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

The Where Parents Talk podcast empowers parents to navigate the challenges of raising kids, teens, and young adults today with science-backed insights, evidence, and the lived experiences of parenting thought leaders. Every Saturday, host, award-winning journalist and mom, Lianne Castelino, distills parenting hot topics with her guests, including: managing hormonal changes, fostering healthy communication, and promoting emotional, mental, and physical health and well-being of kids. Get proven tips and expert advice on addressing device usage and managing social media to the latest evidence on bullying, consent, and relationships, to help instil discipline, encourage independence, and build resilience in children. Discover trusted advice, delivered with empathy and optimism, to support your parenting journey and help your family thrive.

Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 279 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today, a education show with 279 episodes published.

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  Episode #280

  Navigating Sports Culture: Key Insights for Modern Parents

  Aug 15, 202635 minS4

  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 lessons sports can teach, the importance of positive role models, why youth sports should prioritize participation over performance, and how parents can foster confidence, empathy and inclusion in today's rapidly changing world. Takeaways: Navigating the complexities of parenting amidst hormonal changes in children requires effective communication and discipline. The impact of device usage and social media on children's emotional health is a pressing concern for today's parents. Promoting independence in children involves teaching them about consent and healthy relationships from an early age. Bullying remains a significant issue in sports culture, and parents must address it proactively with their children. Physical health and emotional well-being are intertwined, especially during the formative years of adolescence. Encouraging participation in sports can foster resilience and teamwork, countering the pressure of a win-at-all-costs mentality. This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience. You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health. Links referenced in this episode: • whereparentstalk.com Companies mentioned in this episode: CBC TSN CTV Raptors Tempo PWHL NWSL Ottawa Rapid Lewis Hamilton Serena Williams Shae Gilgeous Alexander Jared McCain Natalie Achonwa

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  Episode #278

  Parenting Through Pain: Understanding Mental Health and Loss

  Jul 25, 202634 minS4

  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 also offers practical advice for parents navigating anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in their children—while reminding listeners that hope can coexist with sorrow. An important listen for parents seeking understanding, support, and guidance through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Takeaways: Navigating the emotional landscape of grief requires open communication and support from others. Understanding the unique layers of guilt and shame surrounding suicide helps in the healing process. Mothers often experience grief differently, influenced by their deep bond with their children. Acceptance of one's emotional health is crucial in developing resilience after a loss, especially in dealing with mental health challenges. This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience. You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health. Links referenced in this episode: • whereparentstalk.com

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  Episode #277

  Raising Resilient Kids in an Uncertain World: Purpose, Belonging & Gen Z Mental Health

  Jul 18, 202636 minS4

  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 rational response to a genuinely precarious world — climate anxiety, job market disruption, AI, and political instability — rather than a personal weakness or a parenting failure. She also shares why "small p" purpose matters more than a single dream career, how belonging and social connection are among the strongest predictors of a healthy, long life, and practical ways parents can talk to their kids about big global issues without fueling fear or helplessness. Whether your child seems anxious, unmotivated, or simply uncertain about the future, this conversation offers evidence-based, compassionate strategies for raising purpose-driven, resilient young adults — without the guilt or the guesswork. In this episode: The biggest myth parents believe about resilience Why Gen Z's mental health struggles reflect their world, not a weakness in them How to talk about climate change, AI, and global uncertainty without increasing kids' fear What "purpose" really looks like for young adults today How belonging and friendship protect long-term mental and physical health Inside Liminal Learning, Dr. Granic's world-readiness program for 18-24 year olds Links referenced in this episode: whereparentstalk.com Companies mentioned in this episode: McMaster University Liminal Learning Scientific American Time Wall Street Journal This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience. You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health. Links referenced in this episode: whereparentstalk.com

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  Episode #275

  The Cooperation Shift: Raising Emotionally Intelligent, Resilient Kids Without Power Struggles

  Jun 27, 202633 minS4

  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 leave behind. Her journey — through Montessori education, a master's in emotional intelligence, mindfulness training, and years of practice — led her to develop a transformative approach that helps parents stop putting out fires and start building lasting skills. In this episode, you'll learn about the Cooperation Shift framework, the powerful Skill Do Over tool, and the three questions every parent can ask in the heat of the moment to shift from reactive to responsive. Seidel also explores what emotional intelligence, resilience, and an "unsinkable mindset" really look like — and why 80% of your child's future success may hinge on what's between their ears, not the school they attend or the sports they play. Takeaways: Understanding the impact of hormonal changes during adolescence is crucial for effective parenting and communication. Device usage among teens can both enhance and complicate relationships, making discipline and guidance essential. The role of social media in bullying presents challenges for emotional and mental health that parents must address thoughtfully. Consent and relationships are pivotal topics for young adults, requiring open communication about boundaries and respect. Links referenced in this episode: whereparents talk.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Montessori TEDx This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience. You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.

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  Episode #274

  Is Modern Convenience Making Kids Less Capable? Dr. Jonathan Strecker on Raising Resilient Teens

  Jun 20, 202635 minS4

  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. Takeaways: Modern conveniences are unintentionally hindering children's emotional and physical development, requiring a mindful approach to parenting. Boredom plays a crucial role in fostering creativity and self-direction among teens, encouraging them to think independently. Parents should prioritize teaching their children the value of responsibility and discipline through meaningful chores and tasks. The overuse of technology and AI in daily life may lead to decreased critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence in children. It is essential to balance convenience with capacity-building experiences to prepare children for real-world challenges. Engaging in face-to-face communication helps develop social skills and emotional resilience, which are vital in today's screen-dominated environment. Links referenced in this episode: whereparentstalk.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Ford Explorer Blue Cruise McDonald's Burger King Chat GPT Tinder Bumble Jonathan Haight John Dewey Constance Prosser Mellon

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