Raising Good Humans

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 l...

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 ...

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 ...

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 b...

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 ...

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 ...

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 list...

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 misun...

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 encour...

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...

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.

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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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 bot...

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 fee...

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...

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 wid...

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 impos...