Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

What if the key to a healthier family dynamic has already been read by 20 million people—but you haven't applied it at home yet?

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the international mega-bestseller The 5 Love Languages, about how his globally recognized framework can transform parenting.

Dr. Chapman introduces his newest book, The Love Language That Matters Most, o...

In this Christmas episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker invites parents to slow down and reflect on the deeper meaning of Emmanuel—God with us—during seasons when parenting feels uncertain, overwhelming, or out of control.

Through reflections on Christmas traditions, gingerbread houses, and the sacred rhythms that shape family life, Dr. Meeker explores how simple rituals create belonging and emotional safety for c...

In this insightful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Larissa May and Dr. Raghu Appasani, co-founders of Ginko—an AI-powered parenting tool designed by clinicians to help families manage screen time and support their children's mental health. As screens increasingly dominate our kids' lives, this episode offers a powerful look at how Ginko promotes digital wellness through early intervention, behavior...

Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood. In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption in kids and teens.

Dr. Twenge shares powerful tips from her book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World, including:

• Delay smartphone use until kids drive
• Keep devic...

In this follow-up to our conversation on divorce and healing, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with therapist and integrative healer Dawn Wiggins to talk about what it really takes to recover from any kind of trauma — whether it’s divorce, loss, or years of emotional stress.

Wiggins explains how trauma shapes our nervous system, thoughts, and relationships — and how real healing happens when we reconnect body, mind, and spirit. To...

Children process divorce very differently than adults do. In this episode, we explore how to recognize their pain, help them express big emotions, and avoid critical parenting mistakes post-divorce. Learn the do’s and don’ts of co-parenting, when to introduce a new partner, and why listening is your most powerful tool.

Topics Covered:

• How children's grief differs from adults'
• Emotional and cognitive responses to divor...

In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado to talk about parenting peace, faith-based mindset shifts, and the concept of "picky thinking." Learn how to guard your mind, model faith for your teens, and help your children battle anxiety, negative self-talk, and social media pressures. Max shares his personal stories, parenting wisdom, and biblical ...

In this transformative episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes psychotherapist and parenting coach Todd Sarner to unpack powerful, research-backed parenting strategies that prioritize connection and attachment over behavior control. Sarner challenges the traditional "behavior-first" models and instead encourages a relational, attachment-first parenting style that fosters emotional regulation, trust, and lo...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Ray Alex Williams, a man who transitioned to living as a trans woman—and later de-transitioned. His story offers rare, firsthand insight into what happens when someone believes gender transition is the answer, only to discover it isn't.

As more parents navigate complex conversations with their children around gender identity, this i...

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Tia Slightman to explore the "why" behind your child's behavior. Together, they provide simple, effective strategies for disciplining with love and respect—without power struggles or emotional explosions.

You’ll learn how your own personality influences your discipline style, how to set firm boundaries, and how to stay calm even when your child isn’t. They...

From finding joy in small, everyday moments to leveraging technology as a tool for inspiration, this episode offers practical advice for overwhelmed parents and emphasizes how awe can be a protective emotional anchor in today’s chaotic world.

Whether it's watching clouds, taking in art, or sharing a heartfelt show like Carl the Collector, you’ll walk away with actionable tips and renewed inspiration to reconnect with your ...

In Part 2 of this live series, Meg returns with practical solutions for one of the biggest challenges facing today’s families: protecting kids from online porn and predators. If Part 1 opened your eyes to the harsh reality, Part 2 arms you with real tools, proven strategies, and powerful conversations that can help you take back control.

Join Meg as she unpacks:

• How predators target kids through popular apps and games
• Why...

In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with journalist and author Leland Vittert, who shares his compelling journey growing up on the autism spectrum. From enduring bullying to discovering his voice through writing, Leland opens up about the key role his father played in his development and how perseverance and unconditional support changed the trajectory of his life.

Leland’s memoir, Bor...

In You Can’t Teach Calm If You Can’t Be Calm, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes guests Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang, co-authors of The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8. Together, they unpack how parental self-regulation plays a crucial role in helping children build emotional resilience and develop lifelong emotional skills.

This episode dives into why your own calm sets the tone for your child’s behavior, ...

In this compelling episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, TEDx speaker, parenting coach, and author of the upcoming book Rewrite the Mother Code: From Sacrifice to Stardust. Together, they explore how outdated beliefs around motherhood continue to shape women's emotional lives—and how to break free from them.

They discuss how emotional suppression, lack of boundaries, and perfecti...

Is pornography hijacking your child’s brain?

In this essential episode of Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker, Dr. Meg sits down with Parker Hymas, Director of Public Outreach at Fight The New Drug, to expose the growing threat pornography poses to kids and teens in today’s digital-first world.

📊 First exposure happens as early as age 9.

🧠 Discover how pornography rewires young brains and distorts healthy relationships...

What happens when the kids no longer need you 24/7?

In this heartfelt episode of Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker, we dive deep into the emotional and identity-shifting journey that many mothers face when transitioning from full-time parenting into the next chapter of their lives.

Dr. Meg sits down with Karen Johnson, a former educator, stay-at-home mom, and author of What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?. Together...

In this special Ask Dr. Meg live Q&A session, Dr. Meg Meeker dives into the 7 most common parenting mistakes—but this time, with a powerful twist: she shares how each of these actions actually makes your child feel. From yelling and criticism to withdrawing affection or missing connection, Dr. Meg walks listeners through not only what to avoid—but how to repair and rebuild trust, connection, and emotional security.

You’...

Are your parenting methods helping or hindering your child’s development?

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker, pediatrician and bestselling author, breaks down the four key parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful—and how each one affects your child’s emotional and behavioral growth.

You’ll learn how to identify your default parenting style, what might be influencing it (i...