Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how companies hire, and the career advice many teens and young adults are getting hasn’t caught up. In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Scott Kosch, an AI business transformation entrepreneur, angel investor, father of two and author of A Student’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of AI.

After 25 years watching how employers decide who to hire, and many conversations with CEOs and investors leading AI change, Scott noticed something: even the people driving the technology didn’t know what to tell their own kids. That l...

How can parents help children build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and navigate the challenges of growing up in an increasingly complex world?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Ann Paphitis, a resilience coach, speaker, personal reinvention expert, and former school leader who worked with children struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, and other challenges.

Drawing on her professional experience and journey as a mother of three, Ann shares practical insights into how parents can nurture resilience in children and teens while building their confidence, self-esteem, and independence.

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What does secure attachment really look like in everyday parenting—and why does the parent-child connection remain so important as children grow into teens?

In this Where Parents Talk podcast episode, host Lianne Castelino speaks to child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist Dr. Debbie Raphael shares practical, research-informed insights from her upcoming book, Carry My Strength.

Drawing on more than 20 years of clinical experience, her own journey as a mother, and current research on relational health and positive childhood experiences, Dr. Raphael explores what helps children develop a strong sense of self, healthy relationships and resilience.

How do you raise a mentally strong child in a world filled with academic pressure, social media, anxiety, disappointment and constant comparison?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Amy Morin, psychotherapist, speaker, podcast host and international bestselling author.

Morin shares practical, evidence-informed strategies for helping tweens, teens and young adults develop mental strength. Drawing from her books 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do and 13 Things Mentally Strong Kids Do, as well as her experience as a therapeutic foster parent, Morin explains why mental strength isn't something children...

What happens when the coping mechanism that got you through high-pressure executive life becomes the very thing that costs you your family? In this candid episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino sits down with Nick Jonsson — executive coach, psychotherapist, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and Ironman triathlete — who spent years using alcohol to manage the stress of a demanding corporate career before hitting a breaking point that changed everything.

Now in his ninth year of sobriety, Nick shares the unfiltered story of how hustle culture and an unspoken family expectation to "always work harder" masked years of u...

How can parents build stronger relationships with their children’s schools—and feel genuinely heard in the process?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Shani Dowell, former educator, entrepreneur, mother of two and founder of Possip, a parent engagement platform designed to help schools close the communication gap between home and school.

Dowell shares her perspective as both a former teacher and parent on why effective parent-school communication can be so challenging, particularly in a post-pandemic education landscape where parents want greater involvement while teachers and school admi...

Are today's children missing the life skills they need to succeed—not just in school, but in life?

In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with educator, former classroom teacher, and Anywhere Learning founder Amélie Drouet about why traditional education often falls short when it comes to teaching resilience, independence, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

After spending 15 years in the classroom, Drouet noticed that more students were struggling with foundational life skills that directly affected their ability to learn. Her experience homeschooling her own children while travelling inspired a new approach: com...

Are today's parents protecting their children—or unintentionally holding them back?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk Podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free-Range Kids movement, co-founder of Let Grow, journalist and author, about why childhood independence has become one of the most important parenting conversations of our time.

Nearly two decades after being labeled "America's Worst Mom" for allowing her nine-year-old son to ride the New York City subway alone, Skenazy explains how parenting culture has shifted—and why fear, anxiety and overprotection continue to prevent many chil...

Is your child's gaming really about the game — or something deeper? On this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino talks with Nathan Graham, AI strategist, entrepreneur, and author of Why Won't He Just Log Off? A Parent's Guide to Video Game Addiction and the Needs Behind the Screen.

Nathan spent nearly seven years as a self-described gaming addict, losing a job and nearly losing his relationship to marathon sessions of World of Warcraft, before a single conversation with a mentor changed the course of his life. Today he helps parents understand what's really driving compulsive ga...

How do sports shape the values our children carry into adulthood?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to award-winning sports journalists Donovan Bennett (CBC Sports) and Kate McKenna (TSN, CTV's The Social). The couple share how working in sports has impacted the way they are raising their two young sons.

From navigating healthy competition and emotional resilience to balancing screen time, encouraging teamwork, and redefining modern masculinity, Donovan and Kate offer thoughtful, real-world parenting insights rooted in both their professional and personal lives. They discuss the lasting life...

Why do so many parents feel exhausted, moody, or stuck in survival mode — and what is that stress actually doing to their bodies?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Alicia Newsome, a functional medicine practitioner, entrepreneur and mother of three, about the root causes of parental burnout, hormone imbalance and chronic stress.

Dr. Newsome explains how functional medicine identifies "check engine light" symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, decision fatigue and stubborn weight gain, and why treating symptoms without addressing root causes leaves parents running on empty.

What happens when a parent faces the unimaginable loss of a child to suicide?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with pediatric nurse practitioner and author Jackie Baker about her personal journey through grief after losing her son, Sebastian.

Drawing from her book Messy Mourning, Baker shares raw insights into maternal grief, the stigma surrounding suicide, and the long road toward healing.

This conversation explores mental health challenges in teens, the emotional toll on families, and the importance of compassion, support systems, and open dialogue. Baker...

Are we raising resilient kids, or just protecting them from the very challenges that build resilience?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to developmental psychologist Dr. Isabel Granic — McMaster University professor, CEO of Liminal Learning and mom. She unpacks what tweens, teens, and young adults actually need to thrive in 2026.

Drawing on more than 25 years of research and her own experience raising 20-year-old twin sons, Dr. Granic challenges common assumptions about anxiety, depression, and motivation in Gen Z. She explains why rising mental health struggles are often a ra...

What is food insecurity—and how does it impact children and families in Canada today?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Drawing from her lived experience as a single mother raising three children while facing poverty and food insecurity, Lori offers rare insight into what struggling families truly go through.

Parents will learn:

What if the key to raising emotionally intelligent, resilient kids isn't about managing their behavior — but about shifting your own?

Lorena Seidel, Montessori teacher, emotional intelligence coach, and creator of the Cooperation Shift framework, joins Lianne Castelino host of the Where Parents Talk podcast, for a candid, research-backed conversation about why good intentions alone won't rewrite old parenting patterns — and what actually will.

Seidel shares how a humiliating childhood memory became the compass for her life's work, and how years later, as a new mom, she found herself repeating the very patterns she swore she'd leav...

Are we raising a generation that knows more but thinks less? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, educator, developmental theorist, and author Dr. Jonathan Strecker joins host Lianne Castelino to unpack why modern convenience — from AI tools to screen time — may be quietly undermining the intellectual, emotional, and social development of today's teens.

Dr. Strecker, Head of School and author of How Modern Convenience Is Dumbing Down Our Children, introduces his five intelligences framework and explains what parents can do right now to rebuild their kids' capacity for deep thinking, resilience, and real-world problem-solving.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with entrepreneur, business coach, and mom of four, Alana Kayfetz, to explore why so many mothers put themselves last—and how to change that.

From mom burnout and self-neglect to self-prioritization and identity shifts in motherhood, this conversation dives into the real challenges modern moms face. Learn how to balance parenting, career, and personal well-being without guilt, and why self-care is essential—not optional—for raising healthy families.

Whether you're a working mom, stay-at-home parent, or mom entrepreneur, this episode offers practi...

Why do tantrums, emotional outbursts, and teenage shutdowns happen—and what can parents do differently?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with award-winning mediator, peacemaker, and bestselling author Doug Noll about the groundbreaking science behind emotional validation and why traditional parenting approaches often miss the mark.

Drawing on decades of experience in conflict resolution, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence training, Noll explains how simply naming a child's emotions can help calm emotional meltdowns, strengthen parent-child relationships, and support healthy brain development.

Key takeaways:

• Why logic does...

What happens when autism and ADHD go undiagnosed until adulthood?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with neurodiversity consultant and entrepreneur Noelle Sinclair about her late diagnosis—and how it transformed her life as a parent, professional, and individual.

Sinclair shares eye-opening insights into masking in girls, the hidden signs of neurodivergence in teens, and why many children are misunderstood or overlooked. She also offers practical, compassionate advice for parents raising neurodivergent tweens, teens, and young adults—especially those who may be struggling silently.

From building inde...

What does it really mean when your adult child isn't "launching" on your timeline?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett — developmental psychologist, Clark University senior research scholar, and the man who coined the term "emerging adulthood" — to unpack one of the most misunderstood life stages of our time.

Dr. Arnett explains why the years from 18 to 29 are a distinct developmental stage, not extended adolescence or young adulthood, and why parents who understand this are better equipped to support their children without pushing them...

Can cannabis use during the teen years slow your child's cognitive development — even before you notice the signs?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to neuroscientist and cannabis researcher Dr. Krista Lisdahl, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who breaks down the findings of the largest long-term study of brain development in U.S. youth ever conducted.

Dr. Lisdahl explains what the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study — tracking over 11,000 young people from ages 9 to 19 — reveals about cannabis, THC, and the developing teen brain...

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Anna Levy-Warren has spent more than two decades helping kids and families navigate executive functioning challenges — but it wasn't until she became a mother of three neurodiverse children that her understanding truly deepened.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast with host Lianne Castelino, Dr. Levy-Warren unpacks why home is such a difficult environment for kids with EF challenges, what the developmental curve really looks like (the brain isn't fully developed until age 20–25), and the concrete strategies that actually work.

She also shares why she believes empathy and collaboration — not co...

Are schools missing the most important lessons kids need to succeed? In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with youth mentor and entrepreneur Rob Heller, founder of the BOOST Program and author of The Missing Course for Today’s Youth.

With over 20 years of experience, Rob shares why success is not luck-based—but skill-based—and explains the critical life skills kids and teens aren’t learning in school. From social skills and character development to mental health and managing screen time, this conversation is packed with practical insights for parents.

Learn how to r...

Parenting teens today isn’t just challenging—it’s completely different than it used to be.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman to unpack what’s really driving the rise in teen anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm—and why so many parents feel unprepared to handle it.

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience working with over 6,500 families, Dr. Weichman explains how social media and smartphones have fundamentally reshaped adolescence. Today’s teens aren’t just dealing with peer pressure—they’re navigating a co...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, Lianne Castelino speaks to Chris DeArmitt, PhD, materials scientist, a global advisor on plastics policy and evidence-based research, speaker, author and father.

The discussion explore one of today’s most debated environmental and health topics: plastics and microplastics in everyday family life.

De Armitt shares a controversial and science-driven perspective on common fears around plastics, microplastics, and environmental impact—challenging widespread beliefs and highlighting what decades of research actually show.

He articulates that the narrative of being 'drowned in plastic' is misleading, as plastics repr...

Substance use and addiction are affecting more families than ever—and many parents feel unprepared, overwhelmed, and alone.

In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with certified family recovery specialist Kim Porter, co-founder of Be Part of the Conversation.

Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience as a mother, Kim shares powerful insights into how addiction develops, why it’s often missed, and what parents can do if they suspect something is wrong.

From understanding today’s evolving drug landscape—including cannabis, fentanyl, and vaping products—to navigating stigma, se...

The tumultuous waters of parenting in today's world often requires a nuanced understanding of emotional and mental health, especially as our children face unique challenges such as bullying, social media pressures, and the complexities of consent and relationships.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Micheline Green, an integral master coach, educator, executive coach, author and mom to explore why traditional, control-based parenting is failing today’s families—and what to do instead.

Blending neuroscience, leadership principles, and real-life parenting insights, Micheline reveals how parents can shift from reac...

In today’s fast-moving digital world, parents face an urgent challenge: how to raise children who can think critically, question information, and navigate the growing influence of AI and social media.

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with John Krotec—educator, entrepreneur, U.S. Army veteran, and founder of Neo Masculinity Solutions—about why teaching kids how to think is more important than ever.

Drawing from personal experience, leadership training, and his work developing AI-integrated learning tools, Krotec shares actionable insights for parents, including:

Strong relationships are the foundation of a healthy family—but parenting stress, busy schedules, and miscommunication can take a toll on even the strongest couples.

In this episode of Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with therapist Dr. Dan Sneider about how parents can build stronger, more connected relationships while raising children.

Learn practical, research-backed strategies for improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, managing conflict, and staying emotionally connected—even during the most demanding parenting years.

This episode is a must-listen for parents of tweens, teens, and young children who want to crea...

Why do children misbehave—and what is their behaviour really trying to tell us?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with paediatrician, author, and mother Dr. Kristen Cook about the science behind children’s behaviour and what today’s overwhelmed parents need to know.

Drawing on more than 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Cook explains how understanding brain development—from toddlers to teens—can transform the way parents respond to tantrums, lying, emotional outbursts, and risk-taking behaviour.

Parents will learn why the brain doesn’t fully develop unti...

Why are so many young adults struggling with independence today—and what can parents do differently?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk Podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with licensed school psychologist, author and father David Krasky, whose book Raising Future Adults explores how parents can prepare children and teens for real-world success.

Drawing on two decades of experience working with families and students, Krasky explains how modern parenting trends—including overprotection, helicopter parenting, and the pressures of technology—may unintentionally limit a child’s ability to build independence and essential life skills.

The di...

On this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast host Lianne Castelino sits down with leading body image researcher Dr. Charlotte Markey, professor at Rutgers University and author of The Body Image Book for Girls, for a conversation about raising confident kids in a social media-saturated world.

With nearly 30 years of research on body image, eating behaviours, puberty, and mental health, Dr. Markey unpacks the unprecedented pressures facing today’s tweens and teens — especially girls aged 9 to 15 — as they navigate hormonal changes alongside relentless digital comparison. From influencer culture and device use to bullying and shifting weight-loss trends...

On this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with picky eating expert, educator, and founder of Raising Healthy Families, Katie Kimball.

Kimball explains why teaching teens to cook is about far more than food. It’s about:

With teen anxiety and depression rates rising, parents are searching for practical ways to empower their children. Kimball shares research-backed insights on how...

How do you raise safe, confident kids in a world of gaming chats, AI tools, social media, and constant connectivity?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to cybersecurity professionals Chad Rychlewski and Kae David, who share expert, practical advice from their book Cyber Smart Parenting. As both industry insiders, they translate enterprise-level cybersecurity strategies into realistic steps families can use at home.

You’ll hear:

Why do so many parents feel like they’re failing — even when they’re doing everything “right”?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino is joined by Manu Brune, postpartum specialist, parent coach, mother of 3 and author of Overcorrecting: Parenting in the Middle While the World Shouts in Extremes. They unpack a timely issue facing parents today: overcorrection.

Brune explains how many parents are unconsciously parenting in reaction to their own childhood experiences, swinging between extremes in an effort to “break generational cycles.” The result? Chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, parental burno...

Life insurance can feel overwhelming for parents — especially when you’re juggling kids, careers, mortgages, and everyday life. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Laura McKay, co-founder and COO of PolicyMe and a mom of two, to break down life insurance in simple, practical terms for families.

This essential conversation for parents covers what life insurance actually is, why it matters for moms and dads, the difference between term and permanent life insurance, how much coverage families really need, and common mistakes parents make when putting it off.

Yo...

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Matthew Kaufman, camp director, author, lifelong camp professional and father, about the powerful science behind camp and what parents can learn from it.

Drawing from his book The Campfire Effect: How to Engineer Belonging in a Disconnected World, Kaufman explains how camp environments intentionally create safety, belonging, and healthy challenge—and why those elements are essential for learning and emotional growth.

Parents will learn:

What if your child’s genius has nothing to do with grades or test scores?

In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Houlie Duque, educator, homeschool coach, and founder of Homeschool To Go, to challenge traditional ideas of intelligence and success in education.

The conversation explores how every child is intelligent—just in different ways—and why the current education system often overlooks creativity, emotional intelligence, kinesthetic learning, and interpersonal strengths.

Duque explains how parents can identify their child’s unique learning style, build confidence, and nurture strengths without...

Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children—and for many parents, the fear and uncertainty can feel overwhelming.

In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Malina Malkani, pediatric registered dietitian, bestselling author, and mom of three, to break down the latest science-backed guidance on food allergy prevention.

Learn why early introduction of allergenic foods like peanut and egg during infancy can significantly reduce the risk of food allergies, what the research really says about safety, and how parents can confidently introduce allergens in simple, baby-safe ways. Malkani explains the critical window for pr...

Modern parenting often feels like a race against time. Between school pressures, screens, and rising rates of anxiety and depression, many parents are left wondering what their children truly need—and how to support them without burning out themselves.

In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino is joined by occupational therapist, naturalist, parent coach, and author Kathleen Lockyer, founder of the Nature Led Approach and author of Wild Inside. With more than 25 years of experience in child development, mental health, sensory integration, and trauma-informed care, Kathleen offers a reframing of youth mental health—rooted in o...