We all want the best healthcare for our children—but for Black parents, this can involve pushing past bias, asking hard questions, and showing up prepared.

In this powerful episode, Carol sits down with Dr. Uché Blackstock—emergency physician, health equity champion, and bestselling author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine—to talk about how parents can navigate the healthcare system to make sure our kids get the best possible care.

Dr. Blackstock shares how her late mother—a trailblazing Harvard-trained physician—laid the foundation for her journey and inspired her passion for health justice. She offers clear, practical advice for parents on how to find and interview the right pediatrician, prepare for and manage doctor’s visits with confidence, and identify trustworthy health information while avoiding harmful misinformation. She also breaks down how racism shows up in children's medical care, and what parents can do to advocate effectively.

Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, this episode will help you walk into every exam room informed, empowered, and ready to make sure your child gets the care they need.


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🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Many parents have heard the term neurodivergent, but aren't quite sure what it means—or what to do when their child doesn’t seem to follow the "typical" path. Pediatric psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart returns to the podcast to help us make sense of it all. Dr. Lockhart explains what neurodivergence is, how to recognize when your child might need support, and why "different" doesn’t mean “less than.”

Carol and Dr. Lockhart also discuss how to manage the emotional rollercoaster that can come with parenting a neurodivergent child—especially for Black and Brown parents. Dr. Lockhart shares how to advocate effectively, communicate with teachers, and most importantly, how to shift the focus from “fixing” your child to celebrating their unique strengths.If you're looking for clarity, encouragement, and real-world guidance to better understand and support the children you care about—this conversation is for you.

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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Every parent wants their child to succeed in school—but keeping up with their progress, supporting their learning, and knowing when to step in can feel overwhelming.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. returns to the podcast with smart, practical advice to help you feel more confident and prepared to support your child’s academic journey. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten or heading into high school, this conversation offers valuable insight you can use right now.

Drawing upon his experience as a teacher, principal, education leader, and parent, John shares tips on understanding your child’s learning style, how to partner with teachers (even the challenging ones!) to make sure your child’s academic needs are getting met, and how to encourage critical thinking in a world full of conflicting messages.  Carol and John talk about why parents these days need to pay attention to curriculum changes, book bans, and misinformation—and how to take action when needed.

If you want to know how to truly show up for your child’s education, this episode is packed with the clarity and encouragement you’ve been looking for.


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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Emily Oster returns to the podcast to answer pregnancy and early parenting questions from Ground Control Parenting listeners!  Emily, an economist known for her data-driven approach to parenting, brings clear, compassionate, and evidence-based guidance to the most common (and confusing) early parenting concerns. She helps parents cut through the noise and make decisions with more confidence and less guilt.

Carol gets Emily’s take on many timely topics, including pregnancy anxiety, postpartum care, sleep training, discipline and screen time—with plenty of insight, thoughtful discussion, and lots of laughs along the way. This engaging, thoughtful conversation will help parents and caregivers feel more informed and empowered.


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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Carol sits down with award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster Michele Norris to discuss how we talk—and often struggle to talk—about race in our homes, our communities, and with our kids.   Michele shares the remarkable story behind her bestselling book, Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity, which evolved from a simple invitation for people to share their thoughts about race in just six words.

Carol and Michele discuss how these six-word stories offer a raw, honest, and surprisingly hopeful window into how Americans grapple with identity, difference, and belonging.  They explore how parents can use what comes out of these stories to help us approach some of the hardest—but most necessary—conversations we need to have with our kids.

Michele’s practical guidance for talking about race and identity with kids will resonate with parents of young children who are focused on how to begin these conversations, as well as parents of older children who want to find better ways to have them.  Regardless of where you are in this journey, this episode will inform and inspire you. 

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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Child psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart returns to the podcast to help us understand emotional intelligence—what it is, why it matters, and how we can nurture it in our kids from an early age. In this powerful and practical conversation, Carol and Dr. Lockhart discuss:

• The 5 key components of emotional intelligence (EQ)

• How EQ supports resilience in a world that increasingly demands it

• Why today's kids struggle more with bouncing back—and how parents may unintentionally be contributing to this struggle

• What Black parents need to consider as they raise confident, emotionally attuned children in a world that can often misread them

• How to model emotional intelligence even when you're having an off day

• The truth about failure, effort, and why “trying” is everything

Whether your child is melting down over the wrong color cup or you’re navigating teen turbulence, this episode is full of tools, insights, and encouragement to help you raise emotionally strong, resilient kids.

Follow Ground Control Parenting:
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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Economist and best-selling author Emily Oster joins Carol in part one of a fascinating two-part conversation about how data can reduce parenting stress and help us make smarter, more confident decisions. Emily shares the origins of her data-driven parenting philosophy, why not all research studies are created equal, and how decision trees can bring calm to the chaos. Whether you're brand new to parenting, raising toddlers or teens, you'll come away with new tools—and a much-needed sense of relief.

Be sure to check out:

• Emily Oster’s Books: Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm, The Unexpected
• Emily’s newsletter and site: ParentData.org

Follow Ground Control Parenting:

📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting
💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Welcome to a new season of Ground Control Parenting!

This season starts strong with Dr. John B. King, Jr. — former U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama and current Chancellor of the State University of New York — who joins Carol for a captivating conversation about the power of education. John reveals how education not only shaped his life but saved it — a story he explores in his inspiring new memoir, Teacher by Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives.

John talks with Carol about his journey from a childhood filled with loss and instability to becoming one of the most influential voices in American education. He shares how teachers and other mentors guided his path and fueled his mission to ensure every child has access to great educational opportunities.

This season Carol’s bringing in a team of amazing experts to explore the parenting issues that matter most. Get ready to be informed and inspired! 

Follow Ground Control Parenting:

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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Welcome to Season 7 of Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis! Starting April 30, Carol is back with a new season packed with resources and advice to help you raise curious, confident Black and Brown children. This trailer gives you a taste of the powerful conversations coming your way this season as Carol engages with a team of experts to tackle a wide range of important parenting topics.Tune in each week and join us on this journey!

Carol welcomes renowned civil rights leader and legal scholar Sherrilyn Ifill for an important conversation about parenting during times of uncertainty and division. Together they explore how families can stay grounded and thrive. 

In this riveting episode they discuss:

• Helping children navigate misinformation and find reliable sources of truth.
• Building resilience through connection to history and community.
• How to protect your family’s values and well-being amid societal change.
• Sherrilyn’s practical advice for parents and children on civic responsibility.

These are just a few highlights from this discussion—you won’t want to miss the full episode.  With wisdom drawn from her career, historical insight, and parenting experience, Sherrilyn reminds us that this is “planting time”—an opportunity to build a foundation of strength, integrity, and hope for future generations.

Tune in for this insightful and empowering conversation filled with actionable tips for every parent.

Follow us at @GroundControlParenting and on groundcontrolparenting.com!
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