As Season 7 of Ground Control Parenting comes to a close, join Carol as she hits rewind to reflect on the powerful insights shared by parenting experts and thought leaders across a range of fields.

This season, the conversations went beyond what we can do to help and support our children and focused on the how. Carol spoke with leading experts about what it really means to parent with purpose and intention—offering actionable tools, real-life strategies, and much-needed reassurance along the way.

Whether you’ve been listening from the start or are just joining the journey, this recap is your go-to guide for the season’s most impactful moments.  Tune in to hear about the Season 7 offerings of expert advice that helps you parent with intention, practical tips you can use right now, and inspiring stories to support you on your parenting journey.

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Grace Bastidas knows what families need—because she’s spent her career listening to them. As the founding editor of Parents Latina and the (recently stepped-down) editor-in-chief of Parents—the first woman of color to hold that role in the brand’s 100-year history—Grace has spent years talking to experts, amplifying parent voices, and shaping how we think about raising kids today.

Grace joins Carol to talk not just about what she’s learned from covering parenting for many years, but also about her own experience raising two daughters in a bilingual, bicultural home. Grace shares how she draws on her Colombian roots and her NYC upbringing to create a home where identity, language, and cultural connection thrive. She explains how she’s raising her daughters to stay rooted in who they are, even as they grow up in a global, fast-moving world.

Grace’s professional experience gives her a broad view of what works for families, but it’s her personal stories that bring those insights to life. She speaks candidly about parenting through imperfect moments, the importance of slowing down, and how reconnecting with your values can help both you and your children feel more grounded.

If you're looking for trusted, real-world parenting wisdom from someone who truly understands what families need—this conversation is for you.

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In this powerful episode from the Ground Control Parenting archives, Carol sits down with renowned civil rights leader and legal scholar Sherrilyn Ifill for a deeply meaningful conversation about what it means to parent during times of uncertainty and division.

Sherrilyn shares how we can help our children navigate a world filled with misinformation, stay rooted in truth, and build resilience by staying connected to our history and community. She offers thoughtful, practical advice for raising socially conscious kids and protecting your family’s values in the face of societal change.

This episode is filled with wisdom, motivation, and hope. Sherrilyn reminds us that this is “planting time”—a moment to invest in our children’s futures by nurturing strength, integrity, and purpose in their lives by modeling these virtues in our own.

If you’re looking for guidance, inspiration, and a reminder that your parenting matters deeply in the world right now, you won’t want to miss this one.

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Why is giving birth still so dangerous for Black women in America?

Dr. Uché Blackstock—physician, mother, and bestselling author—returns to the podcast to talk with Carol about the Black maternal health crisis. The U.S. maternal mortality rate is significantly higher than in other high-income countries, and within the U.S., the rate is by far the highest for Black women.  Black mothers are still three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white mothers. It’s a terrifying reality, but it doesn’t have to be our future.

Dr. Blackstock talks with Carol about how bias and systemic racism in medicine impacts Black maternal health, and what we can do about it. They also talk about real solutions: what doulas and midwives can do, how to choose the right OB-GYN, and the push for national policy changes. Dr. Blackstock’s valuable perspective as both a physician and a Black mother makes this an extraordinarily compelling conversation. Whether you're parenting now or thinking ahead to building a family, this episode offers the insight and guidance we all need to hear.

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How do you talk to your child about drugs when you’re not even sure where to begin? In this candid and powerful conversation Carol is joined by two experts, Pat Aussem of the Partnership to End Addiction and Carleah Summers, recovery advocate and founder of Andrea’s House, to talk honestly about how to help our children navigate today’s complex drug landscape. From the dangers of flavored vapes and counterfeit pills to when and how to have “the talk” about drugs, this episode is packed with essential insights, strategies, and real-life experience every parent needs to hear.

Episode Links:
Partnership to End Addiction: drugfree.org
Al-Anon

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You may have heard of Jack and Jill of America—but do you know how this powerhouse mother's organization shapes Black children into confident, capable leaders? In this episode, Carol talks with Darlene McGee Whittingham, National President, and Tasha B. Penny, National Program Director, about the history, mission, and modern-day relevance of Jack and Jill.

They explore what this organization offers Black families, how it fosters leadership from the toddler years to the teen years, and how parents—whether members or not—can draw inspiration from its core values of leadership, cultural pride, and service. If you’ve heard the name but don’t know the full story, or if you’re curious to know more about how Jack & Jill supports Black children across the country, you won’t want to miss this episode!

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🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Summer break shouldn’t mean learning loss. In this episode, Carol talks with award-winning educator Dr. Cicely Woodard about how to help kids avoid the “summer slide”—where they can lose two to three months of progress in math and reading over the summer.

Dr. Woodard shares lots of simple ways parents can help kids stay sharp in math and reading throughout the summer months. She and Carol talk about how everyday activities, like turning grocery runs into math lessons and reading together at bedtime, can make a big impact.

This episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today to keep kids engaged and learning while making sure they have the summer break they need. If you want to set your kids up for a strong start in the next school year this episode is for you. Don’t miss it!

Episode Links: 

• Zern Math:  A free, interactive math platform designed for elementary and middle school students
• Khan Academy: Free online lessons and practice in math, reading, science, and more—personalized to your child’s level. Great for kids K–12.
• Prodigy: A game-based math program where kids solve problems to win battles and earn rewards. Best for grades 1–8.

• PBS LearningMedia: Free videos, games, and activities across subjects, created by PBS for PreK–12 learners.
• Smithsonian Learning Lab: Resources and lessons using Smithsonian museum collections 

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We all want the best healthcare for our children—but for Black parents, this can involve pushing past bias, asking hard questions, and showing up prepared.

In this powerful episode, Carol sits down with Dr. Uché Blackstock—emergency physician, health equity champion, and bestselling author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine—to talk about how parents can navigate the healthcare system to make sure our kids get the best possible care.

Dr. Blackstock shares how her late mother—a trailblazing Harvard-trained physician—laid the foundation for her journey and inspired her passion for health justice. She offers clear, practical advice for parents on how to find and interview the right pediatrician, prepare for and manage doctor’s visits with confidence, and identify trustworthy health information while avoiding harmful misinformation. She also breaks down how racism shows up in children's medical care, and what parents can do to advocate effectively.

Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, this episode will help you walk into every exam room informed, empowered, and ready to make sure your child gets the care they need.


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Many parents have heard the term neurodivergent, but aren't quite sure what it means—or what to do when their child doesn’t seem to follow the "typical" path. Pediatric psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart returns to the podcast to help us make sense of it all. Dr. Lockhart explains what neurodivergence is, how to recognize when your child might need support, and why "different" doesn’t mean “less than.”

Carol and Dr. Lockhart also discuss how to manage the emotional rollercoaster that can come with parenting a neurodivergent child—especially for Black and Brown parents. Dr. Lockhart shares how to advocate effectively, communicate with teachers, and most importantly, how to shift the focus from “fixing” your child to celebrating their unique strengths.If you're looking for clarity, encouragement, and real-world guidance to better understand and support the children you care about—this conversation is for you.

Follow Ground Control Parenting:
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🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com

Every parent wants their child to succeed in school—but keeping up with their progress, supporting their learning, and knowing when to step in can feel overwhelming.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. returns to the podcast with smart, practical advice to help you feel more confident and prepared to support your child’s academic journey. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten or heading into high school, this conversation offers valuable insight you can use right now.

Drawing upon his experience as a teacher, principal, education leader, and parent, John shares tips on understanding your child’s learning style, how to partner with teachers (even the challenging ones!) to make sure your child’s academic needs are getting met, and how to encourage critical thinking in a world full of conflicting messages.  Carol and John talk about why parents these days need to pay attention to curriculum changes, book bans, and misinformation—and how to take action when needed.

If you want to know how to truly show up for your child’s education, this episode is packed with the clarity and encouragement you’ve been looking for.


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Emily Oster returns to the podcast to answer pregnancy and early parenting questions from Ground Control Parenting listeners!  Emily, an economist known for her data-driven approach to parenting, brings clear, compassionate, and evidence-based guidance to the most common (and confusing) early parenting concerns. She helps parents cut through the noise and make decisions with more confidence and less guilt.

Carol gets Emily’s take on many timely topics, including pregnancy anxiety, postpartum care, sleep training, discipline and screen time—with plenty of insight, thoughtful discussion, and lots of laughs along the way. This engaging, thoughtful conversation will help parents and caregivers feel more informed and empowered.


Follow Ground Control Parenting:
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💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis
🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com