Hey Other Parents

Michael Heit

Hey Other Parents is a weekly, talk-show-style parenting podcast built around honest, messy, real conversations about raising kids. Each episode feels more like a roundtable than a lecture. Three parents sit down to talk through the stuff that actually comes up in real life — the wins, the worries, the arguments, the guilt, the laughs, and the things nobody warned us about. No scripts. No experts telling you what you should do. Just real conversations parents are already having. Join Michael Heit, Sara D, and Mike Levine each week as they think out loud, laugh when things get ridiculous, and remind each other (and you) that nobody has parenting completely figured out. If you’ve ever thought, “Wait… is it just me?” — you’re in the right place.

  1. 20H AGO

    S04E010: We Don’t Know Everything… Shocking Right? (S4 Finale)

    HEY OTHER PARENTS – S04E010: We Don’t Know Everything… Shocking Right? (S4 Finale) 🎙️ In This Episode: It’s the Season Four finale — and we’re ending it with a little humility. Sara D kicks things off by putting Heit and Levine to the test in a Dad vs. Dad parenting quiz. From developmental milestones to everyday parenting scenarios (plus a little pop culture to bring it home), confidence quickly meets reality. After the quiz, we shift into a real conversation about the things we’ve had to learn on the fly — what made us uncomfortable at first, what’s gotten easier over time, what’s gotten harder as the kids grow, and the things we’ve accepted we may never fully figure out. Parenting has a funny way of reminding us that we’re all still learning. This wraps up Season Four! We’ll be back in March to kick off Season Five — and we’d love your input. What topics, questions, or conversations do you want to hear next? 🔌 Parenting Unplugged: Heit: Shrinking (Season 3) Sara D: Industry Levine: The Olympics ❓ Question of the Week What would you like to hear in Season Five of Hey Other Parents? 📞 Join the Conversation 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents This is S04E010 — Episode 69 of Hey Other Parents, an honest discussion about raising kids. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    58 min
  2. FEB 13

    S04E009: Big Milestones, Bigger Pressure — Party or Trip?

    🎙️ Hey Other Parents — S04E009: Big Milestones, Bigger Pressure? This week we’re talking about big milestone celebrations — Bar Mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, and Quinceañeras — and the quiet pressure that comes with them. Are we throwing the party our kids actually want… or the one we feel expected to throw? We look back at the milestone events we attended as kids — the fancy ones, the overwhelming ones, the ones where we felt left out — and then shift to what it feels like being the parent who now has to plan (and pay). From social media comparison to invisible competition, we ask the uncomfortable question: are we creating a memory for our child… or proving something to other adults? We explore big parties vs. big trips, what “big” really means, and how to ask better questions so your child feels seen instead of pressured. Because a milestone doesn’t need an audience to count. If your kid looks back and remembers feeling loved, relaxed, and understood… you did it right. 🔌 Parenting Unplugged Heit: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Book 2 & 3) Sara: The Servants of Twilight (Dean Koontz audiobook) Levine: Trying something new — Top Golf ❓ Question of the Week Do you prefer a big party or a big trip? 📞 Join the Conversation 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyotherparents This is S04E009: Hey Other Parents Episode 065 — an honest discussion about raising kids. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    55 min
  3. FEB 6

    S04E008: AI and Parenting: What Kids Need From Us Now (feat. Liam)

    🎙️ Hey Other Parents — S04E008: AI and Parenting: What Kids Need From Us Now (feat. Liam) This week, we’re talking about AI — what it is, what it isn’t, and how parents can help their kids use it without panic or blind trust. What starts as a funny attempt to let AI solve a simple parenting problem quickly turns into a bigger conversation about cheating vs. learning, critical thinking, and why “AI knows everything” is a dangerous assumption. We’re joined by special guest Liam, who brings a student perspective to how AI is actually being used in school (not just how adults think it’s being used). We break down the good, the bad, and the lazy uses of AI, why better prompts matter, and why this technology isn’t going anywhere — making guidance far more useful than avoidance. This episode is about curiosity over fear, helping kids think for themselves, and learning how to navigate AI as a tool instead of treating it like magic. 🔌 Parenting Unplugged Heit: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Stole Time (co-op with Liam) Sara: The Rip (Matt Damon & Ben Affleck) Levine: 100Hz Insignia monitor ❓ Question of the Week How do you feel about AI right now — excited, nervous, or totally unsure? How are you handling it with your kids? Join the Conversation 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com This is S04E008: Hey Other Parents Episode 064 — an honest discussion about raising kids. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    1h 12m
  4. JAN 30

    S04E007: Date Night Doesn’t Have to Be Dinner!

    🎙️ HEY OTHER PARENTS – Date Night Doesn’t Have to Be Dinner! This week, we’re talking about date night — and why it doesn’t have to revolve around going out to dinner to count. We dig into the idea that the real goal isn’t the restaurant, the reservation, or the perfect plan — it’s spending time together. Whether it’s a quick window between responsibilities or something totally unplanned, connection matters more than the setting. From chaotic restaurant dates gone wrong to creative, low-pressure ways to reconnect, this episode is about zooming out and focusing on the bigger picture: being together. 🎧 In This Episode, We Talk About: Why dinner doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of date night Short, low-pressure dates that still feel meaningful Creative alternatives to restaurants Making the most of limited time Romantic vs. practical connection Multi-part dates and daytime options The planner vs. non-planner dynamic When it’s okay to leave the kids — and when it’s not 🔌 Parenting Unplugged Heit: Fallout – Season 2 Sara: Planners (Hobonichi dupes & Sunee planners) Levine: World of Warcraft — Next Expansion & Player Housing update ❓ Question of the Week What’s a creative, fun, or unexpectedly great date you’ve been on that didn’t revolve around going out to eat? 📞 Join the Conversation 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents ⭐ Support the Show If you’d like to help support Hey Other Parents and keep episodes like this coming, there’s a donation link in the show notes. If not, sharing the show or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps more than you know. 🎧 New episodes drop Fridays. This is S04E007: Hey Other Parents Episode 063 — an honest discussion about raising kids. Thanks for hanging out with us this week. Hug your kids, charge those Chromebooks, and we’ll see you next time on Hey Other Parents. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    52 min
  5. JAN 23

    S04E006: Raising a Child With Autism

    🎙️ HEY OTHER PARENTS – S04E006: Raising a Child With Autism This week, we sit down with our friend, Michael Orlep, for an honest conversation about raising a child with autism — beyond labels, assumptions, and stereotypes. We talk about recognizing early differences, advocating for support, navigating school systems, balancing protection with independence, and preparing kids for adulthood. This episode is about seeing the whole child, supporting the whole family, and understanding that progress doesn’t follow one timeline. 🎧 In This Episode, We Talk About: Noticing early signs that your child’s needs might be different Advocating for academic and social support Private vs. public school experiences Social challenges that aren’t always visible High-functioning labels and hidden struggles Balancing support with independence Preparing kids for adulthood and self-advocacy What parents wish they had known earlier 🔌 Parenting Unplugged Heit: Fantasy Life I Sara: His & Hers (Netflix) Levine: The Studio (Apple TV+) ❓ Question of the Week What’s a misunderstanding people have about autism? 📞 Join the Conversation 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents ⭐ Support the Show If you’d like to help support Hey Other Parents and keep episodes like this coming, there’s a donation link in the show notes. If not, sharing the show or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps more than you know. 🎧 New episodes drop Fridays. This is S04E006: Hey Other Parents Episode 062 — an honest discussion about raising kids. Thanks for hanging out with us this week. Hug your kids, charge those Chromebooks, and we’ll see you next time on Hey Other Parents. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    1 hr
  6. JAN 16

    S04E005: Teacher Feedback — What They Wish Parents Knew

    🎙️ HEY OTHER PARENTS – S04E005: Teacher Feedback — What They Wish Parents Knew This week, we’re talking about the things teachers wish parents understood — the stuff that rarely makes it into emails, conferences, or back-to-school nights. Inspired by honest conversations and very real educator feedback, we dig into what school looks like from the other side, why some behaviors don’t magically transfer from home to the classroom, and how good intentions can turn into accidental rescue missions. It’s not about blame. It’s about perspective, empathy, and remembering that everyone is figuring this out in real time. 🔌 Time to Unplug Because parents need something that isn’t about the kids. Heit: Stranger Things finale Sara: Being more intentional with daily time — walks, space, and small resets Levine: Hitting the gym before work 💪 ❓ Question of the Week What’s the most interesting, awkward, or unexpected phone call you’ve ever gotten from your kid’s school? 📞 Join the Conversation 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents ⭐ Support the Show If you’d like to help support Hey Other Parents and keep episodes like this coming, there’s a donation link in the show notes. If not, sharing the show or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps more than you know. 🎧 New episodes drop Fridays. This is S04E005: Hey Other Parents Episode 064 — an honest discussion about raising kids. Thanks for hanging out with us this week. Hug your kids, charge those Chromebooks, and we’ll see you next time on Hey Other Parents. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    59 min
  7. JAN 2

    S04E003: Double Standards of Parenting

    🎙️ In This Episode: This week, we’re talking about the parenting double standards that somehow still exist — even in 2025. Why is a dad praised for doing basic parenting tasks while a mom is questioned for the same thing? When did “babysitting your own kids” become a thing, and why won’t it die? We dig into how we were raised, how expectations followed us into adulthood, and how judgment shows up differently depending on who’s doing the parenting. From doctor visits to park trips to household responsibilities, the bar is uneven — and we’re calling it out. 🔌 Parenting Unplugged: Because parents need a break too. Heit: Dinner Time Live with David Chang (Netflix) Sara: All Her Fault (Netflix) Mike Levine: Diablo IV (Xbox / PS5 / Steam / Battle.net on PC) ❓ Question of the Week What’s a parenting double standard you’ve noticed — growing up or right now? 📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: heyotherparents@gmail.com 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents 🎯 Support Hey Other Parents If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help us keep making it — or share the episode with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more than you know. 🎧 New episodes drop Fridays — join us for another honest discussion about raising kids. This is S04E003: Hey Other Parents Episode 062 — an honest discussion about raising kids. Support Hey Other Parents by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents Find out more at https://heyotherparents.pinecast.co

    56 min
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Hey Other Parents is a weekly, talk-show-style parenting podcast built around honest, messy, real conversations about raising kids. Each episode feels more like a roundtable than a lecture. Three parents sit down to talk through the stuff that actually comes up in real life — the wins, the worries, the arguments, the guilt, the laughs, and the things nobody warned us about. No scripts. No experts telling you what you should do. Just real conversations parents are already having. Join Michael Heit, Sara D, and Mike Levine each week as they think out loud, laugh when things get ridiculous, and remind each other (and you) that nobody has parenting completely figured out. If you’ve ever thought, “Wait… is it just me?” — you’re in the right place.