Ep. 163- The power of validation in parenting: A conversation with Dr. Raphael
Release Date: 11/10/2025
Ep. 163- The power of validation in parenting: A conversation with Dr. Raphael
Parenting Understood
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Dr. Debbie Raphael, a child and adult psychiatrist, to discuss how her personal experiences as a parent intertwine with her professional insights. Dr. Raphael shares how becoming a mother during her child psychiatry fellowship deepened her understanding of validation, attunement, and mentalization—skills that foster healthy emotional development in children. She explains how parents’ ability to validate their child’s feelings builds self-trust and resilience from early childhood through adolescence. The conversation also explores...
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Ep. 162 - Navigating Separation at the Start of the School Year
Parenting Understood
In this episode, we speak with early childhood educator, Lucy Chen, about the challenges of separation anxiety during the start of school. We explore how separation begins as early as infancy with object permanence and continues to evolve as children enter preschool and beyond. Lucy emphasizes that separation is not “one and done” but an ongoing process tied to trust, attachment, and new environments. Teachers play a key role in creating safe, predictable routines, building relationships, and honoring the wide range of ways children express their emotions—whether outwardly through tears...
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Ep. 161 - The Cost of Caregiving: A Conversation with Naaz Nichols of Care.com
Parenting Understood
In this episode, we sit down with Naaz Nichols of Care.com to discuss the growing pressures on working parents, especially those in the “sandwich generation” caring for both children and aging parents. Nichols highlights alarming trends, including a sharp decline in mothers’ workforce participation driven by return-to-office mandates, high childcare costs, and limited flexibility. She underscores the urgent need for affordable childcare and senior care, workplace equity policies, and cultural shifts that normalize flexibility and caregiving support. The conversation explores the...
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Ep. 58 [Revisited] - How to Support Young Children at the Start of the School Year
Parenting Understood
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
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Ep. 105 [Revisited] - Gender, Emotion and Perfectionism: A conversation with Lisa Damour
Parenting Understood
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys. Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The...
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Ep. 160 - How to navigate perimenopause, menopause, and life’s next period with Lauren Tetenbaum
Parenting Understood
In this episode, we welcome author Lauren Tetenbaum to discuss her new book, "Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period." Lauren, a perinatal mental health specialist, shares her motivation for writing the book: a shocking realization of how little she, and many women, knew about this significant life stage. We delve into common misunderstandings surrounding perimenopause and menopause, emphasizing that symptoms like mood changes, irritability, and brain fog can begin as early as the late 30s and are often dismissed. The conversation highlights the...
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Ep. 159 - How we can best support children by understanding variability in within and across day self-regulation
Parenting Understood
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Koepp discusses his research on children's self-regulation and behavioral changes throughout the day and week. He explains how children's self-control, particularly in terms of restlessness and inhibition, tends to wear out across the school day and week. Andrew suggests that understanding these natural ebbs and flows can help parents and teachers plan activities, emphasizing the importance of restorative experiences like sleep, physical activity (recess), and unstructured playtime. He also offers three key pieces of advice: meet kids where they are by understanding...
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Ep. 158 - Examining the effects of Dobbs v. Jackson Woman’s Health Organization on Perinatal Health
Parenting Understood
In this episode, we discuss the significant impact of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision on individuals' mental health, particularly concerning perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Shana DeVlieger, a developmental psychologist, elaborates on how this landmark ruling, which overturned Roe v. Wade, has not only reshaped abortion laws but has also created a pervasive climate of uncertainty affecting caregivers across the United States. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding perinatal mental health within a broader socio-political and...
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Ep. 157 - Navigating modern motherhood: A conversation with Sarah Gallucci
Parenting Understood
In this episode we speak with author Sarah Gallucci about her book, "Laid: A Memoir of Love, Intimacy, and Marriage." Sarah opens up about her personal motherhood journey, revealing the stark contrast between societal expectations and her own struggles with anxiety, anger, and the overwhelming mental load of raising two young children. She discusses hitting rock bottom, seeking therapy, and the controversial decision to explore an open marriage as a means of self-preservation. This raw and honest conversation delves into the importance of trusting your intuition, the power of journaling, and...
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Ep. 156 - The future of child care: A discussion with Joan Nguyen
Parenting Understood
In this episode of Parenting Understood we are joined by Joan Nguyen, founder of Bumo, to discuss the evolving landscape of childcare. Joan highlights how the pandemic exposed critical childcare gaps, transitioning it from a personal issue to an economic one. She explains how Bumo addresses these challenges by offering an online platform for instantly bookable childcare, including unique options like summer camps and school holiday programs. She emphasizes Bumo's commitment to equitable access, providing affordable options alongside premium services. The conversation also covers technology's...
info_outlineIn this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Dr. Debbie Raphael, a child and adult psychiatrist, to discuss how her personal experiences as a parent intertwine with her professional insights. Dr. Raphael shares how becoming a mother during her child psychiatry fellowship deepened her understanding of validation, attunement, and mentalization—skills that foster healthy emotional development in children. She explains how parents’ ability to validate their child’s feelings builds self-trust and resilience from early childhood through adolescence. The conversation also explores the importance of community support, self-care, and maintaining balance between empathy and boundaries. Dr. Raphael introduces her forthcoming book, which integrates clinical research and lived experience to guide parents in creating positive childhood experiences that buffer against stress and adversity. We reflect on how nurturing connection—both within families and communities—supports mental health across generations.