Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Today I’m talking with Eli Weinstein, a clinical social worker, husband and dad of two, creator of ELIvation, and host of The Dude Therapist podcast, about the pressure cooker that parenthood can create for couples, and what it actually takes to stay connected when life gets loud. In our conversation, Eli and I dig into the expectations, resentment, mental load, and communication breakdowns that can strain relationships during the parenting years, and he shares practical, real-world tools for repair, clearer communication, shared responsibility, and keeping our partnerships strong along the way.

About Eli Weinstein

Eli Weinstein, LCSW, is the therapist bringing heart and humor back to mental health. A loving husband and proudly goofy dad of two, Eli is based in Las Vegas and runs a thriving practice serving clients across New York, Nevada, and beyond through his global coaching work. Known for his straight-talking, relatable style, he’s the creator of ELIvation and host of The Dude Therapist podcast, where he dives into the messy, beautiful mix of relationships, parenting, and emotional growth.

An international speaker and sought-after guest, Eli has been featured on over 250 podcasts and major media outlets including The Kelly Clarkson Show, Psychology Today, Parents.com, Men’s Health Magazine, and leading relationship and parenting platforms. His debut book, From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage Through Parenting Years (Wiley, 2026), helps couples stay connected when life gets loud. Eli’s mission is simple: make therapy-level wisdom feel human, hopeful, and real.

Things you'll learn from this episode

Why becoming parents can expose mismatched expectations, perceptions, and assumptions within a relationship

How making the invisible mental and emotional load visible can create more understanding and shared responsibility

Why truly sharing responsibilities means allowing your partner to take ownership and do things their own way

How setting the table before difficult conversations can reduce defensiveness and make space for honest communication

Why tools like a couple’s journal can help partners process feelings and communicate more thoughtfully

How benefit of the doubt, active kindness, and simple gratitude can help couples stay connected through burnout and stressful seasons

Resources mentioned

Eli Weinstein’s website

From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years by Eli Weinstein

Eli’s podcast, The Dude Therapist

Eli Weinstein on Instagram

The Dude Therapist on Instagram

The Gottman Institute

Dr. Sue Johnson and Emotionally Focused Therapy

An Intimate Conversation with Debbie & Derin About Their Co-Parenting Journey (Part 3) (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 2 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2018)

Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 1 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2017)

Dr. Phil Stutz

Martina Nova Talks About Same Page Parenting (Tilt Parenting episode)

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New York Times' bestselling author Katherine May (Wintering) talks about her new book, The Electricity of Every Living Thing, about her journey of discovering her identity as an autistic woman.
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Research psychologist Dr. Rachel Kowert comes back to the podcast for a fascinating and updated conversation about kids and gaming, and why so much of what parents hear about video games doesn’t necessarily line up with what the research actually tells us. In our conversation, we dig into Rachel’s new white paper, Raising Good Gamers, and unpack the research around violent video games, gaming disorder, mental health, and the social, emotional, and skill-building benefits gaming can offer. Rachel also shares her SPACE framework, a practical approach for helping parents move beyond fear and toward curiosity, connection, and collaborative boundaries around their kids’ gaming lives.

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About Rachel Kowert, Ph.D

Rachel Kowert, Ph.D is a research psychologist, award winning author, and globally recognized leader in facilitating policy development for more than 15 years through data-driven research focused on mental health and trust and safety in digital games. She has spoken about her work to thousands of people across the globe, including the United States Congress, United Nations, and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Kowert is the founder of Psychgeist, a multimedia content production studio for the intersection of science and games, which includes Psychgeist YouTube channel (200+ videos), Most Recent Save podcast, and The Psychgeist of Pop Culture and Games book series’ published by Play Story Press. She currently serves as the Research Director for Games for Change and is a Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge.

Things you'll learn from this episode

How the conversation around kids, screens, and video games is evolving as research challenges common fears and assumptions

Why violent video games aren’t directly linked to real-world violence and what “gaming disorder” actually means

How increased gaming can sometimes signal underlying mental health challenges or serve as an important coping strategy

Why gaming can support friendships, connection, confidence, competency, and executive function skills

How the SPACE framework helps parents stay engaged and curious about their child’s gaming world

Why collaborative, flexible boundaries can support healthier gaming habits while preserving connection and trust



Resources mentioned

Dr. Rachel Kowert’s website

Raising Good Gamers website

Games for Change

Games for Change on Instagram

Games for Change on Facebook

Entertainment Software Association (ESA)

The Truth About Video Games and Your Child’s Physical, Social, and Psychological Well-Being with Dr. Rachel Kowert (Tilt Parenting podcast)

A Parent’s Guide to Video Games: The Essential Guide to Understanding How Video Games Impact Your Child’s Physical, Social, and Psychological Well-Being by Dr. Rachel Kowert

Purplicious Cow on CurseForge



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Performance poet and advocate LeDerick Horne talks about his journey with a hidden disability, his advocacy work, and how he found his love for poetry.
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Today I’m talking with Dr. Phil Boucher, a board-certified pediatrician who’s particularly interested in helping families understand and support kids with ADHD and help parents better understand their child, trust their instincts, and make informed decisions about what their family needs.

This is a unique conversation for the show because, for the first time, we’re looking at the whole journey through the lens of a pediatrician, especially in those early years when parents may be wondering what they’re seeing, whether to pursue an evaluation, and where to begin. Phil walks us through how he approaches ADHD in his practice, from evaluation and diagnosis to sleep, nutrition, screens, school supports, emotional regulation, anxiety, and medication, and offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at supporting the whole child and family.

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About Phil Boucher, MD

Phil Boucher, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician, a dad of six, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics who helps parents make sense of pediatric education and development.

After years of answering thousands of parent questions in clinic (and at home), he realized what parents really need isn't more advice—it's honest perspective and practical reassurance from someone who gets it.

He writes, speaks, and creates resources that help parents trust their instincts, understand their child, and take care of themselves along the way.

Things you'll learn from this episode

How ADHD can look different across childhood, with hyperactivity often appearing earlier and inattentive traits becoming clearer over time

Why family history and parents’ own childhood experiences can provide important clues when exploring ADHD

How emotional regulation and executive functioning are central parts of ADHD, beyond inattention and hyperactivity

Why a comprehensive ADHD evaluation should consider sleep, nutrition, school experiences, family history, and other factors

How practical supports like movement, protein, and visual checklists can make everyday routines more manageable

When medication may be helpful and why it’s best viewed as a tool for building skills rather than controlling behavior

Resources mentioned

Dr. Phil Boucher’s website

Dr. Phil Boucher’s Substack Dear parents

Phil on Instagram

Cindy Goldrich on Helping Kids with ADHD Thrive—Without Losing Yourself (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Kim & Penn Holderness Talk About How ADHD is Awesome in Love and in Life (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Ned Hallowell on How Parents Can Best Support Their Children with ADHD (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Dr. Sharon Saline on What Our ADHD Child Wishes We Knew (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/tilt or use code TILT and get 70% off your first year!
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