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

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 theWhere 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 them.

Hickem emphasizes the importance ...

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 seasoned HR leader, global workforce exper...

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.

The conversation unpacks the deep im...

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 creativity, critical thinking, and pra...

In today’s episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino delves into the findings of educational experts Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, authors of 'The Disengaged Teen.' They share their insights on the various modes of learning—Passenger, Achiever, Resistor, and Explorer—and how understanding these can empower parents to better support their children. Through a blend of qualitative and quantitative researc...

The tween and teen years can feel like emotional whiplash — one minute you're managing mood swings, the next you're untangling tech rules or talking boundaries.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino interview Bailey Gaddis — certified parenting coach, doula, hypnotherapist, and mom of two — to help bring calm, confidence, and customization to the parenting journey.

The discussion unpacks how to:

• ...

Parenting today often feels like navigating a storm without a map. In this powerful episode, Where Parents Talk host Lianne Castelino speaks with award-winning journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer about her latest book, "Hello Cruel World: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times."

Together, they explore how parents can help their children thrive amid today’s most pressing challenges—from climate ...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with author, columnist, and mother of two Pam Lobley about planning a slow summer and teh benefits of embracing boredom.

Lobley, a former actres and comedian discusses the pressure parents feel to keep their kids constantly busy—and what happens when we stop.

She shares her personal story of parental burnout and the bold decision to give her children an “...

What does it mean to be an engaged father today? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino explores the evolving role of dads in raising emotionally grounded boys amidst toxic masculinity, social media, and shifting family dynamics, with guest Drew Soleyn.

A leadership coach, speaker, Director of Dad Central Ontario and founder of Connected Dads, Soleyn unpacks the real challenges fathers face, from ma...

Making the leap from high school to university is a major life shift—for both students and parents.

This transition can be a daunting experience particularly considering the myriad challenges posed by increased independence, academic pressures, and social dynamics.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Michael De Robertis, Professor Emeritus, York University who spent more than 35 ...

Feeding challenges aren’t just for toddlers—many parents find themselves facing a new kind of mealtime stress when their kids become tweens and teens. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino is joined by Dena Kelly, a licensed counsellor, board-certified behaviour analyst, and paediatric feeding therapist, who specializes in helping families navigate the emotional and physical toll of picky eating i...

How can parents raise strong, confident daughters in a world still shaped by sexism?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein, clinical psychologist, award-winning author, and mother of two, about how to support girls' self-esteem, mental health, and identity development in today’s social climate.

The conversation explores how sexism subtly influences girls’ daily liv...

Are we overlooking what the brain is really telling us about ADHD, autism, and behaviour in kids? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Dr. Robert Melillo, a pioneer in childhood brain development who unpacks the science behind neurodevelopmental disorders—and challenges common assumptions.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience, Dr. Melillo explains how many of these challenges stem fro...

What happens when a parent faces a life-threatening diagnosis while raising a young family? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Marisa Peters—cancer survivor, mother, and founder of Be Seen—to explore how her journey through illness reshaped her approach to parenting, mental health, and personal growth.

Peters discusses navigating emotional turmoil, fostering connection in times of unc...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino is joined by Doug Bolton, clinical psychologist, educator, and author, for an in-depth conversation on the complex realities of parenting in today’s world.

Bolton sheds light on the rising rates of youth anxiety and stress—and how well-meaning parental behaviours can sometimes contribute to these challenges.

The discussion explores the critical role of emotiona...

In this episode of Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Dr. Tasneem Sajwani, a family physician with expertise in obesity medicine and mom.

They discuss the newly released Canadian Pediatric Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines, which recognize obesity as a complex, chronic disease influenced by genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors.

The episode covers how these guidelines aim to improve c...

The leap from adolescence to adulthood is tricky — and too often, young people find themselves unprepared for the real world. In this episode of theWhere Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino welcomes Rob Finlay — entrepreneur, author of Hey Dad: Everything You Should Have Learned About Life and Didn’t, and father of four — to discuss what it really takes to raise resilient, capable young adults today.

Finlay pulls back the cu...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. David Yeager, a renowned developmental psychologist, author, and father of four, about the science behind motivating tweens, teens, and young adults.

A former grade school teacher and current Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Yeager challenges common misconceptions about adolescent behaviour. He explains why shift...

In a world where parenting collides daily with cultural shifts, political tensions, uncertainty and a relentless stream of information, overwhelm is increasingly a common emotion. How can parents stay grounded—and help their children do the same?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino and Arron Neal —a communications expert, cultural strategist, columnist and mom of two— explore strategies for how t...