Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today

The single most important takeaway is that parents need to teach media literacy—starting early and centred on companion (lateral) reading—so kids learn to verify sources before trusting or sharing anything online. We explain why appearances are deceiving in an era when social media and AI can fabricate audio, images and believable claims in minutes, and why a two‑step process (quick source checks, then close reading) saves time and keeps families sane. I (as your host) and Matthew Johnson break down practical habits: co‑viewing and ongoing communication, modelling intellectual humility by admitting when we’ve been wrong, and teaching simple routines—ask where this came from, why I’m inclined to believe it, and what would change my mind. We also cover related parenting pain points like device usage and discipline, protecting emotional and mental health when teens encounter upsetting news, and giving young people multiple tools to respond to cyberbullying and harmful content. For older kids we emphasise independence paired with accountability—curate reliable news feeds, consider impact before you share, and use measured responses (question first, correct or debunk when needed). Along the way we touch on consent & relationships, how misinformation can affect physical health decisions, and why building critical thinking is as much a family practice as it is a school subject. If you’re juggling work, other kids and the ever‑accelerating tech landscape, our advice is manageable: have the conversations, take small teachable moments, and you won’t need to become a full‑time fact detective to raise digitally savvy kids.
Takeaways:
I urge parents to begin early, using co‑viewing and teachable moments to build media literacy and discernment; no need to be a tech genius — curiosity suffices.
We teach companion (lateral) reading: always seek external evidence, provenance, and professional fact‑checkers before trusting visual or written claims online.
I model intellectual humility—admit when we were wrong, update beliefs, and demonstrate critical thinking in practice rather than merely lecturing.
We recommend prioritizing ongoing communication, balancing discipline with growing independence, and setting clear device usage boundaries as kids mature.
Before sharing on social media, I encourage asking how sure you are and considering the potential personal and societal harm of misinformation.
We coach kids to respond to misinformation and cyberbullying with a menu of options—from asking questions to debunking—to protect their emotional and mental health.
I stress that AI makes convincing fakes common; teach kids to verify sources, question health and physical claims, and discuss consent & relationships carefully.

Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:
MediaSmarts
Statistics Canada
Health Canada
Gemini
ChatGPT
Where Parents Talk

What does it really mean to prepare our children for the future?
In this episode of Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with entrepreneur, former engineer and mother of three Krystal Popov, founder and CEO of Futurepreneur, about why parents may need to rethink traditional definitions of success—and start preparing children for a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence.
Krystal shares why she believes innovation, communication and courage will be essential skills for the next generation, and how parents can begin fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in children from an early age. She also discusses the importance of identifying and nurturing a child’s individual strengths, using entrepreneurship as a practical way to teach problem-solving, creativity, communication and financial confidence.
From helping children start their first small business to teaching them about money, inventory, marketing and customer demand, Krystal explains why real-world experience can teach lessons that classrooms and textbooks cannot.
The conversation also explores children and screen time, the difference between consuming and creating, and how parents can make meaningful “future-building” time with their children—even amid busy family schedules.
This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.
Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:
Where Parents Talk
FuturePreneur
ChatGPT
Target
Etsy
Netflix

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how companies hire, and the career advice many teens and young adults are getting hasn’t caught up. In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Scott Kosch, an AI business transformation entrepreneur, angel investor, father of two and author of A Student’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of AI.
After 25 years watching how employers decide who to hire, and many conversations with CEOs and investors leading AI change, Scott noticed something: even the people driving the technology didn’t know what to tell their own kids. That led him to write a practical, research-based guide for high school and college students.
Scott explains why AI is here to stay, how using AI to do the work of learning can undermine a student’s education, and why young people will need to take more ownership of their learning. He also shares fresh ways to think about high school, choosing a college, picking a major and planning a career in an AI-driven world. It’s a helpful conversation for parents of tweens, teens and young adults who want to guide their kids with facts instead of fear.
Takeaways:
AI is here to stay; students must contend with it proactively rather than burying their heads, prioritizing responsible device usage and disciplined study habits to preserve genuine learning.
Caution that using AI to do your homework corrupts the learning process, undermining independence, discipline, and the development of real-world problem-solving skills employers value.
Advise students to take agency over their education: reassess majors, college choices, and career pathways through an AI-aware lens instead of following outdated parental roadmaps.
Many adults genuinely lack answers about AI; foster open communication with your teens so decision-making feels collaborative rather than paternalistic.
Emphasize balancing technological fluency with protections for mental, emotional, and physical health — set social media and device boundaries to maintain wellbeing.
Cultivating process-oriented learning, critical thinking, ethical judgment around consent & relationships, and resilience against bullying amplified by online platforms.

Companies mentioned in this episode:
Where Parents Talk
ChatGPT

This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.
You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.
Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

How can parents help children build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and navigate the challenges of growing up in an increasingly complex world?
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Ann Paphitis, a resilience coach, speaker, personal reinvention expert, and former school leader who worked with children struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, and other challenges.
Drawing on her professional experience and journey as a mother of three, Ann shares practical insights into how parents can nurture resilience in children and teens while building their confidence, self-esteem, and independence.
Discover why patience, empathy, and meaningful communication are essential to helping young people overcome adversity, and why understanding your child's unique perspective matters more than assuming you know how they feel. Ann also explores how parents can reassure children that their worth and their family's love are not defined by academic setbacks or mistakes.
The conversation examines the delicate balance between protecting children and allowing them to learn through experience, take responsibility for their choices, and develop the skills they need to thrive as young adults. Ann shares a practical approach to managing fear by helping children work through worst-case scenarios, put challenges into perspective, and recognize that even difficult outcomes can be overcome.
In a world where information overload, negative news, and uncertainty can affect young people's mental well-being, Ann explains why encouraging hope, celebrating positive stories, and creating opportunities for children to experience success are vital to building lasting resilience.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How parents can build resilience, confidence, and emotional strength in children and teenagers.
Why listening without judgment helps strengthen parent-child communication.
How to support tweens and teens struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, fear of failure, or bullying.
Why repeated practice and small successes help children believe in their abilities.
How to reassure children while encouraging independence, accountability, and healthy decision-making.
When professional support can help bridge communication gaps between parents and children.
How to help young people manage uncertainty, navigate negative news, and maintain hope for the future.

whereparentstalk.com
Companies mentioned in this episode:
Cambridge

This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.
You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.

What does secure attachment really look like in everyday parenting—and why does the parent-child connection remain so important as children grow into teens?
In this Where Parents Talk podcast episode, host Lianne Castelino speaks to child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist Dr. Debbie Raphael shares practical, research-informed insights from her upcoming book, Carry My Strength.
Drawing on more than 20 years of clinical experience, her own journey as a mother, and current research on relational health and positive childhood experiences, Dr. Raphael explores what helps children develop a strong sense of self, healthy relationships and resilience.
The discussion explores secure attachment from toddlerhood through adolescence, why teens still need a secure parental “home base,” how parents can help children develop distress tolerance without trying to fix every problem, and why emotional regulation starts with the adults in a child's life.
Dr. Raphael also explains how our own childhood experiences can influence the way we respond to our children, how parents can interrupt unhealthy intergenerational patterns, and why “good-enough parenting” may be a healthier and more realistic goal than perfection.
She reminds parents to make room for something that can easily get lost in the demands of parenting: joy.
This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.
You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.
Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

Takeaways:
I remind parents that secure attachment lets children carry our strength, fostering independence, trust, and long-term emotional health.
We emphasize that distress tolerance starts with the parent — model calm regulation rather than fixing every problem for your child.
I suggest viewing parenting as a job with boundaries — it reduces reactivity rooted in our own childhood trauma and ACEs.
We advocate for cultivating shared joy daily: it's not optional fluff but a protective factor for mental, emotional, and physical health.
I recommend practical strategies—clear communication, consistent discipline, and sensible limits on device usage and social media—to protect adolescents' mental health and reduce bullying risks while teaching consent and healthy relationships.
We remind parents that hormonal changes during adolescence amplify emotional reactivity; combining empathy with structure helps teenagers practice independence without abandoning safety.
I encourage self-awareness: exploring your childhood narrative and seeking support or therapy transforms intergenerational patterns and improves parent-child communication.

Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:
Where Parents Talk
Michigan Medicine