As a parent, we all have fears, doubts, or concerns that we need help figuring out. In this special episode, Dr. Meg Meeker responds to listener-submitted questions covering a range of parental concerns. She dives into real-life situations that everyday parents are facing. From dealing with absentee biological parents to setting boundaries with teenagers, managing young children’s behavior, and balancing attention between siblings, Dr. Meeker shares her years of experience, wisdom, and...

In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore, renowned founder of Growing Leaders, and Christa Campbell, an inspiring Boston University student and creator of the Gwinnett Meal Bridge program. This episode is packed with motivational stories and practical advice on nurturing meaningful family discussions, transforming personal struggles into community service opportunities, and instilling a resilient growth mindset in our children. Learn how to guide...

In this episode of "Parenting Great Kids," Dr. Meg Meeker joins forces with Dr. Chap Clark, an expert in youth, family, and culture, to discuss the challenges kids face with identity and purpose in today’s culture. Dr. Clark draws on his deep understanding of adolescent psychology and emphasizes the importance of adapting parenting approaches and encouraging community and nonparental adult connections beyond the immediate family for children. Throughout their discussion, Dr. Meeker and Dr....

Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Parenting Guru Dayna Abraham, author of the acclaimed book "Calm the Chaos," to unveil science-backed strategies for raising emotionally intense children. They delve into Dayna's personal journey, the triggers behind challenging behaviors, and her empathy-based approach to parenting. They emphasize the importance of managing meltdowns, fostering a harmonious family dynamic, and building rock-solid parent-child bonds as the foundation for effective guidance. The...

Join us on Parenting Great Kids as we welcome Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski, co-authors of "When You Wonder, You're Learning," to delve into the timeless lessons of Fred Rogers. Known for his iconic show Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Fred Rogers' legacy extends far beyond his cardigan sweaters and piano songs. Discover how his teachings on nurturing creativity, curiosity, and care continue to shape generations of children. Embrace Fred's scientific principles of learning to create an enriching...

How do you teach your children to develop a strong sense of who they are and what they're meant to be? In this episode of the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker chats with George Barna about the vital role of discipling children. As a renowned figure in faith and research, Barna shares his compelling insights on intentional and proactive parenting, shedding light on the surprising lack of a biblical perspective among both parents and church leaders. His expertise and research-backed...

Children are experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety. Dr. Erica Komisar, a psychoanalyst and author, discusses the critical role of parental well-being in promoting children's mental health. Erica emphasizes the profound impact of early attachment and the importance of parents being emotionally present during the crucial first three years of a child's life. Her expertise and insights underscore the need for parents to prioritize their own emotional well-being in order to support their...

In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker chats with Jon Acuff, a New York Times bestselling author, about the power of positivity, overcoming fear, and the importance of goal-setting for personal growth. Acuff shares practical strategies and insights that can be applied to all aspects of your life, including parenting and overcoming the challenges of social media. He discusses the significance of setting achievable goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, and finding joy in pursuing them. His...

You’ve heard that leaders aren’t born, they’re made. And that’s great news. So what exactly sets exceptional leaders apart from the rest? After studying over 30,000 extensive interviews with top candidates for leadership roles, the standout unicorns at the very top consistently demonstrated strengths in 12 key areas – ranging from self-awareness to decisiveness and more. Anyone can cultivate these habits to become a strong leader.  William shares his experience and findings, as well as draws...

Humans love and connect through storytelling, especially kids. In this episode of the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Andrew Peterson, an award-winning singer, songwriter, and the author of the Wing Feather Saga. Andrew shares his journey from aspiring author to accomplished musician, and how reading the Narnia books with his kids inspired him to write his own captivating stories. His intentional approach to leaving room for hope and imagination in his...

If your kids play sports, there are some fundamental values and life lessons they can gain from them. This week Coach Denny Duron joins Dr. Meg Meeker to share his unique journey in sports and the profound impact of instilling values, teaching life lessons, and fostering personal growth in youth sports. He emphasizes that success in sports goes beyond winning on the field and highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for children to thrive.  TODAY’S GUEST: Denny Duron, a...

In our efforts to protect and shield our kids from the pain and discomfort of this world, we inadvertently can make them be more codependent and fearful instead of resilient. Dr. Jonathan DePierro joins Dr. Meeker to discuss the power of resilience. Dr. Jonathan DePierro shares powerful strategies for building resilience, even in the face of unforeseen adversity and chaos. It may sound counterintuitive but our constant rescue missions and avoidance tactics are unintentionally hindering our...

In this episode of the Parenting Great Kids podcast Dr. Meg Meeker and Brent Dusing chat about the need for creating safe and wholesome entertainment options for children in the digital age. They discuss the alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and moral decline among kids and how True Play aims to address these issues. True Play offers a subscription-based platform that provides high-quality, biblically sound content, including video games, digital comics, and videos. If you're a parent...

Do you want to feel empowered and confident when making important medical decisions for your children? Wondering how you can ensure that your choices are based on solid evidence? Dr. Marty Makary, a renowned medical expert, joins Dr. Meg Meeker on this episode of Parenting Great Kids podcast to discuss the importance of taking an evidence-based approach to medical decision-making. His insights shed light on the need for open dialogue and critical thinking when it comes to medical decisions,...

Does this sound familiar? You've been told that spending more time with your child will strengthen your bond, but despite your efforts, you still feel a disconnect. The pain of longing for a closer relationship with your child while constantly wondering what you're doing wrong can be overwhelming. In this episode I’m joined by Aaron Bryant, a passionate advocate for father-child relationships as he guides fathers to mend broken bonds and foster open communication with their children. In this...

If you want to support your child through their grief and trauma, but you feel unsure of what to do, this episode is a must-listen. Maybe you've been told to just give it time or try to distract them, but deep down, you know these actions aren't meeting your child's needs. Dr. Julie Kaplow shares practical ways to support our children through their healing journey, including the importance of self-care as you help your kids. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn practical strategies to...

Have you been told to simply calm down or just ignore it when dealing with your child's challenging behavior? Yet, despite your best efforts, you still feel overwhelmed and frustrated, with no improvement in sight. It's time to break free from the cycle of ineffective actions that only add to your pain and start discovering effective strategies that can truly make a difference in managing your child's challenging behavior. Meet Dan Peterson, a man who discovered a different approach to...

Are you going through the motions and focused on surviving the parenting productivity game? In this episode, author and pastor Kyle Idleman reveals the startling truth about why our way of parenting isn't working. Tune in to discover the importance of prioritizing connection over production. TODAY’S GUEST: Kyle Idleman, renowned for his thought-provoking insights and resilience, serves as the senior pastor at Southeast Christian Church, one of America's largest congregations. He is best known...

In a world where childhood and adolescent suicide is an alarming concern, one mother's tragic loss drives her to become an advocate for mental health. This week Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Leslie Weirich about the loss of her son to suicide. Leslie debunks some myths about suicide and sheds light on the truth behind teen suicide prevention. In this episode, you will be able to: Gain insightful knowledge on the importance of proactive mental health awareness and its role in preventing youth...

Looking to combat loneliness and foster meaningful friendships? Justin Whitmel Earley joins Dr. Meg Meeker this week to discuss the transformative power of friendship. Whether you're a parent seeking to create a supportive environment for your children or someone looking to prioritize meaningful connections in your own life, this conversation offers valuable insights and strategies. Don't miss out on this chance to confront and transform loneliness. In this episode, you’ll learn how...

Looking to create deeper and more impactful relationships with your kids? Join Dr. Meg Meeker in conversation with Andy Dooley—TikTok sensation, author, NFL Seattle Seahawks host, and father of four—as they explore interesting ways to nurture stronger parent-child bonds and cultivate lasting, meaningful connections. Growing up in a religious family, Andy Dooley was accustomed to the principles of faith from an early age. His father, a pastor, and his mother, a devout believer, both instilled...

If you're feeling frustrated and disconnected from your child's education, despite your efforts to engage and support them, then you are not alone! Many parents find that traditional schooling systems often fail to provide the personalized attention and emotional connection their children need to thrive academically and emotionally. Join host Dr. Meg Meeker as she interviews Jennifer Pepito, a homeschooling veteran and mother of seven, who shares her insights on creating an enriching and safe...

In the second installment of our Back to School series on the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker interviews Sarah Kimmel, a family tech expert, to discuss effective strategies for communicating internet safety with children. Sarah emphasizes the importance of implementing parental controls and filters on devices and apps to create a safer online environment for children. She suggests using multiple layers of protection, such as in-app controls and on-device control settings like...

In this special Back to School episode, Dr. Meg Meeker delves into the challenges parents face in navigating the digital world with the expertise of guest Titania Jordan, the Chief Marketing and Chief Parent Officer of Bark Technologies. Together, they shed light on the crucial need for technological solutions to ensure children's safety online. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Explore the obstacles of raising children in the technologically-dominated era. Recognize the significance of...

Joining us today is Alli Worthington, an author with an impressive grasp on a familiar topic close to many hearts - mom guilt. Navigating her successful career while parenting her five boys, Alli has experienced firsthand the societal pressures all mothers face. Alli's groundbreaking national survey investigating the pains of motherhood led to her latest thought-provoking book, 'Remaining You While Raising Them'.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Navigate the societal pressures...