

Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan: #1 Podcast for Inspiring Conversations to Live and Lead On Purpose
Dr. Dan Peters, Psychologist and Executive Leadership Coach
Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan is your weekly dose of inspiration, purpose, and practical wisdom for living a life aligned with your true self. Hosted by renowned psychologist and executive coach Dr. Dan Peters, this podcast helps you break free from autopilot and step fully into the life you’re meant to live.If you’ve ever wondered if you’re living up to your potential—or how to navigate challenges with more resilience and clarity—this show is for you. Dr. Dan combines expert insights, powerful interviews, and real-life tools to help you deepen your self-awareness, strengthen your mindset, and make a positive impact.With decades of experience guiding individuals and leaders toward lasting transformation, Dr. Dan brings heart, humor, and honesty to every episode—so you walk away feeling motivated and equipped to make each day count.Tune in to new episodes every Thursday to unlock your potential, ignite your purpose, and—most of all—make it a great one.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 31, 2023 • 1h 3min
Cultivating Personal & Spiritual Growth with Laurie Gunning Grossman
Dr. Dan interviews Laurie Gunning Grossman – storyteller, parent, and creator of Hold the Light podcast. They discuss parenting and how we can better show up for our children. As her own children became older, Laurie realized how much all kids are always watching and observing how we parents move and interact in the world. Listeners will hear how Laurie has worked in the world of pregnancy, parenting, and home design for many years, and why she is personally and professionally most passionate about the ways that we design ourselves, from the inside out. Dr. Dan and Laurie also talk about her career (including working in music and the lifestyle space) and her parenting journey on this inspiring episode. With over twenty years as a writer, editorial director, and podcast host/producer, Laurie Gunning Grossman encourages us to focus on personal and spiritual growth so that we can all experience greater joy, transformation, and freedom in our lives – and be the light holders of the world. Laurie lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and two teenage children.To read, listen, and learn more about Laurie and Hold the Light Collective, visit: Hold The Light Collective and follow Laurie on Instagram: @laurie.gunning.grossmanEmail your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Aug 29, 2023 • 53min
BONUS EPISODE #26: Sitting Down with Dr. Dan – Listener Questions about childfree by choice, transfer students, empty nester decision, only children, and more
On the brand new August Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episode, host Dr. Dan and audio engineer/Dad Phil Rossi answer your listener questions about many topics including: childfree by choice, high school AND college transfer students, parenting an only child, empty nesters downsizing the family home, and gap years post-COVID.Each month Dr. Dan answers listener questions about parenting (and sometimes adulting, too!) on our Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episodes. Please email your parenting questions to podcast@drdanpeters.com or DM us on social media. We read every question and we want to consider yours for a future bonus episode.Our new bonus episodes drop in our regular podcast feed that last Tuesday of every month.Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Wondery, Amazon Music, or wherever you like to listen. Remember you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.comwww.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shopDr. Dan’s expertise and wisdom is not a diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on the Parent Footprint podcast should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Anyone seeking medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Please reach out to your doctor for advice or a qualified health provider regarding medical conditions, questions, or situations. The information provided on Parent Footprint and by Dr. Dan is for entertainment purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Dr. Dan does not know your child, is not your child’s doctor, and has not treated your child.
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Aug 24, 2023 • 1h 35min
From Yoga to True Crime with Sara DiVello
Dr. Dan interviews true crime author and yoga teacher Sara DiVello about her journey from corporate public relations to yoga teacher to true crime novelist — including living childfree, dog Mom life (to beloved rescue mutt Peluda), mental health, and so much more. Dr. Dan and Sara discuss how to be present including how to sit with discomfort, managing lifelong anxiety, her bestseller Broadway Butterfly (which features several childfree characters), and much more on this lively, energizing, honest, inspiring episode.Sara DiVello is a writer and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular author series. She is also the author of Where in the Om Am I? her an irreverent, honest, and hilarious memoir chronicling her journey from the fast-paced, cutthroat corporate world, to the slow-paced, surprisingly catty (and sometimes perilous world) of yoga. Sara has appeared on CBS, ABC, and CNBC, as well as in the New York Times, Forbes, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more. For more information visit Sara’s website www.saradivello.com and follow her on social media @saradivello.Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Aug 17, 2023 • 58min
Why Fathers Cry at Night with Kwame Alexander
Dr. Dan interviews Kwame Alexander poet, educator, speaker, publisher, and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 38 books including the powerful memoir Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems, Letters, Recipes, and Remembrances.Dr. Dan and Kwame discuss his father, family, parenting, writing, his mom, and much more during this intimate, lyrical, poetic interview. Dr. Dan and Kwame’s conversation is inspiring and unforgettable. A regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, Kwame is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, The Coretta Scott King Author Honor, Three NAACP Image Award Nominations, and the 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award. He is the Executive Producer, Showrunner, and Writer of The Crossover TV series, based on his Newbery-Medal winning novel of the same name, which premiered on Disney+ in April 2023.For more information please visit www.KwameAlexander.com.Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Aug 10, 2023 • 1h 3min
Yes! Your Child Can with Dr. Victoria Waller
Dr. Dan interviews Dr. Victoria Waller about her book Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences as well as her proven techniques to create success for children with learning differences and challenges to draw out the singular genius within each child. Dr. Dan and Dr. Waller talk about her “secret sauce” and teaching to strengths and passions. Dr. Waller explains how to use our child's natural strengths and passions to build academic, social, and personal confidence. Dr. Waller empowers parents to let their children follow their own interests, whether it's learning about sharks, reading to the dog, or writing. Dr. Waller’s techniques are effective and inspiring – just like this energizing episode.For over 40 years, internationally acclaimed reading specialist and student advocate Dr. Victoria E. Waller has helped children who have trouble reading, who can't sit still in class, who don't feel like they can participate—children whom teachers have all but given up on. Every child can succeed in school and life, but some children need more help than others. Dr. Victoria Waller was the creator of the My Disney Busy Bags for Travel on Planes and Cars for Disney/Hyperion Books and she has created backpacks and toys for M&M Mars, Inc. She was a founding member of the L.A. Children’s Museum, a veteran speaker for the International Reading Association for 25 years, is the focus of Eve Bunting’s internationally-acclaimed-and Caldecott Medal award-winning middle grade novel, Sixth Grade Sleepover and is Kourtney Kardashian’s children’s ‘rockstar’ tutor!Find out more on her website: www.drvictoriawaller.com Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Aug 3, 2023 • 1h 1min
The One Love Foundation, Healthy Relationships, and Teens’ Social Media with Ebele Onyema
Dr. Dan interviews with Ebele Onyema of One Love Foundation about the recent Surgeon General’s stern warning on social media and teens. Dr. Dan and Ebele discuss how social media can actually serve as a positive lifeline for teens in need of healthy connections. They explore how to strike a balance between IRL (“in real life”) and online connections as well as making sure that teens have tools to build relationships – romantic or platonic – in a healthy way. In addition, Dr. Dan and Ebele discuss One Love Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers young people to recognize the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. With workshops, PSAs and resources like their 10 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship, One Love Foundation was founded to honor the unnecessary and tragic death of Yeardley Love and has reached over 100 million young people. Ebele Onyema is the Director of Digital Content & Partnerships at One Love Foundation, the national leader in educating young people about relationship health. Onyema believes that love is learned, and utilizes digital platforms to provide young people with tools to avoid abuse and create a world of healthier relationships.Ebele serves on the board of The GEANCO Foundation, an organization dedicated to transforming the health and education outcomes of women and girls in southern Nigeria. Ebele earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Economics from Georgetown University, and her Master of Social Work from the University of Chicago. For more information please visit: www.joinonelove.org.Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Jul 27, 2023 • 1h
Drowning in Silence with filmmaker Chezik Tsunoda
***Content Warning: drowning and child loss.Today Dr. Dan interviews filmmaker Chezik Tsunoda to raise awareness about childhood drowning. In September 2018, journalist Chezik Tsunoda’s life changed when her son Yori died after a tragic drowning accident. Dr. Dan interviews Chezik Tsunoda about her loss and her sorrow as well as her powerful documentary Drowning in Silence about the grief she experienced after losing her son to drowning. The film is a beautiful tribute to her son but also a call to action for Black communities to incorporate water safety into their daily lives. Sixty-four percent of African-Americans have no swimming ability. In addition, fatal drowning is the leading cause of death for children one to four, according to the CDC. Chezik Tsunoda is a mother of four boys, a documentary filmmaker, and the founder of No More Under. Tsunoda is passionate about drowning prevention, with a specific emphasis on equity in aquatics and expanding water safety accessibility. Her commitment to this effort can also be seen in her legislative advocacy. Her film plays a crucial role in raising awareness, contributing to prevention efforts, and potentially saving lives. For more details and information please visit www.cheziktsunoda.com and www.drowninginsilence.com. Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Jul 25, 2023 • 44min
BONUS EPISODE #25: Sitting Down with Dr. Dan – Listener Questions about college and helicopter parenting, Dr. Dan’s book recs, kids and friends, and more
Listen to July’s Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episode now! Host Dr. Dan and podcast producer Laura Rossi answer your questions about a sleepaway camp debate, parents questioning their adult daughter’s boyfriend choice, a seemingly friendless kid, and Dr. Dan’s book recommendations.Each month Dr. Dan answers listener questions about parenting (and sometimes adulting, too!) on our Sitting Down with Dr. Dan bonus episodes. Please email your parenting questions to podcast@drdanpeters.com or DM us on social media. We read every question and we want to consider yours for a future bonus episode.Our new bonus episodes drop in our regular podcast feed that last Tuesday of every month.Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Wondery, Amazon Music, or wherever you like to listen. Remember you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.comwww.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shopDr. Dan’s expertise and wisdom is not a diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on the Parent Footprint podcast should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Anyone seeking medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Please reach out to your doctor for advice or a qualified health provider regarding medical conditions, questions, or situations. The information provided on Parent Footprint and by Dr. Dan is for entertainment purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Dr. Dan does not know your child, is not your child’s doctor, and has not treated your child.
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Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 2min
Raising Good Humans Every Day with Hunter Clarke-Fields
Dr. Dan is excited to speak to the inspiring, passionate, beloved parenting expert Hunter Clarke-Fields about her books and parenting tips. Hunter is the #1 bestselling author of Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids as well as the new book Raising Good Humans Every Day: 50 Simple Ways to Press Pause, Stay Present, and Connect. Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE, RYT (“mindful mama mentor”) is the creator of the Mindful Parenting course and host of the Mindful Mama podcast. Using the Mindful Parenting Method, she helps parents bring more calm and peace into their daily lives. Today Dr. Dan and Hunter discuss how mindfulness can make you a better parent and much more.Hunter has over twenty years of experience in meditation practices and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. For more information about Hunter, the course, her books, and more visit www.mindfulmamamentor.com and follow Hunter on social media.Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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Jul 13, 2023 • 58min
The Gifted Parenting Journey with Gail Post
Dr. Dan welcomes clinical psychologist, expert, and author Dr. Gail Post to the podcast to discuss tools to help parents of gifted children in this educational episode for gifted and 2e (twice-exceptional) families. Dr. Post has written hundreds of posts and articles about giftedness and is passionate about advocating for the needs of gifted children, dispelling the pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes about giftedness, and supporting families in their parenting efforts - especially the needs and emotional life of parents of gifted children.A Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Post is the author of The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children. The book combines her experience as a psychologist, parent, and advocate for change. For more information and resources please visit: www.gailpost.com.Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode).Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter).Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen!Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App.For more information:www.exactlyrightmedia.com www.drdanpeters.comFor podcast merch:www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop
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