Education in India is evolving, but not always evenly.

In this week’s episode of Parenting Reboot, I speak with Neha Gujar — a Teach For India program partner who’s been on the frontlines of education reform for over a decade.

Neha’s journey is as fascinating as it is purposeful: from a defense background to transforming classrooms and communities across India. She has seen how education can shift the trajectory of an entire family — and how much more there is to fix at a systemic level, before every child has an equal shot.

“Education can change the trajectory of an entire family — not just a child.”— Neha Gujar, Teach For India

As a teacher and now an education consultant helping rural entrepreneurs design and deliver curriculums, Neha has seen both the brilliance and the burnout of the Indian education system — and she believes the way forward lies in redefining what “teaching” means.

This conversation dives into why skill-building, empathy, and purpose must sit at the heart of the next education movement.

We also talk about:

* Why teaching should be seen as a nation-building profession — not a fallback job.

* How technology has blurred the lines between learning with children and distracting them.

* What empathy looks like in a system obsessed with marks.

* And how parents, communities, and teachers can together redefine success — to raise happier, more resilient children.

For too long, teaching has been treated as a fallback — a profession people “settle” into. But as Neha points out, the teachers who stay in the system aren’t there by chance; they’re there by choice.

Education is more than textbooks — it’s about community and care. If you’ve ever questioned the kind of “success” schools reward, this conversation will move you.

Learn more about Teach for India and the TFIx program.

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We weren’t born with devices — and yet, they now shape every part of our day.

Research shows that kids as young as 11 own smartphones, and two-year-olds make up a significant YouTube viewing audience. But the real problem isn’t the screen — it’s the system behind it.

This week on Parenting Reboot, I sat down with Riz Vazir, founder of Scroll By Choice, a Seattle-based initiative helping families and workplaces build digital resilience. Riz calls himself a techno-optimist — someone who doesn’t fear technology but insists that we must learn to live with it consciously.

“We were all focused on the features our devices came with,” he says.“But no one taught us how to orient our lives, thinking, and behaviors around something so powerful that fits in our pockets.”

We spoke about the illusion of control, the algorithms shaping our values, and why digital wellness is a life skill—not a luxury.

Takeaways from this episode:

* Technology is a relationship, not a tool. You have to nurture it.

* Algorithms aren’t neutral. They serve their masters — always.

* Parents model tech behavior. Kids watch not what we say, but what we do when stressed, bored, or lonely.

* Going “screen-free” isn’t realistic. We need to teach techno-resilience, not nostalgia for a world that doesn’t exist anymore.

* Our attention is currency. Kids are ready for this conversation — ask them: “Who makes money off this app you love?”

Riz believes the future of healthy tech lies in education, self-awareness, and values — not fear or restriction.

“The algorithm isn’t a tech problem,” he says. “It’s a values problem.”

And that, perhaps, is the most powerful insight of all. Learn more about the work Scroll By Choice does here.

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Parenting often feels like a tug-of-war. For the first time on the Parenting Reboot, I brought a parent and a psychologist / child tech expert together to talk about screen time, tech use in households and the challenge to balance it all out, especially without guilt and shame.

Jenna Wawrzyniec is a mom of three is on a mission to simplify complex research and build a stronger parent community. Dr. Zachary Stuckelman studies how children interact with digital media. His mission is to shift the narrative away from fear and shame about screens and help families figure out where tech fits into their own puzzle.

Takeaways

1. Screens Are the Medium, Not the Message

Dr. Zach reminded us that “the screen itself is the medium — it’s not the message.”

What matters is the content and context: What are children watching? How is it edited? Can they apply what they see to real-life problem-solving?

Research is often behind the pace of innovation. “By the time we can say definitively that a show like Bluey builds certain skills,” he notes, “the show may already be off the air.”That’s the push-and-pull of studying kids’ media in a fast-changing world.

2. Core Skills for the Future: Concentration & Frustration Tolerance

Jenna focuses on two skills that she wants her own children — from infancy to adolescence — to keep developing:

* Concentration: the ability to sustain focus on meaningful tasks

* Frustration Tolerance: the capacity to cope with boredom, inconvenience, or setbacks

Montessori education, she says, is “an education path for adaptation…we’re teaching kids how to think, how to be self-learners.”

Dr. Zach adds the related concept of attention regulation — learning to prioritize what matters in a given moment and inhibiting distractions. Paired with emotion regulation, these skills form the foundation of healthy interaction with technology.

3. A Balanced Approach to Screens

Both guests cautioned against an all-or-nothing mindset. Jenna described her family’s approach as “warm and approachable, but still with boundaries” — her nine-year-old, for example, doesn’t yet have a smartphone because “he simply doesn’t have a real use case for it right now.”

Dr. Zach used the “Halloween candy model” to explain why total prohibition can backfire:

“If you forbid something completely and then suddenly allow it, you’re not helping a child build a healthy habit with that item.”

Instead, parents can help by:

* Setting age-appropriate limits

* Mediating and co-viewing screen content

* Talking about what kids see and connecting it to real-world learning.

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You don’t need technology to raise children. All they need is human attention.

These are the words of Madhura Gogte Pusalkar — a Montessori educator, music teacher, and child-development expert from Mumbai. This week on the Parenting Reboot, we talk about the relevance of Montessori education in preparing children for a future influenced by artificial intelligence. She emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, the role of technology, and the need for parents to model good values and foster independence in their children.

We live in a time where everything feels like it’s moving too fast — even for adults to comprehend. In the rush, we risk forgetting what makes us truly human: connection, patience, and the higher purpose of raising children who can thrive without being dependent on devices.

Madhura reminds us that over-reliance on technology in the formative years doesn’t create smarter kids — it creates over-dependence later in life. Children don’t need more screens. They need more life. Real experiences, patient guidance, and the freedom to explore with their hands are what prepare them for both today and tomorrow.

Takeaways from our conversation:

* Montessori equips children with resilience and future-ready skills.

* Hands-on learning builds logical thinking, creativity, and patience.

* Tech can play a role, but mindful, minimal use is key.

* Over-reliance on devices risks stunting independence.

* Children learn best through human interaction and real-life experiences.

* Parenting in a fast-moving, tech-driven world requires slowing down.

When I asked Madhura about the future of today’s children, her answer was simple but profound: “It begins with us. Their future depends on how we raise them today.”

Share this episode with a parent who feels caught between screens and reality. This conversation is your reminder that while technology is racing ahead, raising children requires slowing down.

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Do you need to quit your job to make your kids go screen free? Probably not.

We discuss this on The Parenting Reboot, as I sit down with Dr. Madhumitha Ezhil — a digital detox expert, consultant and parent who has helped countless families rethink their relationship with screens.

Dr. Madhumitha knows the other side of the screen all too well. Her 300-page thesis was dedicated to studying how to keep consumers scrolling and hooked to social media ads. Today, she’s on a mission to help parents step away from algorithm and raise children rooted in reality.

Takeaways

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why no-tech until 4 or 5 years can be a game-changer for toddlers.

* The three C’s (Connection, Communication, Critical Thinking) that form the foundation of healthy childhood.

* Why “do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work — kids imitate our screen habits.

* How tech-free zones and times, especially mornings without phones can reset your family rhythm.

* Why nurturing critical thinking is our children’s real competitive edge in the age of AI.

* The importance of cultural context and nuance in applying western ideals or practices to parenting in Asia.

* Why it is important to practice emotional regulation and empathy with your kids.

Dr. Madhumitha’s advice is both practical and deeply human: Come back to your child, not the algorithm.

🎙 The Parenting Reboot Podcast – Real stories, expert insights, and honest conversations about raising kids in a changing world.

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Did you wish some social media apps never existed? Do you spend 3-5 hours every day doomscrolling on one of those very apps?

This week on the Parenting Reboot, I chat with Nick Rotola—dad of three, youth pastor turned serial tech entrepreneur, and founder of UP (scrollhappy.com)—to ask a bold question: Can we have a healthy relationship with social media?

Nick’s social media platform is designed to protect kids from doomscrolling and promote positivity online. It is devoid of polarizing content, pornography and things that kids and teens should probably not have access to.

He shares his journey from youth pastor to tech founder, why he believes parents need to step up as guides in the digital age, and how his platform UP aims to shift kids away from doomscrolling toward meaningful digital experiences.

What we covered:

* Why scrolling has become habitual (and harmful)

* The real impact of social media on youth mental health

* How parents can set tech rules that kids actually understand

* The double-edged sword of AI in shaping online experiences

* Why giving kids independence offline is just as vital as protecting them online

Social media isn’t going anywhere. But maybe, we can shape it into something better for the next generation. A better digital childhood.

🎙 The Parenting Reboot Podcast – Real stories, expert insights, and honest conversations about raising kids in a changing world.

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Why are AI teachers needed today? Can we build empathy into AI code? What role does equity play in training AI models?

We explore all of this and more in the latest episode of the Parenting Reboot where I chat with Dr. Pauldy Otermans, the co-founder of the Otermans Institute that built the world’s first AI teacher and is democratizing education across Asia, Africa and the rest of the world.

As a neuroscientist, psychologist and a tech leader, she understands the impact of technology on our brains. So, I asked her something ridiculous: Will our brains atrophy because of our over-reliance on tech (especially artificial intelligence)?

Dr. Pauldy: “AI is not making any decisions, we are.”

We also explore the balance between screen time and meaningful engagement with tech for kids, essential skills needed in an AI-driven world, and the role of educators in adapting to new technologies.

Classrooms of the future are not going to be the same anymore. Where does AI fit into all of this, and what can we do as parents to be ready for this change?

Takeaways

* Screen time can be transformed into meaningful learning experiences.

* AI should be seen as a tool to enhance human capabilities, not replace them.

* Critical thinking and adaptability are essential skills for the future.

* Personalized learning through AI can cater to individual learning styles.

* The Otermans Institute aims to democratize education using AI.

* Community feedback is crucial for improving educational tools.

* Parents should engage with technology to support their children's learning.

* Educators can use AI to reduce administrative burdens and focus on teaching.

* Empathy in AI is important for effective learning interactions.

* The future of jobs will require a skills reset due to AI advancements.

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“I found motherhood harder than ChatGPT,” says Aaksha Meghawat in her calm, collected voice.

In this episode of the Parenting Reboot (TPR), I sit down with Aaksha — a mom, AI/ML expert, and now a Y Combinator–backed AI startup founder from California — to explore two journeys that rarely get discussed together:

* Postpartum life — the emotional, physical, and economic costs we don’t talk about enough.

* Startup life — building a company from scratch in one of the most complex and fast-moving tech spaces.

We talked about:

* Why motherhood needs real support systems — not just “inspirational” hashtags.

* Why motherhood or parenting isn’t considered as part of GDP.

* The need for parental playbooks and strong mental frameworks

* The risks of “trustless” tech and how to make AI more accountable.

She didn’t just give birth to a human baby… she also brought an AI “baby” into the world.

Her startup, Kashikoi, is building a way for people to question, debate, and “interview” AI agents to uncover hidden biases — a safety net that helps individuals do their own background checks on AI systems.

This is a conversation about resilience, innovation, and building community at the crossroads of parenting and technology.

Key Takeaways:

* Motherhood is a challenging yet rewarding journey.

* The intersection of motherhood and technology is complex.

* Postpartum experiences are often overlooked and under-supported.

* Technology can be both a challenge and a solution for parents.

* AI has the potential to empower children in their learning.

* More research and systemic support for mothers is urgently needed.

* Mental frameworks are crucial for navigating parenting and technology.

* Sharing stories builds stronger parenting communities.

* Kashikoi aims to reduce bias in AI interactions.

* The future of parenting will involve more personalized learning opportunities.

Whether you’re a parent, tech enthusiast, or future-focused thinker, this conversation will leave you inspired to reimagine what’s possible for the next generation.

🎙 The Parenting Reboot Podcast – Real stories, expert insights, and honest conversations about raising kids in a changing world.

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From the explosion of live-streaming careers to creating healthy screen-time rules, Jing Shen and I unpack how to raise mindful, creative kids in a hyperconnected world. He is a tech nerd and a dad to a 6-year-old girl, who runs the biggest live streaming platform of Asia. We also explore the challenges and opportunities presented by technology while parenting and the importance of authenticity in digital interactions, especially on social media or live streaming platforms.

Jing Shen also shares insights on navigating information overload, especially as new parents and setting boundaries with kids for screen time.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for tools, mindset shifts, and a reminder that kids don’t just copy what you say — they copy what you scroll.

Takeaways

* Live streaming empowers human connections through interactive entertainment.

* Authenticity is increasingly valued in digital interactions.

* Technology should be viewed as a tool for parenting, not a master.

* Setting clear rules for screen time is essential for children.

* Information overload presents challenges for modern parents.

* The future of work may prioritize individual creativity over mechanical tasks.

* Parents should model healthy tech use for their children.

* Play is an essential part of learning and development.

* Ethical considerations in tech design are crucial for children's safety.

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As a new mom, I stumbled upon Kamakshi’s substack “Things Parents Google” when I was up at 2 a.m. one night, four months postpartum, hoping to feel seen / heard through social media. Despite the overload of information available online on how to raise children, not much is available on how to navigate the online world safely. Especially for new moms who are vulnerable to every information, post, picture, video out there to “inform” them about the right ways to breastfeed, nourish and care for their babies.

In this episode, Kamakshi shares her postpartum journey and talks about how technology can be both a boon and a bane. She found solace in online communities, joining Facebook groups for mothers with babies born in the same month. These platforms provided a sense of camaraderie and reassurance that she wasn't alone in her struggles. However, the constant influx of information on social media sometimes added to her anxiety, highlighting the need for balance.

She emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself and using the support system available. "Use the village," she advises, acknowledging the value of letting others help with daily tasks. She also stresses the need to filter advice and information, focusing on what truly resonates with one's own experience.

Takeaways

* Trust yourself, it takes time to adjust to motherhood.

* Don't compare your parenting journey to others.

* Breastfeeding is not the only option; formula feeding is valid.

* Social media can provide support but also overwhelm.

* It's important to find a balance with technology in parenting.

* Postpartum mental health is crucial and often overlooked.

* FaceTime with family can be a positive use of screen time.

* Every child is different; trust your instincts as a parent.

* Prepare the next generation to discern real from digital.

* Use your village for support; it's okay to ask for help.

Explore some of Kamakshi’s works and check out Roots and Reflections—a personal biographer service that she offers.

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