The Good Parent

The Good Parent

The Good Parent is a conversation-led podcast that explores what it truly means to raise children in today’s fast-changing world. Hosted by Shailja Dutt and Manoj Kohli, the podcast brings together experts, thought leaders, creators, and parents to talk about child development, mental and physical well-being, education, values, and the everyday realities of parenting. Each episode features honest conversations, real-life experiences, and evidence-backed insights—helping parents pause, reflect, and make informed choices for their children and families.

Episodes

  1. 1 day ago

    Kapil Dev: The Parenting Advice Every Mom & Dad Needs to Hear | S1E6 | The Good Parent

    What does it really take to raise a healthy, confident child? In this special episode of The Good Parent, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev shares his honest perspective on parenting, fitness, and the habits that shape a child's future. He reminds us that raising healthy children isn't about strict routines or expensive programs. It's about creating a home where kids play freely, eat well, stay active, and learn by watching the adults around them. Fitness, he says, is a value—not a schedule. And the strongest parenting lessons are often the ones children observe, not the ones they're told. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a child's fitness begins with the parent Common nutrition mistakes families make at home The difference between encouraging and pushing your child How Kapil Dev approached fitness and discipline with his own daughter Why role modelling is the most powerful parenting tool Whether you're raising a toddler or a teenager, this conversation is a reminder that small, everyday habits can have the biggest impact on your child's health and confidence. About the Guest Kapil Dev is one of India's most celebrated cricketers and the captain who led India to its historic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory. In this episode, he shares his philosophy on parenting, fitness, discipline, and raising children through example rather than instruction. Chapters00:00 – Introduction01:12 – Why fitness starts at home04:18 – Nutrition habits that matter08:05 – Encouraging vs. pushing children12:30 – Raising confident kids through sports18:10 – Parenting by example24:45 – Building lifelong healthy habits30:15 – Final thoughts Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are personal opinions and should not be considered medical or professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for concerns related to your child's health or development.

  2. 15 Jun

    The Parenting Shift Every Family Needs | ft Carmen Vicelich | S1E5 | The Good Parent

    In this episode of The Good Parent, we have Carmen Vicelich in conversation with Shailja Dutt and Manoj Kohli.Carmen Vicelich is the Founder & CEO of Valocity, a global fintech company operating across multiple countries. A serial entrepreneur and an internationally recognised business leader, she has built her company from the ground up while raising her children and she credits the same principle for both: trust.In this conversation, Carmen opens up about what it really means to be your child's friend without giving up your role as their parent. She shares why she believes trust must come before rules, how she sets boundaries that bring her children closer instead of pushing them away, and the exact questions she asks her kids that make them open up. She also talks about why most parents listen to fix rather than listen to understand and what changes the day you stop.The episode raises a question every parent quietly carries: should you be your child's friend? Carmen's answer comes down to 5 things any parent can start tonight.What we discuss in this episode:- Can a parent really be a friend or is that a mistake?- Trust first, rules second why honesty needs safety- Boundaries that are explained, not announced- The questions to ask instead of "how was school?"- Listening without fixing- Sharing your own life with your child friendship is two-way- Carmen's advice to every parent raising a child todayAbout the Hosts:Shailja Dutt is the Founder of Stellar Search & LimeLitt, an entrepreneur, mentor, and mother of two boys. Manoj Kohli is the former CEO of Airtel, a devoted father of two daughters, and a deeply involved grandfather. Together they host The Good Parent honest conversations about modern parenting in a digital age.Connect with The Good Parent:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/_thegoodparent/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-parent-podcast/Timestamps: 00:00 | Trailer 01:17 | Are Parents Meant to Be Friends?05:16 | Peer Pressure, Phones & Setting Boundaries09:03| What to Do When Kids Keep Lying or Repeating Mistakes14:58 | The Rule of Four Core Values Every Child Needs28:38 | Carmen Vicelich: Trust, Teens & Letting Go#TheGoodParent #Parenting #PositiveParenting #ParentingPodcast #CarmenVicelich

  3. 15 May

    Kalki Koechlin: The Honest Truth About Modern Motherhood & Parenting | S1E4 | The Good Parent

    RAISING CHILDREN WHO FEEL SAFE TO ASK Children are curious about their bodies much before parents feel ready to answer. They notice. They ask. They listen. They learn from what we say, and also from what we avoid saying. That is why conversations around consent, body safety, good touch, bad touch, and age-appropriate sex education need to begin with care at home. These conversations do not take away innocence. They give children language, confidence, and the safety to come back to us with their questions. In this Episode 05 of The Good Parent,Manoj Kohli and Shailja Dutt, in conversation with Kalki Koechlin, explore why parents should speak to children about body safety, consent, screen time, sustainability, and emotional security with honesty and care. They explore: • How parents can begin early conversations around consent, good touch, bad touch, and body safety • Why age-appropriate sex education needs honest talk, comfort, and honesty • How raising kids near nature instills the value of sustainability from an early age • What presence can look like when work, travel, and responsibility pull parents in many directions Kalki also shares from her journey as a mother and from her book, The Elephant in the Womb, bringing an honest and deeply human lens to motherhood. This is a conversation for every parent who wants to protect childhood while giving children the words, trust, and emotional safety they need to understand themselves and the world around them. Watch the full episode and don't forget to follow our channel. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Why sex education starts at home 01:28 Kalki Koechlin on The Elephant in the Womb 04:05 The truth about motherhood, identity and guilt 10:02 Consent, body safety and good touch bad touch 18:55 Why parents feel awkward about sex education 20:08 Sustainable parenting, Goa and raising children with nature 27:42 Working motherhood, presence and screen time 42:15 Consent, society and what parents need to change ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are personal opinions and not professional psychological or medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific concerns regarding your child. About the Guest – Kalki KoechlinKalki Koechlin is an actor, author and mother known for her honest voice on motherhood, creativity and conscious living. In this episode, she joins The Good Parent to speak about body safety, age-appropriate sex education, screen-free rhythms, sustainable parenting, outdoor play and her journey of motherhood, also drawing from her book The Elephant in the Womb. Follow The Good Parent: Instagram:   / _thegoodparent   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HsX2y... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... Website: https://thegoodparent.com #parenting #thegoodparent #podcast #intentionalparenting #bodysafety #sustainableparenting #sexeducation #healthyparenting #parentingadvice #youtubeindia #youtubepodcast #kalkikoechlin

  4. 23 Apr

    Why Raising a Child Feels So Different at Every Age | Ft. Shibani Sethi | S1E3 | The Good Parent

    Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:00 Why Parenting Transitions Are Complex 03:32 Shailja’s Journey From Control to Openness 03:45 Early Authority Makes Letting Go Harder 07:31 Letting Children Build Their Own Identity 08:25 Why Letting Go Feels Harder for Parents 10:44 Real World Exposure Tests Values 12:54 When Emotions Start Affecting Parenting 13:07 Listening Before Deciding 14:00 Letting Go Gradually Based on Maturity 14:56 Introducing Shibani 15:39 Shibani on Parenting Children 13 Years Apart 18:40 Shibani on Different Needs of Son and Daughter 20:21 How Shibani Built a Strong Sibling Bond 23:29 Shibani on Letting Go and Seeing Her Son Thrive 24:22 Shibani’s Advice for Parents 25:34 Shibani on Trusting Your Parenting 28:07 Shibani on Children Learning by Example 30:13 Conclusion WHY DOES RAISING A CHILD FEEL SO DIFFERENT AT EVERY AGE? We raise our children with our values, our sacrifices, and our idea of what a good life should look like.But as they grow, parenting asks something new of us at every stage.What worked when they were younger may not work as a teen grows — thinking, choosing, and questioning for themselves.What feels like freedom to them can make the child feel uncertain to the parent.What feels like care to us starts irritating your child — the hugs become less and the arguments become more.And one of the hardest parts of parenting is learning when to hold close, when to step back, when to trust, and when to let go. In Episode 04 of The Good Parent,Manoj Kohli and Shailja Dutt, in conversation with Shibani Sethi, explore parenting across generations — and how parents must keep growing too as their children move from dependence to individuality. They explore: 1. Why forming identities in your child matters — encourage those identities gently, or you'll repress who they're becoming 2. How parenting calls for more flexibility, adjustment, and self-awareness as the kids grow 3. What it takes to slowly let go and trust children as they become more mature in their choices and actions 4. How parents can stay emotionally close even when their role begins to change 5. What changes when siblings years apart are raised into completely different worlds This is a conversation about learning how to grow with your child.It is about staying connected while making room for who they are becoming. And you will see your values shine — not through control, but through the trust between the parent and the child.For every parent learning to adjust, trust more deeply, and love with both care and space — this conversation will feel deeply personal. Watch. Reflect. Recalibrate. ⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are personal opinions and not professional psychological or medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific concerns regarding your child. About the Guest – Shibani Sethi Shibani Sethi is a multi-talented professional known for her work across corporate leadership, literature, and the performing arts. She is primarily recognized as the founder of #ChaptersByShibani, a platform dedicated to meaningful conversations around books, leadership, and personal growth.

    Why Raising a Child Feels So Different at Every Age | Ft. Shibani Sethi | S1E3 | The Good Parent
  5. 23 Apr

    The Truth About Parenting as a Public Figure | ft. Amitabh Kant | S1E2 | The Good Parent

    What is it really like to raise children when your life is in the public eye? We often admire public figures for their achievements, but rarely stop to think about the invisible pressure their children carry. Expectations can come quietlythrough comparisons, admiration, or the belief that they must continue a parent's legacy. In this episode of The Good Parent, Amitabh Kant former CEO of NITI Aayog, senior IAS officer, and a key leader behind India's G20 presidency joins Shailja Dutt and Manoj Kohli to share his perspective on raising children in a highly visible world. As a father to Vedika and Vanshika, he reflects on how parents can help their children build an identity of their own while navigating the realities of social media, public attention, and digital exposure. In this episode, you'll learn: The invisible pressure children of public figures often experience Why some children choose to hide their family background The risks of sharenting and protecting children's digital privacy How to help children build their own identity instead of living up to a parent's legacy Why home not school is where values, confidence, and resilience are shaped How to balance success, visibility, discipline, and gratitude in modern parenting This conversation is for every parent navigating a world where children grow up online, privacy is shrinking, and external validation is only a click away. About the Guest Amitabh Kant is the former CEO of NITI Aayog, a retired IAS officer, and one of the key leaders behind India's G20 presidency. In this episode, he shares personal insights on parenting, identity, digital privacy, and raising grounded, independent children. Chapters00:00 – Social Media & Child Safety Concerns02:06 – Raising Confident Children in Today's World04:09 – Parenting Dynamics & Shared Responsibilities06:11 – The New Age of Digital Surveillance08:17 – The Illusion of Social Media Reality10:25 – Children's Perspective on Public Impact12:35 – Protecting a Child's Individuality14:38 – Building Emotional Connection with Children16:38 – Encouraging Diverse Interests & Growth18:42 – Helping Children Discover Their Strengths20:45 – Continuous Communication with Kids22:50 – Parenting in Public Life24:55 – Balancing Exposure & Privacy27:00 – Final Reflections on Modern Parenting Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are personal opinions and should not be considered psychological, legal, or medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance on matters related to your child.

    The Truth About Parenting as a Public Figure | ft. Amitabh Kant | S1E2 | The Good Parent
  6. 23 Apr

    THE PARENTING TRAP: WHEN LOVE TURNS INTO ENTITLEMENT | ft Shweta Sawhney | S1E7 | The Good Parent

    Are we raising entitled children without even realizing it? Every parent wants to give their child the best love, security, and opportunities. But sometimes, in trying to protect them from disappointment and struggle, we may unintentionally make comfort more important than resilience. In this episode of The Good Parent, CEO and mother of two Shweta Sawhney shares practical insights on raising grounded, emotionally secure children in a world of abundance. In this episode, you'll learn: Why entitlement often grows from love mixed with fear not just indulgence The early signs of entitlement that many parents overlook How to set healthy boundaries without damaging your relationship The balance between warmth, discipline, and accountability Simple ways to raise grateful, resilient, and confident children Whether you're parenting a toddler or a teenager, this conversation offers practical ideas to help you raise children who value effort, empathy, and responsibility. About the GuestShweta Sawhney is a CEO and mother of two who believes in raising grounded, emotionally secure children while leading at scale. She brings practical perspectives on balancing ambition, discipline, boundaries, and warmth in modern parenting. Chapters00:00 – Introduction00:39 – Are we spoiling our children?01:29 – Why entitlement is becoming more common02:10 – Where entitlement begins03:42 – Different forms of entitlement05:07 – Real-life parenting experiences08:14 – Gifts, rewards, and emotional blackmail11:06 – Achievement, effort, and self-worth14:26 – Setting healthy boundaries18:12 – Time vs. material gifts20:30 – Teaching gratitude22:09 – Parent, mentor, or friend?25:18 – Preparing children for the real world26:36 – Why hard work still matters28:12 – What parents can do differently DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The views shared are personal and should not be considered psychological or medical advice. For concerns about your child, please consult a qualified professional.

    THE PARENTING TRAP: WHEN LOVE TURNS INTO ENTITLEMENT | ft Shweta Sawhney | S1E7 | The Good Parent

About

The Good Parent is a conversation-led podcast that explores what it truly means to raise children in today’s fast-changing world. Hosted by Shailja Dutt and Manoj Kohli, the podcast brings together experts, thought leaders, creators, and parents to talk about child development, mental and physical well-being, education, values, and the everyday realities of parenting. Each episode features honest conversations, real-life experiences, and evidence-backed insights—helping parents pause, reflect, and make informed choices for their children and families.