Listen Now

Anne and Tracy have always centered their podcast episodes around topics in the news, at the soccer field, or in their mom groups. This particular episode, however, is highly personal and painful for both of them. Last month Tracy’s brother-in-law died unexpectedly, leaving behind his wife and three young kids. He and Tracy’s sister actually […]

As families of high school seniors navigate things like college visits or the “Common App” this fall, it could be helpful to revisit an episode from Season Six. uh-PARENT-ly co-hosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos talked to Ron Lieber, the Your Money columnist for the New York Times, about his book, The Price You Pay for […]

Whether from headlines or tweets or conversations with friends, the message lately has been clear: Inflation is on the rise. But the price of gas and groceries is nothing compared to the cost of childcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, since 1990 childcare costs have risen 214 percent while the average family income has […]

According to a recent poll conducted by John Zogby Strategies, 56 percent of adults say concern for their public safety has influenced their decision not to go out. Reports of carjackings and random shootings bombard the news. Just outside of Chicago, two days before Christmas, a mall shooting left four people injured and thousands of shoppers stranded […]

Human beings are prone to negativity bias. Scientists have discovered that for every negative emotional experience you have, you need at least three positive ones to offset it.  A three to one ratio.  Feels like a big hole to dig out of, right?  Positive Psychology researchers have conducted more than 200 studies with more than […]

According to a new book, the average teen spends nine hours a day on a screen. Nine hours. Even more alarming, we continue to learn about BIG TECH companies (like Facebook and Instagram) and their algorithms that hijack our kids’ attention. Snapstreaks, Likes, Shares, you name it: These manipulative measures lead to more screen time. One […]

More than 55 million children will be heading back to elementary, middle or high school this fall. And after the last year and a half, they might be carrying more than pencils and notebooks in their “backpacks.”  Dr. John Duffy, clinical psychologist and author of Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety, joins uh-PARENT-ly hosts […]

This past year has been incredibly challenging for many families, and mental health has really become a top priority. Dr. Michelle Borba, author of Thrivers: Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, joins uh-PARENT-ly hosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about how kids can cope with adversity and deal with whatever […]

With COVID-19 and lots of “together time” at home, there may be more shut doors. This week uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Anne Johnsos and Tracy Weiner talk to Michelle Icard, educator and author of a new book, Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen: The Essential Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids Before They Start High School.  […]

As COVID-19 upended daily life, many families wondered why they were writing large checks for tuition, room and board to send their kids off to college for remote classes or very limited in-person connections.  In the first episode of Season Six, uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos talk to Ron Lieber, the Your Money columnist for the […]

When uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos left the studio in March of 2020, they thought they’d see each other again the next week. They were wrong.  Now after months of watching the world spin out of control, they’ve figured out a way to join the conversation. (Tracy could use a windscreen on her microphone, but BABY STEPS.) Here’s a quick […]

When boys enter puberty, they tend to get quiet, and parents need to interpret their monosyllabic signals. Dr. Cara Natterson is a pediatrician, consultant, and New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book is Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons. She joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos with advice about talking to our sons the way we talk to our daughters.

The season for influenza runs from October until April. That means we’re in the thick of it. How can you keep your family healthy, and what can you do to shorten any illnesses your kids do bring home? Dr. Anita Chandra, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, joins uh-PARENT-ly, cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about everything from preventing the flu from spreading through your whole house to finding mental health resources for your teen to testing babies for vision loss. Oh. And tummy time.

What’s the single most important thing parents can do for their children? A new book suggests it’s a matter of simply “showing up.” But that means a lot more than cheering on the sidelines, cooking dinner and serving on the PTA. Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and co-author of The Power of Showing up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired, joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about how parents can learn to really see their children in a way that fosters long-term security, empathy and happiness.

Dr. Sharon Saline is a clinical psychologist and the author of What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life. She joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about ADHD, executive functioning skills, and learning differences in children, teens, college-age adults and families.

Today’s kids are bombarded by expectations of success without the tools to cope with failure. Some of them become risk-averse, while others find ways to take shortcuts. Adam Russo, author of Unwritten Rules, joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about how parents can help by delaying gratification, embracing the uncomfortable and working through emotions.

Thinking of getting your kid a smartphone for the holidays? Maybe you’re contemplating allowing Instagram or Snapchat or TikTok. Before you open that door, you should know what to expect. Devorah Heitner, founder of Raising Digital Natives and author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World, joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about how technology can help rather than threaten our kids.

Thinking about putting a furry or feathered friend under the Christmas tree or next to the menorah? You might want to avoid impulsive decisions. Did you know rabbits have acrophobia (fear of heights), and Amazon Parrots can live for 75 years? Are there "baby steps" to getting a dog? Are certain breeds better for your family's lifestyle? Is there a right age to consider getting a pet? Renowned pet expert Steve Dale joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about the world of pets.

According to research from the University of Oregon, comic books average 53.5 rare, or complex, words per 1,000. Children's books average 30.9, and adult books average 52.7 per 1,000. Studies also have found that graphic texts promote learning and better reading comprehension. Raina Telgemeier, best-selling author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, Ghosts and newly released Guts, joins uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos to talk about the genre and how she so beautifully connects with her readers.

Food allergies are on the rise in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the prevalence of food allergies in children increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. Managing these allergies requires more than reading labels. Psychologist Gianine D. Rosenblum tells uh-PARENT-ly cohosts Tracy Weiner and Anne Johnsos families with food allergies navigate a rigorous set of behaviors with a palpable amount of anxiety.