• 39 minutes 6 seconds
    TPP 524: Eli Weinstein on Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years

    Today I’m talking with Eli Weinstein, a clinical social worker, husband and dad of two, creator of ELIvation, and host of The Dude Therapist podcast, about the pressure cooker that parenthood can create for couples, and what it actually takes to stay connected when life gets loud. In our conversation, Eli and I dig into the expectations, resentment, mental load, and communication breakdowns that can strain relationships during the parenting years, and he shares practical, real-world tools for repair, clearer communication, shared responsibility, and keeping our partnerships strong along the way.


    About Eli Weinstein 

    Eli Weinstein, LCSW, is the therapist bringing heart and humor back to mental health. A loving husband and proudly goofy dad of two, Eli is based in Las Vegas and runs a thriving practice serving clients across New York, Nevada, and beyond through his global coaching work. Known for his straight-talking, relatable style, he’s the creator of ELIvation and host of The Dude Therapist podcast, where he dives into the messy, beautiful mix of relationships, parenting, and emotional growth.

    An international speaker and sought-after guest, Eli has been featured on over 250 podcasts and major media outlets including The Kelly Clarkson Show, Psychology Today, Parents.com, Men’s Health Magazine, and leading relationship and parenting platforms. His debut book, From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage Through Parenting Years (Wiley, 2026), helps couples stay connected when life gets loud. Eli’s mission is simple: make therapy-level wisdom feel human, hopeful, and real.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • Why becoming parents can expose mismatched expectations, perceptions, and assumptions within a relationship
    • How making the invisible mental and emotional load visible can create more understanding and shared responsibility
    • Why truly sharing responsibilities means allowing your partner to take ownership and do things their own way
    • How setting the table before difficult conversations can reduce defensiveness and make space for honest communication
    • Why tools like a couple’s journal can help partners process feelings and communicate more thoughtfully
    • How benefit of the doubt, active kindness, and simple gratitude can help couples stay connected through burnout and stressful seasons


     Resources mentioned

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    6 October 2026, 9:00 am
  • 39 minutes 24 seconds
    TPP 273a: Author Katherine May on Autism, Wintering, and the Electricity of Every Living Thing

    New York Times' bestselling author Katherine May (Wintering) talks about her new book, The Electricity of Every Living Thing, about her journey of discovering her identity as an autistic woman.

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    2 October 2026, 4:00 am
  • 36 minutes 52 seconds
    TPP 523: Raising Good Gamers, with Dr. Rachel Kowert

    Research psychologist Dr. Rachel Kowert comes back to the podcast for a fascinating and updated conversation about kids and gaming, and why so much of what parents hear about video games doesn’t necessarily line up with what the research actually tells us. In our conversation, we dig into Rachel’s new white paper, Raising Good Gamers, and unpack the research around violent video games, gaming disorder, mental health, and the social, emotional, and skill-building benefits gaming can offer. Rachel also shares her SPACE framework, a practical approach for helping parents move beyond fear and toward curiosity, connection, and collaborative boundaries around their kids’ gaming lives.

    ​

    About Rachel Kowert, Ph.D

    Rachel Kowert, Ph.D is a research psychologist, award winning author, and globally recognized leader in facilitating policy development for more than 15 years through data-driven research focused on mental health and trust and safety in digital games. She has spoken about her work to thousands of people across the globe, including the United States Congress, United Nations, and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Kowert is the founder of Psychgeist, a multimedia content production studio for the intersection of science and games, which includes Psychgeist YouTube channel (200+ videos), Most Recent Save podcast, and The Psychgeist of Pop Culture and Games book series’ published by Play Story Press. She currently serves as the Research Director for Games for Change and is a Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How the conversation around kids, screens, and video games is evolving as research challenges common fears and assumptions
    • Why violent video games aren’t directly linked to real-world violence and what “gaming disorder” actually means
    • How increased gaming can sometimes signal underlying mental health challenges or serve as an important coping strategy
    • Why gaming can support friendships, connection, confidence, competency, and executive function skills
    • How the SPACE framework helps parents stay engaged and curious about their child’s gaming world
    • Why collaborative, flexible boundaries can support healthier gaming habits while preserving connection and trust

     

    Resources mentioned

     

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    29 September 2026, 9:00 am
  • 40 minutes 28 seconds
    TPP 266a: A Conversation with Poet and Advocate LeDerick Horne

    Performance poet and advocate LeDerick Horne talks about his journey with a hidden disability, his advocacy work, and how he found his love for poetry.

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    25 September 2026, 4:00 am
  • 45 minutes 51 seconds
    TPP 522: A Whole Child Approach to ADHD with Phil Boucher, M.D.

    Today I’m talking with Dr. Phil Boucher, a board-certified pediatrician who’s particularly interested in helping families understand and support kids with ADHD and help parents better understand their child, trust their instincts, and make informed decisions about what their family needs.

    This is a unique conversation for the show because, for the first time, we’re looking at the whole journey through the lens of a pediatrician, especially in those early years when parents may be wondering what they’re seeing, whether to pursue an evaluation, and where to begin. Phil walks us through how he approaches ADHD in his practice, from evaluation and diagnosis to sleep, nutrition, screens, school supports, emotional regulation, anxiety, and medication, and offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at supporting the whole child and family.

    ​

    About Phil Boucher, MD

    Phil Boucher, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician, a dad of six, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics who helps parents make sense of pediatric education and development. 

    After years of answering thousands of parent questions in clinic (and at home), he realized what parents really need isn't more advice—it's honest perspective and practical reassurance from someone who gets it.

    He writes, speaks, and creates resources that help parents trust their instincts, understand their child, and take care of themselves along the way.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How ADHD can look different across childhood, with hyperactivity often appearing earlier and inattentive traits becoming clearer over time
    • Why family history and parents’ own childhood experiences can provide important clues when exploring ADHD
    • How emotional regulation and executive functioning are central parts of ADHD, beyond inattention and hyperactivity
    • Why a comprehensive ADHD evaluation should consider sleep, nutrition, school experiences, family history, and other factors
    • How practical supports like movement, protein, and visual checklists can make everyday routines more manageable
    • When medication may be helpful and why it’s best viewed as a tool for building skills rather than controlling behavior

    Resources mentioned

     Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/tilt or use code TILT and get 70% off your first year!

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    22 September 2026, 9:00 am
  • 42 minutes 43 seconds
    TPP 091a: A Conversation With Steve Silberman About His Book “Neurotribes”

    My guest this week is Steve Silberman, an award-winning science writer who authored the 2015 book NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, a brilliant book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently. Steve’s articles have appeared in Wired, the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Financial Times, the Boston Globe, the MIT Technology Review, and more.

    In our conversation, Steve and I talk about neurodivergence, autism, acceptance, tolerance, changing cultures, systemic change, and so much more. As a science writer who researched the history of autism in writing his book for more than five years, Steve brings an incredible breadth of knowledge, as well as passion for the neurodiversity movement, to the show. By the end of this interview I was inspired and motivated for the changes to come, and grateful there are thought leaders like Steve doing this important work in the world. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

     

    Things you’ll learn from this episode

    • The impetus for Steve’s book NeuroTribes
    • How and why the anti-vaccine movement has negatively affected the autistic community
    • The real impact of language like “epidemic” in relation to neurodifferences like autism
    • How Steve’s book NeuroTribes has been received by members of the autistic community
    • Steve’s thoughts on how parents raising neurodiverse kids can best support the neurodiversity movement
    • The importance of autistic peer mentoring

     

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    18 September 2026, 4:00 am
  • 46 minutes 48 seconds
    TPP 521: A Conversation with Dr. Peter Gray About Restoring Childhood

    I’m talking with developmental psychologist Dr. Peter Gray about his new book, Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety, which challenges one of the dominant narratives about the youth mental health crisis: that smartphones and social media are largely to blame for the rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among kids. Peter argues that this picture is incomplete, and that when we look more closely at the data and at what has changed in childhood over the past several decades, a very different story emerges. 

    So today we dig into what Peter believes we’re missing when we focus so much attention on screens, including the rise of intensive parenting and overprotection, the loss of independence and free play, and especially the increasingly stressful and demanding role that school plays in children’s lives. We also talk about why kids need unstructured time, autonomy, and opportunities to take age-appropriate risks, and Peter shares practical ideas for giving our kids more freedom to build confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of agency.

    ​

    About Dr. Peter Gray 

    Dr. Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current research and writing focus primarily on children’s natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play. He has helped found and continues to support nonprofit organizations aimed at bringing more play and independent activity to children’s lives.He is the author of an internationally acclaimed college introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, now in its 8th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective, and of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How Peter Gray defines childhood as a gradual process of growing independence, autonomy, and responsibility
    • Why the rise of intensive parenting and overprotection has reduced kids’ freedom and may be contributing to increased stress and anxiety
    • How Common Core and increasingly demanding, high-pressure school environments have fundamentally changed children’s experience of childhood
    • Why Peter argues that school pressure and the loss of independence may be bigger drivers of the youth mental health crisis than smartphones and social media
    • How free play, self-directed activity, and opportunities to take age-appropriate risks build confidence, resilience, and agency
    • What parents can do to give kids more freedom, independence, and control over their own lives


    Resources mentioned

     

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    15 September 2026, 9:00 am
  • 43 minutes 45 seconds
    TPP 253a: Advocate and Author Jonathan Mooney on Why Normal Sucks

    I’m excited to share this powerful and gut-punching conversation with Jonathan Mooney, a self-described “do-gooder,” speaker, and writer who didn’t learn to read until he was 12-years-old. Growing up with Dyslexia, Jonathan faced a number of low expectations: he was told he would be a high-school dropout and likely end up in jail. Instead, he earned a degree in English Literature, started his first non-profit organization in his college dorm, and has gone on to write a number of books, including his latest title Normal Sucks (which, side note: should be required reading for everyone). He’s been a champion for neurological and physical diversity for more than two decades, and his award-winning advocacy projects have been featured in major media outlets across the US. 


    THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

    • The powerful messages, both positive and negative, Jonathan heard from the adults in his life as a child with dyslexia
    • What it means to pathologize difference, and how even well-meaning organizations participate in this
    • The difficult and disturbing historical outcomes for differently-abled people, including the ideas and legacy of the Eugenics movement. 
    • How the idea of “normal” has evolved since Jonathan started his advocacy work
    • Why Jonathan believes that learning differences are a gift and why this is such an important concept
    • What parents and teachers can do to help children to see their differences as strengths


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    11 September 2026, 4:00 am
  • 41 minutes 45 seconds
    TPP 520: Dr. Özgür Bolat on Why Rewards Backfire and the Real Science of Motivating Kids

    ​In this conversation, Debbie Reber speaks with Dr. Özgür Bolat about his book The Reward Trap and the hidden costs of using rewards to motivate children. Dr. Bolat explains that rewards may create short-term compliance, but they often undermine intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, and long-term confidence by teaching kids that love and approval are conditional on performance. 

    Drawing from his own experience as a highly accomplished student who became dependent on external validation, he argues that parents should shift from a control mindset to a connection mindset—asking what a child needs, helping them feel understood, and building internal motivation through effort, autonomy, and trust rather than prizes or pressure.


    About Dr. Özgür Bolat 

    Dr. Özgür Bolat is a distinguished education scientist, researcher, associate professor, and author with a career spanning academia, media, and corporate partnerships. His groundbreaking research on parenting and teaching has earned him international recognition, including the prestigious Best Young Researcher award in New Zealand. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education (Fulbright and TEV scholar) and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. 

    During his doctoral studies, he spent one year as a visiting PhD student at MIT Sloan. His academic work has been complemented by a successful media career, where he served as a columnist for a major national newspaper for 12 years, establishing himself as a leading voice in education and parenting. Dr. Bolat is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and parenting workshop leader.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • Why rewards and praise can create short-term compliance while undermining intrinsic motivation over time
    • How conditional praise and external validation can contribute to anxiety, perfectionism, and a sense that approval must be earned
    • Why behavior is often a signal of an unmet need rather than a lack of discipline
    • How shifting from a control mindset to a connection mindset changes the way we respond to our kids
    • Why focusing on effort rather than intelligence helps children build resilience and authentic motivation
    • How parents can nurture kids who are internally motivated, self-respecting, and connected rather than focused on obedience

    Resources mentioned 


    Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/tilt or use code TILT and get 70% off your first year!

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    8 September 2026, 9:00 am
  • 43 minutes 16 seconds
    TPP 519: Brendan Mahan on Overcoming the Wall of Awful

    What if the reason you or your child can’t “just do the thing” is not laziness, but a Wall of Awful built from repeated frustration, shame, anxiety, and failure? Brendan Mahan breaks down the hidden emotional barrier behind procrastination, avoidance, and shutdown - and shows how to actually get through it without burning out.

    Debbie Reber welcomes Brendan back to unpack his new book, Overcoming the Wall of Awful: Why It’s Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism and Anxiety, and How to Do Them Anyway. Together they make this deceptively simple metaphor concrete, useful, and surprisingly validating for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone who has ever stared at a task and felt their brain go sideways.


    About Brendan Mahan 

    Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., MS., is the author of Overcoming the Wall of Awful™, and host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. A sought-after speaker, and neurodivergent person himself, Brendan helps organizations and individuals manage neurodiverse challenges through education, collaborative problem-solving, compassion, and accountability. 

    He is on the board of the Men’s ADHD Support Group, Director of Professional Resources for Calmer Con Boston, and a former committee member of the International Conference on ADHD. He has featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, LinkedIn, Understood, How to ADHD, VeryWell Mind, and ADDitude.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How the Wall of Awful creates an emotional barrier that can make starting or completing tasks feel impossible
    • Why anxiety and adrenaline can sometimes help us climb the Wall of Awful while also taking a toll
    • How creating “doors” in the Wall can provide quicker paths to regulation and getting unstuck
    • Why making tasks interesting, meaningful, or connected to personal values can reduce avoidance
    • How rejection sensitive dysphoria can add another layer to the Wall of Awful and how parents can support kids through it
    • Why having shared language and practical tools for talking about Walls of Awful can help kids better understand and navigate their experience

    Resources mentioned

     Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/tilt or use code TILT and get 70% off your first year!

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 September 2026, 9:00 am
  • 45 minutes 29 seconds
    TPP 426a: Georgie Wisen-Vincent on Unlocking Our Kids’ Emotional Balance and Resilience with The Way of Play

    Joining me is Georgie Wisen-Vincent, an expert in play therapy and co-author, alongside Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, of the new book The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids.

    In today’s episode, Georgie shares insights from The Way of Play and explains why play is a universal language that helps kids express their feelings and navigate life’s challenges. We discuss how parents can intentionally use play to strengthen bonds, nurture sibling relationships, and reconnect after time apart. Georgie also offers practical strategies for engaging in play effectively, such as mirroring your child’s play to deepen connection and understanding. Plus, we explore how play isn’t just for kids—it’s a lifelong skill that can enhance relationships at every stage of life.


     

    Things you'll learn

    * Why play is a natural language that fosters social-emotional development, allowing children to express their feelings and process difficult experiences

    * How parents can strengthen connections by intentionally setting aside time for play and becoming active observers rather than controllers

    * How little moments of play can lead to big connections, helping to nurture sibling relationships and strengthen bonds after time apart

    * How to engage in play effectively, mirroring our child’s play to enhance connection and understanding

    * Why play is a lifelong skill that not only supports children’s growth but also enriches adult relationships and communication

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    28 August 2026, 4:00 am
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