Dr. Shefali Tsabary

Raising A Conscious Son; Raising A Conscious Daughter

Length: 36:21

Dr. Shefali is a clinical psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and the founder of the Conscious Parenting movement. Blending Western psychology with Eastern wisdom, she has redefined how families understand selfhood, connection, and the inner life of children.
Trained at Columbia University, Dr. Shefali has spent decades guiding parents beyond patterns of fear and control toward presence, authenticity, and inner transformation. Her groundbreaking work explores the hidden forces that shape identity, relationships, and the way we inhabit the world — creating a path for both children and the adults who raise them to awaken and evolve

Summary: Dr. Shefali doesn’t hold back in this conversation. You’ll hear her make the case that both boys and girls are starving for something screens can’t give them: risk, boredom, messy relationships, and real touchpoints with the people who love them. You’ll hear the advice she gave to a mom whose son was sneaking out of the house at night, and the story of the argument she had with her own daughter. She’ll challenge you to think differently about when to cushion your kid and when to push them, and why “bringing childhood back” might be the most important thing you do this year. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re being too protective or not protective enough, this conversation is informative.

Links:

 Books – Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons

Casey Shea

Center for Humane Technology: AI Drift and Resilience for All of Us

Length: 39:54

Summary:
This is one of the most unique and highly recommended conversations in the series. Casey Shea brings a systems-level view to the AI conversation. She explains how shared language can help us describe what we are up against (including the feeling of unease with AI), and why we can’t simply “out-parent” these billion-dollar products. She introduces the concept of “AI drift” how offloading effort in relationships, thinking, and identity can quietly erode the things that make us human. We talk about the importance of “friction” that kids, and all of us, need to develop resilience. It’s an emotional conversation (Cecilia tears up) that offers hope and agency to parents and kids.

Links:

It’s Not You It’s AI

Dr. Jean Twenge

10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World

Summary:
Dr. Jean Twenge shares direct, no-nonsense guidance with her “10 Rules”. She explains why the “teach kids responsible use” approach doesn’t stand a chance against billion-dollar engagement algorithms. Every recommendation she has is backed by hard data on generational research, sleep, mental health, and social development. You’ll appreciate her clarity and advice even if you feel you’ve “already messed up” with your kids and tech. If you want to know where to draw the line and how to talk about those limits, don’t miss this conversation.

Links:

Website

Dr. Carrie Mackensen

How AI Undermines the Developing Brain, Your Kid’s Sense of Self, and Your Relationship

Length: 34:38

Dr. Carrie Mackensen brings 25 years of clinical expertise and real-world experience as both a psychologist and a mother of two boys. Her diverse background spans Cedars-Sinai Hospital, K-12 schools, private practices in Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, and serving as Clinical Director for premier treatment programs. With a Ph.D. in Individual, Family, and Child Psychology, Dr. Carrie combines professional wisdom with the practical insights of an experienced mom, offering evidence-based strategies with warmth and humor.

Summary:
Dr. Carrie Mackensen walks through three specific ways AI can quietly disrupt a child’s growth: their thinking skills, their sense of identity, and their attachment to the people who actually love them. She also offers real, age-by-age guidance parents can use starting today, plus two simple questions to ask before letting AI into any part of your child’s life. If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to your kid about AI without either freaking out or looking the other way, this conversation gives you the words.

Links

Book – Digitally Dysregulated

Anya Kamenetz

How to Raise Kids Who Think Critically and Love Learning

Length: 29:18

Anya Kamenetz speaks, writes, and thinks about thriving and caring for others on a rapidly changing planet. Her newsletter on these topics is The Golden Hour. She covered education for many years, including for NPR, where she co-created the podcast Life Kit: Parenting. She has written several books, including The Art of Screen Time, The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children’s Lives, and Where We Go Now. Kamenetz is currently an advisor to the Aspen Institute and the Climate Mental Health Network, working on new initiatives at the intersection of children, well-being, education, and climate change.

Summary:
Anya Kamenetz, who’s been studying screen time since long before AI existed, compares what we learned from the social media era to the new, faster-moving challenges that AI presents, from classroom disruption to kids forming parasocial bonds with “frictionless friends.” Anya says we need to engage “in a conversational, not a lecture mode; families need to talk about how large language models work, to talk about the dangers and possibilities, [and] to explore the tools together.” Anya shares the “sometimes scary science of screens” as well as ideas for raising kids who value real learning and understand the importance of real relationships.

Links:

Substack

Jill Murphy

Common Sense Media and AI Safety: What We Know Now

Length: 33:39

Jill is currently the Chief Content Officer for Common Sense Media where she oversees the organization’s extensive ratings and reviews across all media channels—movies, streaming, TV, games, websites, apps, and books—as well as the content strategy for parenting advice. For nearly two-decades, she has been instrumental in evolving Common Sense Media’s approach ensuring the latest research on kids and media is woven into every review and piece of advice. From concerns about screen time to artificial intelligence and digital privacy, she has watched the media landscape transform while helping families navigate each new challenge.

Summary:
Jill Murphy shows us behind the scenes at Common Sense Media: how they’ve worked to give parents credible information about the impact of AI’s widespread adoption. She’s candid about the research her team has done: none of these AI platforms are ready to be trusted with kids yet, especially when it comes to mental health support and companionship. You’ll come away with concrete, doable advice, like keeping AI use on a shared household computer, and she’s got clear guidance about not using AI-enabled toys. It’s a grounded, reassuring conversation from someone who’s spent over two decades helping parents navigate uncertainty around tech, screens, and media.

Links:

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Resource on age/stages around AI