Raising Us: A Parenting Podcast

S6 · 14 Jul 2026 · 41 min

How to Raise a Child Who Believes in Themselves | Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson | A Kids Co. (Re-Run)

Impostor syndrome in kids is more common than we think, and how parents respond to self-doubt can shape their children’s confidence for life. Joining host Elise Hu is Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she reflects on her built resilience and found motivations throughout her life.

S6 · 30 Jun 2026 · 41 min

When Did You First Feel Bad About Your Body? | Tess Holliday and Virginia Sole-Smith | A Kids Co. (Re-Run)

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.

S6 · 23 Jun 2026 · 33 min

Explaining Immigration and ICE to Kids | Duncan Tonatiuh & Anya Kamenetz | A Kids Co.

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.

S6 · 16 Jun 2026 · 35 min

Teaching Kids About Government, Politics, & Protest | Sharon McMahon & Tabitha St. Bernard Jacobs | A Kids Co.

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.

S6 · 9 Jun 2026 · 34 min

Talking To Kids About Puberty, Boundaries, & Consent | Dr. Cara Natterson & Dr. Nadine Thornhill | A Kids Co.

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.

S6 · 2 Jun 2026 · 23 min

How to Talk About Adoption, Identity, and Belonging with Kids | Nefertiti Austin | A Kids Co.

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…

S6 · 26 May 2026 · 34 min

Raising Healthy Kids Beyond Social Media and Ed Tech | Ash Brandin & Emily Cherkin | A Kids Co.

S6 · 19 May 2026 · 31 min

Teaching Kids Self-Compassion to Support Mental Health | Kelli Joy Richardson & Dr. Kristin Neff

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…

S6 · 12 May 2026 · 32 min

Talking About Divorce, Separation, and Family Change with Kids | Christina McGhee | A Kids Co.

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…

S6 · E16 · 28 Apr 2026 · 37 min

How Do I Talk About Racism With My Kids? Questions From Our Mailbag | Jelani Memory | A Kids Co.

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…

S6 · E15 · 21 Apr 2026 · 24 min

Why Representation in Media Matters for Kids | Angel McCoughty | A Kids Co.

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…

S6 · E14 · 14 Apr 2026 · 33 min

How to Talk to Kids About Trauma, Big Emotions, & Feeling Safe | Paul Scheer | A Kids Co.

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…

S6 · E13 · 7 Apr 2026 · 38 min

Talking to Kids About Sex and Consent Without Feeling Awkward | Dr. Nadine Thornhill | A Kids Co.

Talking to kids about sex and consent can feel awkward, overwhelming, and easy to put off — but these conversations can start earlier and easier than we think. Host Elise Hu sits down with sex educator Dr. Nadine Thornhill to unpack how parents and families can approach topics like bodies, boundaries, relationships, and consent with more openness. They explore the most common questions families have about consent, how to navigate power dynamics, and what it looks like to be conscientious about consent in everyday life. Also, Dr. Thornhill shares how she’s navigated conversations about…

S6 · E12 · 31 Mar 2026 · 39 min

How to Talk About Eating Disorders with Our Kids | Amanda Sobhy & Jessica Scheer | A Kids Co.

Eating disorders in kids are more common than parents realize, but many still question how to spot early warning signs, talk about healthy habits and body image, and support with compassion. Host Elise Hu sits with professional squash champion Amanda Sobhy and National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) CEO Jessica Scheer to unpack the realities of eating disorders and disordered eating in children and teens.

S6 · E11 · 24 Mar 2026 · 32 min

Talking About Climate Change Without Fear | Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson | A Kids Co.

From wildfires and floods to melting ice caps, today’s kids are exposed to the realities of climate change earlier than ever. Host Elise Hu is joined by author, marine biologist, and cofounder of the Urban Ocean Lab, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, to discuss how climate anxiety shows up in kids, and how parents can help share the truth without overwhelming kids about reality. Drawing from her New York Times bestselling book, What If We Get It Right?, Dr. Johnson shares how families can start conversations about conservation and activism centered in intergenerational collaboration and…

S6 · E10 · 17 Mar 2026 · 47 min

Talking to Your Kids About ICE and Immigration | Maria Hinojosa & Anya Kamenetz | A Kids Co.

With news about ICE, immigration raids, and family separation everywhere, many parents are wondering how to talk to kids about everything going on. How do we share harsh realities without overwhelming them, while still being honest? Host Elise Hu speaks with Maria Hinojosa, founder of Futuro Media and longtime host of Latino USA about her decades of learnings from reporting on immigration and family separations. Maria opens up about her own experience growing up in an immigrant family, and shares reflections on today’s political climate as immigration has risen as a focus topic election…

S6 · E9 · 10 Mar 2026 · 44 min

Normalizing Physical Disabilities and Differences with Kids | Alana Nichols & Emily Ladau | A Kids Co.

Whether they notice a wheelchair, limb difference, or how parents respond to disabilities, kids pick up on physical differences earlier than we think. Raising Us host Elise Hu is joined by team USA’s three-time Paralympic gold medalist Alana Nichols as she reflects on her life-changing injury and how representation and community really matters, especially for kids with disabilities. Later in the episode, disability rights activist, writer, and educator Emily Ladau discusses how to raise kids who view disabilities with respect and opportunities for curiosity, rather than discomfort. Both…

S6 · E8 · 3 Mar 2026 · 32 min

Parenting Kids with Big Feelings | Dr. Becky Kennedy, Good Inside Podcast | A Kids Co.

From explosive meltdowns and slammed doors to tears that seem to come out of nowhere, some kids simply feel everything more intensely. Joining host Elise Hu to unpack what parenting a deeply feeling kid or teen might look like is Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and host of the Good Inside podcast. She and Elise dive into Dr. Becky’s new children’s book Leave Me Alone, and what deeply feeling kids might really mean when they say “leave me alone.” Dr. Becky addresses what parents commonly see from deeply feeling kids in homes, and shares practical tips for better…

S6 · E7 · 24 Feb 2026 · 34 min

How to Raise a Child Who Believes in Themselves | Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson | A Kids Co.

Impostor syndrome in kids is more common than we think, and how parents respond to self-doubt can shape their children’s confidence for life. Joining host Elise Hu is Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she reflects on her built resilience and found motivations throughout her life. Justice Jackson shares her best strategies for combating impostor syndrome, and finding community in a new space after becoming the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. She and Elise reflect on practical parenting tips touched in Jackson’s New York Times bestselling…

S6 · E6 · 17 Feb 2026 · 28 min

Talking to Kids About Political Protests and Activism | Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs | A Kids Co.

Kids are seeing political protests, activism, and civic engagement unfold on screens, in schools, and in their own communities. With that constant exposure these days, talking about social justice is an essential part of parenting today. Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs is a mom, writer, and organizer familiar with kickstarting these conversations and age-appropriate involvement in her own home.

S6 · 13 Feb 2026 · 37 min

Giving Your Kids Advice That Sticks | Roy Wood Jr. | A Kids Co. (Re-Run)

When sharing life lessons with our kids, parents can often only hope that these lessons stick. Comedian, actor, and dad Roy Wood Jr. joins Elise Hu to talk about how humor, humility, and honesty has helped navigate parenting and giving his son the tools to thrive in a world without him. Roy shares the most impactful lessons he’s learned, the ones he hopes to teach, and what makes life lessons truly meaningful for families.

S6 · E5 · 10 Feb 2026 · 32 min

Supporting Kids’ Anxiety and Mental Health | Kelli Joy Richardson & The SonRise Project | A Kids Co.

Kids’ mental health is becoming an increasingly important topic for families, as the CDC reports rising rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use. Host Elise Hu is joined by mental wellness advocate and founder of The SonRise Project, Kelli Joy Richardson, to explore how parents can support children navigating mental health challenges. Kelli opens up about her personal journey with her son’s mental health, and how that experience reshaped her parenting. Together, Elise and Kelli discuss balancing resilience with compassion, creating safe spaces, and practical advice for starting honest…

S6 · 6 Feb 2026 · 22 min

Raising Kids in a Digital World: Video Games, Screen Time, and Healthy Gaming Habits | Dr. Rachel Kowert | A Kids Co.

What does the research actually say about screen time and video games? After we received more questions about regulating kids’ screen time for both school and play, author and gaming expert Dr. Rachel Kowert joined us for a conversation on video games and how they affect kids’ behavior, mental health, and relationships. She helps break down the science behind kids and video games, and outlines the real impact of gaming from decades of research. Together, Dr. Kowert and host Elise Hu discuss what setting a healthy video game balance can look like, and practical advice for getting involved in…

S6 · E4 · 3 Feb 2026 · 25 min

Helping Kids Understand History Beyond the Textbook | Garrison Hayes | A Kids Co.

History isn’t just a subject in school – kids are already absorbing it in real time through news, culture, and everyday life. How parents talk about historical events at home can shape how kids understand the world, think critically about the past, and apply learnings to their present day. Journalist, historian and creator Garrison Hayes joins host Elise Hu to share how families can make history feel human, engaging, and relevant to current events. Garrison shares what helped him connect with history as a kid, and how he incorporates those learnings into his retellings of historical moments…

S6 · 30 Jan 2026 · 36 min

AI Is Here. How Do We Parent Through It? | Baratunde Thurston | A Kids Co. (Re-Run)

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere — from ChatGPT to TikTok algorithms, AI is transforming childhood, parenting, and everything about how we live today. Creator and co-host of podcast Life With Machines Baratunde Thurston chats with Elise Hu about the ways we can help kids and ourselves navigate this new technology with curiosity and care. Learn how kids are engaging with AI today, and why adults and grownups need to learn alongside kids rather than just supervise them. By approaching an understanding with humility and setting practical and healthy boundaries with AI, parents can…

S6 · E3 · 27 Jan 2026 · 38 min

Tech Ed vs. Ed Tech: How To Teach Kids Without Screens | Kate Brody & Emily Cherkin | A Kids Co.

Educational technology is a daily part of school for kids, from learning apps and video lessons to digital group projects. But is all this screen time actually helping kids learn? In this episode of Raising Us, host Elise Hu explores the benefits and challenges of educational technology in classrooms, including concerns around distraction, data privacy, and child development.

S6 · E2 · 20 Jan 2026 · 26 min

Helping Kids Cope With Tough Times and Hard News | Melinda Wenner Moyer | A Kids Co.

The news has felt heavy – every headline, story, and social media feed flooded with situations we don’t always know how to talk about at home. Still, kids are always watching and observing how adults respond to these big moments. How do we talk about these hard things without sugarcoating or panicking? And how do we provide tools they need to feel safer, grounded, and maybe even hopeful?

S6 · E1 · 13 Jan 2026 · 27 min

Why Boredom Is Good for Kids | Lizzie Assa | A Kids Co.

After the holiday season chaos, many families experience an annual reset into a slower winter, leading to occasional bouts of boredom. But what if boredom isn’t something to fix, but something to welcome? Mother of three, author, and founder of The Workspace for Children Lizzie Assa talks with Raising Us host Elise Hu about how to encourage raising confident, resilient kids through boredom and lulls. Lizzie shares how she dealt with her own kids’ boredom, and how being intentional with our time and energy as parents can help our kids thrive. Hear practical tips for reframing and responding…

S5 · 30 Dec 2025 · 36 min

Why Kids Need Banned Books | Jason Reynolds and Dr. Emily Knox | A Kids Co. (Re-Run)

Banned books are sparking debates in schools and libraries across the country. But what do book bans really mean for the kids in your life? And how can families respond in ways that build understanding instead of fear? In this episode, bestselling author Jason Reynolds (All American Boys, Long Way Down) talks about what it feels like to see his work pulled from classrooms, and scholar Dr. Emily Knox (Book Banning in the 21st Century) explains how censorship takes shape today and why it matters for all of us. They highlight practical ways to guide the kids in your life through tough topics on…

Latest episode

Parenting Kids with Big Feelings | Dr. Becky Kennedy, Good Inside Podcast | A Kids Co. (Re-Run)

Earlier episodes 29 most recent