Dr. Dan and guest Yemi Penn discuss trauma (in all its forms) on today’s powerful, paradigm-shifting episode. Yemi Penn is an author, documentary producer, speaker, engineer, and fearless thought leader. In her work, she encourages us all to use our trauma as a catalyst for transformation instead of transference.  Dr. Dan and Yemi talk about her mission to disrupt the status quo to evoke radical change. Yemi helps us dissect trauma to build and develop shame resilience and is passionate about...

This is April’s Sitting Down With Dr. Dan bonus episode. Today Dr. Dan and audio engineer Phil Rossi talk about when your child’s imaginary play is worrisome, self-esteem, teens who want to be in their room alone with the door closed, and #TeacherTok on TikTok. Each month Dr. Dan answers listener questions about parenting (and adulting, too!) on our Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episodes. Please email your parenting questions to [email protected] or DM us on social media. We read...

Today Dr. Dan interviews Elise Loehnen – author of the instant New York Times Bestseller On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and The Price Women Pay to Be Good, host of the popular podcast Pulling The Thread, and frequent contributor to Oprah.   Elise’s work and writing explores the ways the patriarchy lands in the bodies of women and embeds itself in our consciousness. Her Pulling the Thread podcast focuses on pulling apart the stories we tell about who we are—and then putting those...

Dr. Dan interviews the woman who's been described as "the Anna Wintour of motherhood” and one of the first “mommy bloggers” Jill Smokler! Jill launched Scary Mommy as a blog in 2008, sold her hugely successful platform in 2015 (to a media company), and recently launched She’s Got Issues, a new magazine and podcast geared towards women in their 40s - GenX Women.  On this fantastic episode, Dr. Dan and Jill talk about her new platform She’s Got Issues, parenting, her New York Times bestselling...

Dr. Dan talks to Debra Brause, Psy.D., about neurodiversity including her work with parents raising neurodivergent children and working with autistic adults from a neuro-affirming perspective. They also discuss Debra’s Psychology Today essays which cover topics such as a child's new diagnosis, autism, and more. Debra Brause is a psychologist, neuro-affirming parent and neurodiversity advocate and educator.Find more information about Debra and her work at www.drdebrabrause.com. Email your...

Dr. Dan welcomes back guest Tosha Schore to talk about parenting boys. Tosha is an advocate who works with parents to care for themselves, connect with their boys deeply, set limits lovingly, and play wildly.  Today’s episode is a follow-up episode to Tosha’s important work (featured in our episode in December 2018) advocating for boys.  Tosha Schore is a parent coach and the founder of Parenting Boys Peacefully, where she is on a mission to create a more peaceful world, one boy at a time....

Trigger warning: sensitive material and discussion of death on this episode It’s March and this is the new Sitting Down With Dr. Dan bonus episode. Today Dr. Dan and podcast producer Laura Rossi talk about bored children, vacation routines, nesting parties, and a very serious topic: bullying and the tragic death of Nex Benedict. Each month Dr. Dan answers listener questions about parenting (and adulting, too!) on our Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episodes. Please email your parenting...

Today Dr. Dan’s guest is Heather Chauvin, the inspiring leadership coach who helps ambitious, overwhelmed women break free from their fears to courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms.  Heather started her career as a social worker helping adults understand children’s behavior. In 2013 a stage 4 cancer diagnosis pushed Heather to take a deeper stand for change and to work to uncover how cultural expectations sabotage our dreams. Dr. Dan and Heather discuss how...

Dr. Dan speaks to guest Chelsey Goodan about her paradigm shifting work with teenage girls and her #1 bestselling book Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls. Oprah Daily raves, “If you have a teenage girl in your life, you need to read this.” Dr. Dan and Chelsea explore practical ways parents can better understand and connect with their daughters and discuss how teenage girls can teach us all.   Chelsey Goodan has been an academic tutor and mentor for sixteen years, with a...

Today Dr. Dan interviews Babycenter’s Robin Hilmantel about Babycenter’s recent research around "No mom left behind: Addressing postpartum maternity care gaps” and related maternal health support (US).  Dr. Dan and Robin discuss several BabyCenter survey findings including:  *Moms are facing a support crisis in the months immediately following birth, according to the BabyCenter survey. At home, moms are too often left to piece together their own postpartum care while balancing that with the...

Dr. Dan and pediatrician (and mother of four) Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais discuss the tools parents need to start the lifelong process of raising their boys into men who are mentally healthy, empathetic, and committed to gender equality. Dr. Flais explains concrete techniques for parents to push back against cultural stereotypes and toxic masculinity as they nurture their sons. Because “kids do as they see,” the work of being role models for gender equality starts in the home. This...

Welcome to the February Sitting Down With Dr. Dan bonus episode. Today Dr. Dan and podcast audio engineer Phil Rossi discuss pink hair, Instagram opposites, internet addiction, anxiety in families and Sittervising (read the article we used for research: ‘‘Sittervising’ is the latest parenting trend because it’s freaking genius” published on Mother.ly and written by Mariah Maddox; published on January 15, 2024). Each month Dr. Dan answers listener questions about parenting (and adulting, too!)...

Dr. Dan talks to the always inspiring Stefanie Wilder-Taylor — author, TV personality, cohost of the popular podcast For Crying Out Loud, and Mom —about her memoir DRUNK-ISH: Loving and Leaving Alcohol.  In this episode, Stefanie recounts the rise and fall of her relationship with alcohol, from liquor cabinet concoctions at age 14 to her online fame as a wine-loving mommy blogger to the disastrous evening when she drove drunk with her kids in the car that marked the end. Stefanie discusses...

Dr. Dan interviews Marc Hauser, PhD, a neurobiologist, educator, and former professor of evolutionary biology and psychology at Harvard University about Risk Eraser, the program he founded in 2013 to help at-risk kids lead healthier lives. Risk-Eraser helps schools transform the learning and decision-making of children with disabilities by providing evidence-based strategies and tools derived from the mind and brain sciences.   In addition, Dr. Dan and Marc discuss his book, Vulnerable Minds:...

Dr. Dan talks to Forest Bronzan, Founder/CEO of Camplight and co-founder/CEO/board member of Digital Detox about how technology impacts our lives and how we can all take small steps to a better tech-life balance. In this episode, Dr. Dan and Forest focus on kids and parents to help parents navigate challenges around technology, tech addiction, digital wellness and much more.  Listeners will connect with Forest’s deep professional and personal passion for improving the relationship society has...

Dr. Dan interviews comedian Adam Cayton-Holland about fatherhood and Adam's comedy special Wallpaper about Adam's entrée into #dadlife. Adam says, “I never wanted to be a dad comic, a ‘kids say the darndest things’ comedian. But you write what you know, and I have two boys now.” A lively, funny, and real discussion! Adam is co-host of the podcast The Grawlix Saves the World. Find Adam on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok @CaytonHolland or visit his website www.adamcaytonholland.com. Email your...

Happy 2024! This is the January 2024 Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episode. Today Dr. Dan and podcast producer Laura Rossi discuss parenting trends and predictions of 2024, gentle-ish parenting, TikTok, benign neglect and much more. We also provide links to some great articles! Listeners asked questions about parenting news for 2024, Producer Laura Rossi researched and found a great article on Today.com: the article is by Rosie Colosi “Here are the 7 parenting trends you’ll see more of in...

On this new episode Dr. Dan and guest Kelley Coleman discuss disability and her must-read book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports. According to the CDC, “Every 4 ½ minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States.” That’s 1 in 33. Dr. Dan and Kelley talk about how to navigate the practicalities of parenting a disabled child including diagnosis, school, doctors, insurance, financial planning,...

Dr. Dan and guest Christine Levy define and discuss the role of an Educational Advocate for students (ages 3-22) and their parents. Christine’s experience in education as an administrator, teacher, and special educator (as well as a parent) led to her advocacy work with children and families nationally. In her discussion with Dr. Dan, Christine guides listeners to a successful path to receive the educational support, services, and placements that their children are entitled to in school....

Dr. Dan and Dr. Tovah Klein (“The Toddler Whisperer,” professor, author, parent) discuss ChatGPT, AI, education, and the digital lives of our children. Recently, Dr. Klein has been featured in the national media discussing artificial intelligence and safety, ubiquitous screens, tech and parenting fears, and related issues. This discussion is timely and essential as we start 2024 with more digital innovation and access than ever.   In addition Dr. Dan and Dr. Klein also discuss Tovah’s...

Happy December Parent Footprint listeners! You are listening to the December Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episode. Today Dr. Dan and audio engineer Phil Rossi answer your listener questions about first jobs, grandparents who criticize everything, getting kids to talk about their day at the dinner table, rust-out parenting, and more. Each month Dr. Dan answers listener questions about parenting (and adulting, too!) on our Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episodes. Please email your parenting...

Dr. Dan interviews Margaret Anne Mary Moore, the author of the new bestselling disability memoir Bold, Brave, and Breathless: Reveling in Childhood's Splendiferous Glories While Facing Disability and Loss. A disabled individual, motivational speaker, publishing professional, and para athlete, Meg was given no chance to live at birth and now she is sharing her inspirational story in her book.  On this empowering episode, Dr. Dan and Meg talk about her memoir, her triumphs as well as her...

Originally aired February 22, 2022 Welcome to another “Sitting Down with Dr. Dan” bonus episode. Dr. Dan and audio engineer and Dad Phil Rossi are back with answers to listener questions about cell phones (what age should you really allow them?), decluttering your kid’s “stuff” plus questions about mom anxiety and narcissistic parents. Dr. Dan answers questions about parenting (and adulting!) every month on our exclusive “Sitting Down With Dr. Dan” special bonus episodes. Remember to...

Dr. Dan and David H. Rosmarin PhD (associate professor at Harvard Medical School and founder of Center for Anxiety) discuss anxiety, stress, spirituality, and mental health on this episode. Through his work as a clinical psychologist, scientist, educator and author, Dr. Rosmarin has helped thousands of patients and organizations to live happier and more productive lives. The two also talk about his recent book Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You. For more...