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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.

Raising Good Humans

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by education expert Lizzie Assa to talk about independent play—why it matters, what it actually builds in kids, and how to make it work in real life. We break down the difference between independent play and ignoring your child, how to respond when kids say “I’m bored,” and simple ways to set up your home so play can happen more naturally. Lizzie shares practical strategies like play prompts, play pockets, and quiet time, along with reassurance for parents who feel guilty stepping back. This conversation is all about helping kids build confidence, resilience, and creativity—while giving parents a little more breathing room too.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Suvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their sale

Avocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.

Bobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.com

Osea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.com

Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Independent Play, Play Pockets, and What to Do When Your Child Says “I’m Bored” with Lizzie Assa

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Amy Griffin for a deeply personal conversation about what it means to re-parent yourself—and how that inner work quietly transforms your parenting. We talk about the pressure to be perfect, the role of control and trust in family relationships, and how healing your own story can create more safety for your kids. Amy shares how telling the truth, setting boundaries, and staying in the light reshaped the way she shows up as a mother, partner, and person—and why parenting isn’t about having the answers, but about doing the work with honesty and compassion.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Monarch: Use code HUMANS at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com

Suvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get 16 free meals

Avocado Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans.

Jones Road Beauty: Use code HUMANS at jonesroadHUMANS.com to get a Free Cool Gloss with your first purchase! These sell out fast so get them while they last! #JonesRoadHUMANS #ad

Bobbie: If you want to feel good about what’s in your baby’s bottle, get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Tell: A Conversation About Healing and Re-Parenting Oneself with Amy Griffin

In this week’s episode I am joined by Dr. Darby Saxby, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Southern California as we delve into the transition to parenthood, particularly focusing on fathers and the concept of the 'dad brain.' We discuss how fathers experience physiological and psychological changes despite not giving birth, the vulnerability and opportunities for growth these changes bring, and how societal structures often fail to support new parents adequately. Dr. Saxby shares insights from her research, including how caregiving impacts brain structure in both mothers and fathers and the importance of fathers being involved at various stages of a child's development. 

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Avocado Green Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! That’s an extra $25 off their current sale at AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans

Osea: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code HUMANS at OSEAMalibu.com

Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home

Suvie: Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their sale

Laundry Sauce: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code HUMANS at https://laundrysauce.com/HUMANS #laundrysaucepod

Tia: Go to bit.ly/asktia-humans

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Become a Parent (Including Dads) w/ Dr. Darby Saxbe

In this week’s episode, I sit down with professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek to rethink what learning actually looks like—and why play is at the center of it. We break down the science behind playful learning, the Six Cs kids need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and why pressure, perfectionism, and early achievement often get in the way. Kathy and I talk about how play builds resilience, creativity, and real problem-solving skills, and why boredom is not a crisis but a developmental gift.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first order

Clean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt Kit

Bobbie: Get 10% off with code humans at hibobbie.com

Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns

iRestore: Reverse hair loss with @iRestorelaser and unlock HUGE savings on the iRestoreElite with the code HUMANS at https://www.irestore.com/HUMANS!

Avocado Green Mattress: With code humans, you’ll save an extra $25 on Crib and Kids Mattresses on top of their holiday sale! That’s an extra $25 off their current sale at AvocadoGreenMattress.com with the code humans

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Einstein Never Used Flash Cards: How Our Children Really Learn--and Why They Need to Play More with Professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by NY Times bestselling author and host of Pulling The Thread Podcast Elise Loehnen for a conversation about the stories women absorb—about being good, selfless, agreeable—and how those narratives shape our lives in ways we rarely notice. We talk about the difference between feelings and facts, why so many of us default to over-functioning, and how these inherited scripts show up during big transitions like pregnancy and early motherhood. Elise and I unpack what it takes to step out of the drama triangle, why martyrdom feels familiar but unsustainable, and how to build a more spacious inner voice that lets you respond instead of react. 

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item

Saks: Head to saks.com

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com

Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home

Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first order

Clean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt Kit

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves and How To Let Go Of The Ones That Don’t Serve Us w/ Elise Loehnen

In this solo episode, I’m sharing 10 science-backed, practical ways to foster gratitude and prevent entitlement in kids. As the season of giving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can help our children appreciate what they have while staying grounded. I’ll cover everything from modeling gratitude in everyday moments to teaching kids the value of chores, delayed gratification, and empathy.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: https://dralizapressman.substack.com/

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item

Suvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their sale

Monarch: That’s 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code HUMANS

Saks: Head to saks.com

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com

Laundry Sauce: Get Up to 40% Off Your entire order at https://laundrysauce.com/HUMANS Don’t miss their Biggest Sale of the Year! #laundrysaucepod

Tia: -bit.ly/asktia-humans

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Tips to Decrease Entitlement and Increase Gratitude

In this episode, we take a clear-eyed look at how parents can protect their kids in a fast-moving digital world. After a recent conversation about AI left many listeners worried, I wanted to offer practical guidance—not panic. I’m joined by Hari Ravichandran, founder of a leading digital safety platform Aura, to talk about what kids are actually doing on their devices, how AI chatbots are being used, and why so much of it happens out of parents’ view. We break down simple, transparent ways to keep young people safe online without spying, how to set expectations when introducing a device, and what to watch for as kids navigate phones, apps, and AI. This is a grounded, actionable conversation for any parent trying to stay ahead of a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Visit Aura.com/Humans to receive a 2-week free trial and 60%. off your first year

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Practical Tools to Protect Your Kids in the Digital Age: Phones, AI Chatbots & Online Safety w/ Founder of Aura Hari Ravichandran

In this week’s episode, I talk with New York Times reporter Matt Richtel about what adolescence actually is—and why so much of what we think we know about teens is outdated. We discuss an entirely new framework for understanding the adolescent brain: a period designed for intense information processing, where kids are constantly reconciling what they’ve been taught with a fast-changing world. We unpack why teens don’t listen (and why it’s not personal), why overwhelm shows up as emotional explosions or rumination, and how parents can help their kids “reboot” instead of pushing more information into an already overloaded system. We also explore what adults can model—curiosity, coping skills, and the ability to live with ambiguity—to support teens through this challenging, necessary, and deeply meaningful developmental stage.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com 

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item

FlavCity: Visit Shop FlavCity.com and use code GOODHUMAN15 at checkout for 15% off

Suvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their sale

Monarch: That’s 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code HUMANS

KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code RGH

iRestore: Reverse hair loss with @iRestorelaser and unlock HUGE savings on the iRestore Elite with the code HUMANS at www.irestore.com/humans 

Saks: Head to saks.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 week’s episode, I speak with Professor Michael Pluess, renowned temperament researcher, to explore what it really means to have a "sensitive" child. We break down the science behind sensitivity as a key part of temperament, why some kids are more reactive to both positive and negative experiences, and how parenting can shape their outcomes. We discuss the genetic and environmental roots of sensitivity, common misunderstandings around the trait, and what parents can do to support emotional regulation.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com 

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first order

Clean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt Kit

Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item

FlavCity: Visit Shop FlavCity.com and use code GOODHUMAN15 at checkout for 15% off 

Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday deals for up to 70% off

Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns

Suvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their sale

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Your Child "Sensitive"? Tools, Truths, and What the Research Really Shows w/ Renowned Temperament Researcher Professor Michael Pluess

In this week’s episode I engage in a critical discussion with Imran Ahmed, Head of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, about their alarming study on how teens are using AI chatbots like Chat GPT as companions. We discuss the staggering statistics revealing that over 70% of adolescents use Chat GPT for companionship, with over 50% doing so regularly. We go into the details of the potential dangers, including AI's encouragement of harmful behaviors and how current safeguards are failing and discuss what parents can do to help kids stay safe and connected in the age of AI. 

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL

Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com 

Follow me on Instagram for more:

@raisinggoodhumanspodcast 

Sponsors:

Saks: Head to saks.com

Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first order

Clean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt Kit

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com/humans

Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item

Tia: Book an appointment today at http://bit.ly/asktia-humans

Acorns Early: Head to acornsearly.com or download the Acorns Early app to help your kids grow their money skills today

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Dark Side of ChatGPT: What Parents Must Know Now w/ Imran Ahmed

Dr. Aliza talks about why we yell, why it doesn't work long term, and how to be more intentional in our responses. 
 
Visit www.gemmist.com with code RAISINGGOODHUMANS at checkout for 20% off your subscription and free 2-day shipping.
 
Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S2 Ep 3: How to Decrease Yelling as a Discipline Strategy

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