(Note: This episode originally ran on September 9th, 2025)

What do kids learn when they hear “fat” used like an insult? And what do we say when they turn that word on themselves? In this episode, we talk about how to name fatphobia, challenge it, and model true body respect at any size.

Back-to-school season often brings comments about weight, growth, and how bodies “should” look. For parents of tweens and teens, it’s a critical time to talk about body image, confidence, and how kids feel in their own skin.

Model and body activist Tess Holliday shares what it was like growing up in the South, taking up space, and parenting through shame. Later, author and journalist Virginia Sole-Smith offers practical ways to push back on harmful beauty standards and make space for more honest conversations at home.

Whether you're unpacking what you grew up hearing or just trying to find the right words, this conversation is a place to begin.

Raising Us is hosted by Elise Hu, an award-winning journalist and mom of three, known for her warm, candid approach to tough conversations. Each week, she breaks down big questions families are facing, with help from expert voices and real-life stories.

Key Takeaways:

“Fat is just another way to have a body.” Reclaiming the word fat helps kids build respect, not shame.

“Perfection isn’t the goal. Showing up is.” Modeling body acceptance starts with honesty.

“If we don’t talk about fatphobia, kids will believe the dominant story.” Silence reinforces bias. Conversation builds empathy.

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While headlines about ICE raids, immigration crackdowns, and family separation ripple through communities, our kids are noticing. Host Elise Hu revisits conversations with Duncan Tonatiuh and Anya Kamenetz to explore how parents can talk to their kids honestly about immigration without spreading fear. First, author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh shares how his children’s books are inspired by his own experiences and the experiences around him, and why learning about different stories matters for all kids — not just those directly impacted by immigration. Later, journalist and parenting expert Anya Kamenetz offers practical language and tips for navigating reassurance and tough questions about ICE raids and family separation. Anya shares tangible framework and strategies for helping kids feel emotionally supported amongst hard headlines and realities they hear about on the news. 

Key Takeaways

Explore experiences outside of your own.

Approach hard conversations age-appropriately, and from a place of empathy.

Help kids contextualize news and headlines by starting conversations at home.

Allow for follow-up questions to guide how much you share about a hard topic.

Make promises realistic by separating emotional safety from material safety.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guides: 

Immigration: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/ed0fd48c366bfcc5/f9e9fe86fd9c42cf

ICE & Family Separation: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/1d2a71723ba336e8/0cb7b78578839b27

Follow Duncan Tonatiuh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duncan.tonatiuh

Learn more from Anya Kamenetz: https://www.instagram.com/anyakamenetz

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When kids see protests, political debates, and powerful emotions playing out in real time on the news and in headlines, it’s up to parents to help make sense of it all. Elise Hu revisits conversations with educator and author Sharon McMahon, and activist Tabitha St. Bernard Jacobs to explore what it means to use your voice, stand up for others, and participate in shaping the world through democracy and political demonstration. First, Sharon offers a clear framework for how to help kids research, question, and understand civic participation from a local perspective. Later, Tabitha provides language for talking to kids about what we’re seeing on the news and age-appropriate options for participating in political protests.Together, these conversations help turn questions about justice, civic engagement, and activism into meaningful, ongoing discussion with your family.

Key Takeaways:

Tell your children that two truths can exist at the same time.

Participating in democracy goes beyond simply voting once every four years.

Educate yourself to feel more prepared tackling conversations with your kids.

Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”
Prepare your kids for demonstrations and protests by starting conversations before leaving the house.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guides: 

Democracy: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/60e70667a5651a3b/9023ffef84efb6c6

Political Protests: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/9e2d5bbe4f9bd18c/8eb065ff420ea02c

Follow Sharon McMahon on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso

Follow Tabitha St. Bernard Jacobs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabithastb

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When puberty hits earlier and emotions run higher, the conversations we have with our kids about their bodies, sex, and consent matter more than ever. Kids are already learning about these topics earlier and earlier from peers, media and the world around them. To help parents keep up, host Elise Hu revisits earlier conversations with Dr. Cara Natterson and Dr. Nadine Thornhill with their expert guidance for parents supporting kids through puberty, adulthood, and relationships. Dr. Natterson first offers advice on answering tough questions, sharing the science behind changing bodies, and how parents can start – and restart – hard conversations again and again. Dr. Thornhill later breaks down how parents can start teaching consent with age-appropriate language early, and shares her strategies for creating judgment-free spaces for open conversations, curiosity, and the foundation for healthy relationships.

Key Takeaways:

Practice humility when having conversations that might not have landed the first time.

Teach kids the science behind puberty, to make it feel less foreign.

Cooperatively create strategies with your child ahead of time to tackle mood swings or big emotions as they happen.

Own your values, state the facts, avoid myths when tackling harder conversations.

Mirror consent in your relationship with your kids, to encourage healthy relationships of their own.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guides: 

Puberty: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/635fc50075e16277/a79a12e9a0e00e65

Sex & Consent: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/9b568f6658d0ea66/888e268eaecfb4cd

Follow Dr. Cara Natterson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caranatterson

Learn more from Dr. Nadine Thornhill: https://everybodycurious.com

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adoption is a lifelong process of identity and belonging, and how parents talk about it with our kids matters from the very beginning. Nefertiti Austin, author of Motherhood So White and a mother of two adopted kids, joins Elise Hu to share her personal path to adopting, why she chose to adopt within her own community, and the mindset she carries through parenthood. Nefertiti offers practical guidance for not only adoptive parents, but parents considering adoption or simply talking to kids about it. Together, Nefertiti and Elise discuss the biggest takeaways from adoption, how to normalize adoption in everyday lives, and how to stay grounded when conversations get difficult. 

Key Takeaways

Adoption is a very intentional way of stepping into parenthood.

Normalize adoption by finding and pointing out the role models around you.

Kids have enough love in their hearts for both their biological and adoptive parents.

Approach conversations with curiosity, honesty, and transparency.

Navigating adoptive parenthood is just as much a journey as navigating biological parenthood.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: 

https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/bca3068304edbf71/673722a79fbb8efe

Follow Nefertiti Austin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnefertitiaustin

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As families head into summer break, screentime may feel top of mind for parents trying to raise healthy, balanced kids in a screen-saturated world. Elise Hu revisits two Raising Us conversations to help parents make sense of how screens are shaping kids’ lives, learning, and wellbeing. First, public school teacher, librarian, and author Ash Brandin offers alternatives to strict screen time limits while considering differences from kid to kid. They bring personal and professional expertise in what they consider and the strategies that have worked for them. Later in the episode, Emily Cherkin, founder of The Screentime Consultant, unpacks how kids are using educational technology in schools. Emily offers tips on how to start conversations addressing questions and concerns with your kids, teachers, or local school board, and discusses why replacing judgment with curiosity can open the door to meaningful change. Together, these conversations offer practical tools for navigating the overlap between social media, screen time, and learning.

Key Takeaways

Replace judgement with curiosity.

Assess your child’s learning style to determine if educational technology is actually necessary.

Be brave in making first steps towards change that betters you and your family.

The amount of screen time your kids are exposed to does not determine your success as a parent.

Consider access, behavior, and content when analyzing your child’s relationship with screens.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guides: 

Social Media: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/1d1aa9656f95dc45/8e073e0ac686a340

Educational Technology: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/68b2a3f16e84424f/443227901429762f

Follow Ash Brandin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegamereducator

Follow Emily Cherkin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescreentimeconsultant

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Raising resilient kids and understanding how to support their mental health often starts with their self-esteem and self-compassion. Host Elise Hu revisits two empowering conversations to help parents understand how intertwined self-esteem and mental health are. First, Kelli Joy Richardson, founder of The SonRise Project, debunks common myths about mental health and shares practical tips on how to start conversations with your kids about their mental health, even when it feels too difficult or too late to do so. Then we hear from professor and educator Dr. Kristin Neff on how parents can help reframe where self-worth comes from. Dr. Neff offers ways to encourage our kids to practice self-compassion that are tactile, audible, or by example.

Key Takeaways:

Mental health is often linked to our self-image, self-esteem, and self-compassion.

Acceptance, letting be, and communication are three pillars to supporting your kids.

Start conversations with your kids, even when it feels difficult or too late to do so.

Foster a sense of self-worth by comparing and contrasting less.

Worth is dependent on self-compassion, not on success.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guides:

Mental Health: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/db4d68f2249368b3/ad84c8c03edddf8b

Self-Esteem: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/e1bea0cf911a6b78/3f7d25b53f99ac38

Learn more about the SonRise Project: https://www.thesonriseproject.org

Follow Dr. Kristin Neff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neffselfcompassion  

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Divorce can reshape every part of family life for kids and parents alike, from routines and living arrangements to feelings of grief, anger, and confusion. In this episode of Raising Us, Elise Hu talks with divorce parenting expert, educator, and author Christina McGhee about how parents can help children navigate divorce with honesty and stability. Christina shares insights from both her professional work and her own experience growing up in a divorced family. She shares practical guidance for talking to kids of all ages about separation, addressing and unlearning stigmas surrounding, and how to manage your own emotions first to show up more calmly and responsibly for kids. Throughout the episode, Christina emphasizes that while divorce can feel deeply destabilizing, it’s honest communication, consistency, and compassion that helps kids feel secure, loved, and grounded through family change.

Key Takeaways:

Divorce becomes an experience to carry throughout one’s life, not a single event to process.

Avoid vague words and use specific language when having conversations about divorce.

Manage your own emotions first in order to help deliver future conversations responsibly.

Own your mistakes by following up and being vulnerable when restarting a conversation.

Respect a child’s need to have one-on-one time with their biological parent.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/86139b5c2f1126e7/47e73110cd426f47

Learn more from Christina McGhee: https://www.instagram.com/divorceandchildren

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do you say when your child asks about race, racism, or representation – and you’re not sure where to start? In this special episode of Raising Us, host Elise Hu is joined by Jelani Memory, founder of A Kids Co. and author of A Kids Book About Racism, to answer questions from real parents navigating challenging conversations. From starting at step one to deciding when your child needs more support, Jelani and Elise share practical scripts, resources, and strategies for tackling conversations in an age-appropriate way. Whether you’re wondering how to respond when your child brings up something unexpected or you’re trying to keep these conversations going over time, Jelani offers real advice from his own experience parenting six kids, rooted in honesty and curiosity.

Key Takeaways:
Engage in conversations with your kid by starting with wherever you’re at.
Challenge stereotypes through curiosity and conversation.
Encourage your kids to come to their own conclusions to feel more connected to it.
Take topics that your child brings up seriously.
Validate your child’s feelings about hard topics.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/07ee767992e0beb8/adeb03d1daa0bd9c

Learn more from Jelani Memory: http://instagram.com/jelanimemory

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From scrolling on social media to watching sports and TV, kids are constantly absorbing messages about who gets to be seen, and who doesn’t. Joining host Elise Hu to talk about why representation in media matters for kids is WNBA legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist Angel McCoughtry. She reflects on growing up without seeing herself represented in sports, to now inspiring and actively creating stories for the younger generation to see themselves in. Together, Elise and Angel unpack the powerful role representation plays in shaping how kids notice who’s centered in the media, question stereotypes, and feel proud of who they are. 

Key Takeaways:

Seeing yourself represented opens the possibilities to what you realize you’re capable of.

Practice thinking critically about who’s seen in the media, how they’re portrayed, and why.

Prioritize participation in sports for the love of the game, not for potential scholarships.

Find coaches and role models that care on and off the court.

Bring representation into your kids’ lives by researching role models and icons your kids can see themselves in.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/9422d780cbe3dcee/7ab4f0f612484aa6

Learn more from Angel McCoughtry: https://www.instagram.com/mccoughtry

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trauma in kids isn’t always obvious, but kids are constantly taking in the world around them and paying attention to how we adults respond to it. Actor, comedian, and author Paul Scheer joins host Elise Hu for an honest and personal conversation about trauma and parenting. Paul opens up about his childhood experiences with trauma shared in his new memoir, Joyful Recollections of Trauma. He reflects on the complicated process of identifying trauma, the emotions that come up, and the importance of processing those emotions fully. Also, Paul talks about what it’s like to parent while still processing his past, and his best advice for slowing down in tough conversations with kids. 

Key Takeaways:

Allow yourself and your kids to fully express emotions.

Kids teach parents just as much as we teach them.

Practice genuinely acknowledging and apologizing when you’re wrong.

Invest in moments of reflection and self-examination for yourself and your kids.

Slow down in tough conversations with your kids by asking questions and being curious.

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/7a055644b7684882/3b72b35bcb21edac

Learn more from Paul Scheer: https://www.instagram.com/paulscheer

New episodes every Tuesday:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 START HERE

📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us

📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com

📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho

ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.

Follow on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG

Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.