Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker Ep.278: She Was the Perfect Student—And Secretly Depressed
What happens when a high-achieving, all-American girl is silently battling depression? In this powerful episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Allie Marie Smith, life coach, speaker, and author of Social Media Reset, to explore how the pressure to be perfect—and the influence of social media—nearly led her to end her life.
Allie shares her story of growing up in Silicon Valley, struggling with hidden sadness from a young age, and reaching a breaking point as a teen. She opens up about the moment that changed everything near the Golden Gate Bridge, her journey back to mental health through faith, and how stepping away from social media helped her reclaim her joy.
As summer begins and screen time skyrockets, this episode offers an honest and hopeful conversation about the emotional impact of social media on kids and teens—and how families can move toward healing, connection, and purpose.
In This Episode:
- Allie’s story of hidden depression behind straight A’s and smiles
- How social media deepened her struggle—and what changed when she unplugged
- The myth of “they look fine”—and how to see beneath the surface
- How faith and mental health support saved her life
- The dangers of unchecked social media: from self-harm to trafficking
- What parents need to understand about screen time this summer
- How Allie’s nonprofit Wonderfully Made is helping the next generation reclaim joy and identity
Join Our New Parenting Community — FREE! Get access to webinars, mini-courses, exclusive content, a private forum to connect with other parents, and so much more. Start parenting with more confidence and real support: meekerparenting.com About Allie Marie Smith
Allie Marie Smith is the author of Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your Joy and founder of Wonderfully Made, a faith-based nonprofit equipping girls and women with resources for mental health, identity, and purpose. Her mission is to help young people break free from the pressure of perfection and discover their God-given worth.
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