That's Good Parenting: Expert Tips to Reduce Parenting Stress
Parenting stress, child development, confident kids, and strong family relationships all start with effective parent-child communication, emotional support, and practical tools to treduce overwhelm, anxiety, and frustration.“That’s Good Parenting” is your trusted family resource for simple, expert-backed strategies that help busy parents navigate the challenges of raising resilient, happy children while building deeper connection and harmony at home. Whether you’re dealing with exhaustion, guilt, or feeling stuck, you’ll find guidance from family experts, proven methods for fostering growth and resiliency, and actionable steps to create more “good parent” moments so you can confidently guide your kids and nurture a...
Are You Celebrating What Matters Most in Your Kid's Sports? with David Farkas, EP 173
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How can you support your young athlete without letting wins, losses, or performance define their confidence?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with David Farkas, coach, author, actor, and father of three, about helping young athletes build confidence, character, and resilience through sports.
With 25 years of coaching experience, David has seen how much children can learn from competition—and how easily adults can shift the focus toward scores, stats, and standout moments. He shares ways to help kids valu...
How to Raise Confident Kids Who Communicate Well and Make Good Decisions with Gary Lundy, EP172
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Are you raising kids who can communicate confidently, make good decisions, and handle life's challenges without you stepping in?
In this episode of That's Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Gary Lundy, automotive sales leader, father, and founder of Whose Will Wins, about teaching children the communication skills, independence, and decision-making abilities they'll need throughout their lives.
With nearly 30 years of experience working with people, Gary has seen firsthand how listening, asking questions, and taking responsibility influence success. As a father, he's also...
How to Really Understand Your Teen: Get Curious Before You Respond with Laura Ollinger, EP 171
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When your teen is upset, pulling away, or facing a big decision… how do you help them feel understood while giving them room to grow?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with teen and parent well-being coach, youth speaker, and podcast host Laura Ollinger about what teens wish you understood and how to support them without dismissing their feelings or taking over their decisions.
Through her work with teens, young adults, and parents, along with raising four children of h...
How to Stop Reactive Parenting and Raise More Independent Kids with Sue Donnellan, EP 170
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When the same parenting struggles keep happening over and over... how do you stop reacting in the moment and start changing the pattern?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with parenting consultant, educator, author, and podcast host Sue Donnellan about stepping back from the daily parenting stress and looking at the bigger picture: the adult your child is becoming.
With more than 25 years of experience studying child behavior, working with families, and raising four children of her own, Su...
How to Help Your Student Succeed in School: What Hudson Superintendent Tom Durbin Wishes Parents Knew, EP 169
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When the new school year "shine" has worn off and stuggles emerge... what can you expect from your student and school?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Tom Durbin, Superintendent of Hudson Area Schools (and Dori’s husband) about what families can do when school struggles begin showing up after the excitement of a new year wears off.
With over 30 years of experience in education (coach-teacher-administrator) Tom brings a wealth of knowledge about families, communication and expectation.
Cooking With Kids Without the Stress: Chef Dennis’ Tips for Easier Family Meals | Ep 168
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Can cooking with your kids actually make mealtime less stressful?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Chef Dennis Littley, better known as Ask Chef Dennis, about taking some of the pressure out of family meals, helping kids feel comfortable in the kitchen, and turning everyday cooking into an opportunity for connection.
Chef Dennis has spent decades as a professional chef, culinary educator, recipe developer, and food blogger. His advice for busy parents is refreshingly realistic: dinner does no...
Why Pursuing Your Goals Can Help You Raise Confident Kids with Madison Friedman, Ep. 167
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Can pursuing your own goals actually help your children?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Madison Friedman, founder of Elevated Minds Growth Center and a child and family development coach, about why parents do not have to choose between pursuing meaningful personal goals and raising children who feel loved, understood, and supported.
Madison encourages parents to recognize that two things can be true at once:
You can pursue the goals that fulfill you while co...
Can Play Help You Discipline Without Yelling, Punishment, or Power Struggles? with Adriane Thompson, EP 166
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Can play actually be a form of discipline?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Adriane Thompson, certified parent coach and founder of Raising Kids With Purpose, about how play can help parents connect with their children, support emotional regulation, teach important skills, and make difficult parenting moments feel a little lighter.
Adriane works with families raising children who may be neurodivergent, highly emotional, strong-willed, or deeply sensitive. She encourages parents to move away from simply asking whether a...
Let's Be Honest, Different Kids Need Different Parenting | Dori Durbin, EP 165
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What if the parenting advice that works beautifully for one child simply isn’t what another child needs?
In this solo episode of That’s Good Parenting, children's book illustrator, coach, and podcaster, Dori Durbin explores why hearing different parenting experts can be so valuable.
Children aren’t identical. Even siblings raised in the same home can experience the world in completely different ways.
That difference matters.
Instead of treating every parenting strategy as one more thing you “should” be doing, Dori encourages you to list...
Tired of Repeating Yourself? How Consistency Can Reduce Parenting Power Struggles | Dr. Lindsay Emerson, EP 164
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What if understanding why your child isn’t listening could make everyday parenting feel a little easier?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Dr. Lindsay Emerson, clinical psychologist, mom of four, and founder of Parenting With Psychology, about how psychology can help parents feel more confident, reduce everyday power struggles, and respond to difficult behavior with more clarity.
Lindsay shares her practical framework, the Five C’s to Amazing Parenting:
• Communication
• Consistency
• Choices & Che...
Is It Laziness—or Executive Function? How to Help Kids With Focus, Organization, and Follow-Through With Carrie Bonnett, EP 163
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What if your child isn’t being lazy or difficult…but is struggling with a brain skill that still needs to be taught?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with Carrie Bonnett, veteran teacher and Executive Function coach, about the brain skills kids use to get important things done—and why understanding those skills can completely change the way adults respond when children struggle.
Carrie explains executive function in wonderfully simple terms: these are the brain skills behind things l...
Why Do I Keep Having the Same Arguments With My Child? The Parenting Patterns Behind the Conflict with Latiffe Ghanem, EP 162
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What if the parenting battle isn't really about your child?
Every parent wants a peaceful home, yet many of us find ourselves having the same arguments over and over again. We tell ourselves that next time we'll stay calmer or respond differently and yet somehow we end up right back in the same cycle.
What if the problem isn't the argument itself... but it was the pattern behind it?
In this conversation, conscious parenting and trauma-informed life coach Latiffe Ghanem shares how an...
Your Child Doesn't Need a Perfect Parent: How to Build Confidence Without Having All the Answers with Alyssa Smith, EP161
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What if your child doesn't need you to have all the answers?
Parents often feel pressure to stay calm, fix problems quickly, and make sure nothing goes wrong. But what if the act of parents giving "the answers" all the time actually keeps our children from developing the skills themselves?
In this conversation, parent coach and executive function specialist Alyssa Smith shares how one of the hardest seasons of her own life transformed the way she parents. After experiencing tremendous personal loss and change, she...
What Doctors Notice Before You Even Ask a Question | Dr. Emily Boss on Helping Parents Make Better Healthcare Decisions, EP 160
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Before your child's doctor says a single word, they've already noticed something important.
It isn't your child's symptoms.
It isn't your insurance.
It's often whether you've already made up your mind.
In this episode of That's Good Parenting, Dori Durbin chats with pediatric ENT surgeon Dr. Emily Boss to discuss one of the biggest challenges families face during medical appointments: making confident healthcare decisions when emotions, online research, and outside opinions are already shaping the conversation.
Dr...
Is Your Child's Self-Worth Tied to Achievement? How Parents Can Build Lasting Confidence with Dr. Carla Caturia, EP 159
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Is Your Child's Self-Worth Tied to Achievement?
What happens when a child's confidence depends on their performance?
In this episode of That's Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with Dr. Carla Caturia, elite mental performance coach, speaker, and founder of House of Rise, to explore how parents can help children build confidence without tying their worth to grades, sports, or accomplishments.
Dr. Carla works with tweens, teens, young adults, athletes, and families who are navigating perfectionism, anxiety, fear of failure, and...
Are You Accidentally Teaching Your Child That Everything Is an Emergency? with Angela Caldwell, EP 158
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Are You Accidentally Teaching Your Child That Everything Is an Emergency?
In this episode of That's Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with Angela Caldwell, MA, LMFT—licensed marriage and family therapist, professor, and Founder of the Caldwell Family Institute—to explore why so many families feel overwhelmed by conflict, anxiety, and everyday parenting challenges.
Angela has spent years helping families heal through life's hardest transitions—from parenting struggles and communication breakdowns to divorce, grief, trauma, and emotional distance. In this conversation, she shares practical ways p...
Is My Child Being Defiant or Overwhelmed? With Parenting Coach Melissa Schulz, EP 157
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Why does my child keep melting down, refusing to listen, or turning everyday routines into a battle?
In this episode of That's Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with Parenting Coach, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and founder of Confidently Momming, Melissa Schulz. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working with children and families and her own experience parenting three uniquely wired children, Melissa shares why understanding the "why" behind behavior is often the missing piece parents need.
Melissa believes that good parents...
The Empowered Child: How Parents Can Build Confidence, Resilience, and Independence in Kids with Michal Gez, Ep 156
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Every parent wants their child to be confident, resilient, independent, and happy.
But how do we raise emotionally strong children without protecting them from the very experiences that help them grow?
In this episode of That's Good Parenting, Dori Durbin and international speaker, certified coach in positive psychology and CBT-based methods, a lawyer, and the author of The Empowered Child, Michal Gez. Drawing from her background in corporate law, global technology, positive psychology, and CBT-based coaching, Michal shares why so many...
Baby's Here, So Now What? Newborn Support, Postpartum Recovery, and Real Help for New Parents with Jennifer Tawil | EP155
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Have you ever brought home a new baby and wondered why no one prepared you for what comes next?
In this episode, Dori Durbin chats with certified postpartum doula and founder of Lean On Me Westchester Doula, Jennifer Tawil, about one of the biggest transitions families experience: the postpartum season.
Jennifer shares her personal journey from private investigator to postpartum doula and explains why so many parents spend months preparing for birth but very little time preparing for life after baby arrives. Together...
What If You're Becoming the Parent You Never Wanted to Be? Parenting Triggers, Emotional Regulation & Repair with Angie Weber, EP 154
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Have you ever reacted to your child and immediately thought, "SHOOT! I promised I'd never parent THIS way"?
In this episode, Dori Durbin chats with parent coach, speaker, and Parent Toolbox founder Angie Weber to discuss why so many parents find themselves repeating patterns they never intended to pass on.
Angie shares practical strategies for understanding emotional triggers, responding instead of reacting, and creating healthier communication with your children. Together, they explore emotional regulation, repair after difficult parenting moments, and how parents can break generational...
What Parents Say Matters: Building Confidence Instead of Fear in Kids with Jody Hill, EP153
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Words matter more than most parents realize.
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with parenting educator, speaker, and author Jody Hill to explore how the everyday words parents use can shape a child’s confidence, identity, emotional resilience, and long-term self-worth.
They discuss the hidden power behind common parenting phrases, why labels like “shy,” “difficult,” or “messy” can stick with children for years, and how parents can begin building confidence, rather than fear through simple shifts in how they communi...
Could Your Child’s “Behavior Problems” Actually Be Sensory Overload? with Jacki Edry, EP 152
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Could some of the behaviors parents worry about most may not actually be “bad behavior” at all? It may be that they are signs that a child is overwhelmed, overstimulated, or struggling to process the world around them.
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with author, advocate, and educator Jacki Edry about autism, sensory processing, neurodiversity, and the hidden challenges many children experience every day. Jacki shares her unique perspective as both a parent of autistic children and a brain surgery survivor whose own sensory system became...
How Outdoor Time Builds Resilient, Confident Kids with Scott Shepherd, M.Ed
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Outdoor time doesn’t have to mean expensive gear, complicated adventures, or a full weekend camping trip. And, the smallest moments outside can make the biggest difference for our kids.
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with outdoor educator Scott Shepherd about how simple outdoor experiences help children build resilience, confidence, emotional regulation, patience, and focus. Scott shares why nature connection matters for kids’ mental and emotional health and how parents can start small without adding more pressure their already busy d...
Why You Lose Your Patience With Your Kids (And How to Stop) with Emily Hughes, EP 150
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Have you ever reacted to your child in a way that surprised you?
You meant to stay calm, but in the moment, something took over.
In this episode Dori Durbin talks with Conscious Parenting Coach, Somatic Therapist, Emily Hughes about why parents react instead of respond and how understanding their nervous system can help you stay calmer and more in control.
Parenting isn’t just about strategies. It’s a full-body experience, and when stress builds, your nervous system can shift into fight, flight, fawn...
Why Does My Child Hate Writing? Dysgraphia Signs Parents Miss with Kelli Fetter, EP 149
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When kids struggle with writing, parents often assume they just need more practice.
But sometimes the real issue is something many families have never heard of: dysgraphia.
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with certified handwriting specialist Kelli Fetter, founder of Handwriting Solutions, about why writing can feel so difficult for some kids—even when they are bright, creative, and full of ideas.
Kelli shares the personal story that led her into this work after her daughter was diag...
Why Parenting Stress Turns Into Emotional Eating (And What Parents Can Do Instead) with Zoe Klein, EP 148
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Have you ever found yourself standing in the closet eating cookies and wondering how parenting stress got the best of you . . . again?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with registered social worker Zoe Klein, who specializes in perinatal care, parenting support, and women’s health.
Zoe shares what is really happening underneath everyday coping habits like emotional eating, stress snacking, and withdrawing when parenting feels overwhelming.
They also talk about the hidden pressure many parents feel to “...
Why (Re)Capturing Intimacy Doesn't Start with Date Night, with Angela Griffith, EP 147
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Somewhere between school schedules, endless meals, and bedtime routines, did your marriage stop feeling like married partners and start feeling like coworkers managing a household?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with sex and intimacy coach Angela Griffith about the season of parenting that many couples struggle through but rarely talk about.
Angela works with couples navigating connection, intimacy, and communication during the parenting years. As a homeschooling mom herself, she understands firsthand how exhausting family life can be...
Is Screen Time Hurting Your Child’s Brain? What Parents Need to Know with Amy Reyes-Hauff, EP 146
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Screens are everywhere in childhood today. But what are they actually doing to kids’ brains, behavior, and emotional development?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with early childhood expert Amy Reyes-Hauff, a State Early Learning and Literacy Specialist who shares what she’s seeing in classrooms across the country. She also tells how parents can recognize early signs of digital dependency and how small daily habits can help families create a healthier relationship with technology.
If you’re wondering how screens...
How to Help Young Athletes Handle Pressure, Confidence, and Failure with Kina Wilson-Feick, EP 145
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Youth sports can look fun from the outside. But many kids are carrying heavy pressure that their parents cannot see.
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with youth and family coach Kina Wilson-Feick, founder of Radiant Joy Coaching. Kina works with athletes to build identity, confidence, and emotional resilience both on and off the field.
They explore what is really happening behind the scenes for many athletes: pressure to perform, fear of disappointing parents or coaches, and the challenge of bouncing back af...
How to Work with Your Child's Personality Instead of Fighting It, with Karen Wagnon, EP 144
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What if the behavior that frustrates you most is actually telling you about an important gap?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori talks with Karen Wagnon, human behavior specialist, parent coach, and creator of the Parenting Blueprint, about how understanding your child’s personality can reduce conflict and help you reconnect.
Karen shares how the DISC personality model transformed her own parenting and explains why so many parents get stuck trying to use the same approach with every child. Learn abou...
How to Have THOSE Awkward Conversations (that Teens REALLY Need) with Nitza Jimenez, EP 143
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Have you ever avoided a conversation with your child because you weren’t sure what to say?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with Nitza Jimenez, Parent and Family Connection Coach and founder of Kinected Coaching. Together they explore why conversations about topics like sex, relationships, identity, and mental health can feel so uncomfortable for parents . . . and why avoiding them often creates even more distance.
Drawing from her experience as an educator, community health educator, and family coach, Nitza shares prac...
The Power of Presence: What Deaf Culture Teaches Parents About Listening with Maria Gallucci, EP 142
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Have you ever noticed how quickly your child can tell when you’re not fully present?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with Maria Gallucci. She's the author of Raised in Silence, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), an ASL communicator, and advocate. They spokle about what growing up in a Deaf family taught Maria about listening, emotional safety, inclusion, and choosing connection over control.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The difference between hearing and truly li...
Mindful Parenting: Self-Compassion & Nervous System Calm with Kimberly Brown, EP 141
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Have you ever noticed how quickly your own stress spills into your child’s behavior?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with meditation teacher and author Kimberly Brown about mindful parenting, self-compassion, emotional regulation, and how a parent’s nervous system directly impacts a child’s nervous system.
Kimberly explains that parenting overwhelm, anxiety, control, and emotional reactivity are often signs that a parent is struggling internally — not signs of failure. When parents pr...
From Tantrums to Tools: Practical Occupational Therapy Strategies for Parents with Stephanie Ford, EP 140
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Have you ever stood at the door wondering why putting on shoes feels like the hardest part of your day?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with pediatric occupational therapist Stephanie Ford about why everyday tasks like getting dressed, riding the bus, going to school, or walking through a busy store can become overwhelming for children. Its all about how understanding the brain-body connection can completely shift how you respond.
Stephanie helps parents understand that what looks like stubbornness, defiance, or...
Pregnancy, Picky Eaters, and Mealtime Stress: A Dietitian’s Real-Life Guide for Parents with Aderet Dana Hoch, EP 139
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Have you ever stood in your kitchen wondering why feeding your family feels so overwhelming?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin speaks with registered dietitian Aderet Dana Hoch, founder of Dining with Nature with the goal of breaking down why food becomes such a major source of stress for parents . . . and how make food fit real family life.
Aderet helps women nourish their bodies from fertility through pregnancy, postpartum, and family life using holistic, sustainable nutrition. She bl...
How to Plan a Family Vacation Without Meltdowns (Even With Teens) with Laura Rahn, EP 138
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Have you ever returned from a family vacation more stressed than when you left?
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin sits down with certified family travel coach Laura Rahn to unpack why so many family vacations end in frustration—and how to plan trips that actually bring families closer.
Laura introduces her Dream–Design–Depart approach to family travel and explains why involving kids before booking anything can prevent meltdowns, resentment, and disappointment—especially with tweens and teens.
In this...
Mom Burnout: Why You’re Exhausted and What Actually Helps with Calvalyn Day, EP 137
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Are you wondering if you should really be this tired? In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin talks with trauma informed coach, educator, and author Calvalyn Day about mom burnout and the invisible emotional labor that makes momming feel so heavy.
This conversation explores why burnout is not just about doing too much, but about carrying the mental load, staying emotionally regulated, and being always available while your own nervous system never gets to rest.
In this episode, you...
Why Kids Don’t Need Perfect Answers, Just Clear Ones with Dori Durbin, EP 136
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Have you ever felt stuck and maybe like you might be revising your decisions a lot? Maybe you are second-guessing your choices and wondering if you should make just one more change to get it right?
If decision fatigue, inconsistency, or over-adjusting leaves you feeling unsure or overwhelmed, this episode is for you.
In this solo episode of That’s Good Parenting, host Dori Durbin explores the powerful connection between revision and decision-making and how both parenting and children’s books benefit from clar...
Why Parenting Feels Like a Power Struggle: Executive Functioning Help with Dr. Anna Levy-Warren, EP 135
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Have you ever felt like you’re repeating yourself all day long. It's the reminding, prompting, and enforcing that still makes you wonder why your perfectly "capable" child just can’t follow through?
If routines turn into power struggles and you’re exhausted from being the “bad guy" then this episode is for You!.
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Anna Levy-Warren helps parents understand executive functioning including: what it really is, how it develops, and why kids who struggle with it aren’t l...
How to Advocate for Your Child at School (Without Being “That Parent”) with Scotti Weintraub, EP134
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You've gotten THAT school email. And now, there's that sinking feeling that things aren't working and that you need more direction. Help is on the way!
In this episode of That’s Good Parenting, Dori Durbin is joined by Scotti Weintraub, a Parent School Navigator who helps families confidently partner with schools when kids are struggling academically, behaviorally, or emotionally.
Together, they talk about how to advocate for your child without feeling pushy, defensive, or overwhelmed—even when the feedback from school feels heavy or conf...
