regulation are so critical for both parents and kids. Judith also touches on bullying, sensory overload, and the strategies empaths can use to thrive—and she introduces her beautiful new children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, created to help kids understand and embrace their sensitivity. About Judith Orloff, MD Judith Orloff, MD, is a psychiatrist who serves on the UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty and an empath. She is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent books are The Genius of Empathy (2024) and The Empath’s Survival Guide (2017). Specializing in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice, she also offers Empathy Training Programs to organizations. She has spoken at the American Psychiatric Association, Google, Fortune’s Powerful Women’s Summit, and TEDx. She has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, PBS, and NPR. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Teen Vogue, and Scientific American. Things you'll learn from this episode How Dr. Orloff blends traditional psychiatric expertise with her lived experience as an empath Why empaths and highly sensitive individuals often struggle with sensory overload and emotional stress from others How co-regulation between parents and children supports emotional health and resilience Why parents need to advocate for highly sensitive kids in schools, especially in the face of bullying How recognizing the gifts of empathy—like deep connection to nature and beauty—helps children embrace who they are Why self-empathy and intentional self-care practices are essential for empaths to thrive Resources mentioned Dr. Judith Orloff’s website The Highly Sensitive Rabbit by Dr. Judith Orloff The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff Thriving as an Empath by Dr. Judith Orloff Dr. Judith Orloff on Facebook Dr. Judith Orloff on X Dr. Judith Orloff on LinkedIn Dr. Judith Orloff on YouTube Dr. Judith Orloff on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins