Today on the podcast, we're joined by Mandy Grass Behavior Analyst (BCBA), parent coach, and mom of three — for a deep, practical conversation about the real reasons behind our kids' behavior. Mandy has worked with hundreds of families and school districts to teach evidence-based strategies that help children thrive at home and in the classroom. She's also built a community of nearly 700,000 people on social media, where she shares real-life, practical tools (and a healthy dose of humor) to make parenting feel a little lighter and a lot more doable.

We talk about why kids act out, how to teach replacement behaviors, what to do when homework becomes a battle, and why consistency matters more than perfection. Mandy also shares powerful insights on ADHD, distractibility & what looks like "defiance".

If you've ever wondered how to stay calm, set boundaries, and still stay connected, this conversation is for you.

https://www.thefamilybehaviorist.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thefamilybehaviorist/

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Today we're sitting down with the incredible Jessica Lahey. New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation. Jess brings wisdom from decades in the classroom, from teaching middle and high school to working with teens in drug and alcohol rehab. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and her long-running New York Times column, "The Parent Teacher Conference." In this episode, we dive into:

• What failure to launch really is
• Letting go so kids can grow
• How to raise healthy, resilient kids in a culture of dependence
• The parenting patterns that actually make a difference
• Jessica's work, writing, and powerful experiences with teens

Plus, Jess shares a peek into her life in the woods of Vermont and her work co-hosting the #AmWriting podcast. This conversation is packed with wisdom and practical advice parents can use right away. Instagram: @teacherlahey Threads: @teacherlahey

This week on Parenting for the Present We're joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist who takes a whole-body approach to medicine—fusing lifestyle, functional medicine, and science-backed facts to help people understand their fertility and their bodies.

Together we talk about hormonal health, self-advocacy, and why every woman and their partner deserves to truly understand their body at every stage of life.

Tune in for an empowering and informative conversation that will leave you inspired and equipped to take charge of your own health.

https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/about

https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/podcast

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Phones. Screens. Social media. They've become a normal part of everyday life, but what are they doing to our kids' brains?

In this episode, we dive deep into the science and psychology behind technology's impact on children and teens. From the constant pings of notifications to the endless scroll of social media, today's kids are growing up in a digital world that's rewiring how they think, feel, and connect.

We talk about why peer influence can sometimes outweigh a parent's voice, how screen time affects brain development, and the growing rise in anxiety and depression that is linked to social media use.

But this conversation isn't all doom and gloom — we also share practical, hopeful strategies for families. You'll hear about ways to set healthy tech boundaries, encourage independent play, and why we prioritize extracurricular activities.

If you've ever wondered how much screen time is too much, or how to help your child build real-world connection in an online world, this episode is for you.

There's still so much we can do to help our kids thrive. Delay technology as long as you can and give yourself grace!

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We are excited to announce the launch of Season 9 of Parenting for the Present. Thank you for being part of this journey, whether you have been listening from the beginning or are just joining us now. Your support makes this work possible.

This season, we are pleased to welcome Eve Wiley, Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Clinical Training at The Housson Center. As both a clinician and mother of three, Eve brings a valuable perspective and tools, combining professional expertise with practical parenting insight.

In our first episode, we return to the foundations of practical parenting—meeting children's physical and emotional needs, creating space for frustration, and establishing a healthy parenting hierarchy.

And don't forget to join us for our Mending Minds 5K — October 4, 2025, at Smith Park. Sign up now at the link in bio!

Mending Minds 5K Sign Up

Instagram: @parentingforthepresent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC309E-w1fgSNFr4Spe1lqSA

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, best-selling author of Mommy Burnout™ and host of Dr. Sheryl's PodCouch, is a leading expert in stress, parenting, and mental health. She empowers parents, especially moms, to overcome the pressures of perfection and prevent burnout. Through relatable stories and practical advice, this episode offers tools to help parents break the burnout cycle so they can show up as their best selves for their children. Ziegler encourages parents to set limits and be intentional with their time to build genuine connections with their kids.

Her approach emphasizes two key principles: First, parents must regulate their own behavior before guiding their children, modeling healthy habits and boundaries. Second, for children aged 6–12, it's crucial for them to learn competence, confidence, and resilience by taking risks and learning from failure. Dr. Ziegler's practical tools empower parents to protect their children from the damage of burnout while fostering healthier, more connected family lives.

TO LEARN MORE: Visit: https://drsherylziegler.com/

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LINK TO BOOKS:

The Crucial Years: The Essential Guide to Mental Health and Modern Puberty in Middle Childhood Mommy Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Life and Raise Healthier Children in the Process

Today, we're gathering around one of the most difficult — yet deeply human — topics: grief.

In light of the devastating flood in Texas, many in our community are facing unimaginable loss. Whether your family was directly impacted or your child is struggling with the weight of this tragedy from afar, this episode is for you.

Here are the links to all of the resources mentioned in our show:

Article Link: What Do We Say When the Unthinkable Happens?

Camp Mystic Resources

Instagram: Eve Wiley, The Housson Center, Parenting for the Present

Support Groups at The Housson Center

What if something as simple as sitting down for dinner could transform your family's health and happiness?

In this episode, we're joined by Kasley Killam — Harvard-trained social scientist, two-time TED speaker, and author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. Together, we explore why prioritizing family dinners is more than just a tradition — it's a vital practice for improving social health, especially for kids.

Kasley breaks down how daily connection at the dinner table helps foster emotional resilience in children, supports better work-life balance for parents, and strengthens our overall well-being. With insights drawn from nearly 15 years of research and partnerships with organizations like Google, the World Economic Forum, and the U.S. Department of Health, she explains how human connection is foundational, not optional, for a thriving life.

Tune in for practical tips, thought-provoking conversation, and a reminder that the small moments we share around the table might just be the most important of all.

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• Newsletter
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• TED talk
• Book
• Articles
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This week, we're joined by Dr. Laurie Santos, the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Dr. Santos offers valuable insights into why modern parenting can feel more overwhelming than ever—and what we can do about it. Drawing on evidence-based research, she shares practical strategies to help parents reduce stress and boost their well-being. From tackling parent guilt to navigating the ever-elusive concept of "time," we explore the mental health challenges and everyday decisions that come with raising kids today. Tune in for a thoughtful, informative conversation every parent can relate to.

• Instagram: @lauriesantosofficial
• FaceBook: DrLaurieSantos
• Threads: @lauriesantosofficial
• TikTok: @drlauriesantos
• Twitter: @lauriesantos
• LinkedIn: laurie-santos
• YouTube: @DrLaurieSantos

• Website: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/
• Resources for Parents: drlauriesantos.com/parents
• The Happiness Lab Podcast: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos
• Newsletter: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/newsletter-signup/
• The Science of Well-Being for Parents: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-parents
• The Science of Well-Being for Teens: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens
• The Science of Well-Being: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being

This week on Parenting for the Present, we're joined by Dr. Bethany Teachman, Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She also leads public research initiatives focused on reducing anxious thinking and exploring how our unconscious beliefs shape our mental and physical health. With anxiety levels continuing to rise, Dr. Teachman helps us rethink the way we view anxiety—not as something to fear or eliminate, but as an emotion that can actually serve a purpose. Learning to tell when anxiety is helpful versus when it's not is key, and labeling it as terrible or unbearable only makes it harder to manage. We also talk about how social media plays a powerful role in shaping our thoughts and emotional responses, and why it's so important to stay mindful and balanced in our engagement with it. And perhaps most encouraging—Dr. Teachman reminds us that we don't have to have all the answers. Our kids benefit far more from seeing us model growth and flexibility than from seeing perfection.

Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment's social media handles are:

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