How Do I Talk to My Kid About Drugs? Start Here––with Pat Aussem and Carleah Summers
How do you talk to your child about drugs when you’re not even sure where to begin? In this candid and powerful conversation Carol is joined by two experts, Pat Aussem of the Partnership to End Addiction and Carleah Summers, recovery advocate and founder of Andrea’s House, to talk honestly about how to help our children navigate today’s complex drug landscape. From the dangers of flavored vapes and counterfeit pills to when and how to have “the talk” about drugs, this episode is packed with essential insights, strategies, and real-life experience every parent needs to hear.Episode Links:Partnership to End Addiction: drugfree.orgAl-AnonFollow Ground Control Parenting:📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com
--------
43:54
--------
43:54
Building Future Leaders: The Jack and Jill Legacy with Darlene McGee Whittingham and Tasha B. Penny
You may have heard of Jack and Jill of America—but do you know how this powerhouse mother's organization shapes Black children into confident, capable leaders? In this episode, Carol talks with Darlene McGee Whittingham, National President, and Tasha B. Penny, National Program Director, about the history, mission, and modern-day relevance of Jack and Jill.They explore what this organization offers Black families, how it fosters leadership from the toddler years to the teen years, and how parents—whether members or not—can draw inspiration from its core values of leadership, cultural pride, and service. If you’ve heard the name but don’t know the full story, or if you’re curious to know more about how Jack & Jill supports Black children across the country, you won’t want to miss this episode!Follow Ground Control Parenting:📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com
--------
52:07
--------
52:07
How to Help Your Child Avoid the Summer Slide with Dr. Cicely Woodard
Summer break shouldn’t mean learning loss. In this episode, Carol talks with award-winning educator Dr. Cicely Woodard about how to help kids avoid the “summer slide”—where they can lose two to three months of progress in math and reading over the summer.Dr. Woodard shares lots of simple ways parents can help kids stay sharp in math and reading throughout the summer months. She and Carol talk about how everyday activities, like turning grocery runs into math lessons and reading together at bedtime, can make a big impact.This episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today to keep kids engaged and learning while making sure they have the summer break they need. If you want to set your kids up for a strong start in the next school year this episode is for you. Don’t miss it!Episode Links: Zern Math: A free, interactive math platform designed for elementary and middle school studentsKhan Academy: Free online lessons and practice in math, reading, science, and more—personalized to your child’s level. Great for kids K–12.Prodigy: A game-based math program where kids solve problems to win battles and earn rewards. Best for grades 1–8.PBS LearningMedia: Free videos, games, and activities across subjects, created by PBS for PreK–12 learners.Smithsonian Learning Lab: Resources and lessons using Smithsonian museum collections More GCP:Subscribe to the newsletter for additional show details and more!Follow Ground Control Parenting:📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com
--------
35:34
--------
35:34
What Every Black Parent Should Know About Healthcare with Dr. Uché Blackstock
We all want the best healthcare for our children—but for Black parents, this can involve pushing past bias, asking hard questions, and showing up prepared.In this powerful episode, Carol sits down with Dr. Uché Blackstock—emergency physician, health equity champion, and bestselling author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine—to talk about how parents can navigate the healthcare system to make sure our kids get the best possible care.Dr. Blackstock shares how her late mother—a trailblazing Harvard-trained physician—laid the foundation for her journey and inspired her passion for health justice. She offers clear, practical advice for parents on how to find and interview the right pediatrician, prepare for and manage doctor’s visits with confidence, and identify trustworthy health information while avoiding harmful misinformation. She also breaks down how racism shows up in children's medical care, and what parents can do to advocate effectively.Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, this episode will help you walk into every exam room informed, empowered, and ready to make sure your child gets the care they need.Follow Ground Control Parenting:📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com
--------
32:12
--------
32:12
Finding & Celebrating Strengths in Neurodivergent Kids with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
Many parents have heard the term neurodivergent, but aren't quite sure what it means—or what to do when their child doesn’t seem to follow the "typical" path. Pediatric psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart returns to the podcast to help us make sense of it all. Dr. Lockhart explains what neurodivergence is, how to recognize when your child might need support, and why "different" doesn’t mean “less than.”Carol and Dr. Lockhart also discuss how to manage the emotional rollercoaster that can come with parenting a neurodivergent child—especially for Black and Brown parents. Dr. Lockhart shares how to advocate effectively, communicate with teachers, and most importantly, how to shift the focus from “fixing” your child to celebrating their unique strengths.If you're looking for clarity, encouragement, and real-world guidance to better understand and support the children you care about—this conversation is for you.Follow Ground Control Parenting:📱 Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @GroundControlParenting💼 LinkedIn: Carol Sutton Lewis🌐 Website: GroundControlParenting.com
About Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis
Parenting advice and inspiration for raising smart, confident Black children. Join host and Ground Control Parenting founder Carol Sutton Lewis for weekly conversations with guests––familiar and new––about the joys and real work of parenting.
USA