Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

What if the key to a healthier family dynamic has already been read by 20 million people—but you haven't applied it at home yet?
In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the international mega-bestseller The 5 Love Languages, about how his globally recognized framework can transform parenting.
Dr. Chapman introduces his newest book, The Love Language That Matters Most, offering a sharper, family-focused lens on expressing love in ways that resonate deeply with children and teens. From navigating teenage disconnection to fostering emotional safety, this episode uncovers practical strategies rooted in empathy, intentionality, and personalized communication.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Does my child really feel loved by me?” — this conversation is your wake-up call.

Our Guest
Dr. Gary Chapman is a renowned counselor, pastor, and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages, which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 50 languages. With decades of experience in marriage and family counseling, Dr. Chapman has helped millions better understand how to give and receive love in meaningful ways. His work continues to shape how families, couples, and parents build stronger emotional bonds.

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🤝 Sponsors
Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
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In this Christmas episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker invites parents to slow down and reflect on the deeper meaning of Emmanuel—God with us—during seasons when parenting feels uncertain, overwhelming, or out of control.
Through reflections on Christmas traditions, gingerbread houses, and the sacred rhythms that shape family life, Dr. Meeker explores how simple rituals create belonging and emotional safety for children. These traditions are not about perfection—they’re about presence.
Dr. Meeker also shares deeply personal experiences, including a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where she came face-to-face with the limits of control and the ache parents feel when they can’t fix what’s in front of them. She parallels these moments with Mary’s story as the mother of Jesus—reminding parents that fear, uncertainty, and surrender have always been part of the parenting journey.
This episode is a gentle but powerful reminder: uncertainty does not mean abandonment. Even when answers are unclear, Emmanuel is present—offering comfort, hope, and steadiness to parents and children alike.

🎄 A Simple Holiday Note
If you’re still looking for a meaningful last-minute gift, the Ask Dr. Meg Community is open.
You can try it free, or gift an annual membership with 10% off using code Holiday2025—a gift that supports families well beyond Christmas.
🤝 Sponsors
Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG

🎧 As Heard on PGK
Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast.
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In this insightful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Larissa May and Dr. Raghu Appasani, co-founders of Ginko—an AI-powered parenting tool designed by clinicians to help families manage screen time and support their children's mental health. As screens increasingly dominate our kids' lives, this episode offers a powerful look at how Ginko promotes digital wellness through early intervention, behavioral insight, and personalized parenting support.
Ginko is not just another screen-limiting app—it’s a clinically informed platform that helps parents understand their children's emotional state through their digital activity. Larissa and Dr. Appasani share how Ginko personalizes digital guidance, supports healthier habits, and equips families to foster stronger, emotionally connected relationships in the digital age.
Whether you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by tech, or a professional navigating the intersection of mental health and technology, this episode provides compassionate and data-driven solutions for raising healthy, tech-savvy kids.
Our Guests:
Larissa May: Globally recognized as the face of digital wellness, Larz has shaped policy and youth-centered advocacy.
Dr. Raghu Appasani: An Integrative & Addiction Psychiatrist and Clinical Professor at UCSF and Mount Sinai. Check out Ginko here.

🎧 As Heard on PGK
Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast.
https://amzn.to/46IsRjD
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter:
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Explore our newly launched online courses, parenting forums, and expert Q&A library—all available in our PGK Insider Community.
Start for free today and become a more confident, connected parent.
Sponsors:
Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG

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Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood. In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption in kids and teens.
Dr. Twenge shares powerful tips from her book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World, including:
Delay smartphone use until kids drive
Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight
Set daily screen limits and enforce them
Openly discuss the dangers of cyberbullying and online content

These rules help reclaim childhood from the grip of technology.
While tech is here to stay, balance is possible. Dr. Twenge emphasizes proactive parenting—being aware, staying involved, and not being afraid to set firm boundaries.
As Dr. Meeker reminds listeners, protecting kids' mental health is worth every hard conversation about screens, apps, and smartphones.

📚Resources
Work with Dr. Meg One-on-One
Struggling with parenting challenges and need personalized guidance?
Dr. Meg Meeker offers private parent coaching tailored to your family's needs.

Learn More About Dr. Jean Twenge’s Research
Stay up-to-date with Dr. Twenge’s latest studies on technology and generational psychology and check out her new book here.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

🎓 Join the PGK Insider Community – Free Access!
Explore our newly launched online courses, parenting forums, and expert Q&A library—all available in our PGK Insider Community.
Start for free today and become a more confident, connected parent.

Sponsors:
Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG

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

In this follow-up to our conversation on divorce and healing, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with therapist and integrative healer Dawn Wiggins to talk about what it really takes to recover from any kind of trauma — whether it’s divorce, loss, or years of emotional stress.
Wiggins explains how trauma shapes our nervous system, thoughts, and relationships — and how real healing happens when we reconnect body, mind, and spirit. Together, they unpack practical ways to calm the body, release old pain, and create safety from the inside out.
🧭 Key Takeaways
Trauma lives in the body — and the nervous system needs to feel safe before real healing begins.
Being present (not perfect) helps children and loved ones feel secure.
Recognize and release negative beliefs that keep you stuck in fear or guilt.
Tools like EMDR, somatic therapy, and homeopathy can help integrate emotional healing.
Healing is a full-body process — involving your brain, your breath, and your belief system.
When you heal yourself, you break generational patterns and model resilience.

About Dawn Wiggins
Dawn Wiggins is a licensed therapist, homeopath, and integrative healer who helps people recover from trauma and life transitions. She’s the creator of A Different “D” Word, a year-long healing program, and host of the podcast Dear Divorce Diary, where she guides listeners toward emotional safety, balance, and self-trust.

🎧 As Heard on PGK
Check out other books we've talked about on the podcast.
https://amzn.to/46IsRjD
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

📩 Subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Newsletter:
https://bit.ly/46G4Niw

💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.
Start your coaching journey today

Sponsors:
Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
IXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEG
Homeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEG
Listen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange

*This episode is sponsored by Dawn Wiggins.

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