Parenting with Purpose in Troubling Times with Melinda Wenner Moyer

Parenting with Purpose in Troubling Times with Melinda Wenner Moyer

Author: Lianne Castelino June 28, 2025 Duration: 30:14
Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today
KidsKids & FamilyEducationFamilyHow ToParenting

Parenting today often feels like navigating a storm without a map. In this powerful episode, Where Parents Talk host Lianne Castelino speaks with award-winning journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer about her latest book, "Hello Cruel World: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times."

Together, they explore how parents can help their children thrive amid today’s most pressing challenges—from climate anxiety and social media pressures to hormonal shifts and mental health struggles.

You’ll learn:

  • Why independence and healthy risk-taking matter
  • How to turn everyday anxieties into opportunities for growth
  • Practical, science-backed tools to build emotional resilience
  • Communication strategies that really work with kids and teens

Takeaways:

  • Effective parenting involves fostering open communication, allowing children to express their feelings freely without fear of judgment.
  • Teaching kids to navigate social media responsibly can help them develop critical thinking and consent awareness in relationships.
  • Building resilience in children means encouraging them to face challenges rather than shielding them from difficulties, promoting independence and self-discipline.
  • The importance of emotional health cannot be overstated; parents should actively listen to their kids to nurture their mental well-being.
  • Encouraging curiosity and empathy in children can combat bullying and social isolation, equipping them to build strong, healthy relationships.
  • Active parenting is about instilling hope and agency in children, guiding them to take action on social issues while maintaining their emotional health.

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:



Raising children in this era comes with a unique set of questions, and Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today is here to offer clarity, not just opinions. Hosted by award-winning journalist and mother Lianne Castelino, this weekly conversation moves beyond anecdotal advice to explore the science and research behind modern parenting. Each episode feels like a thoughtful discussion with a knowledgeable friend, one who brings in leading experts and thinkers to tackle the real issues families face. You’ll hear practical strategies for navigating everything from the emotional turbulence of adolescence to building a foundation of healthy communication from a young age. The focus is on holistic development-addressing the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of both kids and their parents. Lianne’s skill as an interviewer helps distill complex topics into actionable insights, making this podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to ground their parenting choices in evidence and shared experience. It’s a space where the noise of conflicting advice fades, replaced by informed conversations that empower you to find your own path through the joys and challenges of family life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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