Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through a world that feels increasingly complex. Dr. Meg Meeker, known as America's Mom and a leading...
Ep. 268: Teen Dating Today—A Teen’s Perspective with Elle Liemandt
In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with 15-year-old Elle Liemandt, the creator of Ask Elle, an AI-powered dating coach app designed for teens. They dive into the challenges of modern teen dating, exploring how social media platforms like Snapchat influence relationships and shape teen interactions. Elle shares insights on how her app helps teens rebuild essential social skills, handle rejection with confidence, and develop healthier dating habits.
Dr. Meeker and Elle also discuss the crucial role parents play in guiding their teens through today’s evolving dating landscape. They highlight key strategies for fostering open parent-teen communication and staying informed about social media’s impact on relationships.
This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and anyone looking to understand the new rules of teen dating in the digital age.
About Our Guest
Elle Liemandt is a driven 15-year-old high school student passionate about using technology and education to create positive change. As the creator of AI-powered platforms Datebot and Ask Elle (iOS), she helps teens navigate the complexities of dating and relationships with confidence and insight.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
✅ The reality of teen dating today
✅ How Snapchat and other social platforms shape teen relationships
✅ The biggest social pressures teens face in dating
✅ Why rejection is a major issue for boys—and how to help
✅ How the Ask Elle app supports teens in building confidence
✅ The importance of parent-teen communication in dating discussions
📌 Episode Timestamps:
📌 00:00 – Introduction to the Episode
📌 00:35 – Meet Elle Liemandt: Teen Dating Trailblazer
📌 01:49 – The Reality of Teen Dating Today
📌 02:41 – Snapchat and Teen Dating Dynamics
📌 03:53 – The Impact of Social Media on Teen Relationships
📌 06:17 – Elle's Viral TikTok and Teen Dating Trends
📌 10:10 – Addressing Boys' Fear of Rejection
📌 11:17 – How Ask Elle App Helps Teens Navigate Dating
📌 17:21 – Encouraging Parent-Teen Communication
📌 23:20 – The Future of Ask Elle and Social Media's Role
📌 27:53 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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29:40
Ep.267: Balancing Career Success & Family: Joe Hashey’s Strong Family Project
In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Joe Hashey to discuss balancing career ambitions with a thriving family life.
Joe, a former educator turned fitness leader, shares his journey of recognizing work-family imbalance and the steps he took to correct it. After his father’s passing, he re-evaluated his family’s health and values, leading to The Strong Family Project—a structured approach to parenting that helps families:
✅ Define core values
✅ Build consistent routines
✅ Strengthen family bonds through daily habits
Dr. Meeker and Joe discuss the 7 Pillars of Personal Development, covering morning routines, family meetings, and strategies for co-parenting. They offer practical advice on child development, screen time boundaries, family traditions, and fostering resilience in kids.
Episode Highlights:
📌 00:00 – Welcome & Intro to Joe Hashey
📌 01:42 – From Teaching to Fitness Industry
📌 02:34 – Struggles Balancing Work & Family
📌 03:29 – Pandemic’s Impact on Parenting
📌 06:12 – The Birth of The Strong Family Project
📌 07:26 – Defining Core Family Values
📌 10:08 – Parenting Challenges & Solutions
📌 16:09 – Managing Screen Time & Peer Influence
📌 20:50 – The 7 Pillars of The Strong Family Project
📌 26:30 – Co-Parenting Strategies
📌 29:28 – Personal Growth & Life Lessons
📌 32:23 – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
Meet Joe Hashey:
Joe Hashey, M.Ed., is a former educator turned entrepreneur and family strategist. After earning his Master’s from Colgate University, he taught for eight years before founding a fitness company inspired by his father’s passing. Recognized as a Small Business Person of the Year in 2018, Joe later shifted focus to helping families build structure and strong relationships through The Strong Family Project.
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38:21
Ep. 266: Teen Dating: What I Wish I Knew | Reflections from Adulthood
💡 What do adults wish they had known about teen dating? How can parents guide their teens to make healthier relationship choices?
In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with team member Alexie, who reflects on 20 years of dating experiences—starting at just 15. She shares insights on relationship challenges, emotional struggles, and regrets, highlighting the impact of parental guidance and the importance of open conversations in shaping healthier dating decisions.
🎙️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✅ Why early dating experiences shape long-term relationship patterns
✅ How self-confidence and emotional awareness impact dating choices
✅ The role of social media in modern teen relationships
✅ How parents can set healthy boundaries without alienating their teens
✅ What every teen should hear before they start dating
💡 Want expert guidance from Dr. Meg? Click here to book a coaching session and get personalized parenting advice!
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If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review so more parents can learn how to help their teens navigate dating with confidence!
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31:31
Ep. 265: Navigating Teen Dating: Rules, Expectations, and Communication (Part 1)
With Valentine’s Day just behind us, many parents are reflecting on teen dating—when it should start, what rules to set, and how to guide their kids through relationships. In this Ask Dr. Meg episode of the Parenting Great Kids podcast, Dr. Meg Meeker answers the most common questions from parents, covering everything from the right age to start dating to setting healthy boundaries and expectations.
She emphasizes the importance of open communication, encouraging parents to involve their teens in setting dating guidelines. Dr. Meeker also shares why she advises against high school dating due to its emotional impact and potential for heartbreak, advocating instead for strong friendships. Additionally, she highlights practical strategies for helping teens make informed choices, such as role-playing real-life scenarios and setting non-negotiable character traits for future partners.
This episode is part one of a two-part series on teen dating. In part two, we’ll hear from a young adult who reflects on what she wishes she had known about dating as a teenager. Don't forget to enable notifications on your podcast app so you don’t miss part two.
Want to work directly with Dr. Meg? Click here to book a personalized coaching session and get expert guidance on navigating your child’s journey through teen dating!
Key Moments
📌 00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast
📌 00:18 – Why Discuss Dating?
📌 02:12 – Should Kids Date in High School?
📌 02:29 – The Impact of Breakups
📌 03:25 – Mistakes and Risks in High School Dating
📌 04:34 – Friendships vs. Dating
📌 05:36 – Understanding Dating Expectations
📌 06:10 – The Pressures of Dating
📌 17:49 – Setting Boundaries and Rules
📌 21:54 – Setting Curfews and Boundaries
📌 22:47 – Discussing Dating Rules with Your Spouse
📌 23:26 – The Dangers of Underage Drinking
📌 25:22 – Role-Playing Dating Scenarios
📌 30:02 – Handling a Problematic Boyfriend
📌 34:27 – Building Trust and Setting Expectations
📌 37:28 – Staying Involved in Your Child's Private World
📌 40:52 – Concluding Thoughts and Professional Help
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If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review so more parents can confidently guide their teens through dating!
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46:42
Ep. 264: Authenticity and Boundaries: Building Stronger Families and Personal Growth
“Authenticity isn’t about staying the same—it’s about being true to yourself across life’s many roles.” In this episode, media personality Jeanne Sparrow shares how she has embraced authenticity throughout her career and personal life, offering practical lessons for maintaining genuine connections. From interviewing iconic figures to navigating personal relationships, Jeanne reveals how to balance shifting roles while remaining true to yourself.
This episode is packed with actionable advice for parents and professionals, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries, listening generously, and building authentic connections that foster trust and growth.
Ready to take the next step in your parenting journey? Connect 1:1 with Dr. Meg for personalized coaching tailored to your family’s needs.
Time-Stamped Highlights:
00:00 Understanding Authenticity Across Life’s Roles
00:43 Career Lessons and Staying Genuine
05:19 Parental Expectations and Authenticity
08:07 The Importance of Setting Boundaries
08:40 Practical Exercises for Living Authentically
24:47 Communication Tips for Parents and Professionals
33:36 Conclusion and Coaching Resources
Key Discussion Topics:
What Authenticity Really Means: Jeanne discusses how authenticity involves adapting to life’s different roles without losing your core self.
Setting Boundaries That Work: Learn how to define personal limits and recognize when external pressures require realignment.
Communication That Builds Stronger Relationships: Jeanne’s “listen generously” method offers powerful techniques for connecting with both children and colleagues.
Practical Exercises for Self-Discovery: Discover exercises from Jeanne’s book that help you reflect on daily actions and uncover your authentic self.
Whether you’re a parent looking to improve communication with your children or a professional navigating workplace dynamics, this episode is your guide to living authentically and fostering stronger connections.
About Our Guest: Jeanne Sparrow
Jeanne Sparrow is an award-winning communicator with a distinguished career in television, radio, and public speaking. She currently hosts a weekly radio show on Chicago’s V103 and the Fearless Authenticity podcast on the iHeart Podcast Network. Her upcoming book, Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally, is available for pre-order (link in the show notes). Jeanne’s expertise in guiding others to embrace their authentic selves has made her a sought-after speaker and mentor.
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Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through a world that feels increasingly complex. Dr. Meg Meeker, known as America's Mom and a leading authority on parenting, teens, and children's health, provides practical insights to simplify the parenting journey. As a trusted pediatrician, mother, and bestselling author, Dr. Meeker engages with top experts and real parents to discuss current issues, answer important parenting questions, and offer actionable advice. Her podcast delivers simple, effective solutions, offering hope and encouragement to every parent
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