Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis

Join Carol for an inspiring conversation with Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, creator of the acclaimed Naked Beauty podcast.  In this engaging episode, Brooke shares how she navigates the demands of parenting a toddler and entrepreneurship while making time for self-care. She offers invaluable insights on how to be an attentive, focused parent while preserving your sense of self. From beauty routines to the importance of family dinners, discover how Brooke manages it all with grace and authenticity. Don’t miss her practical tips for carving out meaningful 'me-time' in your busy schedule!


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Carol sits down with Dr. Leah Austin, President and CEO of the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), to explore the many ways infants learn and how parents can nurture their development from birth. Dr. Austin also shares her expertise on infant health and nutrition, the impact of climate change on our little ones, and so much more.
Tune in to hear Dr. Austin’s practical tips on supporting our babies' health and learning, and the essential work NBCDI is doing to give parents the knowledge and resources they need to care for children in the critical first three years of life and beyond. Whether you’re a new parent or caring for young children, this episode is filled with helpful advice.

Over the course of this season we’re focusing on parenting across all stages of child development, from babies to the grown and flown. Join us on this insightful journey!

Episode Links: 

• The Power of Talking to Your Baby - NY Times (2013)

• Researchers Illustrate How Caregiver Speech Shapes Infant Brain - UT Dallas (2023)

• Where to find a NBCDI affiliate (The National Village Network)

• NBCDI: Confronting the Impacts of Environmental Toxins on Black Children and Families

• Children’s Environmental Health Day–October 10, 2024

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We're back with Season 6! Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder and CEO of ColorComm and author of What Do You Need: How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success, returns for the Season 6 opener. Lauren shares her experience as a new mom and busy entrepreneur, reflecting on how her upbringing has shaped her parenting style.

Carol and Lauren discuss how new parents can balance the joys and challenges of family life and career, offering practical advice on time management and avoiding guilt. Learn how the skills you develop as a parent and professional can support both areas of your life. 

This season will explore parenting across all stages of child development, from babies to the grown and flown. Join us on this insightful journey!

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Welcome to Season 6 of Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis! Starting September 11th, Carol is back with a new season packed with stories, resources, and expert advice to help you raise curious, confident Black and Brown children. This trailer gives you a taste of the powerful conversations and expert insights coming your way as we explore the journey of raising our children across all five stages of development. Tune in each week and join us on this journey!

In this bonus episode, Carol sits down with the dynamic Lauren Wesley Wilson, Founder & CEO of ColorComm Corporation, to dive into her new book, What Do You Need?  How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success.

Discover savvy, game-changing career tips from Lauren's best-seller as Carol and Lauren discuss practical strategies for professional growth. And of course, they explore how these powerful insights can be applied to parenting, making this episode a treasure trove of wisdom for women balancing career and family responsibilities.  

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that will equip you with the tools to take control of your career and empower your children to succeed.

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And that’s a wrap!  In this Season 5 rewind Carol shares some of the highlights of the season and reveals some parenting principles–practical, helpful, parenting concepts–that came out of these conversations.  Tune in for a sampling of some of the great stories, advice and resources Carol and her guests shared this season. And stay tuned for more parenting conversations about the joy and the real work of parenting Black children in our next season, coming soon! 

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Known for her stellar performances in film and TV hits including Antwone Fisher, I Am Legend, and Eureka, Salli Richardson-Whitfield is more than just a celebrated actress. As an award-winning director of shows like Queen Sugar, Blackish, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, and The Gilded Age, she's also a behind-the-camera force in the entertainment industry. And in this captivating conversation with Carol, Salli reveals a side seldom publicly seen: that of a wise and compassionate mother of two. Salli shares her invaluable parenting insights in this episode, emphasizing the importance of honesty in acknowledging our parenting strengths and limitations. Through candid anecdotes and reflections, she tells us how she has maintained the delicate balance between her thriving career and active family life. Tune in for a lively exchange filled with relatable stories and a healthy dose of wisdom that will resonate with parents everywhere.


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Carol welcomes art curator Stephanie Sparling Williams for an engaging conversation about how she and her husband are navigating the complexities and joys of raising the two children they adopted at ages 12 and 14. Stephanie, who was raised by her African-American mother and white father, shares why she and her husband opted to adopt older children, how they found their (also biracial) children and prepared to bring them into their home. Carol and Stephanie discuss the journey of establishing trust and building connections, addressing past traumas and creating a new family dynamic, and the challenges and rewards along the way. Stephanie offers profound insights into the world of parenting older adopted children, and what it takes to establish a loving forever home. Through Stephanie’s story we gain valuable insights into the transformative power of chosen family.

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Join Carol as she sits down with Bernard I. Lumpkin, an art collector and patron, for an enriching conversation about parenting, identity, and culture. Bernard, raised in a multicultural home with an African-American father from Watts, L.A., and a Jewish mother from Tangier, Morocco, shares how his upbringing shaped his deep appreciation for Black art. Now a father of three biracial children, Bernard is committed to instilling a sense of cultural pride in them. In this episode, he reflects on the challenges and joys of his childhood and of raising his children today, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity within families. Through his passion for collecting art that reflects his family's heritage, Bernard illustrates how parents can help their children feel secure in their identities and develop a strong sense of self. Don't miss this insightful discussion on parenting, identity, and the transformative power of art.

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Carol talks about how we can break the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities with David R. McGhee, the Executive Director of The Steve Fund, a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing mental health support for young people of color. Carol and David discuss how poverty, the pandemic, and the media all impact the mental health of our children, and how we can prioritize and support their mental and emotional well-being. Tune in to their engaging exchange as they focus on nurturing wellness in children, parents and partners, and erasing the stigma attached to this important topic.

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