Join Carol for a recap of Season 6, which offered parenting advice and expertise across all five stages of child development, from newborns to the grown and flown.  Carol revisits highlights from conversations with her incredible lineup of Season 6 guests. Tune in for expert advice, practical tips, and inspiring stories to empower you on your parenting journey. If you missed any episodes this season, this rewind is your perfect guide to catch up.And stay tuned for exciting bonus episodes...

Parenting, mental health, and finding your way in a complicated world—Emmy and Tony-winning actor Courtney B. Vance covers it all in this powerful conversation with Carol. Courtney reflects on his Detroit upbringing, the sacrifices his parents made for his education, and how those lessons shape how he and his wife, (the one and only Angela Bassett), have raised their twins who are now off at college. He shares how they’ve kept their kids grounded despite growing up in the spotlight, and how...

This week Carol welcomes two of her two longtime friends Crystal McCrary McGuire and Anne Williams-Isom for a lively and enriching group chat about the highs and challenges of raising their children (all nine of them!) with intention and care. Together, they reflect on the power of parenting conversations, balancing generational influences, and adapting their parenting styles to fit each child’s unique needs. In this heartfelt discussion you’ll hear about: The importance of leading with...

This week Carol dives into parenting teens and young adults with Lisa Heffernan, co-founder of Grown & Flown.  Lisa shares the story behind Grown & Flown—a website and 290k+ member online community that’s become the go-to resource for parents raising older kids. She and Carol discuss managing the stress of college admissions, and shifting parenting strategies to build stronger relationships with adult children. (Spoiler: it’s not easy, but it’s worth it!)   With thoughtful advice and...

Vanessa Bell Calloway, the talented star of stage and screen, joins Carol to chat about the joys and challenges of parenting adult kids. Vanessa opens up about raising her two daughters in Hollywood and how her role as a mom has evolved as her girls grew up and found their independence. Carol and Vanessa dive into what it’s like to go from being an involved, hands-on mom to figuring out when and how to step back and give your grown kids the space they need. Vanessa talks about her own...

Carol sits down with College Board experts Stacey Foney and Dr. Autumn Caviness to get their exclusive insights into the college admissions process, with a special focus on guiding Black families through this complex journey. Stacey and Autumn offer parents helpful answers to many admissions questions, including: When and how to start thinking about the college admissions processHow standardized test scores fit in today’s processScholarships, financial aid, and reducing college debtHow to...

Nancy’s back, with an important new book!  Carol Sutton Lewis sits down for another great conversation with NY Times best-selling author and Mompreneuers podcast host, Nancy Redd. Nancy returns to discuss her latest, The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health and Wellness, a groundbreaking and comprehensive photographic guide that explores the realities of growing up and navigating body changes. In this candid and open discussion, Nancy and Carol tackle everything tweens and teens...

How do we help our children become good and confident readers?  In this episode from the archives, Carol explores this important topic with literacy expert Maya Smart, author of Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan From Birth to Six. Maya shares invaluable tips and strategies for helping children become strong, confident readers. From nurturing early literacy at home to building strong partnerships with teachers, Maya's advice is both practical and empowering. This conversation is a...

Carol sits down with children’s book author Charnaie Gordon, a passionate advocate for children's literacy and diversity in books. This mom of two is a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert and the creator of the Here Wee Read blog and podcast. Her mission? To connect kids with books that reflect their diverse identities, and to foster a lifelong love for reading in children. Charnaie talks with Carol about her own literacy journey, and how she made good on her vow (made before she had any...

In this powerful bonus episode, celebrated artist and filmmaker Titus Kaphar joins Carol for a captivating and thought-provoking conversation. Titus shares how discovering art transformed him from a struggling student to a MacArthur "Genius", and how a life-changing turn of events gave him an invaluable perspective on fatherhood and family.  Titus and Carol talk about his new film Exhibiting Forgiveness and its compelling take on parenting, generational trauma, and generational healing. Don't...

When it comes to disciplining toddlers, are we being too tough or not tough enough?  Carol talks with pediatric psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart about how to manage the challenges of raising our curious, energetic,  1-3 year olds.  Dr. Lockhart shares valuable insights and strategies for handling tantrums–a normal part of toddler development–as well as setting boundaries and fostering emotional growth in children. She breaks down currently popular parenting...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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!   Follow us...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this powerful episode, author and community advocate Ruth Horry talks with Carol about parenting through a child's mental health crisis. Ruth bravely shares her journey from surviving childhood abuse to supporting a child contemplating suicide. Carol and Ruth address mental health stigma and stress the need for open conversations on this topic. Ruth offers valuable advice to parents on seeking professional help, finding resources, and building a support network. This episode sheds light on...

Carol welcomes noted scholar Dr. Karida L. Brown and award-winning artist Charly Palmer to the podcast to give us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at their creation of The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families. This book is their contemporary reimagining of W.E.B. Du Bois’ art and literary magazine, which he created for children in 1920 to share Black history and celebrate their identities. The New Brownies’ Book is a collection of contemporary essays, poems, photographs,...

Carol welcomes Crystal back to the podcast to talk about “Game Up”, the app she and her son Cole Anthony created to help parents navigate the world of youth basketball. Crystal shares how her experiences raising three basketball-playing children (including Cole, now a rising star in the NBA) led her to create this app to offer valuable resources for parents seeking the best training opportunities for their aspiring basketball stars. Crystal talks with Carol about the challenges parents face...