Raising Us: A Parenting Podcast

Educational technology is a daily part of school for kids, from learning apps and video lessons to digital group projects. But is all this screen time actually helping kids learn? In this episode of Raising Us, host Elise Hu explores the benefits and challenges of educational technology in classrooms, including concerns around distraction, data privacy, and child development. 
Kate Brody, educator, parent, and VP of Schools Beyond Screens, shares how her first grader’s experience with classroom technology sparked conversations with teachers and her school district about finding a healthier balance after the pandemic. Later, Elise is joined by Emily Cherkin, founder of The Screen Time Consultant, to define what educational technology can look like when it works best for both students and teachers. Kate and Emily offer practical advice for starting productive conversations with educators about technology and learning, and how to be intentionally active in how tech expands in our kids’ lives.
Key Takeaways:
Understand the difference between ed tech and tech ed; we can teach our kids about technology without requiring them to use it directly.
Be brave in opting out of tech when it’s not as beneficial for your child’s learning.
Research what a balanced relationship with educational technology looks like for your family.
Prioritize play, skills, and relationships over screens.
Advocate for kids to use educational technology more effectively at schools and home.
⏱️ Timestamps:
Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/68b2a3f16e84424f/443227901429762f
Learn more about Schools Beyond Screens: https://www.schoolsbeyondscreens.com/
Follow Emily Cherkin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescreentimeconsultant
New episodes every Tuesday:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 START HERE
📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us
📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com
📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho
ABOUT THE SHOW
Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers
Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.
Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.
Follow on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.
Topics Covered on Raising Us:
Parenting kids and tweens
Mental health for kids
Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion
Screen time and social media
Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings
Building emotional intelligence in families
Conscious and values-driven parenting
Elise Hu parenting podcast
A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The news has felt heavy – every headline, story, and social media feed flooded with situations we don’t always know how to talk about at home. Still, kids are always watching and observing how adults respond to these big moments. How do we talk about these hard things without sugarcoating or panicking? And how do we provide tools they need to feel safer, grounded, and maybe even hopeful? 
Host Elise Hu is joined by Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes and Hello, Cruel World! to talk about the ins and outs of helping kids process tough events. Melinda breaks down what coping skills are and practical tips for starting conversations built on honesty, active listening, and curiosity. From choosing the right moment to talk, to knowing when to step back and simply listen, Melinda shares her best research-backed strategies for supporting kids when the world feels overwhelming. 
Key Takeaways
Practice pausing, reflecting, and building your own opinions, knowing it’s okay if those opinions change.
Give your child space to feel, process, and work through “negative” emotions.
Recognize kids can handle more than we give them credit for.
Own not knowing everything; offer future conversations, or a chance to research together.
Take opportunities to research current events with your child to build their media literacy skills.
⏱️ Timestamps:
Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/140a0a096b14eb65/a75c6db8d7111390
Follow Melinda Wenner Moyer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melindawmoyer
New episodes every Tuesday:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 START HERE
📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us
📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com
📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho
ABOUT THE SHOW
Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers
Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.
Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.
Follow on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.
Topics Covered on Raising Us:
Parenting kids and tweens
Mental health for kids
Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion
Screen time and social media
Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings
Building emotional intelligence in families
Conscious and values-driven parenting
Elise Hu parenting podcast
A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After the holiday season chaos, many families experience an annual reset into a slower winter, leading to occasional bouts of boredom. But what if boredom isn’t something to fix, but something to welcome? Mother of three, author, and founder of The Workspace for Children Lizzie Assa talks with Raising Us host Elise Hu about how to encourage raising confident, resilient kids through boredom and lulls. Lizzie shares how she dealt with her own kids’ boredom, and how being intentional with our time and energy as parents can help our kids thrive. Hear practical tips for reframing and responding to your kids and their boredom.
Key Takeaways
Incorporate opportunities for play into your everyday spaces, rather than specific places.
Intentionally create time for your child to experience boredom and play.
Reframe boredom as an intentional time for rest, as opposed to a parenting failure.
Notice the difference between a child being bored, disengaged, and overstimulated.
Allow your child to be the expert in their play by letting them guide you as an extra in play, rather than a co-producer and entertainer.
 
⏱️ Timestamps:
Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/ac4f2a39d5f521cb/e522db2362acf07e
Follow Lizzie Assa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkspaceforchildren
New episodes every Tuesday:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 START HERE
📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us
📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com
📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho
ABOUT THE SHOW
Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers
Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.
Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.
Follow on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.
Topics Covered on Raising Us:
Parenting kids and tweens
Mental health for kids
Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion
Screen time and social media
Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings
Building emotional intelligence in families
Conscious and values-driven parenting
Elise Hu parenting podcast
A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(Note: This episode originally ran on October 17th, 2025) 
Banned books are sparking debates in schools and libraries across the country. But what do book bans really mean for the kids in your life? And how can families respond in ways that build understanding instead of fear? In this episode, bestselling author Jason Reynolds (All American Boys, Long Way Down) talks about what it feels like to see his work pulled from classrooms, and scholar Dr. Emily Knox (Book Banning in the 21st Century) explains how censorship takes shape today and why it matters for all of us. They highlight practical ways to guide the kids in your life through tough topics on the page without shutting the door on important stories.
Key takeaways for parents:
Why banned books shape the way kids see the world, even if they never read them.
What small, practical steps families can take to stand up for access to stories.
How to approach “challenged” books with curiosity, care, and context.
⏱️ Timestamps:
Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/347196eeaecf58e1/f40aeb5376d16808
Follow Jason Reynolds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonreynolds83
Follow Dr. Emily Knox: https://www.emilyknox.net/
New episodes every Tuesday:
YouTube: https://swap.fm/l/P8iCjNFnIWI7kTmU0vmk
Apple: https://swap.fm/l/kCnCRNdWkpuYYbyzyE77
Spotify: https://swap.fm/l/SOQe4gSHh3vVIwPGFDet
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 START HERE
📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us
📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com
📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho
ABOUT THE SHOW
Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers
Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.
Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.
Follow on:
YouTube: https://swap.fm/l/P8iCjNFnIWI7kTmU0vmk
Apple: https://swap.fm/l/kCnCRNdWkpuYYbyzyE77
Spotify: https://swap.fm/l/SOQe4gSHh3vVIwPGFDet
Or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.
Topics Covered on Raising Us:
Parenting kids and tweens
Mental health for kids
Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion
Screen time and social media
Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings
Building emotional intelligence in families
Conscious and values-driven parenting
Elise Hu parenting podcast
A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Self-esteem plays a powerful role in how kids handle challenges, relationships, and self-doubt – but how can parents ensure confidence doesn’t come with being “the best?” Raising Us host Elise Hu is joined by Dr. Kristin Neff, associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, to define self-esteem and share practical tips for building confidence at home. Also joining this episode is Nia Sioux, a dancer, singer and actress who's best known for her breakout role as an original cast member in Lifetime’s hit reality series Dance Moms. Nia talks with us about growing up in front of cameras, her best tips for practicing self-esteem and confidence, and more anecdotes from her new memoir, Bottom of the Pyramid. 
Key Takeaways
Remind yourself that your own opinion of yourself is what matters most.
Reframe the idea of being at the bottom to mean an opportunity for learning and growth.
Model self-esteem, kindness, and warmth to encourage your children to do the same.
Rewire thought processes to encourage ourselves the same way we would encourage a close friend.
Emphasize trying and learning rather than outcome.
⏱️ Timestamps:
Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/e1bea0cf911a6b78/3f7d25b53f99ac38
Follow Dr. Kristin Neff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neffselfcompassion
Follow Nia Sioux on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niasioux
New episodes every Tuesday:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔗 START HERE
📌 Get free weekly conversation kits: https://akidsco.com/pages/raising-us
📌 Browse A Kids Co. books that pair with episodes: https://akidsco.com
📌 Follow Elise Hu: https://www.instagram.com/elisewho
ABOUT THE SHOW
Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers
Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.
Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don't have to wing the hard stuff.
Follow on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKidsCo
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2bIRVxM8hbriNxydkSv6VG
Or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.
Topics Covered on Raising Us:
Parenting kids and tweens
Mental health for kids
Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion
Screen time and social media
Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings
Building emotional intelligence in families
Conscious and values-driven parenting
Elise Hu parenting podcast
A Kids Co. podcast series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.