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

Why do so many parents feel exhausted, moody, or stuck in survival mode — and what is that stress actually doing to their bodies?
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Alicia Newsome, a functional medicine practitioner, entrepreneur and mother of three, about the root causes of parental burnout, hormone imbalance and chronic stress.
Dr. Newsome explains how functional medicine identifies "check engine light" symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, decision fatigue and stubborn weight gain, and why treating symptoms without addressing root causes leaves parents running on empty.
The conversation covers the difference between acute and chronic stress, how a parent's nervous system affects their children's sense of safety, why energy — not time — is the real currency of parenting, and practical daily transition routines that build stress resilience.
Dr. Newsome also discusses the generational impact of ignoring self-care, the lingering effects of pandemic-era isolation on parent mental health, and simple, science-backed steps parents can take today to protect their energy, mood and long-term health.
Takeaways:
Understanding hormonal changes is crucial for managing stress and emotional health as parents.
Effective communication with partners is essential for maintaining a healthy family dynamic amidst stress.
Discipline in technology use can significantly impact the mental health of tweens and teens.
Recognizing the signs of bullying and social media pressure can empower parents to support their children better.
Prioritizing consent and healthy relationships is foundational to building independence in young adults.
Physical health and emotional well-being are interconnected, influencing how we parent and engage with our children.

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

Companies mentioned in this episode:
Tylenol
Advil
Facebook
Arizona

What happens when a parent faces the unimaginable loss of a child to suicide?
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with pediatric nurse practitioner and author Jackie Baker about her personal journey through grief after losing her son, Sebastian.
Drawing from her book Messy Mourning, Baker shares raw insights into maternal grief, the stigma surrounding suicide, and the long road toward healing.
This conversation explores mental health challenges in teens, the emotional toll on families, and the importance of compassion, support systems, and open dialogue. Baker also offers practical advice for parents navigating anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in their children—while reminding listeners that hope can coexist with sorrow.
An important listen for parents seeking understanding, support, and guidance through one of life’s most difficult experiences.
Takeaways:
Navigating the emotional landscape of grief requires open communication and support from others.
Understanding the unique layers of guilt and shame surrounding suicide helps in the healing process.
Mothers often experience grief differently, influenced by their deep bond with their children.
Acceptance of one's emotional health is crucial in developing resilience after a loss, especially in dealing with mental health challenges.

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

Are we raising resilient kids, or just protecting them from the very challenges that build resilience?
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to developmental psychologist Dr. Isabel Granic — McMaster University professor, CEO of Liminal Learning and mom. She unpacks what tweens, teens, and young adults actually need to thrive in 2026.
Drawing on more than 25 years of research and her own experience raising 20-year-old twin sons, Dr. Granic challenges common assumptions about anxiety, depression, and motivation in Gen Z. She explains why rising mental health struggles are often a rational response to a genuinely precarious world — climate anxiety, job market disruption, AI, and political instability — rather than a personal weakness or a parenting failure. She also shares why "small p" purpose matters more than a single dream career, how belonging and social connection are among the strongest predictors of a healthy, long life, and practical ways parents can talk to their kids about big global issues without fueling fear or helplessness.
Whether your child seems anxious, unmotivated, or simply uncertain about the future, this conversation offers evidence-based, compassionate strategies for raising purpose-driven, resilient young adults — without the guilt or the guesswork.
In this episode:
The biggest myth parents believe about resilience
Why Gen Z's mental health struggles reflect their world, not a weakness in them
How to talk about climate change, AI, and global uncertainty without increasing kids' fear
What "purpose" really looks like for young adults today
How belonging and friendship protect long-term mental and physical health
Inside Liminal Learning, Dr. Granic's world-readiness program for 18-24 year olds

Links referenced in this episode:
whereparentstalk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:
McMaster University
Liminal Learning
Scientific American
Time
Wall Street Journal

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

What is food insecurity—and how does it impact children and families in Canada today?
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Drawing from her lived experience as a single mother raising three children while facing poverty and food insecurity, Lori offers rare insight into what struggling families truly go through.
Parents will learn:
What food insecurity looks like inside a household
How financial stress affects parenting and child development
Why 1 in 4 Canadians struggle to afford food
The hidden emotional toll on both parents and children
Where families can find support beyond food banks

Nikkel explains why food insecurity is not about food shortages—but about income, affordability, and systemic challenges. She also shares practical advice and a hopeful message for parents navigating difficult times.
Takeaways:
Understanding the impacts of food insecurity on mental and emotional health is crucial for parents.
Effective communication and community support can help families navigate through challenges of food insecurity.
Food insecurity is not just about lack of food; it's deeply tied to income and economic stability.
Children need proper nutrition for their education and health, highlighting the importance of child nutrition programs.
The stigma surrounding food insecurity can prevent families from seeking help; connection is key.
It's important for parents to recognize that their struggles do not define their worth or their children's future.

This episode is essential listening for parents concerned about rising food costs, child well-being, and financial resilience in Canada.
Links referenced in this episode:
whereparents talk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:
Second Harvest

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

What if the key to raising emotionally intelligent, resilient kids isn't about managing their behavior — but about shifting your own?
Lorena Seidel, Montessori teacher, emotional intelligence coach, and creator of the Cooperation Shift framework, joins Lianne Castelino host of the Where Parents Talk podcast, for a candid, research-backed conversation about why good intentions alone won't rewrite old parenting patterns — and what actually will.
Seidel shares how a humiliating childhood memory became the compass for her life's work, and how years later, as a new mom, she found herself repeating the very patterns she swore she'd leave behind. Her journey — through Montessori education, a master's in emotional intelligence, mindfulness training, and years of practice — led her to develop a transformative approach that helps parents stop putting out fires and start building lasting skills.
In this episode, you'll learn about the Cooperation Shift framework, the powerful Skill Do Over tool, and the three questions every parent can ask in the heat of the moment to shift from reactive to responsive. Seidel also explores what emotional intelligence, resilience, and an "unsinkable mindset" really look like — and why 80% of your child's future success may hinge on what's between their ears, not the school they attend or the sports they play.
Takeaways:
Understanding the impact of hormonal changes during adolescence is crucial for effective parenting and communication.
Device usage among teens can both enhance and complicate relationships, making discipline and guidance essential.
The role of social media in bullying presents challenges for emotional and mental health that parents must address thoughtfully.
Consent and relationships are pivotal topics for young adults, requiring open communication about boundaries and respect.

Links referenced in this episode:
whereparents talk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:
Montessori
TEDx

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.