What if the goal of parenting isn’t raising kids who always listen…but raising kids who feel safe being fully themselves? In this episode, Kristin shares a realization that stopped her in her tracks: so much of her life has been shaped by the quiet pressure to be liked. To be the nice one. The agreeable one. The one everyone walks away from thinking, “Wow, she’s so kind.” From friendships to everyday interactions with strangers, that instinct to make sure everyone feels good about her has been deeply ingrained, and incredibly exhausting.

And that realization led to a bigger parenting question: how often do kids learn to people-please because they feel their acceptance depends on it? Many of us grew up believing the highest compliment a child could receive was being called a “good kid.” The obedient one. The easy one. The one who doesn’t push back, question, or cause problems. But what if that expectation quietly teaches kids something we never intended, that their job is to make adults happy?

In this episode, we unpack the hidden pressure behind being the “good kid” and why prioritizing obedience above all else can sometimes make it harder for kids to develop confidence, boundaries, and trust in their own voice.

Kristin talks about:

• Why the idea of the “obedient child” can be misleading
• How kids internalize the need for approval from the adults around them
• The subtle ways people-pleasing starts in childhood
• The difference between respect and compliance
• Why it’s actually healthy for kids to disagree, push back, and express who they really are
• How we can create homes where kids feel safe showing up authentically...even when that’s messy

Because here’s the truth: our kids are going to grow up in a world where not everyone will like them. And while that’s uncomfortable, it’s also part of being human. The goal isn’t raising kids who never disappoint anyone. The goal is raising kids who trust themselves enough to be who they are, even when it means not everyone approves. And when kids know they’re loved exactly as they are, they don’t have to spend their lives shrinking themselves to earn it.

This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.

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Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is one of the most vulnerable conversations we’ve ever had on the podcast. In this episode, Deena shares something deeply personal: her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her third baby. What started as exhaustion and overwhelm slowly turned into something heavier, constant tears, crushing shame, and dark thoughts she never imagined she would have as a mom.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at motherhood… like everyone else is coping better than you… like your brain is telling you lies about who you are as a parent, this episode is for you. Together, Kristin and Deena talk honestly about what postpartum depression actually feels like from the inside, the warning signs that something wasn’t right, and the moment Deena realized she needed help. They also talk about the power of saying the scary thoughts out loud, the role of support from partners and friends, and the steps that helped Deena begin to find her way back.


In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What postpartum depression can actually look like in real life

• The thoughts many struggling moms are too ashamed to say out loud

• Why postpartum depression has nothing to do with being a “good” or “bad” mom

• How to recognize when it’s time to reach out for help

• The small steps that can start the path toward feeling better

If you are struggling, please know this: there’s nothing wrong with you, you are not alone, and help is out there. This conversation is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful, because no mom should have to carry this alone. You can also contact Postpartum Support International (they have free helplines, tests, and local providers). If you’re in immediate danger, call or text 988 in the U.S. If you’re elsewhere, your local emergency number can connect you to crisis support.

This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.

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Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was hard for me to do, because I’ll be honest: I don’t believe kids should be on social media. Full stop. And still… the reality is: teens (and preteens) are being pulled into this world whether we like it or not, and parents are left trying to make sense of it with a pit in their stomach and zero clear answers. So, we sat down with Meta to find the safest way to protect our kids in these social media times.

In this conversation, Kristin interviews Tara Hopkins (Global Director of Public Policy at Instagram/Meta — and a mom of two teens) and asks the questions parents actually have about teen accounts, content exposure, messaging, time limits, AI, and what “safety” really means in a world of short-form dopamine loops. Full disclosure, this episode isn't going to leave you saying, “Instagram is great for kids!” But, if you've already given your child instagram, if you're curious what limits you can place for your kid begging for social media, or you know someone in the thick of it, you'll walk away knowing *exactly* what you can, and can't do, to protect your kid online.

This is an information-forward, real-world conversation for parents who want to understand:

• What Instagram Teen Accounts actually are

• What protections exist (and where parents still need to step in)

• What parents can and can’t control

• How Meta approaches sensitive content and teen safety

• How time limits, sleep settings, and parental permissions work

• Where AI fits into all of this

My hope is simple: more clarity, less spiraling. Whether you’re firmly in the “no social media” camp, already navigating it with your teen, or you can feel the pressure creeping in… this episode gives you a clearer picture of what’s being built, how to use parameters that already exist, and what questions still deserve answers.

For access to more helpful tools and expert guidance, parents can visit https://familycenter.meta.com.

● Instagram Teen Accounts —now inspired by 13+ movie ratings—are designed to give parents peace of mind that their teens are safer with the right protections in place. Learn more about Instagram Teen Accounts at https://about.fb.com/news/2025/10/instagram-teen-accounts-pg-13-ratings/

● Support your family’s online experience with expert guidance and tools from Meta’s Family Center. Explore resources today, including Meta’s Screen Smart Program, at https://familycenter.meta.com.

This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.