The Direction Podcast

Duncan Gill, MD
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Parenting

The Direction Podcast explores parenting, child psychiatry, resilience, school culture, and the emotional lives of children, adolescents, families, and communities.  Hosted by child psychiatrist Duncan Gill, MD, the podcast blends clinical insight with thoughtful conversations about family challenges in modern life. Originally launched as Is There a Med for That?, the podcast has gradually evolved from conversations focused primarily on behavioral health treatment into broader discussions about parenting, culture, resilience, and the systems surrounding mental health.  Warm, reflective, practical, and often funny, The Direction Podcast is for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone interested in raising resilient kids in a complicated world.  For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

Episodes

  1. 8h ago

    Leadership Principles, Part 1

    If Duncan had to choose the single most important principle of good parenting, it would be this: show up.   In this episode, he explores why a parent’s presence is one of the most powerful influences in a child’s life. Drawing on clinical experience and examples from families facing difficult challenges, Duncan discusses attachment, role models, co-parenting, and the importance of remaining available even when children struggle.   The conversation also examines the difference between setting boundaries and giving up, and why loving a child sometimes means staying connected while allowing them to experience the consequences of their choices.   Before advice, consequences, or parenting techniques, children need something more fundamental: adults who are there when it matters most.

    12 min

  2. Jun 24

    Introduction to Direction's Leadership Principles

    In this episode, Duncan introduces the Direction Leadership Principles, a framework used at Direction Behavioral Health to guide parenting, therapy, leadership, and personal growth. Drawing on ideas developed over years of working with children, adolescents, families, and treatment teams, Duncan outlines the core principles that underlie the Direction approach. The discussion explores how to approach to the fundamental goal of parenting: promoting independence. This episode serves as an introduction to a series of future conversations exploring each principle in greater depth.

    10 min

  3. Jun 17

    Meet Erin: Why Parents Should "Stop Doing That"

    In this episode, Duncan Gill is joined by Erin White, therapist, former educator, and parenting group leader at Direction Behavioral Health. Together they explore a surprisingly simple message for many parents: sometimes the best thing you can do is stop doing so much.   Erin discusses how well-intentioned adults often over-help, over-direct, and over-protect children in ways that unintentionally undermine confidence, resilience, and independence. Drawing on years of experience working with adolescents and families, she explains why growth often requires discomfort, why children need opportunities to struggle, and how parents can learn when to step back.   The conversation explores the balance between support and interference, and why one of the most powerful parenting interventions may simply be knowing when to stop doing that.

    33 min

  4. Jun 10

    Meet Val: Why Kids Should Play With Sticks

    In this episode, Duncan Gill is joined by Valerie Bowles, OTR/L, Clinical Director at Direction Behavioral Health Associates. Val discusses occupational therapy, how childhood has changed in the age of smartphones and constant supervision, and why she believes modern children need more opportunities for risk, independence, and unstructured play.   The conversation explores everything from climbing trees and playing with sticks to anxiety, attention, physical development, and the unintended consequences of overprotective parenting. Along the way, Val makes the case that some of the most important lessons children learn come from figuring things out for themselves.   For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

    31 min

  5. Jun 2

    About This Podcast

    In this introductory episode, Duncan Gill discusses the goals of The Direction Podcast and the experiences that shaped it. Drawing on more than two decades of work with children, adolescents, families, schools, and psychiatric systems, he outlines the themes that will be explored throughout the series.   Topics include parenting, adolescence, child psychiatry, diagnosis, medication, schools, social media, culture, and the challenges facing modern families. Above all, the podcast aims to explore what helps children become healthy, capable, and independent adults, while maintaining perspective, common sense, and a sense of humor along the way.   For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

    7 min

  6. Jun 2

    The Goal of Parenting

    What is the actual goal of parenting?   Most parents spend enormous amounts of time worrying about grades, behavior, happiness, friendships, anxiety, and countless day-to-day decisions. Yet many never stop to ask a more fundamental question: what are we ultimately trying to accomplish?   In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the idea that the central task of parenting is helping children become independent, capable adults. He discusses individuation, the balance between support and challenge, and why both over-involvement and under-involvement can interfere with healthy development.   For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

    13 min

  7. Jun 2

    Feeling Better vs. Functioning Better

    Many parents assume that if their child is anxious, sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, the goal is to help them feel better. While understandable, that approach can sometimes get in the way of growth.   In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the difference between feeling better and functioning better. He discusses why discomfort is often a normal part of development, how avoidance can reinforce problems, and why helping children continue to engage with life may be one of the most important things parents can do.   For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

    17 min

  8. Jun 2

    The Importance of School Culture

    Parents often focus on academics, grades, and college preparation when evaluating schools. While these things matter, they may not be the most important factors in a child’s development. In this episode, Duncan Gill explores the concept of school culture: the values, relationships, expectations, and social environment that shape students every day. He discusses why healthy cultures help young people grow, why unhealthy cultures can undermine development, and what parents should consider when choosing a school for their child. For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

    28 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Direction Podcast explores parenting, child psychiatry, resilience, school culture, and the emotional lives of children, adolescents, families, and communities.  Hosted by child psychiatrist Duncan Gill, MD, the podcast blends clinical insight with thoughtful conversations about family challenges in modern life. Originally launched as Is There a Med for That?, the podcast has gradually evolved from conversations focused primarily on behavioral health treatment into broader discussions about parenting, culture, resilience, and the systems surrounding mental health.  Warm, reflective, practical, and often funny, The Direction Podcast is for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone interested in raising resilient kids in a complicated world.  For related articles and resources, please visit www.directionbehavioralhealth.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Duncan Gill, MD
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Direction Podcast