Épisodes

  • TPP 313a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Online Safety and Internet “Rabbit Holes” and Neurodivergent Kids

    TPP 313a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Online Safety and Internet “Rabbit Holes” and Neurodivergent Kids
    Oct 17 2025
    Today is an important conversation about online communities and internet rabbit holes. And I felt pulled to tackle this topic for the show because I know that the past few years in particularly has been a time where differently wired kids have beenspending a LOT more time online and connecting with people they may not have even meant in real life and doing their identity development largely online. And I also know that this can put our kids, and us as their parents and caregivers, in challenging positions as we navigate a seemingly endless stream of discourse that may lead our kids down the wrong paths. So I asked my friend and screen and tech expert Dr. Devorah Heitner to join me for a frank and open conversation about it all. We talked about the ways differently wired kids might be exposed to harmful content, and why our kids may be more susceptible to toxic or unhealthy virtual rabbit holes in the first place, the popular places where teens and kids are hanging out the most right now, the way our kids’ worldview and their brain development is impacted they content their engaging with, and what we parents might not know that we should know about regarding this topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 min
  • TPP 470: How Can I Stay Grounded When My Child Falls Apart After School?

    TPP 470: How Can I Stay Grounded When My Child Falls Apart After School?
    Oct 16 2025
    In this Parent Lean In episode, Margaret Webb joins me to answer a listener's question about those tough moments when our kids are totally dysregulated—especially after long, overstimulating school days. We get into why these behaviors happen, how important it is for kids to release pent-up energy, and what it really means to co-regulate. We also talk about how to stay grounded ourselves when things get loud or chaotic, and remind parents that these rough patches are hard, but they are temporary—and we don’t have to face them alone. Key Takeaways Why understanding common concerns about social skills in autistic children can help parents feel less isolated and more empowered How parental anxieties can shape decisions around social opportunities and why self-awareness is key Why clarifying your own worries before addressing your child’s needs leads to more intentional and effective support How using scaffolding strategies can make playdates more successful and comfortable for neurodivergent kids Why keeping playdates short and thoughtfully matched can reduce stress for both kids and caregivers How lowering expectations and partnering with teachers and other parents can create more positive social experiences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    17 min
  • TPP 469: Helping Neurodivergent Girls Know They’re Enough, with Kate Rope

    TPP 469: Helping Neurodivergent Girls Know They’re Enough, with Kate Rope
    Oct 14 2025
    Today we’re talking about raising girls—what it means to help them feel strong in both body and mind, and how we as parents can nurture that confidence from an early age. My guest is Kate Rope, an award-winning journalist and the author of the new book, Strong as a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves. In this episode, we talk about empowerment, self-compassion, and listening deeply to our daughters, as well as the role parents play in creating a supportive environment. We also explore the importance of representing diverse experiences, including those of neurodivergent girls, and how to help our kids develop a strong, steady inner voice. About Kate Rope Kate Rope is an award-winning freelance journalist and author whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and many other outlets. She is the author of Strong as a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves and Strong as a Mother. How to Stay Healthy, Happy and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenting, co-executive producer and co-author of the Audible Original Soldiers of Science, and a mom on a mission to help everyone be Strong as a Human. Things you'll learn from this episode How early conversations about self-advocacy can empower young girls to trust their voices Why including diverse experiences enriches the way we parent and support our daughters How validating emotions like anger helps girls embrace their full humanity instead of suppressing themselves Why neurodivergent girls often face extra layers of societal pressure and expectation How prioritizing self-worth over self-esteem builds a stronger foundation for girls’ well-being Why encouraging autonomy and practicing self-compassion are key for raising confident, resilient girls Resources mentioned Kate Rope’s website Strong As a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves by Kate Rope Strong as a Human (Kate’s Substack) Kate on Instagram Soraya Chemaly Creating Neurodiversity Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin & Emily Kircher-Morris (Full-Tilt Parenting) Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin About Universal Design Activist Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability (Full-Tilt Parenting) Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau Dr. Katie Hurley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 min
  • TPP 365a: Dr. Alok Kanojia Explains How to Raise Healthy Gamers

    TPP 365a: Dr. Alok Kanojia Explains How to Raise Healthy Gamers
    Oct 10 2025
    Where is the line between healthy gaming and unhealthy gaming? How much gaming is too much? And when does a gaming habit evolve into gaming addiction? These are some of the questions regarding screen time that I hear from many parents, and they highlight some of the ongoing challenges families face in raising children who can be responsible tech users and whose screen use and gaming doesn’t interfere with their lives in a way that can be harmful or keep them stuck. So when I learned of the new book How to Raise a Healthy Gamer: End Power Struggles, Break Bad Screen Habits, and Transform Your Relationship with Your Kids by Dr. Alok Kanojia, I knew I wanted to invite him onto the show to talk about all things gaming with us. In this conversation, we talked about how we as parents can know whether our child is addicted to video games or not, why screen time limits and restricting gaming time are at odds with the goal of raising a healthy gamer, and how to shift to a holistic approach that considers overall well-being and goal-setting. We also talked about why children with ADHD are more susceptible to addictive behaviors surrounding gaming and how to raise healthy gamers from a young age. Dr. Alok Kanojia is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in the intersection of technology x mental health. Also known as ”Dr. K” to millions of people on the internet, Dr.Kanojia is the co-founder of Healthy Gamer, a mental health platform that serves the digital generation. He has inspired millions of people with online content while overseeing the mental health coaching of thousands of young people. He is widely regarded as the foremost expert on video game addiction and most prominent mental health authority for young people. When he’s offline, he’s usually traveling, gardening, or grilling with his family. Things you’ll learn from this episode How to determine if your child has a gaming addiction, and why it’s important to trust your instincts Why screen time limits and carrot and stick approaches surrounding a child’s gaming is at odds with the goal of raising a healthy gamer Why children with ADHD are more susceptible to addictive behaviors surrounding gaming The importance of engaging in open and non-judgmental communication with your child about their gaming habits and the impact it has on their life How to shift to a holistic approach that considers overall well-being and goal-setting Ideas for proactively creating healthy gaming habits with younger children learn more at https://tiltparenting.com/session365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 min
  • TPP 468: Helping Empaths and Highly Sensitive Kids Thrive with Dr. Judith Orloff

    TPP 468: Helping Empaths and Highly Sensitive Kids Thrive with Dr. Judith Orloff
    Oct 7 2025
    Today we’re diving into the world of empaths and highly sensitive people—what it means to be one, what makes it complicated, and why it’s also such a gift. My guest, psychiatrist, author, and empath Dr. Judith Orloff, shares her own journey as a highly sensitive child and how it shaped her work as a psychiatrist. We talk about the science behind sensitivity, how to recognize a highly sensitive child, and why self-care and co-regulation are so critical for both parents and kids. Judith also touches on bullying, sensory overload, and the strategies empaths can use to thrive—and she introduces her beautiful new children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, created to help kids understand and embrace their sensitivity. About Judith Orloff, MD Judith Orloff, MD, is a psychiatrist who serves on the UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty and an empath. She is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent books are The Genius of Empathy (2024) and The Empath’s Survival Guide (2017). Specializing in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice, she also offers Empathy Training Programs to organizations. She has spoken at the American Psychiatric Association, Google, Fortune’s Powerful Women’s Summit, and TEDx. She has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, PBS, and NPR. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Teen Vogue, and Scientific American. Things you'll learn from this episode How Dr. Orloff blends traditional psychiatric expertise with her lived experience as an empath Why empaths and highly sensitive individuals often struggle with sensory overload and emotional stress from others How co-regulation between parents and children supports emotional health and resilience Why parents need to advocate for highly sensitive kids in schools, especially in the face of bullying How recognizing the gifts of empathy—like deep connection to nature and beauty—helps children embrace who they are Why self-empathy and intentional self-care practices are essential for empaths to thrive Resources mentioned Dr. Judith Orloff’s website The Highly Sensitive Rabbit by Dr. Judith Orloff The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff Thriving as an Empath by Dr. Judith Orloff Dr. Judith Orloff on Facebook Dr. Judith Orloff on X Dr. Judith Orloff on LinkedIn Dr. Judith Orloff on YouTube Dr. Judith Orloff on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 min
  • TPP 128b: Digital Media and Technology Expert Devorah Heitner on Helping Kids Be Screenwise

    TPP 128b: Digital Media and Technology Expert Devorah Heitner on Helping Kids Be Screenwise
    Oct 3 2025
    Dr. Devorah Heitner, a digital media and technology expert and the author of "Screenwise" talks about how parents can mentor their kids to develop a healthy relationship with screens (phones, online games, and more). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 min
  • TPP 467: A Conversation with Nefertiti Austin About the Diagnosis That Changed Everything

    TPP 467: A Conversation with Nefertiti Austin About the Diagnosis That Changed Everything
    Sep 30 2025
    Today I’m talking with writer and memoirist Nefertiti Austin about her journey parenting a neurodivergent child and the many realizations that come with it, which she writes about in her new book, She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis That Changes Everything, continues that deeply honest exploration, this time through the lens of raising a differently wired child. In our conversation, Nefertiti shares the challenges and gifts of navigating labels, the role of educators in her family’s story, and the ways adoption has shaped her parenting experience. We also talk about what it means to adapt as parents—to let go of old visions and dream new dreams that embrace our children’s unique paths. About Nefertiti Austin Nefertiti Austin is a writer and memoirist. She wrote about the erasure of diverse voices in motherhood in the critically acclaimed Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America (2019) and her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Nation, Romper, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She was the subject of an article on race and adoption in The Atlantic and appeared on numerous shows, podcasts, and radio programs, including The Today Show and multiple NPR outlets. Her newest book is She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis That Changes Everything (2025). Nefertiti is the proud adoptive mother of two children and lives in Los Angeles. Things you'll learn from this episode How Nefertiti’s parenting journey began through adoption and was reshaped by raising a neurodivergent child Why using positive terms like “spirited” instead of negative labels protects children’s sense of self, especially for children of color How adoption adds unique layers of complexity to parenting neurodivergent kids and challenges assumptions about nurture Why seeking assessments requires patience, persistence, and deep understanding from both parents and educators How parents can move toward acceptance by dreaming new dreams for their children while navigating overwhelm and trial and error Why bridging the gap between parents and educators is key to creating supportive environments for neurodivergent kids Resources mentioned Nefertiti Austin’s website She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis That Changes Everything by Nefertiti Austin Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America by Nefertiti Austin Nefertiti on Instagram Nefertiti on Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    32 min
  • TPP 016b: Understanding and Navigating the Parent-Teacher Relationship with Becca Wertheim

    TPP 016b: Understanding and Navigating the Parent-Teacher Relationship with Becca Wertheim
    Sep 26 2025
    Becca Wertheim, a second-grade teacher at an inclusion school in North Carolina, talks about her experience as a teacher meeting the individual educational needs of a group of students with diverse learning styles, and her insight for parents who are looking for better support and communication with the teachers in their children’s lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 min