This is one of my shorter mini-episodes where I read this weeks Substack article. We answer here the simple and yet extremely common question "What are we supposed to do when our kid hits us or someone else?" If you would like to support my work consider subscribing on Substack for $5 per month.It is the best way to support my work and keep the podcast episodes coming!Send us a textSupport the show
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10:17
Picture Books and Other Threats (with Betsy Bird) #41
Stories aren’t just how we pass time—they’re how we pass on what it means to be human. We sit down with librarian and children’s literature expert Betsy Bird to unpack why reading aloud is more than a bedtime ritual. It’s brain food during the fastest phase of neural growth; a daily practice that builds language, attention, and the social skill that holds every relationship together: empathy.We dive into research showing how literary fiction boosts theory of mind, helping kids understand that other people think and feel differently than they do. That skill matters in a polarized world where algorithms reward outrage and flatten nuance. Books slow us down long enough to inhabit another mind—what author John Green calls “shrinking the empathy gap.” We also confront the rise of organized book bans: why diverse stories and queer themes draw fire, how librarians already vet collections for age and quality, and what censorship really fears—children learning to perspective-take beyond the boundaries someone else drew for them.Betsy shares three unforgettable picture books parents can use tonight. The Rabbit Listened models presence over fixing; Sorry You Got Mad turns a bad apology into a real one; Touch the Sky reframes perseverance as a long, honest process. Along the way, we honor Banned Books Week as a reminder to protect access to complex stories. If this conversation sparked an idea or gave you something to try with your kids, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this episode with one parent who’d love it. Your recommendation helps other families find the show—and keeps the circle of stories alive.Send us a textSupport the show
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29:34
How My 7-Year-Old Learned to Read (Without Me Teaching Him) #40
My oldest son couldn’t read at seven. And me? I was writing a parenting book for a major publisher. Being asked to speak to thousands of parents. Teaching emotional development, brain-based learning, and motivation. The irony wasn’t lost on me.In this episode, I tells the vulnerable and surprising story of how we stopped trying to teach how to read, and started teaching why to read instead. What happened next wasn’t magic. It was science, patience, and a little bit of kiwi bird trivia.Along the way, I share:Why panic over “late readers” is often just parental shark musicThe real reason traditional reading instruction fails so many kidsWhat it looked like to let go of benchmarks and trust the processHow a graphic novel cracked everything openAnd why motivation, not instruction, is the foundation of literacyIf you’ve ever worried your child is falling behind… this episode is a deep breath. Not because everything resolves perfectly. But because it reminds you what matters most.“I don’t think we have a how problem in education. I think we have a why problem.”🎧 Listen now for the story, the science, and the shift that changed everything.Send us a textSupport the show
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16:53
How to Not Raise a Nazi (with Alfie Kohn).... #39
Key Links:📖 Get My Book: Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice – Available Now📖 Get Alfie Kohn's Books: Unconditional Parenting and Punished By Rewards 📝 Join My Email List for exclusive insights, parenting tips, and updates – Sign Up HereEpisode Description:What if the very thing we’ve been striving for as parents—obedience—wasn’t actually a virtue? What if, instead of making our kids good, it made them vulnerable?In this episode, we take a hard look at the dangers of unquestioning compliance. We start at the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi officials defended their crimes with four chilling words: I was just following orders. We revisit the infamous Milgram experiment, where 65% of ordinary people delivered what they believed to be fatal electric shocks—just because an authority figure told them to.Then, we bring it home.How does this obsession with obedience play out in our parenting?With the help of Alfie Kohn—renowned author and parenting expert—we examine why traditional parenting methods prioritize compliance, why that might be a problem, and what we can do instead. We break down research showing that demanding obedience undermines empathy, critical thinking, and moral integrity.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why most parents unknowingly work against their long-term parenting goals✅ How punishment and rewards both create conditional love—and what to do instead✅ The real-world dangers of raising kids to obey without question✅ What research-backed strategies actually help kids become ethical, independent, and strongBecause one day, we won’t be the authority in their lives anymore. And the only voice left… will be their own.Chapters & Key Moments:🔹 (00:10) The Chilling History of Obedience – From Nuremberg to Milgram: How history warns us about blind compliance🔹 (07:00) The Parent’s Dilemma – Why parents say they want independent, critical thinkers… but demand obedience🔹 (12:45) The Cost of Compliance – What happens when we condition kids to follow orders at all costs🔹 (18:10) Unconditional Parenting with Alfie Kohn – A deep dive into parenting beyond punishment and rewards🔹 (26:40) The Real Goal of Parenting – How to raise kids who think for themselves, challenge injustice, and make good choices📲 Follow Me on Social Media – @WholeParentSend us a textSupport the show
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The invisible thing killing your marriage (with Eve Rodsky) #38
IT'S HERE! Get Punishment-Free Parenting on Audiobook Why does it feel like one partner carries the weight of managing the home and kids while the other thinks everything is equal? If you've ever felt exhausted by the invisible labor of parenting—or if you've ever felt like nothing you do measures up to your partner’s expectations—this episode is for you.In this episode of The Whole Parent Podcast, I sit down with Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play, to unpack the division of labor in parenting. We dive into the mental load, the emotional labor, and why so many families fall into patterns where one parent (usually mom) takes on the bulk of the work—often without even realizing it.Eve shares the Fair Play framework, a system that helps couples move from frustration and resentment to true partnership in running a household. We’ll talk about: ✔️ Why "helping" isn't the same as "ownership"✔️ How assumptions about gender roles silently shape our parenting dynamics✔️ The hidden labor of planning, managing, and executing daily family life✔️ How to start creating a more equitable system✔️ The simple mindset shift that can transform your relationshipIf you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I have to do everything around here” and “I shouldn’t have to ask for help”, OR "My partner doesn't trust me" and "I can't do anything right...." this episode will change the way you think about parenting, partnership, and fairness in your home.📖 Punishment-Free Parenting🃏Fair Play Cards📖 Fair-Play Book🔗 Fair Play resourcesIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a partner or a friend. Let’s change the way we divide the mental load—one family at a time.Send us a textSupport the show
Welcome to 'The Whole Parent Podcast,' where we dive deep into evidence-based parenting strategies, blending cutting-edge psychology with real-world experience. Each episode offers insightful discussions, expert interviews, and practical tips to empower you and your family through the joys and challenges of raising children. Join us as we explore not just the highs of parenting, but navigate the complexities and embrace the journey together.
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