

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

Dec 31, 2020 • 53min
Terrific Toddlers Part II with Carol and Rhona
Dr. Dan welcomes back authors Carol Zeavin and Rhona Silverbush to discuss three new books in their popular Terrific Toddler series: Potty!, New Baby!, Time to Go!as well as their ongoing work with parents and families.
Dr. Dan is delighted to speak to experts Carol and Rhona again (they first appeared as guests on Episode 56) to give parents, educators and caregivers even more ways to help toddlers overcome their daily dramas and challenges. Published by the American Psychological Association/Magination Press, the entire series will help families struggling with parenting during the toddler years.
The lively and engaging co-authors explain to Dr. Dan and parents how they used groundbreaking research to craft age-appropriate stories that take into account the language level and comprehension level of a toddler. Dr. Dan agrees these books will empower parents because they all include a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” that provides parents with important guidelines for navigating challenges and helping their toddlers understand their toddler world.
Carol Zeavin earned her B.A. in music from UCLA and became a successful freelance orchestral violinist and chamber musician in New York City. She earned Masters degrees in Education and Special Education from Bank Street College and worked with infants and toddlers from 1992 to 2010. She was Headteacher at Rockefeller University’s Child and Family Center and Barnard’s Toddler Development Center, and worked as a Special Educator employed by Y.A.I. and Theracare. She continues to perform classical music in NYC and teaches violin and piano to kids and grownups of all ages and abilities. Rhona Silverbush puts her own eclectic background to good use by wearing many hats throughout the course of any given day. She studied psychology and theatre at Brandeis University and holds a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. After practicing immigration law, primarily representing asylum seekers, she returned to her first loves, writing and theatre. Rhona is the co-author of Speak the Speech! Shakespeare’s Monologues Illuminated (Faber and Faber, 2002) and has taught theatre to all age groups from tots to adults, currently coaching actors in Shakespeare. She has taught at Columbia University Teachers College and wrote ‘wichcraft: craft a sandwich into a meal–and a meal into a sandwich with chefs Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortuzar (Clarkson Potter, 2009). She is also a freelance writer and editor, a consultant for families of children and teens with learning differences and special needs, a tutor, and a smitten parent and step-parent.
The three new books explain and explore these common topics:Time to Go! -- how to teach toddlers about having to stop what they're doing and transition to another activity Potty! -- reassures toddlers and parents alike that we all use the potty when we're ready New Baby! -- helps toddlers expecting a new sibling navigate this very major transition in their lives
The show ends with each author answering the Parent Footprint Moment question and Dr. Dan’s invitation for the guests to return when they next publish new titles in the series.
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Dec 17, 2020 • 50min
Teaching Your Kids About Money with Tony Walker
Episode 102 - Teaching Your Kids About Money with Tony Walker
Dr. Dan welcomes Tony Walker, financial expert, author, and host of The WorryFree Retirement® to the podcast.
Growing up as a lower middle-class kid of divorced parents during the 1960s, Tony Walker had little knowledge or hope of learning about money and how best to manage it. Yet, his unique life experiences, 35 years in the field of finance, and meeting in person with over 15,000 “Savers” formed a unique perspective about money and ways others can better use and enjoy it while they can.
A fiduciary, six-time author (Don't Follow the Herd 7 Costly Mistakes People Make with Their Money and Live Well, Die Broke), podcast host, and host of his own television show, The WorryFree Retirement®, Tony teaches a new and positive perspective on money, savings, and retirement.
In today’s episode Dr. Dan and Tony discuss:
How to talk to your kids about finances and retirement from a young age to prepare them for life
It is never too early to start saving
It is okay if your kids don't look at finances the same way you do
Kids are always watching their parents - even with money
In addition to teaching children about money, it is also important to let children come up with their own methods and beliefs
A retirement vision is important
It is never too late to save
The one piece of advice all parents and families need to know now (Tony’s Parent Footprint moment)
For more information about Tony Walker, his books, and his busy Tony Walker Financial please visit: https://tonywalkerfinancial.com/
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Dec 3, 2020 • 50min
Catharsis, Hope, and Craigslist with Helena Dea Bala
In the newest episode of the Parent Footprint podcast, Dr. Dan welcomes author Helena Dea Bala to discuss her new book CRAIGSLIST CONFESSIONAL: A Collection of Secrets from Anonymous Strangers. This episode is filled with heart and hope about the human experience.
An Albanian immigrant, Helena Dea Bala came to the U.S. at twelve years old and spent her weekends helping her mother clean houses to make ends meet. She later graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The George Washington University, and also from its law school. Unfulfilled at her day job, she gave herself one year—one year to just listen. Five years in, CraigslistConfessional.com is her full-time project. She has written for The Washington Post and Vogue.
Helena spent five years documenting people’s secrets through “Craigslist Confessional,” a personal project which became a Quartz column and the book CRAIGSLIST CONFESSIONAL: A Collection of Secrets from Anonymous Strangers.
Helena’s work challenges us to treat the strangers among us with empathy and respect. She explains, “This experience has taught me about what it means to be human, about genuine connection. It has taught me how to listen to learn. Not to change. Not to fix. Not to respond. To learn. It brings me back to that quote by Socrates: ‘The more I know, the more I realize I know nothing.’ These stories really put things into perspective—they make you realize the futility of passing judgment, and the utility of empathy.”
During today’s interview, Dr. Dan and Helena talk about moving and teachable moments in her life that listeners will immediately connect to including:
Helena’s parents and their sacrifices to create a new life in America for the family
The inspiration for Helena’s Craigslist Confessional series
The stories about parenthood in the book and which ones she will always remember
Practicing empathy and compassion - both for yourself as well as others
Helena’s very personal and honest essay about challenges in her own parenting journey
The episode concludes with Helena’s sweet Parent Footprint moment about music and motherhood.
For more information about Helena and her book please visit: https://craigslistconfessional.com/
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Nov 19, 2020 • 55min
The Bottom Line for Baby with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Happy 100th episode to the Parent Footprint podcast!
We have a very special guest for our 100th episode: Dr. Dan welcomes back the only guest who has appeared on the Parent Footprint podcast three (!) times: bestselling author and parenting expert Dr. Tina Payne Bryson -- the perfect colleague to help Dr. Dan celebrate his 100-episode milestone.
Today Dr. Dan and Dr. Bryson focus on her newest book The Bottom Line for Baby as well as the timely The Power of Showing Up (co-authored with Dan Siegel) and her pioneering work with brain-based parenting.
Dr. Dan and Dr. Bryson tackle compelling topics including:
Making sense of our own parenting history
Attachment in parenting (based on the “4 S” rules that kids feel Safe, Seen, Soothed, Secure)
Why the parenting concept of “empowering yourself with knowledge” really is the key to all parenting (along with trusting yourself and showing up for your child)
When parents practice awareness then they have a choice in how they parent in any moment (Dr. Bryon’s advice: pay attention on purpose!)
The importance of parents being a safe harbor instead of a storm for our kids
Tina’s third inspiring Parent Footprint Moment
Tina Payne Bryson is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of the Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopmental lens. In addition, Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for kids, parents, educators, clinicians, and industry leaders all over the world, and she makes frequent media appearances for media such as TIME, “Good Morning America,” Huffington Post,Redbook, The New York Times, and Real Simple.
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is also co-author (with Dan Siegel) of The Yes Brain as well as two New York Times bestsellers -- The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline -- each of which has been translated into over forty languages. Dr. Bryson is a graduate of Baylor University and earned her LCSW and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, where her research explored attachment science, child rearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology. Finally, Tina emphasizes that before she’s a parenting educator, or a researcher, she’s a mom. She limits her clinical practice and speaking engagements so that she can spend time with her family. Alongside her husband of 25 years, parenting her three boys is what makes her happiest.
For more information visit: https://www.tinabryson.com/
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Nov 5, 2020 • 49min
College Student Health with Dr. Jill Grimes
Episode 99 Jill Grimes
Ep. 99 College Student Health with Dr. Jill Grimes
Parent Footprint podcast host Dr. Dan Peters welcomes Dr. Jill Grimes to today’s episode. Dr. Grimes is the author of the new book, The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness and she offers valuable advice first, to students and second,to parents in this new episode.
Jill Grimes, MD, FAAFP, is a nationally recognized medical media expert, award-winning author, medical editor, and Board-Certified Family Physician. Her passion is prevention, and her message spans print (Parenting Magazine, Glamour, etc.), online (Livestrong.com), television and radio talk shows (Sirius XM Doctor Radio). After two decades of private practice, Dr. Grimes now enjoys seeing patients at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a proud mom to two awesome collegiate daughters. Academically, Dr. Grimes enjoys educating health care professionals by speaking at national AAFP, Pri-Med®, and Harvard Medical School conferences, and remains on clinical faculty at UMASS Medical School.
Dr. Grimes’s book The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook serves as a guide to what students really want (or need) to know about their mental and physical health when they're away from home. The book covers topics such as: living in the close quarters of dormitories, feeling homesick, experiencing test anxiety, managing the stomach flu, and even how to nurse a hangover.
Dr. Dan and Dr. Jill discuss topics such as:
The most essential topics college students need for autonomy (injuries, illness, anxieties)
COVID-19 precautions, scares, symptoms and more
Tips for handling test anxiety (even virtual tests can bring a lot of anxiety with them)
Items to pack in a first aid kit for college
Drinking, smoking/vaping, sex and more
How can college students protect themselves from COVID-19 at school?
And practical advice (immunization records, student id cards, and more)
Dr. Grimes believes that armed with quality information students will know when to seek medical help, how to describe their condition, what questions to ask, and what dorm-friendly tips and tricks might help before they are seen. The book is organized literally from head to toe and goes far beyond “Dr. Google” to provide the knowledge of evidence-based medicine every college student should know.
This informative episode wraps up with Dr. Grimes telling listeners about two Parent Footprint moments about her own parents that changed her.
For more information about Dr. Grimes and her books go to: https://jillgrimesmd.com/
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Oct 22, 2020 • 55min
How Kids (and Adults) Can Positively Change the World with Brian Ondrako
Dr. Dan welcomes author, podcast host, former golf expert, and entrepreneur Brian Ondrako to the podcast today. Brian’s passion is teaching kids about entrepreneurship and self-discovery while making the world a better place. Brian also hosts the Just Get Started Podcast (Just Get Started Podcast) where he interviews entrepreneurs and founders and other influencers about their journey toward fulfillment and the lessons they learned along the way.
After graduating from Methodist University with a degree in Business Administration, Brian became a member of the PGA of America and embarked on a journey of teaching golf, forming Ondrako Golf Instruction, and starting a coaching business in Raleigh, North Carolina. Over the years he worked with players of all skill levels and ages and soon realized he wanted to impact the world in a different way. Brian’s self-discovery journey (which he calls his “Renaissance Period”) brought him to his current work as an author and podcast host.
Today Dr. Dan and Brian discuss self-discovery, overcoming fears, and how parents can choose how they want to parent. Brian’s first children’s book “Luke’s 1st Round of Golf” is a moving story about his son and draws upon his experience as a Dad parenting a child with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. Then, later in the show, Brian shares an honest and inspiring Parent Footprint Moment about his son.
Brian’s “North Star” for his Just Get Started Podcast is to impact future generations by helping them navigate life through the lens of curiosity, gratitude, and healthy living. Today’s Parent Footprint podcast episode is a great lesson about how one individual can have a big impact on many.
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Oct 8, 2020 • 39min
Helping Picky Eaters with Sarah Thomas
Dr. Dan Peters welcomes Sarah Thomas, the co-founder and Chief Imaginator for Kalamata’s Kitchen, a global franchise helping kids learn about cultures through adventures with food. She authored the Kalamata book series with renowned chefs (including Chef Eric Ripert), developed the Taste Bud Travel Guide, hosted live tasting events for kids across the U.S., and attracted celebrity ‘taste buds’ including Padma Lakshmi and Chrissy Tiegen. She recently launched a free Kitchen Exploration Passport to help keep kids adventuring in the kitchen during the pandemic.
Sarah spent her childhood surrounded by good food, books, and entertainment. In this episode, Sarah Thomas tells Dr. Dan “If you get kids to be more thoughtful about what they consume, they’ll naturally make better decisions as they get older, and that’s what all of us want for the next generation.”
Dr. Dan and Sarah discuss:
Sarah’s story
Why food is the perfect tool to nurture curiosity and compassion in kids
How to help picky-eaters by creating authentic child-led experiences
The Kalamata character (a little girl from India) and her pal Al Dente and how these characters inspire kids to discover cultures, food and build empathy in the process
Sarah’s Parent Footprint Moment is about her first time reading her book to a class of young children and why she’ll never forget one child’s response to meeting Kalamata for the first time.
Sarah was most recently a sommelier in New York City at three-starred Michelin restaurant, La Bernardin. She holds a pre-med degree as well as literature and politics and a Master’s degree in English Renaissance literature. For more information go to: https://www.kalamataskitchen.com/pages/our-story
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Sep 24, 2020 • 50min
Words of Wisdom from a Former Bad Mother with Cecile David Weil
Dr. Dan welcomes Cécile David-Weill, French American author and parent, to Episode 96 to discuss her new book Parents Under the Influence: Words of Wisdom from a Former Bad Mother. In her book (part memoir and part guide), Cécile David-Weill draws on her own parenting mistakes and successes as well as case studies and works of fiction to guide readers to become more effective, nurturing parents.
This unique book offers both insight and remedy to those parents who are unknowingly under the influence of their own childhood experiences, and unwittingly repeating their parents’ mistakes while believing they are doing the right thing.
Dr. Dan and Cecile discuss many topics and thankfully for all listeners dispute the perfect parent myth.
Dr. Dan and Cecile talk about parenting advice including:
How to talk through your own childhood and identify sources of trauma
How to spend time with your children in a way that’s enjoyable – and benefits everyone
The importance of getting rid of all preconceived notions of who your child will become
The importance of the silent relationship between mother and children
Why, despite the common thought, worrying is not a form of love
Why parents should be real and authentic (hint: children know when we are faking it)
and more
Cécile’s entire book informs her Parent Footprint moment. She shares a story about music and her son -- listeners will never forget it!
Cécile David-Weill is French and American. She published her first novel, Béguin, under the name of Cécile de la Baume. The Suitors, her third novel, was published by Other Press in 2013. David-Weill is a regular contributor to the online French news magazine Le Point, with a column entitled "Letters from New York." She was born in New York, where she currently lives.
For more information visit: https://www.ceciledavid-weill.com/
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Sep 10, 2020 • 51min
Playtime and Childcare in the Pandemic Age with Florence Ann Romano, The Windy City Nanny
Dr. Dan welcomes “The Windy City Nanny” Florence Ann Romano to episode 95. A childcare expert and entrepreneur, Florence is also the author of Nanny and Me. She joins the show today to talk about playtime, childcare, nanny wisdom, and more.
Florence Ann Romano, The Windy City Nanny™ (www.WindyCityNanny.com), is a dedicated philanthropist and former nanny who has always had a special place in her heart for children. Romano worked for over 15 years as a nanny, beginning as a 'Mommy's helper' at the age of 11.
Dr. Dan and Florence discuss the importance of empathy, parenting awareness, and what Florence calls the “healthy trifecta.”
Florence’s career as a nanny as well as her informative website provide resources on many topics including:
What really works for caretakers and children?
How ditching electronic devices playtime benefits children
What are some of the best ways for parents to homeschool their children (especially in the midst of COVID-19)?
The reason the best parenting practices come from the entire family working together
Florence’s book about her lifelong childcare experiences -- Nanny and Me (Mascot Books, May 2015) -- helps children make the transition from being cared for solely by their parents to having a nanny in their home.
The Parent Footprint Moment at the end of the show will resonate with parents and encourage parents to being open to learn and grow alongside their children.
For more information and to meet Florence visit: www.windycitynanny.com.
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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Aug 27, 2020 • 51min
How to create psychological safety in your home with Dr. Tim Clark
Dr. Dan welcomes psychological safety expert and the Founder/CEO of LeaderFactor Tim Clark to the show today to discuss his new book The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety and how these lessons can help parents.
Timothy R. Clark is founder and CEO of LeaderFactor, a consulting, coaching, and training organization. Dr. Clark is an international authority in the fields of psychological safety & innovation, large-scale change & transformation, and senior leadership development.
In his new book, The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety: Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation , Dr. Clark explains that fear has a profoundly negative impact on engagement, learning efficacy, productivity, and innovation, and that until now there has been a lack of practical information on how to make us feel safe about speaking up and contributing at home or at work..
Today Dr. Dan and Dr. Clark discuss these high-level leadership concepts in an accessible and enlightening conversation touching upon important parenting topics such as:
Psychological Safety
Trust
Fear
Human Needs
Love
Acceptance
As a social scientist and an organizational consultant, Dr. Clark’s book provides a framework to move people through four successive stages of psychological safety: Member, Learning, Contributor, and Challenger which are detailed in the book and he touches upon these stages during today’s show with Dr. Dan.
At the end of Episode 94, Dr. Clark describes a revealing Parent Footprint Moment about his son and how he had to change his parenting style to meet the needs of his son.
Dr. Clark is also the author of Epic Change: How to Lead Change in the Global Age (John Wiley/Jossey-Bass), Leadership Bones (Bradmore Road Press), The Employee Engagement Mindset (McGraw- Hill), Leading with Character and Competence: Moving Beyond Title, Position, And Authority (Berrett-Koehler). He earned a PhD in social science from Oxford University, and was both a British Research Scholar and a Fulbright Scholar at Seoul National University in Korea. He also earned a master’s degree in Government and economics from the University of Utah. As an undergraduate at Brigham Young University, he was named a first-team Academic All-American football player where he completed a triple degree cum laude.
For more information visit https://www.leaderfactor.com/
Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.
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