The Child Psych Podcast

Why Anxiety, Meltdowns, Sleep Problems, and Emotional Dysregulation May Have More to Do With Modern Childhood Than We Think
Children today are more anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, and emotionally exhausted than ever before.
But what if one of the biggest threats to their mental health isn’t something happening online…
It’s what’s missing offline?

In this incredibly powerful and emotional episode of the Child Psych Podcast, Dr. John La Puma joins us to unpack what he calls The Indoor Epidemic — the silent shift away from sunlight, outdoor play, movement, nature, boredom, independence, and real-world connection that is fundamentally changing childhood.
This conversation will likely make you see parenting — and modern life — differently.

We explore why children’s nervous systems are struggling, why so many kids seem emotionally dysregulated and chronically stressed, and how today’s indoor, screen-filled lifestyle may be contributing to rising rates of anxiety, attention difficulties, sleep problems, sensory overwhelm, and disconnection.
But this episode is not about guilt.

It’s about hope.

Dr. La Puma shares practical, science-backed ways families can reconnect with the outdoors, regulate the nervous system naturally, and begin restoring the kinds of experiences children’s brains and bodies desperately need to thrive.

If you’ve ever looked at your child and thought:

“Why do they seem so overwhelmed lately?”
“Why does everything feel harder than it used to?”
“Why can’t screens seem to satisfy them?”
“Why do we all feel so disconnected?”
This episode is going to hit deeply.

In This Episode:
The hidden psychological cost of indoor childhoods
Why nature is one of the most powerful nervous system regulators
The surprising link between sunlight, movement, sleep, and emotional health
What kids lose when free play and independence disappear
How modern life is reshaping children’s brains and stress responses
Simple changes that can dramatically improve family well-being
This is one of those conversations every parent needs to hear.
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In this insightful and practical conversation, we sit down with Katie Kimball, founder of Kids Cook Real Food and author of Kids Cook Real Food: Healthy Kids, Happy Moms, to explore the real story behind picky eating.
If mealtimes in your home feel like a constant battle, this episode offers a refreshing and evidence-informed perspective. Katie challenges the common belief that picky eating is simply about stubbornness or defiance, and instead helps parents understand the developmental, sensory, and relational factors that shape how children engage with food.

We talk about why pressure, bribing, and “just one more bite” often backfire, and what actually helps children build confidence and curiosity around food. Katie shares simple, practical strategies that support autonomy, reduce stress at the table, and create a more positive mealtime experience for the whole family.
This episode is especially helpful for parents who feel stuck, frustrated, or worried about their child’s eating habits, and are looking for a more connected, sustainable approach.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why picky eating is rarely just about the food
• How pressure and control can make mealtimes harder
• The role of independence and life skills in expanding food choices
• Simple ways to involve kids in cooking and build confidence
• How to create calm, connected, and successful mealtime routines

This is a conversation about shifting the dynamic at the table, moving away from power struggles, and supporting children in developing a healthy, lifelong relationship with food.

Aura

Your kid’s digital life doesn’t come with a playbook.
But that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the dark.

That’s where Aura Parents comes in. It combines traditional parental controls—like content filtering, time limits, and Pause the Internet®—with newer digital wellbeing features that show patterns in sleep opportunity, screentime trends, social engagement, and even AI app usage insights.

So instead of just limiting screen time, you get more context and insight into changes in patterns and can use that information to decide when to check in with your kid.
It’s not about control—it’s about feeling informed and empowered as you navigate an always changing digital world.

Learn more about Aura Parents and start your free trial at auraparents.com/icp
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, we sit down with Harry Psaros, author of From Struggle to Strength: A Father’s Journey with Autism, to explore a perspective that is often missing in conversations around autism, the father’s experience.
Harry shares his personal journey from denial to acceptance after his son’s autism diagnosis, opening up about the confusion, resistance, and emotional struggle many parents quietly face. Like many fathers, he initially found it difficult to fully embrace the diagnosis, a reality he now speaks openly about to help other families feel less alone.

Through vulnerability and reflection, Harry offers insight into what helped him shift his mindset, strengthen his role as a parent, and become a more connected and supportive father. His story is not about perfection or quick fixes, but about growth, resilience, and the power of showing up, even when it is hard.

This episode is especially meaningful for parents navigating a new diagnosis, families experiencing disconnection, or anyone wanting to better understand the emotional journey behind raising a child on the spectrum.
In this episode, we explore:

• The emotional reality of receiving an autism diagnosis as a parent
• Why some fathers struggle with acceptance and how to support them
• The shift from resistance to connection
• Building a united, supportive family approach
• How mindset, hope, and small steps can transform the journey
This is a conversation about honesty, growth, and the kind of parenting that evolves through challenge, connection, and love.

To learn more about Harry, please click here: https://www.harrypsaros.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your child is melting down, shutting down, or completely overwhelmed… it can feel like nothing works. In this powerful, brain-based conversation, best-selling author Jon Fogel reveals what’s really happening beneath your child’s big emotions—and why those intense feelings so quickly turn into explosive behaviors.
But more importantly, he shows you what to do in the moment.

Drawing from his work with families and the tools behind his upcoming children’s book Set My Feelings Free, Jon explains why talking often fails when kids are dysregulated—and why play, movement, music, and sensory tools can calm a child’s nervous system in seconds.
You’ll walk away with simple, powerful strategies your child can actually use when it matters most—because the best tools aren’t the ones that sound good… they’re the ones that work in real life.

What You’ll Learn:
✅ What’s really happening in your child’s brain during meltdowns
✅ Why logic and reasoning don’t work when emotions take over
✅ Fast, play-based tools that help kids regulate in the moment
✅ Why one strategy can work beautifully for one child—and fail for another
✅ How to build regulation skills before the meltdown happens
✅ How to stay calm, confident, and grounded—even in the hardest moments

Jon is the author of the best-selling book Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice, where he outlines practical, research-informed strategies for guiding children’s behavior without fear, shame, or harsh discipline and his newest CHILDREN'S BOOK Set My Feelings Free

Jon is also the host of The Whole Parent Podcast, where he shares tools, mindset shifts, and real-life applications to help parents move from reactivity to intentional, grounded leadership. Through his writing, teaching, and podcast, Jon empowers parents to build emotionally healthy homes rooted in both warmth and accountability.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Challenging behavior isn’t a motivation problem, it’s a skills and problem-solving problem. In this powerful masterclass, Dr. Ross Greene (clinical psychologist, author, and founder of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model) and Tammy Schamuhn (child psychologist and co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology) unpack a compassionate, research-informed shift that has transformed homes and schools: kids do well if they can.

Instead of relying on sticker charts, punishments, power struggles, or “compliance-first” discipline, Dr. Greene helps adults learn to see behavior as communication: a child is showing us they’re having difficulty meeting an expectation, and there’s an unsolved problem underneath that needs our attention.

What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why consequences (rewards and punishments) don’t solve the problems that cause challenging behavior
✅ How to shift from “They won’t” to “They can’t yet,” by identifying lagging skills and unmet expectations
✅ The 3-step CPS/Plan B process for collaborative problem-solving
✅ How to reduce conflict by solving problems proactively, before kids reach the boiling point
✅ How this approach supports children across settings (home, classroom, recess, coaching) while strengthening trust and connection

FREE resources from Dr. Ross Greene can be found here--> https://cpsconnection.com/
His newest book "The Kids Who Aren't Okay", His classic book "The Explosive Child"
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