Raising Good Humans
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, NYT bestselling author of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans, Associate Clinical Professor, and Co-Founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center. And I'm a mom... trying to raise 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, NYT bestselling author of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans, Associate Clinical Professor, and Co-Founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center. And I'm a mom... trying to raise 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
26 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 1h 1min
Resilience: What It Really Means & The “Ordinary Magic” It Takes to Build It w/ Professor Ann Masten
Professor Ann Masten, leading resilience researcher and author of Ordinary Magic, explains resilience as systems adapting to serious challenges. She explores how caring relationships, schools, and communities combine to protect children. Short, practical conversations cover distinguishing trauma from growth-building challenges and why 'good enough' support across systems matters.
Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 7min
Behavioral Genetics 101: How Genes Shape Mental Health w/ Professor Kathryn Paige Harden
Professor Kathryn Paige Harden, behavioral geneticist and author, studies how thousands of tiny genetic differences shape mental health. She explains why genomes did not give simple answers and how diagnoses are messier than assumed. The conversation covers family history, why genes are not destiny, variable child sensitivity, and practical parenting approaches like warmth and consistent limits.
Feb 20, 2026 • 1h 16min
The Nature of Nurture with Professor Jay Belsky
Professor Jay Belsky, a developmental psychologist and author of The Nature of Nurture, explores why children differ in how much they’re shaped by experience. He discusses temperament, orchids versus dandelions, developmental plasticity, limits of attachment research, and how the same parenting can affect kids very differently. The conversation examines realistic parenting expectations and how to support sensitive children.
55 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 1h 5min
The Power of Real Optimism: What It Actually Means (and How to Practice It) w/ Dr. Deepika Chopra
Dr. Deepika Chopra, a clinical psychologist and researcher who studies optimism and resilience, shares what real optimism looks like versus toxic positivity. Short takes cover how language shapes thinking, growing optimism through modeling and routines, managing parental capacity, and when affirmations help or backfire.
86 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 41min
10 Practical Ways to Boost Cooperation and Listening in Kids
Practical strategies for getting kids to listen and cooperate, including tailoring expectations to temperament. Clear, non-negotiable requests and offering two choices to support autonomy. Tips on praising effort, assigning meaningful chores, and using natural consequences. A short micro-mindfulness practice for parents to stay calm and accept imperfection.
26 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 48min
How to Parent When the News and World Feel Really Heavy
Practical advice on staying calm so children do not absorb parental stress. Research-based notes on co-regulation and why caregivers’ nervous systems matter. Age-based scripts for talking about scary news without politics. Concrete tips for setting news boundaries, protecting connection, and sustaining parental capacity with self-care.
44 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 42min
The 7 Conversations to Have with Your Kid Before They Get a Device w/ Dr. Jean Twenge
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author renowned for her research on technology's impact on youth, shares vital insights on essential conversations to have with kids before they get devices. She emphasizes the need for clear guidelines about privacy, the risks of sexting, and the dangers of posting online. Twenge also advocates for limiting screen time, with rules like no devices in bedrooms overnight and delaying social media until at least age 16, ensuring kids can navigate the digital world safely.
98 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.
35 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.
53 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.
