Pop Culture Parenting
Dr Billy Garvey, Nick McCormack
This podcast is about finding the sweetspot between the textbooks and real life when it comes to parenting. Dr Billy (a developmental pediatrician) and Nick (a developing parent) are a couple of dads having honest discussions about parenting day to day
We'll be using iconic TV and cinema scenes from the 80's & 90's to give context to Billy's parenting advice.
Please subscribe and tell us what parenting topics and movie scenes we should talk about next
We'll be using iconic TV and cinema scenes from the 80's & 90's to give context to Billy's parenting advice.
Please subscribe and tell us what parenting topics and movie scenes we should talk about next
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 10, 2026 • 1h 5min
Episode 130: Rewards, punishments & Star Wars
They unpack rewards versus punishments in everyday parenting and why those choices shape behaviour. They use Star Wars scenes to explore fear, control and breaking punitive cycles. They talk about moving from external rewards to intrinsic motivation and using rewards to build relationships, confidence and pro-social skills. They warn against love withdrawal and show de-escalation and repair strategies for family conflicts.
May 3, 2026 • 1h 20min
PCP Guides: supporting neurodivergent kids - nurturing neurodiversity
Conversations about how media shapes views of neurodivergent people and the harms of reductive portrayals. Practical ideas for making clinics, classrooms, and homes safer and more flexible. Clear discussion of masking, sensory needs, assessment approaches, and building connection through play. An invitation to continue the conversation in a live Q&A.
Apr 26, 2026 • 2h 3min
Episode 129: Chaos & control reflection
They dig into the tug-of-war between chaos and control in family life. Conversations cover anxiety, neurodivergence, ADHD, and how executive functioning shapes routines. Practical strategies for loosening control, supporting autistic and PDA needs, and keeping connection over perfection are highlighted. Listener stories of survival, recovery, and small hopeful changes punctuate the discussion.
Apr 20, 2026 • 1h 13min
PCP Guides: supporting neurodivergent kids - survival
A candid conversation about what it feels like to be in survival mode while parenting neurodivergent kids. They discuss daily chaos, juggling work and family, and adapting to new babies. Stoicism, Winnicott’s ‘good enough’ idea, and practical self-compassion strategies come up. Listeners share powerful survival stories and the need for systemic support and simple acts of repair.
Apr 12, 2026 • 1h 8min
Episode 128: Chaos, control & Point Break
They use Point Break and surfing scenes to explore the tension between chaos and control in parenting. Stories about work–family guilt, risky play, and modeling flexibility come up. Clinical framing links rigid safety and unchecked emotion to mental health. Practical phrases and small steps for helping kids tolerate uncertainty are discussed.
8 snips
Mar 29, 2026 • 2h 8min
Episode 127: When to worry reflection
In this reflection episode we hear from so many parents & professionals about their worries regarding children they care for. We discuss early development, neurodiversity, teenagers, schools and the best practice approach to assessment and building support around kids. Thank you to every single person who sent in a message. We can only read a fraction but every message helps choose what we cover and where we go next.
17 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 11min
Episode 126: When to worry & Titanic
A conversational guide to spotting when children's struggles are typical and when to seek support. They compare unseen risks to Titanic icebergs and discuss practical early checks like hearing, vision, language, motor skills, and social changes. Topics include tracking development in daily life, inequities in access to care, and building community lifeboats for early intervention.
Mar 8, 2026 • 1h 16min
PCP Guides: supporting neurodivergent kids - kids that won't sleep
Practical strategies for improving sleep in neurodivergent kids are discussed in bite-sized, movie-themed segments. They cover how to tell when sleep is a clinical problem, age-based sleep needs, and two main sleep drives. You hear concrete approaches like graduated extinction, camping out, bedtime fading, and quick real-world tactics for nighttime distress.
7 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 1h 50min
Ep 125: Enabling motivation reflection
Conversations unpack practical ways to spark motivation in kids, from tactical use of treats and screens to playful chores and routines. Listeners share strategies for neurodivergent children, sleep, toilet training and school-based motivation. Professionals describe strength-based, autonomy-focused approaches that build small wins and confidence.
Feb 22, 2026 • 1h 6min
PCP Guides: supporting neurodivergent kids - kids who are different
A reflective conversation about supporting children who feel different after being excluded or hurt. They use a well-known film scene to explore kindness, loyalty, and worth beyond tests. Practical ideas include scaffolding play, elevating strengths, gentle conversations about difference, and role modelling inclusion in playgrounds.
