In this special Father’s Day episode, Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Rob Finlay, author of Hey Dad, Everything You Should Have Learned About Life but Didn’t. They dive into how parents—especially dads—can raise kids who are prepared for real-world responsibilities.
In this episode:
The life skills every teen needs before leaving home
Why failure builds independence and confidence
Communication, budgeting, and decision-making in everyday life
The crucial role fathers play in raising self-sufficient kids
Timestamps:
00:00 – Father’s Day message
00:32 – Meet Rob Finlay
01:30 – Why young adults feel unprepared
03:12 – Life skills your kids really need
07:45 – Letting them fail
12:10 – How to talk to adults
17:23 – Financial literacy basics
23:38 – Building independence through responsibility
29:15 – Support vs. overparenting
33:42 – Final thoughts
Resources:
Rob Finlay’s book → Simon & Schuster
Try Dr. Meg's PGK community for free → https://meekerparenting.com/
About Our Guest
Rob Finlay is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, entrepreneur, speaker, and father of four. He has built and sold multiple companies, with deep experience in commercial real estate, finance, and leadership. His latest book, Hey Dad: Everything You Should’ve Learned About Life (But Didn’t) (released April 29, 2025), offers practical life-skills guidance for young adults—covering topics like budgeting, job hunting, home maintenance, and communication—with real-world insights and expert interviews. You can learn more about Rob, his work, and his books at his official website: robfinlay.com
Sponsors:
DeepCozy – 15% off at deepcozy.com with code DRMEGAmazfit Active 2 – 10% off at amazfit.com/DRMEGHungryroot – 40% off plus a free item at hungryroot.com/drmeg with code DRMEGAcorns – Start saving at acorns.com/drmegAcorns Early – Teach kids about money at acornsearly.com/drmegHeat Holders® – 15% off at heatholders.com with code DRMEGEquip Health – Virtual eating disorder care at equip.health.com/drmeg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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37:04
Ep.278: She Was the Perfect Student—And Secretly Depressed
What happens when a high-achieving, all-American girl is silently battling depression? In this powerful episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Allie Marie Smith, life coach, speaker, and author of Social Media Reset, to explore how the pressure to be perfect nearly led her to end her life.
Allie shares her story of growing up in Silicon Valley, struggling with hidden sadness from a young age, and reaching a breaking point as a teen. She opens up about the moment that changed everything near the Golden Gate Bridge, her journey back to mental health through faith, and how stepping away from social media helped her reclaim her joy.
As summer begins and screen time skyrockets, this episode offers an honest and hopeful conversation about the emotional impact of social media on kids and teens—and how families can move toward healing, connection, and purpose.
In This Episode:
Allie’s story of hidden depression behind straight A’s and smiles
How social media deepened her struggle—and what changed when she unplugged
The myth of “they look fine”—and how to see beneath the surface
How faith and mental health support saved her life
The dangers of unchecked social media: from self-harm to trafficking
What parents need to understand about screen time this summer
How Allie’s nonprofit Wonderfully Made is helping the next generation reclaim joy and identity
Join Our New Parenting Community — FREE! Get access to webinars, mini-courses, exclusive content, a private forum to connect with other parents, and so much more. Start parenting with more confidence and real support: meekerparenting.com
About Allie Marie Smith
Allie Marie Smith is the author of Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your Joy and founder of Wonderfully Made, a faith-based nonprofit equipping girls and women with resources for mental health, identity, and purpose. Her mission is to help young people break free from the pressure of perfection and discover their God-given worth.
Sponsored by:
Hungryroot – 40% off + a free item in every box at hungryroot.com/drmeg (code DRMEG)
Acorns – Start investing with spare change: acorns.com/drmeg
Sponsored by Rula — Therapy should be affordable and covered by insurance. Rula connects you with licensed therapists based on your needs—and works with over 100 insurance plans. Get started at rula.com/drmeg.
Acorns Early – Teach your kids about money: acornsearly.com/drmeg
WHO SMARTED? – A podcast that makes kids laugh while they learn. Search “WHO SMARTED?” wherever you get your podcasts.
KiwiCo – $15 off your Summer Adventure Series at kiwico.com/DRMEG
Børn Shoes – Crafted for all-day support, top-quality style, and made to move with you. Get 15% off plus free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com – comfort never looked so good.
Summer Bridge Workbooks with IXL – Keep your kids learning and loving it this summer at summerbrains.com/DRMEG.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through a world that feels increasingly complex. Dr. Meg Meeker, known as America's Mom and a leading authority on parenting, teens, and children's health, provides practical insights to simplify the parenting journey. As a trusted pediatrician, mother, and bestselling author, Dr. Meeker engages with top experts and real parents to discuss current issues, answer important parenting questions, and offer actionable advice. Her podcast delivers simple, effective solutions, offering hope and encouragement to every parent
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