Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

Dr. Meg Meeker
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Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through a world that feels increasingly complex. Dr. Meg Meeker, known as America's Mom and a leading authority on parenting, teens, and children's health, provides practical insights to simplify the parenting journey. As a trusted pediatrician, mother, and bestselling author, Dr. Meeker engages with top experts and real parents to discuss current issues, answer important parenting questions, and offer actionable advice. Her podcast delivers simple, effective solutions, offering hope and encouragement to every parent

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep. 306: Emmanuel: When Parenting Feels Out of Control

    In this Christmas episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker invites parents to slow down and reflect on the deeper meaning of Emmanuel—God with us—during seasons when parenting feels uncertain, overwhelming, or out of control. Through reflections on Christmas traditions, gingerbread houses, and the sacred rhythms that shape family life, Dr. Meeker explores how simple rituals create belonging and emotional safety for children. These traditions are not about perfection—they’re about presence. Dr. Meeker also shares deeply personal experiences, including a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where she came face-to-face with the limits of control and the ache parents feel when they can’t fix what’s in front of them. She parallels these moments with Mary’s story as the mother of Jesus—reminding parents that fear, uncertainty, and surrender have always been part of the parenting journey. This episode is a gentle but powerful reminder: uncertainty does not mean abandonment. Even when answers are unclear, Emmanuel is present—offering comfort, hope, and steadiness to parents and children alike. 🎄 A Simple Holiday Note If you’re still looking for a meaningful last-minute gift, the Ask Dr. Meg Community is open. You can try it free, or gift an annual membership with 10% off using code Holiday2025—a gift that supports families well beyond Christmas. 🤝 Sponsors Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG 🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    26 min

  2. DEC 16

    Ep.305: AI Meets Parenting: Ginko’s Solution to Screen Struggles

    In this insightful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Larissa May and Dr. Raghu Appasani, co-founders of Ginko—an AI-powered parenting tool designed by clinicians to help families manage screen time and support their children's mental health. As screens increasingly dominate our kids' lives, this episode offers a powerful look at how Ginko promotes digital wellness through early intervention, behavioral insight, and personalized parenting support. Ginko is not just another screen-limiting app—it’s a clinically informed platform that helps parents understand their children's emotional state through their digital activity. Larissa and Dr. Appasani share how Ginko personalizes digital guidance, supports healthier habits, and equips families to foster stronger, emotionally connected relationships in the digital age. Whether you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by tech, or a professional navigating the intersection of mental health and technology, this episode provides compassionate and data-driven solutions for raising healthy, tech-savvy kids. Our Guests: Larissa May: Globally recognized as the face of digital wellness, Larz has shaped policy and youth-centered advocacy. Dr. Raghu Appasani: An Integrative & Addiction Psychiatrist and Clinical Professor at UCSF and Mount Sinai. Check out Ginko here.   🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 🎓 Join the PGK Insider Community – Free Access! Explore our newly launched online courses, parenting forums, and expert Q&A library—all available in our PGK Insider Community. Start for free today and become a more confident, connected parent. Sponsors: Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    28 min

  3. DEC 5

    Ep. 304: 10 Digital Rules Every Parent Needs – with Dr. Jean Twenge

    Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood. In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption in kids and teens. Dr. Twenge shares powerful tips from her book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World, including: Delay smartphone use until kids driveKeep devices out of bedrooms overnightSet daily screen limits and enforce themOpenly discuss the dangers of cyberbullying and online content These rules help reclaim childhood from the grip of technology. While tech is here to stay, balance is possible. Dr. Twenge emphasizes proactive parenting—being aware, staying involved, and not being afraid to set firm boundaries. As Dr. Meeker reminds listeners, protecting kids' mental health is worth every hard conversation about screens, apps, and smartphones. 📚Resources Work with Dr. Meg One-on-One Struggling with parenting challenges and need personalized guidance? Dr. Meg Meeker offers private parent coaching tailored to your family's needs. Learn More About Dr. Jean Twenge’s Research Stay up-to-date with Dr. Twenge’s latest studies on technology and generational psychology and check out her new book here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 🎓 Join the PGK Insider Community – Free Access! Explore our newly launched online courses, parenting forums, and expert Q&A library—all available in our PGK Insider Community. Start for free today and become a more confident, connected parent. Sponsors: Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min

  4. NOV 25

    Ep. 303: The Science of Feeling Safe Again

    In this follow-up to our conversation on divorce and healing, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with therapist and integrative healer Dawn Wiggins to talk about what it really takes to recover from any kind of trauma — whether it’s divorce, loss, or years of emotional stress. Wiggins explains how trauma shapes our nervous system, thoughts, and relationships — and how real healing happens when we reconnect body, mind, and spirit. Together, they unpack practical ways to calm the body, release old pain, and create safety from the inside out. 🧭 Key Takeaways Trauma lives in the body — and the nervous system needs to feel safe before real healing begins.Being present (not perfect) helps children and loved ones feel secure.Recognize and release negative beliefs that keep you stuck in fear or guilt.Tools like EMDR, somatic therapy, and homeopathy can help integrate emotional healing.Healing is a full-body process — involving your brain, your breath, and your belief system.When you heal yourself, you break generational patterns and model resilience. About Dawn Wiggins Dawn Wiggins is a licensed therapist, homeopath, and integrative healer who helps people recover from trauma and life transitions. She’s the creator of A Different “D” Word, a year-long healing program, and host of the podcast Dear Divorce Diary, where she guides listeners toward emotional safety, balance, and self-trust. 🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today Sponsors: Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGIXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEGHomeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEGListen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange *This episode is sponsored by Dawn Wiggins.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min

  5. NOV 19

    Ep. 302: Before, During, or After Divorce—What Every Parent Needs to Hear

    Children process divorce very differently than adults do. In this episode, we explore how to recognize their pain, help them express big emotions, and avoid critical parenting mistakes post-divorce. Learn the do’s and don’ts of co-parenting, when to introduce a new partner, and why listening is your most powerful tool. Topics Covered: How children's grief differs from adults'Emotional and cognitive responses to divorceThe hidden pain children carryNavigating anger, guilt, and loyalty bindsWhat not to say about your exWhy rushing into dating can backfireEncouraging open, validating conversationsRealistic timelines for healing 💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Email Listr: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Sponsors: Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGIXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEGHomeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEGListen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 3m

  6. NOV 10

    Ep.301: Cultivating Peace and Truth in Parenting: Faith-Based Insights from Max Lucado

    In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado to talk about parenting peace, faith-based mindset shifts, and the concept of "picky thinking." Learn how to guard your mind, model faith for your teens, and help your children battle anxiety, negative self-talk, and social media pressures. Max shares his personal stories, parenting wisdom, and biblical insights to help families thrive in truth and peace. What You’ll Learn: Why “picky thinking” can transform your parenting mindsetHow to identify and overcome UFOs (Untruths, False Narratives, and Overreactions)The impact of modeling prayer and emotional control for teensThe vital role fathers play in shaping daughters’ self-worthPractical ways to take your thoughts captive for a calmer home Resources: Max Lucado’s book: Tame Your Thoughts 🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today Sponsors: Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGIXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEGHomeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEGListen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    35 min

  7. NOV 6

    Ep. 300 Unlocking Connection and Calm in Parenting: The Attachment-First Approach

    In this transformative episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes psychotherapist and parenting coach Todd Sarner to unpack powerful, research-backed parenting strategies that prioritize connection and attachment over behavior control. Sarner challenges the traditional "behavior-first" models and instead encourages a relational, attachment-first parenting style that fosters emotional regulation, trust, and long-term resilience in children. From exploring the root causes of conflict to rethinking discipline through the lens of unmet needs, this episode provides practical tools, mindset shifts, and actionable advice for parents navigating the complexities of raising emotionally healthy children in today's world. Todd also teases key insights from his upcoming book, The Calm and Connected Parent, making this a must-listen for any caregiver wanting to parent with purpose, empathy, and strength. About Our Guest Todd Sarner, MFT, is a psychotherapist and parenting coach who has spent over 20 years helping parents turn daily struggles into lasting connection and cooperation at home. He is the founder of Transformative Parenting and the author of the forthcoming book The Calm & Connected Parent: An Attachment-First Guide to Raising Resilient Kids in the Age of Screens and AI (November 2025). Blending attachment science with practical psychology, Todd offers clear, compassionate tools that move beyond theory into real-world strategies parents can use in heated moments. He specializes in working with high-achieving, thoughtful parents who often feel like they’re doing everything “right” but still experience conflict, disconnection, or digital-age pressures. Through his coaching, teaching, and writing, Todd empowers families to help their children thrive emotionally while creating more calm and connection at home.  🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today Sponsors: Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmegBorn Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.comHungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGIXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEGHomeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEGListen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by Todd Sarner and Transformative Parenting. We received compensation for this interview. All opinions expressed are our own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min

  8. OCT 30

    Ep. 299: When Your Child Questions Gender — A De-transitioner’s Candid Story

    In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Ray Alex Williams, a man who transitioned to living as a trans woman—and later de-transitioned. His story offers rare, firsthand insight into what happens when someone believes gender transition is the answer, only to discover it isn't. As more parents navigate complex conversations with their children around gender identity, this interview is a must-listen. Ray dives deep into how childhood influences, exposure to pornography, the allure of a new identity, and cultural pressures led him toward transition—and why faith ultimately led him back. What You'll Learn in This Episode The emotional toll that transitioning takes.How pornography and culture distort gender identity.Why not every child needs immediate affirmation.How silence from parents can send the wrong message.The role of faith in finding identity and healing. About Our Guest Ray Alex Williams is a writer, speaker, and advocate who shares his personal journey of gender transition, de-transition, and spiritual transformation. With deep candor, Ray speaks about the psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors that influenced his identity—and how his return to faith helped him find peace. His story offers rare insight for parents, pastors, and professionals navigating today’s conversations around gender and truth. 👉 Learn more about Ray and read his writings at Ray Alex Williams | Substack. 🎧 As Heard on PGK Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast. https://amzn.to/46IsRjD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter: https://bit.ly/46G4Niw 💡 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today Sponsors: Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEGFam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPODK12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first orderListen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orangeRula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    47 min
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Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through a world that feels increasingly complex. Dr. Meg Meeker, known as America's Mom and a leading authority on parenting, teens, and children's health, provides practical insights to simplify the parenting journey. As a trusted pediatrician, mother, and bestselling author, Dr. Meeker engages with top experts and real parents to discuss current issues, answer important parenting questions, and offer actionable advice. Her podcast delivers simple, effective solutions, offering hope and encouragement to every parent

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