Raising Good Humans

In today’s episode, I sit down with psychologist and professor Alison Fragale to explore the concept of status—what it really means, why the need to be respected is such a fundamental human drive, and how it shapes the way our kids navigate friendships, school, and their broader social world. We talk about how status often shows up differently for girls, the balance between being likable and being confident, and how subtle habits like self-deprecation can influence how our kids see themselves. We discuss a simple, powerful framework for understanding behavior through the lens of warmth and competence, along with practical ways to help kids build confidence, interpret social feedback, and develop relationships rooted in real respect rather than external validation.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Pre-order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans https://draliza.com/pre-order/Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsored by: BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/humansAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Visit eatright.org/everytable to learn more and find a nutrition and dietetics professional.Little Spoon: littlespoon.com/TRYFORMULAProduced 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.

In today’s episode I sit down with Dr. Elisha Goldstein to explore how small, practical shifts can help us break out of the constant overwhelm so many parents are living in. We talk about why knowing what to do isn’t the same as actually doing it, how chronic low-grade stress impacts the way we show up with our kids, and why self-regulation is one of the most important skills we can model. We discuss simple, in-the-moment tools to interrupt reactive patterns, calm the nervous system, and move from reacting to responding, as well as how these “tiny shifts” can improve not just our parenting, but our overall health and well-being.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Pre-order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans https://draliza.com/pre-order/Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsored by: Pocket Hose: Text HUMANS to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may applyExperian: Get started with the Experian App now!First Day: Our listeners get up to 57% Off AND a Free Gift with code HUMANS at FirstDay.comAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Visit eatright.org/everytable to learn more and find a nutrition and dietetics professional.Little Spoon: littlespoon.com/TRYFORMULAProduced 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.

Join me for a solo episode this week, and a look into alleviating mealtime tension and how to deal with body image baggage. I give six helpful tips to make mealtime easier, and discuss the acronym BALANCE, which you can use to ease mealtime stress. I also discuss the three principles for kids to grow up with a positive body image, and the importance of doing the work to shift how we see our bodies and others. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Pre-order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans https://draliza.com/pre-order/Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsored by: Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping and 365-day returnsZip Recruiter: Try it FOR FREE at ZipRecruiter.com/HUMANSPique Tea: Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/humansMinnow: Shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first orderPocket Hose: Text HUMANS to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may applyProduced 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.

In today’s episode I sit down with professor Arthur Brooks to explore what actually makes a life feel meaningful in a culture obsessed with achievement, optimization, and measurable success. We talk about why happiness is more than a feeling, the difference between pain and suffering, how meaning is built through coherence, purpose, and significance, and why so many high achievers still feel empty. We discuss practical ways to resist the pressure to turn ourselves and our kids into “human doings,” and instead to just love ourselves are our children for who they are, not just for what they accomplish.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Experian: Get started with the Experian App now!Ello: Visit ElloProducts.com/CleanStart and use code RGH at checkout for 20% off your first purchaseKa'Chava: Go to https://kachava.com and use code HUMANS for 15% off your first orderNurture Life: For 55% off your order + FREE shipping, head to NurtureLife.com/HUMANS and use codeHUMANSProduced 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.

In today's episode I sit down with professor Ann Masten to unpack what resilience actually means—and why it’s so often misunderstood. We explore her powerful definition of resilience as the capacity of a system to adapt to serious challenges, not just a personality trait or inner toughness. From everyday stress to real adversity, we discuss the difference between harmful trauma and growth-building challenges, and why kids need support—not perfection—to thrive. We talk about the “ordinary magic” of caring relationships, schools, communities, and cultural traditions, and why resilience is built through connection across multiple systems.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/humansWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeJones Road Beauty: Use code HUMANS at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #adFast Growing Trees:An ADDITIONAL TWENTY PERCENT OFF better plants and better growing at FastGrowingTrees.com using the code HUMANS at checkoutExperian: Get started with the Experian App now!Bloom: Go to bloomnu.com with code HUMANS for 20% off your first orderProduced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with behavioral geneticist and professor Dr. Kathryn Paige Harden to talk about what behavioral genetics can actually tell us about our kids—and what it can’t. We unpack the reality of psychiatric risk, family history, and the limits of control, and why genes are not destiny. We discuss how thousands of tiny genetic differences shape mental health, why diagnoses are messier than we think, and how warmth and firm boundaries still matter more than any “magic bullet.”I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Ello: Visit ElloProducts.com/CleanStart and use code RGH at checkout for 20% off your first purchaseBrodo: Head to Brodo.com/HUMANS for 20% off your first subscription order and use code HUMANS for an additional $10 offKa'Chava: Go to https://kachava.com and use code HUMANS for 15% off your first orderExperian: Get started with the Experian App now!Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/HUMANSBloom: Go to bloomnu.com with code HUMANS for 20% off your first orderProduced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s episode I sit down with developmental psychologist Dr. Jay Belsky to explore a question so many parents wrestle with: is temperament destiny? We talk about why children differ in how deeply they’re shaped by their environments, what “developmental plasticity” really means, and why the same parenting can land so differently depending on the child. We discuss the difference between sensitivity and susceptibility, the limits of attachment research, and why focusing only on long-term outcomes can distract us from what matters in the here and now.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Zip Recruiter: Try it FOR FREE at ZipRecruiter.com/HUMANSBloom: Go to bloomnu.com with code HUMANS for 20%of your first orderEllo: Visit ElloProducts.com/CleanStart and use code RGH at checkout for 20% off your first purchaseLittle Spoon: Get 30% off your first online order at littlespoon.coms/RGH with code RGHFirst Day: Our listeners get up to 57% Off AND a Free Gift with code HUMANS at FirstDay.coMinnow: Go to shopminnow.com code MEETMINNOW15 for 15% offProduced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Deepika Chopra to talk about what real optimism actually means — and why it’s so different from toxic positivity. We unpack the science behind resilience, curiosity, and staying open when life is hard, and we get practical about how to grow your “optimism muscle” in everyday moments. We talk about language shifts (like the power of “never” and “always”), parenting through low-capacity seasons, rituals that ground families, and why affirmations and manifestation don’t always work the way we think they do.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365-day returnExperian: Get started with the Experian App now!Little Spoon: Get 30% off your first online order at littlespoon.com/RGH with code RGHOneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RGH at https://www.oneskin.co/RGH #oneskinpodMonarch: 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code HUMANSSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I’m diving into 10 practical tips to help make listening and cooperation with your kids easier. I’ll walk you through straightforward strategies for strengthening connection and communication, plus I’ll share a quick mindfulness exercise to keep you feeling centered, even on the toughest days.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365-day returnWayfair: Head to wayfair.comBrodo: Head to Brodo.com/HUMANS for20% off your first subscription order and use code HUMANS for an additional $10 offPique: Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/humansBetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/humansFora: Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/HUMANSSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I talk directly to parents about how to show up for our kids when the world feels heavy and unsettling—without turning the conversation into politics. I share what research tells us about stress, co-regulation, and why our kids absorb our emotional state even when we think we’re hiding it. I also offer practical guidance for talking to children at different ages, setting healthier boundaries around the news and doom scrolling, and staying grounded so we can provide safety, connection, and hope while raising compassionate, resilient humans.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Experian: Get started with the Experian App now!Bloom: Get Bloom’s best offer by visiting bloomnu.com and using code HUMANS at checkoutKa'Chava: Go to kachava.com and use code HUMANS for 15% offOneSkin: 15% off when you use code RGH at oneskin.co/RGHSkims: Go to skims.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and author Dr. Jean Twenge to talk about the seven essential conversations to have with kids before they get a device. We break down what kids need to understand about privacy, posting, and why nothing online is ever truly private. We also discuss the tech rules that matter most—like no devices in bedrooms at night—and how to set limits without panic, guilt, or power struggles.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Experian: Get started with the Experian App now!Osea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.comMonarch: Use code HUMANS at monarch.com for half off your first yearFora: Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/HUMANSBloom: Get Bloom’s best offer by visiting bloomnu.com and using code HUMANS at checkoutSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with award winning journalist and author Jennifer Wallace, to talk about her new work on mattering—the need to feel seen, valued, and needed. We explore how mattering emerged as a powerful protective factor for kids growing up in high-pressure, achievement-driven environments, and why so many adults today feel lonely, disengaged, or untethered. Jennifer shares the SAID framework—feeling significant, appreciated, invested in, and depended on—and we talk about what this looks like in real life, at home, at work, and in our communities. This conversation is about practical, doable ways to help our kids (and ourselves) feel like we matter—without more pressure, perfection, or performance.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365-day returnExperian: Get started with the Experian App now!Brodo: Head to Brodo.com/HUMANS for20% off your first subscription order and use code HUMANS for an additional $10 offSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I answer four listener questions—toddler biting, potty training pressure, emotional daycare drop-offs, and early “lying” in preschoolers—breaking down what’s developmentally normal, what to do in the moment, and the practical, compassionate strategies that actually help (without shame, power struggles, or panic).I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Pique Tea: Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/humansKa'Chava: Go to https://kachava.com and use code HUMANS. New customers get twenty dollars off an order of two bags or more, January 1st through 31stZip Recruiter: Go to ZipRecruiter.com/HUMANSWayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things homeBetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/humansSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by education expert Lizzie Assa to talk about independent play—why it matters, what it actually builds in kids, and how to make it work in real life. We break down the difference between independent play and ignoring your child, how to respond when kids say “I’m bored,” and simple ways to set up your home so play can happen more naturally. Lizzie shares practical strategies like play prompts, play pockets, and quiet time, along with reassurance for parents who feel guilty stepping back. This conversation is all about helping kids build confidence, resilience, and creativity—while giving parents a little more breathing room too.I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsLSubscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/Follow me on Instagram for more:@raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors:Suvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their saleAvocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.Bobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.comOsea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.comQuince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returnsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.