The Family Dinner Project Podcast

Bri DeRosa
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  • Parenting

Decades of research show why family meals are important for our physical, social, and emotional health. The Family Dinner Project is here to help with how to make shared meals happen in an increasingly busy world. Family therapist Dr. Anne K. Fishel and parent, food writer, and content creator Bri DeRosa team up to discuss the deeper family dinner topics no one talks about. From the messy business of actually getting food on the table regularly, to the emotional challenges of trauma and tension, to family dynamics and household rules...The Family Dinner Project serves up real talk about family meals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Oct 29

    When Adults Go Home for the Holidays

    In this episode, Annie and Bri are joined by Drs. Melinda Macht-Greenberg and Paula Rauch. They are longtime clinicians and educators, as well as mothers of adult children and grandmothers. Dr. Macht-Greenberg is a psychologist on the faculty at Tufts University and Tufts University School of Medicine and maintains a private practice. Dr. Rauch is a child psychiatrist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and at Massachusetts General Hospital. Together, they bring more than 70 years of clinical experience working with children, adults, and families across the lifespan. You can read more about them on their Substack Evolving Together: Parent and Adult Child Connection. The conversation revolves around how to handle tricky family dynamics between adult children and their parents, especially when the pressure of family holiday celebrations adds stress or anxiety. Episode Highlights: Go to 5:42 for a discussion about estrangement vs. engagementGo to 13:15 for strategies Paula and Melinda recommend to navigate difficult moments in an adult parent-child relationshipGo to 18:53 for the doctors' thoughts on a Thanksgiving scenario with adult sibling conflictGo to 26:55 for their take on a scenario where an aging parent worries about talking with their children about handing over holiday responsibilitiesGo to 31:54 for practical tips on food, fun, and conversation to strengthen adult family communication at the holidays Related Links: The Family Dinner Project Thanksgiving PageThe Family Dinner Project Holidays HubEpisode 1: Home for the Holidays?Episode 7: Holiday PoliticsEpisode 18: Dinner with Older AdultsThe Politics of Thanksgiving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    When Adults Go Home for the Holidays

  2. Sep 21

    Food Positivity Part Two

    In this episode — the second of a two-part series — we return to our conversation with Diana Rice, registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and certified parent educator on a mission to help families ditch diet culture and enjoy healthy relationships with food. She’s the voice behind the online platform Anti Diet Kids, and owns Tiny Seed Family Nutrition, a weight-inclusive nutrition counseling practice. Her first book, Food Positivity: How to Ditch Diet Culture and Talk to Kids About Food, was published by Wiley earlier this year. Episode Highlights: Go to 3:05 for Diana’s thoughts on self-regulation, felt safety, attunement, and body trustGo to 9:30 for a conversation about the importance of attunement and connection at family dinner, and how food positivity arises from thatGo to 13:57 for Diana’s food suggestions for busy familiesGo to 19:09 for Bri’s fun suggestion for families who want to raise food-positive kidsGo to 22:44 for Annie’s ideas for conversation starters that will help with a food-positive mindset Related Links: Episode 20: Food Positivity with Diana Rice (Part I)Printable Food Critic CardsFour Weeks to Better Family DinnersStaying Food Positive in a Body Negative WorldHow to Raise Kids with Positive Body ImageEating Disorders and Family MealsEpisode 4: Picky or Problematic?Episode 6: Table TraumaThe Welcoming Table  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Food Positivity Part Two

  3. Sep 14

    Food Positivity with Diana Rice

    In this episode -- the first of a two-part series -- Bri and Annie are joined by Diana Rice, registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and certified parent educator on a mission to help families ditch diet culture and enjoy healthy relationships with food. She's the voice behind the online platform Anti Diet Kids, and owns Tiny Seed Family Nutrition, a weight-inclusive nutrition counseling practice. Her first book, Food Positivity: How to Ditch Diet Culture and Talk to Kids About Food, was published by Wiley earlier this year. Episode Highlights: Go to 2:17 for Diana's thoughts on what "healthy eating" really meansGo to 12:54 for a discussion of some jarring statistics on disordered eating from Diana's bookGo to 17:00 for Diana's advice to parents on changing their own relationships with food in order to help their kidsGo 22:03 to for a conversation about the role of weight and body size in healthGo 29:37 to for our discussion about the impact of ACEs, trauma, neurodivergence, and social determinants of health on kids' relationship with food and eating Related Links: Staying Food Positive in a Body Negative WorldHow to Raise Kids with Positive Body ImageEating Disorders and Family MealsEpisode 4: Picky or Problematic?Episode 6: Table TraumaThe Welcoming Table  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Food Positivity with Diana Rice

  4. Jul 31

    4 Weeks to Better Family Dinners

    In this episode, Bri and Annie take some time to talk about the new and improved version of our 4 Week Program: What it is, why we changed it, and what families can expect from the latest version, just in time for back-to-school season. Episode Highlights: Go to 2:47 for some background on our original 4-week program and why we developed it to help familiesGo to 6:16 for a discussion of the reasons why we felt families needed and deserved an updated version of the programGo to 11:24 to hear why "Make it Simple" became "Make it Work"Go to 18:15 for an in-depth rundown of our favorite food, fun, and conversation highlights from the new program Related Links: 4 Weeks to Better Family DinnersThe Benefits of Family DinnerThe Welcoming Table (resources for families with special needs)Back t0 School Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 Weeks to Better Family Dinners

  5. May 19

    Dinner with Older Adults

    In this episode, Bri and Annie sit down with Dr. Steve Wengel, Geriatric Psychiatry Division Director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. We’re exploring the importance of shared eating experiences in older adulthood, as well as what families need to know about supporting their loved ones through age-related physical and cognitive changes that may impact family meals. Episode Highlights: Go to 3:36 for a discussion of the impact of loneliness on older adults, and different ways to helpGo to 10:29 to hear about new dinnertime resources for families, caregivers, and memory care facilitiesGo to 13:15 to learn about age-related physical and cognitive changes that may impact shared mealsGo to 19:42 for ideas to help manage age-related symptoms and make mealtimes more comfortableGo to 24:55 for a discussion of the importance of active grandparents and multi-generational family mealsGo to 30:40 for tips on smoothing out family meals during life transitions for older adultsGo to 32:49 for food, fun, and conversation ideas you can use at your table Related Links: Benefits of Family Dinner for AdultsDinner with Dementia: A Caregiver's GuideShared Meals in Memory Care (8-week program)Grandparents at the Table: The Importance of Talking About Family HistoryHow Grandparents Can Help with Family DinnerWhen Different Generations Come to the TableUpside Down and BackwardsFood CollagePodcast Episode 10: Does Dinner Make Us Happier? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dinner with Older Adults

  6. Feb 24

    Dinner by DoorDash?

    The NY Times reports dinner delivery is on the rise. On this episode, we're unpacking what's gained and what's lost with family dinner by DoorDash. Bri and Annie dive into a recent article, "Freedom with a Side of Guilt: How food delivery is reshaping mealtime," to examine how the opportunity to have dinner dropped at your door is changing the face of family meals. They talk about the economic, social, and scheduling effects -- both positive and negative -- of outsourcing meal preparation, what's behind this trend, and how to balance much-needed convenience with other values. The episode ends with ideas for striking a healthy balance that works for your family, plus easy meal ideas, fun, and conversation starters you can use at your dinner table tonight. Episode highlights: Discussion of the cost for family meal delivery (4:45)Analysis of life skills vs. dinner delivery (11:10)Ideas for striking a balance (25:15)Food, fun, and conversation suggestions for easy family meals (31:00) Related Links: 20 No-Fail Dinner IdeasFreedom with a Side of Guilt (NY Times Article)The Price Is...? Grocery Budget GamePodcast: Labor of Love?Podcast: Is it the Family, or the Dinner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dinner by DoorDash?

  7. 12/22/2025

    And a Tech-Smart New Year

    In the first weeks of the New Year, how can you leverage family time to help you beat the post-holiday blues and stay connected to each other, without retreating to individual screens? We're talking with special guest Betsy Bozdech, Editorial Director of Common Sense Media, about celebrating a tech-smart New Year with family film recommendations, cautions about AI, and guidelines parents need to know. Make sure to listen for our 2026 Dinner and a Movie ideas, age-by-age breakdowns, and the latest research to help you stay one step ahead of the algorithms this year. Key Takeaways: Go to 2:58 for Dr. Anne Fishel's guidance for families on setting strong tech boundariesGo to 10:40 for Betsy's favorite family film recommendationsGo to 13:29 for a conversation about choosing the first media experience for young childrenGo to 16:48 for ideas on making your family viewing experience more interactiveGo to 24:45 for a discussion about the rise of AI and what parents need to knowGo to 32:00 for food, fun, and conversation inspiration you can use at your table tonight Related Links: Common Sense Media's Best Movies of 2025Common Sense Selection TitlesFirst Movies for Kids: Common Sense RecommendationsNintendo Switch Games for Family FunCommon Sense's Guide to Teaching Kids Good Screen Time HabitsThe Family Dinner Project's Technology at the Table GuideThe Family Dinner Project + Common Sense Media Dinner and a Movie Experiences Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    And a Tech-Smart New Year

  8. 11/25/2025

    Handmade Holidays

    As the holiday season ramps up, there’s more and more online chatter about switching up celebrations this year. Many families are turning to the idea of a simpler, less commercial celebration. In this final episode of Season 2, Bri and Annie talk about why a more handmade holiday may appeal to different families, and share lots of ideas for ways to lean into a low-shop season. They also discuss how to get family members on board, and suggest new traditions families can try to keep a festive spirit without consumer clutter. Key Takeaways: Go to 2:35 for Annie’s thoughts on why this shift may feel particularly appealing this yearGo to 7:18 for some of the most popular homemade gift ideas Bri and Annie have turned to over the yearsGo to 11:14 for a discussion about how to get reluctant family members on boardGo to 16:45 for some “gifts of experiences” ideasGo to 21:03 for new traditions and activities that can help take the focus off fewer giftsGo to 27:04 for food, fun, and conversation ideas to make the holiday season extra special Related Links: Podcast Episode 1: Home for the Holidays?Podcast Episode 7: Holiday PoliticsHomemade GiftsThe Family Dinner Project’s Holidays HubAnnie’s husband’s Latke recipeDinner and a Movie: Family Holiday Movies31 Days of Family Fun CalendarFamily Memory Bingo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Handmade Holidays
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About

Decades of research show why family meals are important for our physical, social, and emotional health. The Family Dinner Project is here to help with how to make shared meals happen in an increasingly busy world. Family therapist Dr. Anne K. Fishel and parent, food writer, and content creator Bri DeRosa team up to discuss the deeper family dinner topics no one talks about. From the messy business of actually getting food on the table regularly, to the emotional challenges of trauma and tension, to family dynamics and household rules...The Family Dinner Project serves up real talk about family meals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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