Kids Under Construction

Kids Under Construction

“Kids Under Construction” is a podcast about parenting with a flip in the script – it’s not about the result, instead, it’s about the process. When we focus on the process, we are more compassionate with our children and ourselves. Hosted by parenting expert, journalist and regular “Dr. Phil’ contributor Donna Tetreault, “Kids Under Construction” explores important and innovative research about children, their brains, their development and the rapidly-changing world they live in. From Internet dangers like cyber bullying and pornography to homework and IEPs to sports to kindness and empathy, this podcast looks at all things kids! Donna interviews top experts, doctors, educators, psychologists, coaches and celebrities to deliver a fresh perspective on parenting and talks with moms, dads, and kids who are going through the ups and downs of childhood, today. Just like a construction site, there may be hazards, it may get messy, but if we work together, we can build something beautiful! Donna is here to give you the tools you need!

Episodes

Overcoming addiction with Jessica Lahey

April 26, 2021 • 29 mins
In this episode of Kids Under Construction, Donna Tetreault interviews Jessica Lahey. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and has a new book out, The Addiction Inoculation. Lahey gives parents the foundation to better understand the roots of addiction and helps offer steps toward prevention. This work starts early in life. David Epstein, bestselling author of The Sports Gene and Range says this about...
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News For Kids with Founders of XYZA News

January 7, 2021 • 24 mins
It's been a difficult news week and kids are probably asking a lot of questions. There's no one way to explain frightening news, but on this episode of Kids Under Construction, Donna talks to XYZA News for Kids' founders Joann Suen and Sapna Satagopan to help in the conversations that might come up during family gatherings, with friends and others. Kids need help understanding how to source news and put it into context. XYZA founde...
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Child Mind Institute Expert With Strategies To Get You Happily Through The Holidays

December 15, 2020 • 24 mins
In this episode of Kids Under Construction, Donna Tetreault interviews Dr. Stephanie Lee with the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Lee offers timely and practical advice for families during this pandemic holiday season. Parents are given strategies to help their children, young kids and teens, adapt to and enjoy this very different holiday. How can you, your child manage worry? How can you think about starting new traditions? How can you ...
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Authors of "The Parent Compass" Help Parents Better Navigate Middle and High School

December 7, 2020 • 28 mins
The Parent Compass was written to help parents understand their appropriate role in navigating the tween and teen years amidst a competitive academic environment that has resulted in overparenting and, indeed, even fraud and bribery as we've seen play out in the media over the past year. It provides the tools for parents to adopt better parenting behavior and learn to appropriately approach the type of parenting that leads to their...
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Miscarriage Expert Dr. Barbara Toppin: How This Heartbreaking Phenomenon Impacts Women, Relationships and Families

October 22, 2020 • 41 mins
In this episode Donna and nationally recognized miscarriage expert Dr. Barbara Toppin, MD, board-certified and beloved OB/GYN physician, surgeon and a  founding  partner  of  Adefris & Toppin Women’s Specialists, M.D.P.C., discuss this heartbreaking phenomenon and how it impacts women, their relationships and their families.  Many women don’t openly discuss this issue with their doctors after a miscarriage. They simply move forward...
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Parenting During A Pandemic: “Family Guy” Star Rachael MacFarlane Shares Her Fears For Her Kids!

October 15, 2020 • 31 mins
In this episode of KIDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, voiceover artist, Rachael MacFarlane and host Donna Tetreault compare notes on their “mom worries.” Donna is in LA with her family, but Rachael has left LA behind along with her kids, husband, her father and his wife. They’re staying on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, zooming, working, going to school and feeling grateful everyday. Not many people can escape to such an idealic place, but Ra...
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CELEBRITY PARENTS PROVIDE THEIR SECRETS TO RAISING GREAT CHILDREN: THE BEST OF KIDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

October 8, 2020 • 28 mins
In this exciting episode of KIDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, Donna looks back at Season One and culls the best advice for raising kids from her favorite celebrity friends. Award winning actress Dallas Bryce Howard is adamant that fathers should be just as involved in raising kids as mothers, despite the stigma that says otherwise. In her documentary “Dad” her message is that men are more than providers. They are caretakers. Actor Mark-Paul...
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Raising A Well-Balanced Child During A Pandemic: Psychologist Michele Borba Has The Secret!

September 29, 2020 • 34 mins
In the first episode of the second season of “Kids Under Construction” Dr. Michele Borba offers the audience a wealth of practical advice. Just what families are looking for! Despite the pandemic, parents shouldn’t raise the white flag and give up on their kids’ lives, says the internationally renowned psychologist and author of 24 books. In her latest bestseller, Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, she...
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Kids, Summer Camp and Coronavirus

July 9, 2020 • 30 mins
Many families with growing children have long used summer camp as growth tool for development, a way for kids to learn social skills, independence, resilience, confidence and teamwork.  But this year summer camp is probably going to look a whole lot different due to COVID-19. A lot of parents have questions about whether or not camp is even an option this year and how can they can provide the structured learning and seemingly limit...
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How Team Sports Help Build Resilient Kids and Future Leaders with CEO of The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Nichol Whiteman

July 2, 2020 • 33 mins
Team sports strongly impact children’s development by teaching leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Gaining these skills at a young age can help pave a successful path for kids’ futures. Yet despite these well-documented benefits, youth team sports are on the decline and some are trying to turn the tide on this trend. In this podcast, Donna is joined by the Chief Executive Officer of The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Nichol Wh...
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Bryce Dallas Howard on BLM, Dad Roles and The Different Stages Of Parenting!

June 25, 2020 • 27 mins
On today's episode of Kids Under Construction, Donna welcomes the very talented Bryce Dallas Howard. She's an acclaimed actress, mother and daughter to Hollywood film director Ron Howard and now she's following in her famous Father's footsteps with her first directorial feature documentary, "Dads" which celebrates the joys and challenges of parenting. In a time that's riddled with so much division, Bryce is honest and candid about ...
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Real Life Parents: Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Catriona Gosselaar

June 18, 2020 • 47 mins
In this honest and revealing episode, Donna is joined by two working parents of a beautiful blended family, Mark Paul Gosselaar and his wife Catriona. Mark-Paul has been a model and working actor since the age of five and you know him from the iconic TV show Saved By The Bell and more recently on ABC’s Mixed-Ish. Catriona Gosselaar is an advertising executive and together they have two gorgeous children, Dekker who’s in kindergarte...
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Learning About Systemic Racism and Black Lives Matter with Lisa Kirton

June 8, 2020 • 48 mins
After nearly 3 months under stay at home orders due to COVID-19, our country was shocked and horrified by the images of the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. Floyd’s death was the most recent in a series of black lives taken by law enforcement and it has outraged a country in the midst of a pandemic and already anxious and uneasy. Floyd’s death ignited protests, demonstrations and calls for equal...
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Childhood Obesity: Quarantine Nutrition With Dr. Melina Jampolis

June 4, 2020 • 38 mins
In this episode we explore nutrition, childhood obesity and how COVID-19 has changed our eating habits and nutritional decision-making. Donna is joined by Dr. Melina Jampolis.  Dr. Melina is an internist and board-certified physician nutrition specialist and author. There are many people cooking and baking at home as they spend their days together under stay in place orders. And if people are cooking, surely they’re eating too. So,...
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Chris Noth: Daddy Talk With Donna

May 28, 2020 • 48 mins
Today is the first episode of Daddy Talk With Donna. The role of fatherhood has gone through a huge change in just one generation and Donna wants to give dads a voice in the very mom-centric realm of parenting. What are dad’s thoughts on being a dad and how are they parenting differently from how their own father’s did? How are dads and kids together creating a new set of building blocks for families?  In this episode, Donna sits d...
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Two Doctors With Real Answers On COVID-19

May 21, 2020 • 36 mins
In this episode, Donna talks with two doctors at the top of their fields about recent developments and announcements surrounding COVID-19 and what they really mean. Doctor Shawn Nasseri is a Harvard educated Mayo Clinic trained ear nose and throat surgeon who has been practicing since 2000. He's recognized as one of the most highly sought after doctors of our time. His wife, Dr. Bita Nasseri is an anesthesiologist with 22 years of ...
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The Helpers of COVID-19

May 14, 2020 • 45 mins
Donna sits down with some of the helpers of COVID-19. “Look for the helpers” it’s the timeless quote from the late Fred Rogers. His mother reminded him to find these people in times of tragedy and crisis. Today we want to introduce you to three helpers who are working around the clock to help our children; especially children who are most at risk and vulnerable. Marla Knoll is a pediatric clinical social worker at UCLA and Natalie ...
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Kids Sports: Sidelined By COVID-19

May 7, 2020 • 59 mins
Donna sits down with members and leaders of Little League Baseball and American Youth Soccer Organization to find out what is being done to bring team sports back to our kids. Millions of kids and parents alike are chomping at the bit to get our kids back on the field. When can we expect our kids to get back into the game and what will that look like in our “new normal?” Will parents be able to attend their kids’ games and cheer th...
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Porn Talk: It’s The New Sex Talk

April 30, 2020 • 36 mins
Every second in America 30,000 people are watching porn, and every day 40 million people visit porn sites. Online porn sites get more visitors each month than Netflix, Amazon and Twitter combined. About 1/3 of all web downloads in the United States are porn related. 1/3 of kids say they've seen porn by the age of 12 and the negative impact of this can be seen in teen pregnancies, low self-esteem and depression. My First guest, Gail...
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How The Media Handles A Pandemic With Tara Finestone

April 23, 2020 • 43 mins
Now more than ever we need our journalists to provide the information we need to stay informed, be prepared and know what to expect in an almost constantly changing world. But whether it’s in a newsroom, on the street or in most cases, working from home, the responsibility is huge. Tara Finestone is Vice President and News Director at KCBS and KCAL in Los Angeles. She oversees one of the largest local broadcast and digital news dep...
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