Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis

4.8 (41)
PARENTING
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Parenting advice and inspiration for raising smart, confident Black children. Join host and Ground Control Parenting founder Carol Sutton Lewis for weekly conversations with guests––familiar and new––about the joys and real work of parenting.

6D AGO

How Do I Talk to My Kid About Drugs? Start Here––with Pat Aussem and Carleah Summers

How do you talk to your child about drugs when you’re not even sure where to begin? In this candid and powerful conversation Carol is joined by two experts, Pat Aussem of the Partnership to End Addiction and Carleah Summers, recovery advocate and founder of Andrea’s House, to talk honestly about how to help our children navigate today’s complex drug landscape. From the dangers of flavored vapes and counterfeit pills to when and how to have “the talk” about drugs, this episode is packed with essential insights, strategies, and real-life experience every parent needs to hear. Episode Links: Partnership to End Addiction: drugfree.org Al-Anon Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

44 min
JUL 2

Building Future Leaders: The Jack and Jill Legacy with Darlene McGee Whittingham and Tasha B. Penny

You may have heard of Jack and Jill of America—but do you know how this powerhouse mother's organization shapes Black children into confident, capable leaders? In this episode, Carol talks with Darlene McGee Whittingham, National President, and Tasha B. Penny, National Program Director, about the history, mission, and modern-day relevance of Jack and Jill. They explore what this organization offers Black families, how it fosters leadership from the toddler years to the teen years, and how parents—whether members or not—can draw inspiration from its core values of leadership, cultural pride, and service. If you’ve heard the name but don’t know the full story, or if you’re curious to know more about how Jack & Jill supports Black children across the country, you won’t want to miss this episode! Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

52 min
JUN 25

How to Help Your Child Avoid the Summer Slide with Dr. Cicely Woodard

Summer break shouldn’t mean learning loss. In this episode, Carol talks with award-winning educator Dr. Cicely Woodard about how to help kids avoid the “summer slide”—where they can lose two to three months of progress in math and reading over the summer. Dr. Woodard shares lots of simple ways parents can help kids stay sharp in math and reading throughout the summer months. She and Carol talk about how everyday activities, like turning grocery runs into math lessons and reading together at bedtime, can make a big impact. This episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today to keep kids engaged and learning while making sure they have the summer break they need. If you want to set your kids up for a strong start in the next school year this episode is for you. Don’t miss it! Episode Links: Zern Math: A free, interactive math platform designed for elementary and middle school studentsKhan Academy: Free online lessons and practice in math, reading, science, and more—personalized to your child’s level. Great for kids K–12.Prodigy: A game-based math program where kids solve problems to win battles and earn rewards. Best for grades 1–8.PBS LearningMedia: Free videos, games, and activities across subjects, created by PBS for PreK–12 learners.Smithsonian Learning Lab: Resources and lessons using Smithsonian museum collections More GCP: Subscribe to the newsletter for additional show details and more! Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

36 min
JUN 18

What Every Black Parent Should Know About Healthcare with Dr. Uché Blackstock

We all want the best healthcare for our children—but for Black parents, this can involve pushing past bias, asking hard questions, and showing up prepared. In this powerful episode, Carol sits down with Dr. Uché Blackstock—emergency physician, health equity champion, and bestselling author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine—to talk about how parents can navigate the healthcare system to make sure our kids get the best possible care. Dr. Blackstock shares how her late mother—a trailblazing Harvard-trained physician—laid the foundation for her journey and inspired her passion for health justice. She offers clear, practical advice for parents on how to find and interview the right pediatrician, prepare for and manage doctor’s visits with confidence, and identify trustworthy health information while avoiding harmful misinformation. She also breaks down how racism shows up in children's medical care, and what parents can do to advocate effectively. Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, this episode will help you walk into every exam room informed, empowered, and ready to make sure your child gets the care they need. Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

32 min
JUN 11

Finding & Celebrating Strengths in Neurodivergent Kids with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart

Many parents have heard the term neurodivergent, but aren't quite sure what it means—or what to do when their child doesn’t seem to follow the "typical" path. Pediatric psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart returns to the podcast to help us make sense of it all. Dr. Lockhart explains what neurodivergence is, how to recognize when your child might need support, and why "different" doesn’t mean “less than.” Carol and Dr. Lockhart also discuss how to manage the emotional rollercoaster that can come with parenting a neurodivergent child—especially for Black and Brown parents. Dr. Lockhart shares how to advocate effectively, communicate with teachers, and most importantly, how to shift the focus from “fixing” your child to celebrating their unique strengths.If you're looking for clarity, encouragement, and real-world guidance to better understand and support the children you care about—this conversation is for you. Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

31 min
JUN 4

How to Be the Learning Champion Your Child Needs with John B. King, Jr.

Every parent wants their child to succeed in school—but keeping up with their progress, supporting their learning, and knowing when to step in can feel overwhelming. Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. returns to the podcast with smart, practical advice to help you feel more confident and prepared to support your child’s academic journey. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten or heading into high school, this conversation offers valuable insight you can use right now. Drawing upon his experience as a teacher, principal, education leader, and parent, John shares tips on understanding your child’s learning style, how to partner with teachers (even the challenging ones!) to make sure your child’s academic needs are getting met, and how to encourage critical thinking in a world full of conflicting messages. Carol and John talk about why parents these days need to pay attention to curriculum changes, book bans, and misinformation—and how to take action when needed. If you want to know how to truly show up for your child’s education, this episode is packed with the clarity and encouragement you’ve been looking for. Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

22 min
MAY 28

Ask Emily: Data-Driven Parenting Advice from Emily Oster

Emily Oster returns to the podcast to answer pregnancy and early parenting questions from Ground Control Parenting listeners! Emily, an economist known for her data-driven approach to parenting, brings clear, compassionate, and evidence-based guidance to the most common (and confusing) early parenting concerns. She helps parents cut through the noise and make decisions with more confidence and less guilt. Carol gets Emily’s take on many timely topics, including pregnancy anxiety, postpartum care, sleep training, discipline and screen time—with plenty of insight, thoughtful discussion, and lots of laughs along the way. This engaging, thoughtful conversation will help parents and caregivers feel more informed and empowered. Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

30 min
MAY 21

Tools for the Tough Talks on Race and Identity With Michele Norris

Carol sits down with award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster Michele Norris to discuss how we talk—and often struggle to talk—about race in our homes, our communities, and with our kids. Michele shares the remarkable story behind her bestselling book, Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity, which evolved from a simple invitation for people to share their thoughts about race in just six words. Carol and Michele discuss how these six-word stories offer a raw, honest, and surprisingly hopeful window into how Americans grapple with identity, difference, and belonging. They explore how parents can use what comes out of these stories to help us approach some of the hardest—but most necessary—conversations we need to have with our kids. Michele’s practical guidance for talking about race and identity with kids will resonate with parents of young children who are focused on how to begin these conversations, as well as parents of older children who want to find better ways to have them. Regardless of where you are in this journey, this episode will inform and inspire you. Follow Ground Control Parenting: 📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting 💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis 🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

54 min

See All (127)

4.8

out of 5

41 Ratings

Incredible and much needed!

04/20/2023

cat_kirk

Loving Ground Control Parenting! This podcast is so informative, with a bounty of incredible resources for Black families and parents raising Black children.
Insightful and Special

04/25/2021

Alton McDowell

Great podcast on topics that are important to me as the father of two black boys. Great insights and ideas….very well done.
A Gem of a series for parents

03/17/2021

Beth James

Carol has curated a wonderful series of podcasts. I listen to them on evening walks and road trips. Each podcast provides meaningful takeaways and aha moments. Keep up the wonderful work, Carol!
Ground Control Parenting

12/09/2020

Suzanne Ottilie Kay

I love Carol as a host. She’s warm and passionate as she helps us navigate how we can parent out of our best selves.

Parenting advice and inspiration for raising smart, confident Black children. Join host and Ground Control Parenting founder Carol Sutton Lewis for weekly conversations with guests––familiar and new––about the joys and real work of parenting.