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Pop Culture Parenting

Pop Culture Parenting

By: Dr Billy Garvey Nick McCormack
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This podcast is about finding the sweetspot between the textbooks and real life when it comes to parenting. Dr Billy (a developmental pediatrician) and Nick (a developing parent) are a couple of dads having honest discussions about parenting day to day We'll be using iconic TV and cinema scenes from the 80's & 90's to give context to Billy's parenting advice. Please subscribe and tell us what parenting topics and movie scenes we should talk about next Art Parenting & Families Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 136: Anger & Lethal Weapon

    Episode 136: Anger & Lethal Weapon
    Aug 2 2026
    Every parent knows the feeling. Your kid goes from zero to meltdown in seconds, over something that seems completely trivial. In this episode we use Lethal Weapon as our jumping-off point to explore what's actually happening in a child's brain when anger takes over. We talk about why children's brains are wired to detect and react to emotional triggers before they're wired to interpret them, why telling a young child to "just calm down" is often a developmental mismatch rather than a discipline problem, and why feeling angry and acting aggressively are actually two separate events, which is more hopeful than it sounds. We also explore what the science tells us actually helps when supporting an angry child. We can't wait to read your reflections, questions and advice about anger in the kids you love and care for.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Episode 135: Healthy habits reflection

    Episode 135: Healthy habits reflection
    Jul 19 2026
    Episode 135 is out now! Healthy habits reflection goes deep into the gap between the habits we want and the reality of our lives. We hear extraordinary listener stories, questions and advice. A music professional who survived her own real-life Fletcher and came out the other side with a powerful question about what we teach kids to normalise in the pursuit of excellence. A dad whose chaotic childhood was transformed by one loving parent who proved that presence matters more than proximity when it comes to healthy habits. We cover picky eating, the pressure to quit, habit building for neurodivergent kids, what to do when the scaffolding of school and sport falls away, and how to find your way back to yourself when life has left absolutely nothing in the tank. As one listener reminded us, sometimes the most powerful healthy habit you can build isn't for your kids at all. It's finally getting the support you need for yourself.
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    1 hr and 57 mins
  • Episode 134: Healthy habits & Whiplash

    Episode 134: Healthy habits & Whiplash
    Jul 5 2026
    Healthy habits. We all want them for our kids and for ourselves, but as Whiplash reminds us, the pursuit of improvement can sometimes drift into pressure, perfectionism and burnout. In this episode we explore what the science of habit formation actually tells us about lasting change, including why healthy habits are built more by our environments than our willpower, why people with strong self-control tend to rely on habits rather than discipline, and how simple changes to our homes and routines can make healthy choices easier for the whole family. We discuss the connection between habits and mental health, why rewards, reminders and good intentions often fail to create lasting change, and how major life transitions can provide unique opportunities to build new family patterns. Along the way we reflect on what Whiplash can teach us about dedication, identity, excellence and the difference between pursuing growth and sacrificing wellbeing. We hope you enjoy this episode and we can't wait to read your reflections, questions and advice about the healthy habits that have helped the kids you love and care for thrive.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
This show has the power to change many young (and old) lives for the better. I've never gone in for parenting books but this podcast is something different altogether.

Life changing - parent's best friend

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Billy is a Dr you mayve seen on TV or heard on the radio and he's brilliant at giving tips on how tonl supports kids when they're struggling. Their two part approach is such a unique way of approaching a podcast and p a renting tips and it just makes so much sense.
Recommend listening to fussy eating or sensitive Kids

If you want to help your kids: LISTEN

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The combination of research-based information with these cultural and personal examples from the hosts available in this format is sort of "buying me time" to reflect as a parent.

As parenting never stops it's very precious time and had already assisted in some tricky situations.

Thank you.

Very appreciative

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I regret not listening to this 2 years ago when my friend first suggested it, these guys are doing life changing work with the podcast, not only has it helped change the way I parent my child, it has also helped start the healing process of my own childhood. I am not an overly emotional person but I either tear up or cry several times during these episodes. Just give it a try, what do you have to lose?

I recommend pop culture parenting to anyone and everyone!

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