In this episode we sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Caroline Fleck to talk about the power of validation—what it really means, why it’s so important, and how we can use it to strengthen our relationships with our kids, others, and even ourselves. Dr. Caroline Fleck breaks down the science behind validation, shares practical tools from dialectical beha ... Show More
Yesterday
Practical Tools to Protect Your Kids in the Digital Age: Phones, AI Chatbots & Online Safety w/ Founder of Aura Hari Ravichandran
<p>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 lead ... Show More
45m 16s
Nov 21
Adolescence Isn’t What We Think: The Real Reason Your Teen Isn’t Listening to You, Why They Push Back, and More w/ New York Times Journalist Matt Richtel
<p>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Times reporter Matt Richtel about what adolescence actually is—and why so much of what we think we know about teens is outdated.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 inte ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 14
Is Your Child "Sensitive"? Tools, Truths, and What the Research Really Shows w/ Renowned Temperament Researcher Professor Michael Pluess
<p>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 posit ... Show More
1h 13m
Nov 11
The Cost of Compliance for Our Kids
<p>We often think of “good” kids as those who listen and follow rules, but what if constant compliance comes with a long-term cost? Dr. Becky talks with Dr. Sunita Sah, author of <i>Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes</i>, about rethinking defiance, the downsides of ... Show More
36m 15s
Oct 21
Let’s Talk Bullying With Dr. Sheryl Ziegler
<p>Few things feel more triggering than hearing that your kid is being teased or left out. If your first instinct is to “fix” the situation - text the teacher, call a parent, march up to school - you’re not alone. But as Dr. Becky and Dr. Sheryl Ziegler explain, our own wounds ca ... Show More
37m 42s
Apr 2025
The 3 Parenting Skills That Shape Future Communicators
If you're a parent, there’s nothing more important than teaching your kids how to communicate — how to handle a "no," how to disagree without disrespect, and how to show kindness even when it’s hard. That’s what this episode is all about. I’m sharing a few key lessons from my own ... Show More
20m 4s
Oct 13
The missing skill that helps parents and kids stay calm: Interoception
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1255388/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>Last week, we uncovered how your child’s behaviour is really their nervous system communicating.</p><p>Today, we’re going deeper, <em>inside the body,</em> to ex ... Show More
39m 12s
Aug 27
Helping Teens Navigate a Parent’s Mental Health: A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Sherman, Episode 146
In this episode of the Child Psych Podcast, we speak with Dr. Michelle Sherman, clinical psychologist and co-author of "I'm Not Alone" a powerful book written for teens who have a parent with mental illness. Dr. Sherman shares insights from decades of research and clinical work, ... Show More
25m 34s
Oct 7
When Our Nervous Systems Hijack Our Parenting
<p>If you’ve yelled at your kid, you’re not a bad parent. You’re a good parent with an overwhelmed nervous system. Today, Dr. Becky breaks down the science behind yelling, snapping, and shutting down. She explains why our bodies react before our brains can catch up - and how unde ... Show More
21m 18s
Sep 17
Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids
Big kids mean big feelings and sometimes that shows up as defiance, meltdowns, or even anxiety. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it’s not just “bad behavior.” We often think school-aged is cruising with emotions but big feeling ... Show More
51m 48s
Oct 14
Dr. Becky: How to Stay Patient When You’re Triggered
This one’s for the parents—or anyone raising little humans. I sit down with Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist and bestselling author of Good Inside, to unpack what’s really behind kids’ “bad behavior.” We talk about the mindset shift every parent needs, the three words tha ... Show More
50m 51s