In this powerful and refreshingly playful conversation, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson returns to talk about The Way of Play—her newest book and a much-needed reminder that play isn't just fun, it's foundational. We dive into the science and soul of play—from its impact on brain development and emotional intelligence to how it builds lifelong connection and resilienc ... 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Times reporter Matt Richtel about what adolescence actually is—and why so much of what we think we know about teens is outdated.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
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
Feb 2025
How Screens Hurt Kids’ Brains: A Conversation with Dr. Victoria Dunckley, MD (#228)
<p>In this episode, Melanie welcomes Dr. Victoria Dunckley, an integrative psychiatrist and author of <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Reset-Your-Childs-Brain-Screen-Time/dp/1608682846/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=reset+your+childs+brain&qid=1617295780&sr=8-1'><em>Rese ... Show More
50m 9s
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
Feb 2025
How To Play For Connection - Dr. Tina Byson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent
Hunter Clarke-Fields speaks with Tina Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent about their book, 'The Way of Play,' which emphasizes the importance of play in child development and mental health. They talk about various strategies for play, the significance of presence and timing, the ro ... Show More
59m 28s
Oct 2024
Breaking Screen Addiction: A Teen’s Perspective on Setting Boundaries (#212)
<p>In this episode, host Melanie Hempe is joined by her son, Andrew, who shares his personal insights on screen habits and addiction. Together, they dispel the myth that setting boundaries around screen time leads to rebellion. Instead, Andrew explains how boundaries are an act o ... Show More
38m 25s
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