In today’s episode I sit down with developmental psychologist Dr. Jay Belsky to explore a question so many parents wrestle with: is temperament destiny? We talk about why children differ in how deeply they’re shaped by their environments, what “developmental plasticity” really means, and why the same parenting can land so differently depending on the child. We discuss the difference between sensitivity and susceptibility, the limits of attachment research, and why focusing only on long-term outc...
Feb 20, 2026•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 131
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Deepika Chopra to talk about what real optimism actually means — and why it’s so different from toxic positivity. We unpack the science behind resilience, curiosity, and staying open when life is hard, and we get practical about how to grow your “optimism muscle” in everyday moments. We talk about language shifts (like the power of “never” and “always”), parenting through low-capacity seasons, rituals that ground families, and why affirmations and manifestati...
Feb 13, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 130
In this solo episode, I’m diving into 10 practical tips to help make listening and cooperation with your kids easier. I’ll walk you through straightforward strategies for strengthening connection and communication, plus I’ll share a quick mindfulness exercise to keep you feeling centered, even on the toughest days. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL Subscribe to my free newsletter fo...
Feb 06, 2026•41 min•Ep. 129
In this solo episode, I talk directly to parents about how to show up for our kids when the world feels heavy and unsettling—without turning the conversation into politics. I share what research tells us about stress, co-regulation, and why our kids absorb our emotional state even when we think we’re hiding it. I also offer practical guidance for talking to children at different ages, setting healthier boundaries around the news and doom scrolling, and staying grounded so we can provide safety, ...
Jan 30, 2026•48 min•Ep. 128
In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and author Dr. Jean Twenge to talk about the seven essential conversations to have with kids before they get a device. We break down what kids need to understand about privacy, posting, and why nothing online is ever truly private. We also discuss the tech rules that matter most—like no devices in bedrooms at night—and how to set limits without panic, guilt, or power struggles. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting:...
Jan 23, 2026•42 min•Ep. 127
In this episode, I sit down with award winning journalist and author Jennifer Wallace, to talk about her new work on mattering—the need to feel seen, valued, and needed. We explore how mattering emerged as a powerful protective factor for kids growing up in high-pressure, achievement-driven environments, and why so many adults today feel lonely, disengaged, or untethered. Jennifer shares the SAID framework—feeling significant, appreciated, invested in, and depended on—and we talk about what this...
Jan 16, 2026•53 min•Ep. 126
I answer four listener questions—toddler biting, potty training pressure, emotional daycare drop-offs, and early “lying” in preschoolers—breaking down what’s developmentally normal, what to do in the moment, and the practical, compassionate strategies that actually help (without shame, power struggles, or panic). I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL Subscribe to my free newsletter for ...
Jan 09, 2026•36 min•Ep. 125
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by education expert Lizzie Assa to talk about independent play—why it matters, what it actually builds in kids, and how to make it work in real life. We break down the difference between independent play and ignoring your child, how to respond when kids say “I’m bored,” and simple ways to set up your home so play can happen more naturally. Lizzie shares practical strategies like play prompts, play pockets, and quiet time, along with reassurance for parents who ...
Jan 02, 2026•37 min•Ep. 124
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Amy Griffin for a deeply personal conversation about what it means to re-parent yourself—and how that inner work quietly transforms your parenting. We talk about the pressure to be perfect, the role of control and trust in family relationships, and how healing your own story can create more safety for your kids. Amy shares how telling the truth, setting boundaries, and staying in the light reshaped the way she shows up as a mother, partner, and person—and wh...
Dec 26, 2025•53 min•Ep. 123
In this week’s episode I am joined by Dr. Darby Saxby, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Southern California as we delve into the transition to parenthood, particularly focusing on fathers and the concept of the 'dad brain.' We discuss how fathers experience physiological and psychological changes despite not giving birth, the vulnerability and opportunities for growth these changes bring, and how societal structures often fail to support new parents adequately. Dr. Saxb...
Dec 19, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 122
In this week’s episode, I sit down with professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek to rethink what learning actually looks like—and why play is at the center of it. We break down the science behind playful learning, the Six Cs kids need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and why pressure, perfectionism, and early achievement often get in the way. Kathy and I talk about how play builds resilience, creativity, and real problem-solving skills, and why boredom is not a crisis but a developmental gift. I WROTE ...
Dec 12, 2025•58 min•Ep. 121
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by NY Times bestselling author and host of Pulling The Thread Podcast Elise Loehnen for a conversation about the stories women absorb—about being good, selfless, agreeable—and how those narratives shape our lives in ways we rarely notice. We talk about the difference between feelings and facts, why so many of us default to over-functioning, and how these inherited scripts show up during big transitions like pregnancy and early motherhood. Elise and I unpack wha...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 120
In this solo episode, I’m sharing 10 science-backed, practical ways to foster gratitude and prevent entitlement in kids. As the season of giving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can help our children appreciate what they have while staying grounded. I’ll cover everything from modeling gratitude in everyday moments to teaching kids the value of chores, delayed gratification, and empathy. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essenti...
Nov 28, 2025•39 min•Ep. 119
In this episode, we take a clear-eyed look at how parents can protect their kids in a fast-moving digital world. After a recent conversation about AI left many listeners worried, I wanted to offer practical guidance—not panic. I’m joined by Hari Ravichandran, founder of a leading digital safety platform Aura, to talk about what kids are actually doing on their devices, how AI chatbots are being used, and why so much of it happens out of parents’ view. We break down simple, transparent ways to ke...
Nov 24, 2025•45 min•Ep. 118
In this week’s episode, I talk with New York Times reporter Matt Richtel about what adolescence actually is—and why so much of what we think we know about teens is outdated. We discuss an entirely new framework for understanding the adolescent brain: a period designed for intense information processing, where kids are constantly reconciling what they’ve been taught with a fast-changing world. We unpack why teens don’t listen (and why it’s not personal), why overwhelm shows up as emotional explos...
Nov 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 117
In this week’s episode, I speak with Professor Michael Pluess, renowned temperament researcher, to explore what it really means to have a "sensitive" child. We break down the science behind sensitivity as a key part of temperament, why some kids are more reactive to both positive and negative experiences, and how parenting can shape their outcomes. We discuss the genetic and environmental roots of sensitivity, common misunderstandings around the trait, and what parents can do to support emotiona...
Nov 14, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 116
In this week’s episode I engage in a critical discussion with Imran Ahmed, Head of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, about their alarming study on how teens are using AI chatbots like Chat GPT as companions. We discuss the staggering statistics revealing that over 70% of adolescents use Chat GPT for companionship, with over 50% doing so regularly. We go into the details of the potential dangers, including AI's encouragement of harmful behaviors and how current safeguards are failing and di...
Nov 07, 2025•57 min•Ep. 115
In today's episode, I dive into the critical importance of close relationships and share 10 research-backed strategies to cultivate them. From practicing emotional co-regulation and engaging in 'serve and return' interactions to fostering shared joy and laughter, I discuss practical ways you can improve your connections with your children, partners, and others. You'll learn how predictable routines, authentic vulnerability, physical touch, mindful listening, and celebrating individuality can str...
Oct 31, 2025•47 min•Ep. 114
In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and Equip co-founder Dr. Erin Parks for a clear, compassionate guide to eating disorders. We sort through ARFID vs. picky eating, anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating; early signs to watch for (and what’s normal); how to talk about food and bodies at home; and when to step in and get help—so you know what to worry about, what to let go, and exactly where to start. Visit equip.health/goodhumans to learn more about Equip’s virtual, evidence-based...
Oct 28, 2025•53 min•Ep. 113
In this episode, I’m joined by economist and bestselling author Emily Oster for a myth-busting conversation about the science (and sanity) of parenting. We unpack everything from picky eating and sleep training to praise, rewards, and toddler tantrums—exploring what the data actually says and what parents can finally stop worrying about. We also talk about co-sleeping, potty training, and the myth that every small decision can ruin your child. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five P...
Oct 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 112
In this episode, I’m joined by journalist and author Susan Dominus for a deep dive into the science of temperament, sibling relationships, and what high-achieving families can teach us about raising children. We talk about how two kids raised in the same home can turn out completely different, the limits of parenting, and why temperament may be more hardwired than we think. We also explore how purpose, family culture, and sibling dynamics can shape long-term outcomes—and why letting go of contro...
Oct 17, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 111
In this episode, I sit down with one of my favorite guests, Dr. Lisa Damour—psychologist, teen whisperer, and New York Times bestselling author—to talk about what’s really going on when your tween or teen turns you into their emotional dumping ground. We break down what’s typical versus when to worry, how to respond without absorbing it all, and simple scripts that actually help. We also explore Dr. Lisa’s signature ideas like “school gets the best of them, we get the rest of them,” how to spot ...
Oct 10, 2025•54 min•Ep. 110
I’m joined this week by Caitlin Murray of Big Time Adulting for a special listener Q&A. We’re digging into your most common parenting questions—from knowing when to push kids to try hard things, to handling tantrums without losing it, to navigating bullying and screen time. Caitlin brings her humor and honesty, and I bring the developmental psychologist’s lens, so you’ll walk away with strategies that are both practical and real. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles ...
Oct 03, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 109
In this episode of Raising Good Humans, I interview Laura Modi, founder and CEO of Bobbie. Laura shares her inspiring journey and mission to revolutionize the infant formula industry by setting higher nutritional standards, increasing transparency, and driving accountability. We discuss the emotional and practical challenges of feeding infants, the evolving science behind nutrition, and the importance of supporting all feeding choices in a non-judgmental way. Use code GOODHUMANS15 at checkout fo...
Sep 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 108
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. We discuss the critical role of empathy and kindness in today's world, the importance of narrative in driving empathy, and the distinction between hope and optimism. We also explore how empathy can be a double-edged sword, leading to burnout if not managed properly. We then dive into temperament differences, the role of self-compassion, and even ...
Sep 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 107
In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel and Dealing with Feeling , to get precise about what emotion regulation actually is. We break down the PRIME framework (prevent, reduce, initiate, maintain, enhance), and the Meta-Moment: a brief attentional and physiological reset (pause + breath + values cue) that widens the stimulus→response gap and supports values-congruent behavior. We differentiate c...
Sep 19, 2025•58 min•Ep. 106
This week, I sit down with my 101-year-old grandfather, Papa Jack, to hear his extraordinary story of survival and love. Born in Poland in 1924, he describes the beauty of his childhood, the rise of antisemitism, and the devastation that followed when Nazi Germany invaded. He shares what it was like to be forced into a ghetto, separated from family, and pushed into camps where survival often came down to instinct and impossible choices. Papa Jack’s story and his love story with my grandmother, i...
Sep 12, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 105
In today’s episode developmental psychologist and temperament expert Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar joins us to talk all about temperament. We dive into the science of temperament—how it develops in early childhood, how it shapes the way kids experience the world, and what it means for parenting. We cover the biological basis of temperament, the difference between shyness and social anxiety, and how parents can support children’s unique traits without trying to “fix” them. We also discuss new research o...
Sep 05, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 104
In today's episode I'm joined by Alyssa Campbell, co-author of 'Tiny Humans, Big Emotions' and author of the upcoming book 'Big Kids, Bigger Feelings to dive into practical strategies for responding to tantrums across various child age groups, from 18 months to school age. We explore how to handle tantrums based on different temperaments and provide developmentally appropriate expectations. Through real-life examples, we discuss sensory systems and the foundational needs that often underlie tant...
Aug 29, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 104
In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Vonda Wright, author of 'Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Aging with Power.' We discuss the importance of bone health, muscle building, and lifelong mobility, particularly for women in their thirties and forties. Dr. Wright emphasizes the need to start addressing bone density and strength early in life to prevent issues in later years. We discuss practical tips for integrating muscle and bone-strengthening activities into daily routines, the impact of estrog...
Aug 22, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 104
