Parenting For The Present

If you have little ears nearby, this is an episode to pop in your headphones. In today's episode of Parenting for the Present, we're taking on one of the most challenging and most essential topics facing modern families: kids' exposure to explicit online content. Our team sat down with Timothy Ateek, Lead Pastor at Watermark Community Church, to unpack what he describes as the realities of raising children in a highly sexualized digital culture. TA brings personal experience, decades of work with students and families, and extensive research focused on helping young people move from unhealthy digital habits toward long-term freedom and wellbeing. Together, we look at why early exposure is so common, how technology and AI have transformed access, and why today's landscape is more intense and more influential than ever before. Ateek grew up in Dallas and picked up the nickname "TA" in middle school. Influential mentors, youth programs, and family shaped his early development and passion for guiding people through major life challenges. After graduating from Texas A&M University in 2003, he earned a master's degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and later completed a Doctor of Educational Ministry degree. His leadership roles have included Student Ministry Pastor at Austin Ridge Bible Church, Executive Director of Vertical Ministries, and Executive Director of Breakaway Ministries. He now serves as an elder and the Lead Pastor at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, where he teaches and mentors. In this episode, we break down practical, proactive steps for parents: creating open conversations, preparing kids before exposure happens, responding with connection instead of shame, and navigating the realities of media, peer influence, filters, and online safety tools. Let's dive in.

Today we're sitting down with the incredible Jessica Lahey. New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation.   Jess brings wisdom from decades in the classroom, from teaching middle and high school to working with teens in drug and alcohol rehab. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and her long-running New York Times column, "The Parent Teacher Conference."   In this episode, we dive into: What failure to launch really is Letting go so kids can grow How to raise healthy, resilient kids in a culture of dependence The parenting patterns that actually make a difference Jessica's work, writing, and powerful experiences with teens   Plus, Jess shares a peek into her life in the woods of Vermont and her work co-hosting the #AmWriting podcast.   This conversation is packed with wisdom and practical advice parents can use right away.     Instagram: @teacherlahey Threads: @teacherlahey

This week on Parenting for the Present We're joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist who takes a whole-body approach to medicine—fusing lifestyle, functional medicine, and science-backed facts to help people understand their fertility and their bodies. Together we talk about hormonal health, self-advocacy, and why every woman and their partner deserves to truly understand their body at every stage of life. Tune in for an empowering and informative conversation that will leave you inspired and equipped to take charge of your own health.     https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/about https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/podcast Pre Order The Fertility Formula Now Watch on YouTube Follow us on Instagram

Phones. Screens. Social media. They've become a normal part of everyday life, but what are they doing to our kids' brains? In this episode, we dive deep into the science and psychology behind technology's impact on children and teens. From the constant pings of notifications to the endless scroll of social media, today's kids are growing up in a digital world that's rewiring how they think, feel, and connect. We talk about why peer influence can sometimes outweigh a parent's voice, how screen time affects brain development, and the growing rise in anxiety and depression that is linked to social media use. But this conversation isn't all doom and gloom — we also share practical, hopeful strategies for families. You'll hear about ways to set healthy tech boundaries, encourage independent play, and why we prioritize extracurricular activities. If you've ever wondered how much screen time is too much, or how to help your child build real-world connection in an online world, this episode is for you. There's still so much we can do to help our kids thrive. Delay technology as long as you can and give yourself grace!   YouTube Video Link Follow us on social media!

We are excited to announce the launch of Season 9 of Parenting for the Present. Thank you for being part of this journey, whether you have been listening from the beginning or are just joining us now. Your support makes this work possible. This season, we are pleased to welcome Eve Wiley, Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Clinical Training at The Housson Center. As both a clinician and mother of three, Eve brings a valuable perspective and tools, combining professional expertise with practical parenting insight. In our first episode, we return to the foundations of practical parenting—meeting children's physical and emotional needs, creating space for frustration, and establishing a healthy parenting hierarchy. And don't forget to join us for our Mending Minds 5K — October 4, 2025, at Smith Park. Sign up now at the link in bio!   Mending Minds 5K Sign Up Instagram: @parentingforthepresent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC309E-w1fgSNFr4Spe1lqSA  

This week, we're joined by Dr. Laurie Santos, the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Dr. Santos offers valuable insights into why modern parenting can feel more overwhelming than ever—and what we can do about it. Drawing on evidence-based research, she shares practical strategies to help parents reduce stress and boost their well-being. From tackling parent guilt to navigating the ever-elusive concept of "time," we explore the mental health challenges and everyday decisions that come with raising kids today. Tune in for a thoughtful, informative conversation every parent can relate to.   Instagram: @lauriesantosofficial FaceBook: DrLaurieSantos Threads: @lauriesantosofficial TikTok: @drlauriesantos Twitter: @lauriesantos LinkedIn: laurie-santos YouTube: @DrLaurieSantos   Website: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/ Resources for Parents: drlauriesantos.com/parents The Happiness Lab Podcast: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos Newsletter: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/newsletter-signup/ The Science of Well-Being for Parents: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-parents The Science of Well-Being for Teens: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens The Science of Well-Being: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being

This week on Parenting for the Present, we're joined by Dr. Bethany Teachman, Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She also leads public research initiatives focused on reducing anxious thinking and exploring how our unconscious beliefs shape our mental and physical health. With anxiety levels continuing to rise, Dr. Teachman helps us rethink the way we view anxiety—not as something to fear or eliminate, but as an emotion that can actually serve a purpose. Learning to tell when anxiety is helpful versus when it's not is key, and labeling it as terrible or unbearable only makes it harder to manage. We also talk about how social media plays a powerful role in shaping our thoughts and emotional responses, and why it's so important to stay mindful and balanced in our engagement with it. And perhaps most encouraging—Dr. Teachman reminds us that we don't have to have all the answers. Our kids benefit far more from seeing us model growth and flexibility than from seeing perfection.   Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment's social media handles are:  Instagram: @tyde.uva Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tydeuva Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/104683549

This week, we are joined by Casey Bonano, RD, LD, CEDS-C, the owner and CEO of Dallas Nutritional Counseling. Casey recognizes the importance of her specialty and acknowledges the challenges it presents, but she also finds it incredibly rewarding to help individuals nourish themselves and rediscover the joy in food. In this episode, Casey discusses the difference between picky eating or food preferences and when there may be an underlying issue. She offers valuable insights on how to nourish yourself and your family, while enjoying a balanced approach to food—reminding us that food is not black and white. Casey also addresses common misconceptions about eating disorders and shares advice on how to support loved ones when they first disclose their struggles, creating a guilt-free and shame-free space. To wrap up, she touches on the impact of social media and algorithms on our mental health, encouraging us to approach ourselves and others with a more holistic understanding in this digital age. Be sure to check out Casey on social media @dallasnutritionalcounseling and @feedyourselfandyourfamily for more great tips and insights! Also, check our her socials for more information about her Picking Eating Parent Workshop coming up on April 3rd, 12:00pm - 1:00 pm. 

We hope you're ready for this week's episode of Parenting for the Present! We have a special guest, Alyson Schafer, joining us all the way from Canada! She is an internationally acclaimed parenting expert, speaker, bestselling author, and media personality. We were fortunate to speak with her and hear her insights on parenting. In this episode, we discuss how parenting has evolved over time, what it looks like now, and what it may look like in the future. Based on her extensive work and research, Alyson shares that parents are exhausted, incredibly busy, and burnout is on the rise. She explains that family units are struggling, and something needs to change. Without giving too much away, she believes a future movement will emerge, one that is slower and calmer than the current pace of parenting. If you'd like to learn more about her work, be sure to check out the links below! FB = https://facebook.com/AlysonSchaferParentingExpert   IG = @alysonschafer X = @alysonschafer LI = www.linkedin.com/in/alysonschafer

To kick off Season 8, we're excited to welcome our "friend," Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD. Eileen is the creator of the Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic podcast, where she answers kids' questions about making and keeping friends. She's also the author of several books for children and parents, and has delivered an inspiring TEDx talk. This podcast has taught us so much about what it truly means to be a friend. Eileen discussed important topics like conflict, bullying, and how these issues affect not only children but parents too. She explained that we shouldn't aim for transactional friendships and emphasized that we shouldn't change who we are to make friends, because "deceit is not a path toward friendship." Tune in this week to learn more about Dr. Friendtastic and all the incredible work she's doing!   Main Website: EileenKennedyMoore.com Podcast for Kids: DrFriendtastic.com/podcast  TEDx: Is It Bullying or Ordinary Meanness?

We are back with another incredible episode! Today, we have David Yeager, PhD., a professor and co-founder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. Yeager walks us through what it means to have a growth mindset. He touches on the idea of communication and how good communication increases mutual respect. And shares that our brain growth is just like our muscle growth, but hear how on this episode.  Check out his work at https://fuse.prc.utexas.edu/fuse-program-overview, where he works with different teachers, and learn more about how FUSE can improve academic engagement for your students.

Our special guest this week, Larissa May, has some wonderful insight for all of us through her background in social media. She discusses tools and guidelines for technology as we grow with it. She gives us practical tips for parenting, hacking the online algorithm, and the dangers of social media replacing real human connection. Check out the podcast to learn more information!

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Jerome Hunter. Throughout our discussion, we explored the concept of family and its varied interpretations, as well as the role of technology and video games in the lives of young boys, including strategies to encourage balance. Jerome also highlighted his dedication to teaching and his passion for developing comprehensive curriculums tailored for younger boys, emphasizing the importance of fostering emotional intelligence and constructive dialogue, even when it's not the norm. He concluded by emphasizing the value of genuine curiosity in conversations, encouraging listeners to focus on truly understanding others rather than merely preparing their next response. We trust you will find this podcast as insightful as we did while absorbing his valuable insights!

We are back with Eli Lebowitz on another incredible Parenting for the Present episode. Today, we hit some very important topics. We hit on acceptance and confidence and how kids with anxiety may be seeing their parents as anxious. Lebowitz catches us up on how he has been training therapists to deal with situations and encouraging parents to talk about problems and get the help they need. He emphasizes the importance of community for kids and parents to know they don't have to suffer alone.

Parents need to care for themselves and their children, but "that is easy to say and hard to do." This week, We are joined by Joshua Sparrow, MD, DFAACAP, who developed a heart for pediatrics after college, which later turned into Child Psychology. Joshua discusses working with Dr. Brazelton, the impact it had on him, and what he has learned. He brings up the processes of trial and error that come with parenting. He wraps up the podcast discussing the importance of community for parents and kids. This episode was so great to be a part of! Check it out. @BTCTouchpoints on Instagram @BrazeltonTouchpointsCenter on LinkedIn @BrazeltonTouchpointsCenter on Facebook Visit our website: https://www.brazeltontouchpoints.org

Relationships shape who we are and who we can be. Brian Lowery, Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford, discusses the meaningful ways we can participate in our children's lives. Brian has worked with numerous leaders and organizations to improve their ability to collaborate effectively and to understand the importance of using power effectively, as well as the risks that the feeling of power entails. Tune in this week to hear how we can help our kids be who they want to be!

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, best-selling author of Mommy Burnout™ and host of Dr. Sheryl's PodCouch, is a leading expert in stress, parenting, and mental health. She empowers parents, especially moms, to overcome the pressures of perfection and prevent burnout. Through relatable stories and practical advice, this episode offers tools to help parents break the burnout cycle so they can show up as their best selves for their children. Ziegler encourages parents to set limits and be intentional with their time to build genuine connections with their kids. Her approach emphasizes two key principles: First, parents must regulate their own behavior before guiding their children, modeling healthy habits and boundaries. Second, for children aged 6–12, it's crucial for them to learn competence, confidence, and resilience by taking risks and learning from failure. Dr. Ziegler's practical tools empower parents to protect their children from the damage of burnout while fostering healthier, more connected family lives.   TO LEARN MORE:  Visit: https://drsherylziegler.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES: Twitter X LinkedIn Instagram Facebook LINK TO BOOKS: The Crucial Years: The Essential Guide to Mental Health and Modern Puberty in Middle Childhood Mommy Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Life and Raise Healthier Children in the Process

Today, we're gathering around one of the most difficult — yet deeply human — topics: grief. In light of the devastating flood in Texas, many in our community are facing unimaginable loss. Whether your family was directly impacted or your child is struggling with the weight of this tragedy from afar, this episode is for you. Here are the links to all of the resources mentioned in our show: Article Link: What Do We Say When the Unthinkable Happens? Camp Mystic Resources  Instagram: Eve Wiley, The Housson Center, Parenting for the Present Support Groups at The Housson Center    

What if something as simple as sitting down for dinner could transform your family's health and happiness? In this episode, we're joined by Kasley Killam — Harvard-trained social scientist, two-time TED speaker, and author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. Together, we explore why prioritizing family dinners is more than just a tradition — it's a vital practice for improving social health, especially for kids. Kasley breaks down how daily connection at the dinner table helps foster emotional resilience in children, supports better work-life balance for parents, and strengthens our overall well-being. With insights drawn from nearly 15 years of research and partnerships with organizations like Google, the World Economic Forum, and the U.S. Department of Health, she explains how human connection is foundational, not optional, for a thriving life. Tune in for practical tips, thought-provoking conversation, and a reminder that the small moments we share around the table might just be the most important of all.   Links:  Newsletter Website TED talk Book Articles Interviews

This week we are joined by Hunter Clarke-Fields. Hunter is the Mindful Parenting course creator, host of the Mindful Parenting Podcast, and author of the international bestseller, "Raising Good Humans," and "Raising Good Humans Every Day." Tune into this week's episode to hear about easy and practical ways to practice mindfulness and how to model it for our kids.