Raising Good Humans
Dear Media, Aliza Pressman
As a parent, do you ever wish someone could just whisper some realistic and trustworthy support in your ear? And not make you feel awful for not having all the answers? Well, that’s what I’m here for.
I'm Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, parent educator, asst. clinical professor, and co-founder of both Mount Sinai Parenting Center and SeedlingsGroup. And I'm a mom... trying to raise two good humans myself, so I'm in this with you!
In each episode, we'll go deep (but brief) with both experts and parents to share the most effective approaches and tools and talk about the important bigger picture of raising good humans. My goal is to make your parenting journey less overwhelming and a lot more joyful!
Please join me every Friday for new episodes of Raising Good Humans.
I'm Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, parent educator, asst. clinical professor, and co-founder of both Mount Sinai Parenting Center and SeedlingsGroup. And I'm a mom... trying to raise two good humans myself, so I'm in this with you!
In each episode, we'll go deep (but brief) with both experts and parents to share the most effective approaches and tools and talk about the important bigger picture of raising good humans. My goal is to make your parenting journey less overwhelming and a lot more joyful!
Please join me every Friday for new episodes of Raising Good Humans.
Episodes
Mentioned books
68 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 53min
Mattering: The Secret to Building a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose w/ Jennifer Wallace
In this engaging conversation, Jennifer Wallace, an award-winning journalist and bestselling author, delves into her groundbreaking work on mattering—the fundamental human need to feel valued and needed. She explains how mattering acts as a protective factor against anxiety in high-pressure environments. Using her SAID framework—significant, appreciated, invested in, and depended on—she shares practical ways to foster connections in families and communities. Jennifer emphasizes the joy of contributing to others and maintaining healthy relationships for overall well-being.
24 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 36min
Listener Q&A: Biting, Potty Training, Separation Anxiety & Early Lying
This discussion tackles common toddler challenges with humor and insight. Biting is viewed as a temporary phase rather than a behavioral issue. Potty training pressure is addressed with tips to ease anxiety and identify readiness. Separation anxiety is normal at 18 months, and strategies like short goodbyes help smooth transitions. Early lying is framed as a cognitive milestone, with constructive responses suggested for parents. Overall, it’s a compassionate guide to navigating these developmental phases.
43 snips
Jan 2, 2026 • 37min
Independent Play, Play Pockets, and What to Do When Your Child Says “I’m Bored” with Lizzie Assa
Lizzie Assa, an education expert and author, discusses the power of independent play. She highlights its role in building resilience, creativity, and executive function. Lizzie explains how to respond to kids saying, 'I’m bored,' encouraging parents to view this as a call for connection. She offers practical tips like setting up 'play pockets' and ensures that toys are within easy reach to foster independence. Plus, she emphasizes the importance of unscheduled downtime and redefining boredom as a positive signal for growth.
34 snips
Dec 26, 2025 • 53min
The Tell: A Conversation About Healing and Re-Parenting Oneself with Amy Griffin
Amy Griffin, bestselling author of *The Tell*, opens up about her journey of healing and re-parenting herself after experiencing adolescent sexual abuse. She dives into the transformative power of vulnerability in family relationships and how it has reshaped her role as a mother and partner. Amy emphasizes the importance of truth-telling, setting boundaries, and the impact of these actions on creating a safe environment for her children. Her personal stories highlight how embracing authenticity can lead to profound changes in parenting and self-acceptance.
37 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 1h 9min
What Happens to Your Brain When You Become a Parent (Including Dads) w/ Dr. Darby Saxbe
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Darby Saxbe, a clinical psychologist and USC professor, delves into the neurological changes that occur in both mothers and fathers during the transition to parenthood. She emphasizes that caregiving reshapes brain structure and enhances attachment, while also increasing the risk of depression and anxiety. Dr. Saxbe critiques societal support for new parents, advocating for communal care systems. The conversation highlights the unique contributions fathers bring to parenting and the importance of building supportive networks.
72 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 58min
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards: How Our Children Really Learn--and Why They Need to Play More with Professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
In this engaging conversation, cognitive psychologist Kathy Hirsh-Pasek emphasizes the importance of play in learning. With her expertise, she challenges traditional views on early achievement, asserting that curiosity and exploration are vital for development. She discusses the 'Six Cs'—collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creativity, and confidence—that arise from play. Kathy also highlights the need for balanced tech use and how boredom can promote creativity, asserting that true learning is about joyful, meaningful experiences.
44 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 16min
The Stories We Tell Ourselves and How To Let Go Of The Ones That Don’t Serve Us w/ Elise Loehnen
In a captivating conversation, Elise Loehnen, a New York Times bestselling author and host of Pulling The Thread, explores the cultural narratives women internalize about being 'good.' They dive into how feelings can distort facts and the oversupply of perfectionism that leads to over-functioning. Elise shares insights from her childhood about money anxieties and highlights the importance of distinguishing between stories and reality. She offers practical exercises to reframe narratives and encourages women to embrace their visibility while learning to ask for help and say no.
125 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 39min
10 Tips to Decrease Entitlement and Increase Gratitude
Explore ten science-backed strategies for nurturing gratitude in children while curbing entitlement. Learn how daily gratitude hunts and the rose, bud, thorn method can spark genuine appreciation. Discover the benefits of chores in teaching responsibility and the importance of not centering kids all the time. Find out how to encourage empathy through books and observations, and why making gift-giving a family affair can enhance joy. Lastly, practice delayed gratification to help kids recognize that patience is key in life.
39 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 45min
Practical Tools to Protect Your Kids in the Digital Age: Phones, AI Chatbots & Online Safety w/ Founder of Aura Hari Ravichandran
Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of Aura, shares invaluable insights on keeping kids safe in a digital world. He discusses the evolving risks of AI chatbots and the importance of transparency in monitoring. Hari emphasizes setting clear device rules, treating technology like cars for safety, and the significance of clinician-backed alerts to prevent false alarms. He highlights worrying trends, such as sexualized interactions with chatbots, and offers practical advice for parents to foster healthy device habits while staying engaged with their children's online activities.
62 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 1h 5min
Adolescence Isn’t What We Think: The Real Reason Your Teen Isn’t Listening to You, Why They Push Back, and More w/ New York Times Journalist Matt Richtel
In this engaging discussion, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel dives into the complexities of adolescence, arguing it's a critical phase of intense information processing. He explains why teens often don’t listen and how parents can better support them by modeling curiosity and coping skills. Matt also highlights the generational dynamics at play and suggests practical strategies for managing emotional overload in teenagers, emphasizing the importance of love, clear boundaries, and allowing independence as essential facets of effective parenting.
