Top Ten Podcasts for Balanced Parents
/Top Ten Podcasts for Balanced Parents
Updated March 2020
I am often asked by the parents I work with for quick, easy ways for them to learn more about peaceful parenting, mindful parenting, and conscious parenting. These parents are often very busy and don't want to spend their precious free-time reading parenting books. They want to spend it playing with their kids, chatting with friends, doing yoga, or connecting with their partner. This is something I support whole-heartedly! Your time is valuable and you should spend it doing what you love! Let others (like me) do the reading and distill it for you!
For these parents who are looking to make changes in their parenting while creating more balance in their lives, podcasts are my go-to suggestion. Podcasts are usually short, enjoyable, packed with good information, and they make it easy to learn while driving to work, washing dishes, or while out on a walk.
Podcasts are a Great Way to Learn!
Podcasts can be an excellent way to to learn more about issues that you're interested in and the topics out there are endless. If there is something you want to learn more about I can almost guarantee there is a podcast for that! I tend to focus on shows that cover parenting tips, child development, relationships, social justice and intersectional feminist issues, psychology, and mindfulness. Others really love the health and nutrition-oriented options out there. So, there really is something for everyone.
While there are a lot of options out there, if you are someone who is seeking to bring more peace and calm into their lives and wanting to live with a bit more intention, connection, and balance, these podcasts are for you! In no particular order:
1. The Balanced Parent
I’m kicking off the list with my own podcast because what better way to start off a top ten list of podcasts for “balanced parents” than with a show that is literally dedicated to that concept! On the show we talk about a balanced approach to respectful parenting (ditch the dogma) AND a balanced approach to living in general (ditch the overwhelm). In a combination of solo shows, guest experts, and on-air coaching we cover topics related to conscious parenting, healthy relationships, and the inner work required for a balanced life.
2. The Authentic Parenting Podcast
This podcast is hosted by the AMAZING Anna Seewald. I have the honor and privilege of being a frequent guest on her podcast where we answer listener questions during monthly special episodes. Aside from these monthly special episodes she conducts interviews and live on-air coaching on the importance of healing from our traumas, making sense of our stories, breaking free from our patterns and triggers, finding our authentic voice in parenting, living our truth, befriending our emotions, managing stress, cultivating compassion, self love, empathy and becoming more mindful in order to show up greatly in our parenting.
3. Unruffled
In this podcast, RIE expert Janet Lansbury answers common questions on the topics of toddler discipline and respectful parenting. What I love most about this one is that you get to hear the tone of voice she uses, which can be so hard to convey in writing. Mastering this calm, collected, and connected voice is key to disciplining with love and respect. As Janet says, "The written word alone can be less than ideal for conveying the subtleties and nuances integral to respectful parenting. My hope in sharing advice through my podcasts is to clarify and fill in some of the gaps. Engaging with young children with respect is still, unfortunately, countercultural and can feel counterintuitive, so we need all the reminders, support and modeling we can get."
4. Your Parenting Mojo
Oh how I love this show! One of the things I miss most about leaving my job as a professor of Human Development and Family Studies is the daily opportunity to geek out on child development research with colleagues. Jen Lumanlan takes the latest parenting and child development research and translates it in to actionable steps for parents, all with an eye toward respectful parenting. She says of her podcast: "I started the podcast to be the resource I wished was already available: a critical view of scientific research on child development that helps us to be better parents. I can't tell you how many times I've adjusted my approach to parenting my daughter after I finished researching an episode - we have frank discussions about race (turns out that not talking about race is a very effective way to raise a racist child!), she doesn't have to eat vegetables to get dessert, and she doesn't (and will not) get paid for chores..."
If you are drawn to evidence-based practices when it comes to parenting, this show is for you! I’ve been a guest on the show twice, and I listen regularly!
5. Zen Parenting Radio
This show is the ultimate show for parents seeking more balance in their lives. While it's billed as a parenting show, they talk about all of the other things that influence our parenting: Relationships, self-care, friendships, and who you are. It's hosted by a couple that are fun to listen to as they discuss parenting with presence and respect. One of the hosts, Cathy Adams, says of her show, "Our tagline for the show is The best predictor of a child’s well-being is a parent’s self-understanding, so we focus on self-awareness, empathy, mindfulness, and humor (and we throw in a lot of pop culture…). Our kids learn by watching how we live, not by listening to what we say - so if we take care of ourselves, others, and choose to be a force for good, our kids will learn to do the same. We’ve been doing Zen Parenting Radio for almost seven years, and it’s one of our greatest joys – our goal is to have fun and leave our listeners feeling outstanding."
6. Joyful Courage Parenting Podcast
I met Casey, the host of Joyful Courage, at a parenting retreat we were both speaking at and was immediately struck by her energy and kindness. In her podcast she shares real, raw and creative guest interviews and solo shows that are designed to support, inspire and inform others on the parent journey. I especially love that, as a mom of older kids, she allows me to get a glimpse into the future and get an idea of what the road ahead may look like.
7. Code Switch
We are raising children in a socially unjust world. It is as simple as that. I say this with no political agenda, and I have no desire to foist my views on you, but I do want you to critically examine the world we are raising our children in. I believe that we as parents have a huge amount of power to create change in this world, and it starts at home, and it starts with us. Learning about the current social issues, getting clear on our stance, and showing up for social justice in real tangible ways. NPR's Code Switch explores the intersections of race, ethnicity, and culture and how these influence the landscape of our daily lives.
8. Identity Politics
Identity Politics is a wonderful podcast that features stories and perspectives about race, gender and Muslim life in America. Co-hosts Ikhlas Saleem and Makkah Ali interview guests on their experiences at the intersection of race, gender, and religion. As a white, cis/het woman raising white girls in the US, it is my responsibility to educate myself on the experiences of others, and to amplify the voices of those whose stories often go untold. Listening to and sharing this podcast is one small way I can do that.
9. Vibrant Happy Women
Ok, so while I know that all of my readers do not identify as moms and/or women, this podcast has so much to offer to everyone because it focuses on building a strong sense of self and nurturing important relationships. Topics range widely from sex/intimacy, deep and lasting friendships, true self-care, balanced and mindful living, and how to be your authentic self.
The host, Jen Riday, says of her work, "The Vibrant Happy Women podcast is all about helping women to let go of overwhelm and burnout and to live vibrant and happy lives. As a mom of 6, I've had to learn to let go of that Pinterest-perfect, exhausted, wonder woman I used to be and focus instead on having enough quiet time so I can listen to my intuition and know exactly what would make ME happy. I believe the greatest gift we as moms can give our kids is our own happiness. We have to take care of ourselves, fill our cups, and live a life filled with meaning and purpose so our kids know how to do it themselves when they're adults one day. At the end of our lives, we don't want to be remembered as grumpy and exhausted women who were at the mercy of our to-do lists. Instead, most of us want to be remembered as moms who were vibrant, happy and fulfilled. Each episode of the Vibrant Happy Women podcast features a guest who did just that - finding deep happiness despite the everyday struggles of life."
If you identify as a man and/or dad, I would still give this one a try. It is important to listen to the voices of women so that you can fully understand and empathize with compassion and connection.
10. The Purpose Show
Host Allie Casazza may be a decluttering genius, but that’s not all she brings to the table! Her podcast “The Purpose Show” offers overwhelmed, stressed out parents tips and support on how to simplify their lives and find more joy and purpose and live their lives with intention. Allie says of her show: “We're surrounded with the message that motherhood is constant, unavoidable struggle. And that's just not true. I believe in John 10:10, that we are called to abundant life, and I know mothers are not excluded from that promise. I'm on a mission to help moms simplify their homes and lives so they can focus on what matters most. The Purpose Show is a chart-topping podcast with conversations about minimalism, intentional living, and lots of other good stuff that leads to a life of less for the sake of enjoying more in motherhood.” Whether you are Christian or not, there is so much good stuff in this podcast!!
Honorable Mention: Another Round with Heben and Tracy
There are a growing number (but not enough yet!) of podcasts out there that give space to the voices of women of color, and this one is my favorite (Call Your Girlfriend is a close runner-up). The co-hosts and their guests discuss race, gender, and pop culture over drinks. It is this beautiful, inspiring mix of humor and information with a heavy dose of reality for white listeners. As a white woman, I find it so helpful in my learning process to just take a seat and listen to the realities that people of color face daily, all while recognizing that this show isn't "for" me. I so appreciate being able to listen in. The show always gives me something to think about, and often something to laugh about too. While this show is no longer producing new episodes, it’s still super relevant and important!
If you're looking for more traditional, parenting-related podcasts, this list is great, and doesn't overlap much with mine.
Ok, there we have it, my favorite podcasts for parents! Please let me know what you think down below in the comments. I would love to hear about what you're listening to these days!
Also, be sure to join my parenting group on Facebook to get all of your parenting and relationship questions answered for FREE!
** NOTE: An earlier version of this article listed The Parenting Junkie Show as a podcast I recommend. In light of the way the owner, Avital, and her team have handled recent attempts within her communities to discuss racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and raising anti-racist children, I can no longer recommend her work. She has silenced parents of color and removed many interested in discussing these topics from her spaces, even her paid membership. While her work on play and child development is often wonderful, her spaces have become unsafe for all of those invested in dismantling systemic racism and oppression, but particularly for Black, Indigenous, and brown families. I am committed to making my work and my spaces safe and relevant for all families, even if that makes white folks uncomfortable (discomfort is a necessary component for growth, right?). I am always willing to look closely at my own ingrained biases and to own and correct my mistakes. I apologize sincerely for any harm that may have come to families who, upon my recommendation, have sought support from The Parenting Junkie and found themselves in a space that was unsafe for them. If that is you, I would be happy to have you contact me so that I can support you in finding a better fit as you look to support your child through play. Email me: laura@laurafroyen.com