What are screens really doing to our kids’ brains—and what can we do about it? In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, we sit down with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, bestselling author of Glow Kids, to unpack the neurological, emotional, and social toll of growing up in a screen-saturated world. From the dopamine feedback loops of gaming and social media to the subtle ways technology reshapes attention, identity, and development, Dr. Kardaras doesn’t hold back. Whether your child is just starting out with tech or already deep in digital dependence, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and concrete strategies.

Dr. Kardaras is an Ivy League educated psychologist, one of the country’s foremost addiction and mental health experts and bestselling author.. A former clinical professor at Stony Brook Medicine, he’s developed treatment programs all over the country, has written for TIME Magazine, Scientific American, Salon and Psychology Today, and has appeared on Good Morning America, ABC's 20/20, CNN, the CBS Evening News, PBS, NPR, FOX & Friends and in Esquire and Vanity Fair. He lives in Sag Harbor, NY with his wife and twin sons. Find out more here

Wanting to hear more from the Institute?

50% off for this week only! This Mother's Day we have over 100 workshops and courses on sale! Find the perfect workshop for the mom in your life here

"We would not give our kids keys to a car without preparation. Why should we do this with phones? "- Jessica Alexander

Every family should have a set of Jessica's incredible conversation cards: Raising Digital Citizens! Comprehensive and fun- the cards cover all of the essential conversations to have with your child before you hand over their first phone ( and many families continue to use the cards for long after too) ! Click here for more

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sleepovers can be a cherished childhood memory—or a source of anxiety for both kids and parents. In this episode, child psychologists Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson unpack the risks and benefits of sleepovers through a trauma-informed lens. They explore important developmental, emotional, and safety considerations to help caregivers make informed decisions.

Whether you’re feeling pressure from your child to say yes or struggling with lingering concerns, this episode offers guidance on:

* What age might be developmentally appropriate for sleepovers

* Red flags and green lights when evaluating another home

* How to prepare your child for a successful experience

* Why some kids (and families) may not be ready—and that’s okay

This episode doesn’t tell you what to decide—it empowers you with the tools to decide what’s right for your child.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we feel seen, we rise. In this sneak peak from our upcoming summit, Dr. Carrington explores how we are wired for connection and how the disconnection we are facing is hurting our families. She offers simple, practical steps to putting connection at the centre of our lives again. Refreshing, packed with personal stories, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Dr. Jody Carrington is a clinical psychologist, speaker, author, and game changer. As a child psychologist, she has assessed, treated, educated, and empowered some of the most vulnerable and precious souls on the planet: our kids. After 15 years, she believes to her core that the ones who hold our kids - our educators and parents - are our biggest game changers. Her mission is to shift the way educators think and feel about the hold work they do, and to refocus all of us on supporting them in that work. Her wonderful book can be found here: https://www.amazon.ca/Feeling-Seen-Reconnecting-Disconnected-World/dp/1443466921

Join us for our Children's Mental Health and Parenting Summit

Our Childrens Mental Health and Parenting Spring Summit is happening from April 21- 25th.

18 masterclasses, plus 5 live workshops, where world renowned experts tackle incredible topics like parental anxiety, getting kids to listen, early parenting intervention, picky eating, resiliency, keeping kids safe online, healing attachment and so much more!

The summit is free- and for those of you who can not attend live - recordings are available. To find out more, click here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast, Dr.Paul Sunseri offers practical tools and strategies to help families though conflict, disrespect, and melt-downs with kids and teens! He walks us though different examples of how to reduce conflict and increase family connection. His book "Gentle Parenting Reimagined: How to Make it Work with Oppositional and Defiant Kids" is refreshing, practical, and highly engaging. Paul Sunseri, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and father of four who treats children and adolescents with serious mental health conditions. He is the developer of Intensive Family-Focused Therapy (myIFFT.org), a highly effective form of family-based mental health care.

To purchase Dr. Sunseri's book, "Gentle Parenting Reimagined: How to Make it Work with Oppositional and Defiant Kids", please go to https://a.co/d/duluUed

Join us for our Children's Mental Health and Parenting Summit

Our Childrens Mental Health and Parenting Spring Summit is happening from April 21- 25th.

18 masterclasses, plus 5 live workshops, where world renowned experts tackle incredible topics like parental anxiety, getting kids to listen, early parenting intervention, picky eating, resiliency, keeping kids safe online, healing attachment and so much more!

The summit is free- and for those of you who can not attend live - recordings are available. To find out more, click here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this heartfelt episode of the Child Psych Podcast, child psychologists and moms Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson explore how to support children during times of global uncertainty. Drawing from both their clinical experience and personal lives, they discuss how stress and unpredictability can impact children—and how parents can create a sense of safety and connection at home.

Tammy and Tania offer practical, compassionate strategies for helping kids feel grounded. This episode is a warm reminder: our children don’t need us to have all the answers—they just need to know they’re not alone.

Tammy & Tania are authors of the best-selling book: "The Parenting Handbook: Raising Resilent Children"

Join us for our Children's Mental Health and Parenting Summit

Our Childrens Mental Health and Parenting Spring Summit is happening from April 21- 25th.

18 masterclasses, plus 5 live workshops, where world renowned experts tackle incredible topics like parental anxiety, getting kids to listen, early parenting intervention, picky eating, resiliency, keeping kids safe online, healing attachment and so much more!

The summit is free- and for those of you who can not attend live - recordings are available. To find out more, click here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is a sneak peak from our upcoming summit. We speak with Drs. Lindsay and Lexie Kite, authors of More Than a Body, about how parents can help their children develop a healthy body image in a world that often prioritizes appearance over well-being. We explore the concept of self-objectification and how societal pressures, especially through media, can lead kids—particularly girls—to view their bodies as ornaments rather than instruments.

The Kites emphasize body image resilience, encouraging parents to challenge harmful beauty standards and model a positive relationship with their own bodies. They share practical strategies for fostering a healthier mindset in children, including focusing on what bodies can do rather than how they look, promoting media literacy, and reinforcing self-worth beyond appearance.

This episode offers essential insights for parents looking to raise confident, body-positive kids in today’s image-focused culture. To find out more about the Kite's click here: https://www.morethanabody.org/more-than-a-body-book/

Join us for our Children's Mental Health and Parenting Summit

Our Childrens Mental Health and Parenting Spring Summit is happening from April 21- 25th.

18 masterclasses, plus 5 live workshops, where world renowned experts tackle incredible topics like parental anxiety, getting kids to listen, early parenting intervention, picky eating, resiliency, keeping kids safe online, healing attachment and so much more!

The summit is free- and for those of you who can not attend live - recordings are available. To find out more, click here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is a sneak peak of one of the workshops from our upcoming Parenting and children's mental health summit. Play isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful tool for connection, regulation, and raising confident, resilient kids. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, renowned parenting expert and co-author of The Whole-Brain Child, to explore the insights from her latest book, The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids.

Dr. Bryson dives into why play is essential for children’s emotional and social development, how parents can incorporate play into everyday moments (without adding stress), and practical strategies to strengthen the parent-child bond through joyful, meaningful interactions. Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums, school-age struggles, or just looking to bring more ease into parenting, this episode is packed with science-backed wisdom and real-life strategies.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

✅ The science behind play and brain development

✅ How play fosters emotional regulation and resilience

✅ Simple, everyday ways to integrate play—no extra time required

✅ The role of connection in discipline and behavior

Tune in for an engaging, heartwarming, and practical conversation that will change the way you think about play and parenting.

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is a renowned psychotherapist, parenting educator, and bestselling author known for her groundbreaking work in child development and brain-based parenting. She is the co-author of The Whole-Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline, and The Yes Brain, written alongside Dr. Dan Siegel, and the founder of The Center for Connection. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Dr. Bryson specializes in helping parents, educators, and clinicians understand the science of attachment, discipline, and emotional resilience in children. Her latest book, The Way of Play, explores the power of play in fostering connection and confidence in kids. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Bryson has been featured in major media outlets and presents worldwide on the intersection of neuroscience and parenting.

To purchase her new book visit --> https://a.co/d/b9nXICv

Join us for our Children's Mental Health and Parenting Summit

Our Childrens Mental Health and Parenting Spring Summit is happening from April 21- 25th.

18 masterclasses, plus 5 live workshops, where world renowned experts tackle incredible topics like parental anxiety, getting kids to listen, early parenting intervention, picky eating, resiliency, keeping kids safe online, healing attachment and so much more!

The summit is free- and for those of you who can not attend live - recordings are available. To find out more, click here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.