Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Dr. Becky says: maybe confidence isn’t what we think it is.

Most nights you replay the day and ask yourself one question: was my kid happy? Kate Bowler thinks that's the wrong question, and the right one might change how your whole day feels.

Dr. Becky talks to former FBI negotiator Chris Voss about why asking your kid "why" almost always backfires, and what to ask instead.

Dr. Becky talks with the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre about the years she was asked to paint her skin to match the rest of the corps, the mentors who taught her to advocate for herself, and what confidence looks like once you stop having to prove it.

Dr. Becky sits down with screen time expert Ash Brandon to talk about the moral judgments, practical boundaries, and family-specific choices that shape our approach to screens.

A special post from our podcast 'Rattled' about the moment we re-enter the workforce and wonder: what the heck just happened to me?

Dr. Becky breaks down the science behind yelling, snapping, and shutting down. She explains why our bodies react before our brains can catch up – and how understanding this will help you pause, reset, and reconnect.

Dr. Becky spent two hours in a Reddit thread literally called "Nothing Works" and pulled three real posts to build this episode.

What does depression look like? It’s not always… sadness. Dr. Becky talks to Dr. Chris Choukalas about why this form of depression is so easy to miss, what it costs the whole family when it goes unnamed, and what getting help actually looked like for one father who needed it badly.

This week Dr. Becky consults with the renowned couples therapist, Esther Perel, to talk about what parents can do to rekindle their desires.

Dr. Becky talks to Belle Burden, author of Strangers, about why "being good" can quietly cost you yourself, how kids notice far more than we give them credit for, and why it's never too late to tell them the truth.

Dr. Dana Suskind and Dr. Becky talk about why the messy, inconvenient, friction-filled version of connection is the version that actually wires a child's brain, and why a frictionless AI that always agrees with you might be the real risk.

Dr. Becky and Dr. Darby Saxbe get into the brain plasticity of new parenthood, and why the awkwardness of new fatherhood isn't a signal that you're wrong for the role.

“If I don’t push my kid, they’ll waste their potential.” A lot of us believe this. But is it true? Dr. Becky and Myleik Teele decide.

Dr. Becky talks to Dr. Cassidy Freitas about how perfectionism forms in childhood as a survival strategy, why it works right up until you have a baby, and what it actually looks like to loosen the grip without losing your edge.

Dr. Becky and Austin Kleon talk about what creativity actually needs to thrive, and what so-called "problem kids" and great artists have in common.

Dr. Becky talks with former Wall Street Journal tech columnist Joanna Stern about AI toys, chatbot companions, creativity, learning, and the surprising role frustration plays in healthy human development.

Dr. Becky talks with board-certified OB/GYN, sexual wellness expert, and Chief Medical Officer at Hers, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, about new survey data exploring what actually happens to intimacy in long-term relationships and parenthood.

Dr. Becky has a close call with fidget toys.

Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson has helped millions of readers understand the lasting impact of emotionally immature parents. In this conversation, she joins Dr. Becky to explore the other side of the equation: how we raise emotionally mature kids.

Writer Kevin Maguire on masculinity, parenting, emotions, and the courage it takes to break generational patterns.

You’ve probably said it—or heard it: “Nobody knows what they’re doing.” It’s meant to comfort us as parents. And sometimes it does. But… is it actually true?

If you’re pregnant… just had a baby… or love someone who is about to become a parent… this episode is for you!

People will tell you: a baby changes everything. What no one tells you is how much you change — and how hard it is to love yourself when you don't quite recognize yourself anymore. In this conversation, Dr. Becky sits down with poet and author Cleo Wade (Remember Love) to talk about what it actually feels like to lose yourself in early parenthood — and what finding your way back looks like. They go deep on postpartum depression, the guilt that masquerades as gratitude, why the hard thoughts hit so much harder than the hard moments themselves, and the small, unglamorous practices — a walk, a shower, two words on a post-it note — that can become a real turning point. Cleo's line has stayed with so many parents who've heard it: your motherhood is only as powerful as your personhood. This episode is a reminder of why that's true — and a guide for how to actually live it.

We all grow up playing a role in our family — the responsible one, the easy one, the funny one.For Kenan Thompson, that role started early.In this episode of How We’re Raised, Dr. Becky talks with Kenan about how becoming “the funny one” shaped the way he connects with people — and what it looks like to parent with more intention today.

Lots of us think screen time is a discipline problem.“My kid just wants more.”“They don’t know when to stop.”“I need to set better limits.”But what if that’s not actually what’s going on?In this episode, Dr. Becky talks with science journalist Michaeleen Doucleff, author of Dopamine Kids, about the brain system driving kids’ behavior around screens—and why more screen time rarely leads to feeling satisfied.

Most women have heard of menopause. Far fewer understand perimenopause — the years leading up to it, when things can start to feel… off. Mood shifts. Brain fog. Anxiety. Sleep disruption. A sense of “I don’t recognize myself.” In this episode, Dr. Becky sits down with OB-GYN and menopause expert Dr. Mary Claire Haver to unpack what’s actually happening in the body during perimenopause — and why so many women have been dismissed or left in the dark. They talk about how hormonal changes impact mood, parenting, relationships, and resilience — and how understanding what’s happening internally can shift the story from “something is wrong with me” to “something is changing in my body.” Dr. Haver’s new book, The New Perimenopause (out April 7), is part of a growing movement to bring clarity, research, and real support to this often-overlooked stage of life. If you’ve ever felt unlike yourself and didn’t know why — this conversation will help you connect the dots.

Your kid is melting down in public… and you feel it: “If I don’t shut this down, I'm a pushover. My kid will walk all over me." In this first episode of our new Is It True? series, Dr. Becky and Myleik Teele take a closer look at a belief so many parents carry, though rarely question: If I don’t punish, I'm being permissive. Together, they unpack what’s underneath that fear, why punishment can feel so satisfying (and why it often doesn’t work), and what it actually looks like to hold boundaries without being harsh or permissive. They also explore how this question lands differently for Black parents, where the stakes of “not listening” can feel much higher. This is the first in a recurring format we’ll revisit, slowing down common parenting beliefs and expanding them into something sturdier, more usable, and more true.

If you’re parenting right now, it can feel like the world your kids are growing up in is changing faster than you can understand it. AI. Social media. Phones. New technology showing up everywhere. And many parents are wondering the same thing: How am I supposed to guide my kids through something I barely understand myself?

Everyone in a family has a job. As parents, it’s our job to hold boundaries with our kids. It’s also our job to validate their feelings. And boy do they have feelings when we say no. On today’s episode, Dr. Becky explores the reasons behind why so many parents struggle with saying no to their kids and provides some new strategies you can start using in your house today.

This episode is part of our new series, How We’re Raised — conversations about how the homes we grew up in shape the way we lead, love, and parent today.Dr. Becky sits down with restaurateur and author Will Guidara to explore how being deeply seen as a child shaped the way he builds culture — in restaurants and at home.Will shares what it was like growing up with a mother who became quadriplegic after brain cancer, the quiet power of full presence, and how those early experiences led him to build a career around “unreasonable hospitality” — not in pursuit of product, but in pursuit of people.Together, they talk about: • Why feeling seen matters more than being impressive • The gift — and cost — of being the person who cares for everyone • Why holding your child can matter more than fixing their problem • And how to bring more intention into your home life

When food starts to feel tense, restrictive, or obsessive at home, it can send a parent into panic fast.In observation of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Dr. Becky sits down with Dr. Erin Parks, Chief Clinical Officer at Equip Health, to talk about eating disorders and disordered eating in kids and teens—what the early signs look like, what’s happening emotionally underneath, and how parents can respond without escalating shame or control struggles.Eating disorders affect an estimated 30 million Americans in their lifetime. They are common. They are serious. And they are not caused by “bad parenting.”

If you’ve ever sat down for the first time all day and guilt showed up before rest did, this episode is for you.In this conversation, Dr. Becky unpacks new findings from Care.com’s 2026 Cost of Care Report — and translates what the numbers really mean for your nervous system, your sleep, and your sense of self.Because the data reveals something powerful:Parents aren’t just tired. Many feel like they’ve disappeared.If parenting has started to feel like it takes up everything, this episode will help you understand why.And it'll remind you: you’re still here.

Super Bowl–winning NFL quarterback Russell Wilson goes beyond game-day narratives to unpack the mindset, discipline, and mental conditioning behind elite performance. He reflects on how early expectations shaped his identity, including the belief of “Why not you?” — and how those lessons now guide him as a father, leader, and teammate.This is episode 4/4 of Good Inside Presents: The Playbook, a limited-edition series created in partnership with Nike.

Gymnast and two-time Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles reflects on the moments that tested her most — including the Tokyo Games, where a fall felt like failure before becoming something bigger, when she stepped to compete for Simone Biles at the last minute. Joined by her mother, Gina, Jordan shares how belief, repair, and self-talk helped her separate who she is from what she does. A powerful conversation about identity beyond performance, stepping up when it matters most, and the parents who hold belief when their kids can’t see it themselves.

PGA Tour star Tony Finau shares how he’s learned to stay steady in a sport — and a life — built on pressure and uncertainty. Growing up with scarcity shaped his relationship to effort, discipline, and grit, lessons that continue to guide how he competes, recovers from mistakes, and shows up for his family.Tony reflects on the moments between shots, the power of repair after things go wrong, and the quiet role his parents played in helping him build confidence without shame. A grounded conversation about composure, recovery, and what it means to keep moving forward — on the course and at home.This is episode 2/4 of Good Inside Presents: The Playbook, a limited-edition series created in partnership with Nike.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross reflects on the inner work behind elite performance — navigating self-expectation, identity, and life after the finish line. She shares how injury, loss, and transition reshaped her understanding of success, and how she now brings that mindset into motherhood, work, and community. This is Episode 1/4 of Good Inside Presents: The Playbook, a limited-edition series created in partnership with Nike.

Do your kid’s tantrums seem more intense than other kids their age? Do they come on fast and last much longer? No, you’re not imagining it. And no, there’s nothing wrong with your kid. Your kid might be a Deeply Feeling Kid. And these kids will learn how to regulate their emotions, they just need a different approach. Today, Dr. Becky gives you the tools you need to assess if your kid might be a Deeply Feeling Kid.

Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price join Dr. Becky to talk kids and tech: why phones are “slot machines in our pockets,” why screen struggles aren’t a willpower problem, and the small shifts that help kids (and adults) get their attention back, build more independence, and find more real-world fun.

What if the leadership skills you need at work are the same ones your kids need at home? Dr. Becky and Simon Sinek unpack how to help kids (and teams) feel seen - with one shift that changes everything: “Tell me more.” Plus, how feedback and repair can build trust instead of breaking it.

Your kid whines, “I’m so bored!” and suddenly you feel like you have to fix it. Dr. Becky and independent play expert Lizzie Assa reframe boredom as a good thing, show parents how to step out of the entertainer role, and share a few doable ways to build independence, creativity, and resilience.

Dr. Becky and Charles Duhigg unpack habit science, why clarity creates hope, and how small shifts (better cues, named rewards, and repair over punishment) can lower tension and build connection at home - with your partner, your kids, and yourself. This episode is for anyone who wants to communicate more clearly and make change finally stick.

In hard seasons, it’s easy to believe “I’ll feel this way forever.” Dr. Becky and cognitive scientist Maya Shankar explore the moments that upend us, the anxiety of not knowing what comes next, and why we underestimate our ability to adapt. Together, they discuss how reconnecting to what matters most can bring steadiness during uncertainty.

Traveling with kids can make a vacation feel… not so much like a vacation. In this revisit of one of our favorite holiday episodes, Dr. Becky talks through how to handle sleeping in new places, airplane meltdowns, and backseat showdowns, so you can feel a little more prepared heading into holiday travel.

ADHD isn’t about deficits; it’s about difference. Dr. Becky talks with Kim and Penn Holderness about emotional intensity, Deeply Feeling Kids, and why connection matters more than correction. They explore reframing ADHD through strengths, supporting kids’ regulation, and finding environments where they thrive.

Dr. Becky talks with grief expert David Kessler about helping kids through loss, why children blame themselves, and how honesty and connection make grief survivable - for them and for us.

Dr. Becky talks with Joe Gonzales, founder of Brooklyn Stroll Club, about how searching for connection with other dads sparked an NYC movement. He shares how fatherhood is “re-raising parts of yourself,” why vulnerability is contagious, and what it means to play the long game in modern parenting.

Leslie Odom Jr. (also known as Hamilton’s Aaron Burr) and Nicolette Robinson join Dr. Becky to talk childhood wounds, breaking cycles, raising spirited kids, and navigating success while staying close in marriage. They share honest stories about repair, self-preservation, growth, and creating a legacy of kindness for their kids.

Parenting in the era of smartphones and AI is… a lot. Dr. Becky sits down with Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World. Together, they share 10 research-based rules to help parents set boundaries around phones, use parental controls effectively, create phone-free zones, and give kids real-world freedom that builds confidence and resilience.

We often think of “good” kids as those who listen and follow rules, but what if constant compliance comes with a long-term cost? Dr. Becky talks with Dr. Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes, about rethinking defiance, the downsides of over-compliance, and helping kids balance cooperation with self-respect.

Modern parents are stretched to the limit: careers, childcare, and expectations keep growing, but the day is still only 24 hours long. In this episode, Dr. Becky and economist Dr. Corinne Low unpack the data behind parental exhaustion and share realistic ways to reclaim your time, reduce resentment, and feel more present in daily life.

There’s no “right” time for the sex talk. Just ask Dr. Becky - who ended up explaining condoms to her 5-year-old on a crowded New York City subway. Of course, it’s normal for these conversions to feel awkward - especially if you didn’t have them growing up. In today’s episode, learn how to turn tricky talks into meaningful moments of connection with scripts and strategies for sharing accurate, inclusive, and age-appropriate information about bodies, porn, sex, and more.

Few things feel more triggering than hearing that your kid is being teased or left out. If your first instinct is to “fix” the situation - text the teacher, call a parent, march up to school - you’re not alone. But as Dr. Becky and Dr. Sheryl Ziegler explain, our own wounds can make us miss what our kids need most. This episode unpacks why bullying feels so personal - and how to reset before you react.

Our kids experience almost no gap between “want” and “have.” Looking for a movie? Stream it now. Have a question? Search for instant answers. Need a new water bottle? Select next-day shipping. In today’s episode, Dr. Becky explains why our kids get less practice waiting and tolerating frustration than previous generations - and how parents can intentionally build resilience in a world of convenience.

If you’ve yelled at your kid, you’re not a bad parent. You’re a good parent with an overwhelmed nervous system. Today, Dr. Becky breaks down the science behind yelling, snapping, and shutting down. She explains why our bodies react before our brains can catch up - and how understanding this will help you pause, reset, and reconnect.

Your kids are arguing again, and you’re exhausted: “Can’t you just get along?!” As a mom of three, Dr. Becky gets it. And in today’s episode, she shares a powerful reframe: Sibling rivalry isn’t a problem to fix - it’s an opportunity to build relationship skills for life. Here’s how to help your kids share space, navigate conflict… and, yes, stop hitting each other, too.

You might know Mike “The Situation” and Lauren Sorrentino from Jersey Shore. Today, they’re parents of three, navigating recovery and raising resilient kids. In this candid conversation with Dr. Becky, they share how sobriety shapes their parenting, how they plan to talk with their children about substances, and why connection - not perfection - is the key to breaking cycles.

Many of us grew up hearing, “Don’t cry, you’re fine” or “Stop overreacting!” Now, we want to raise our kids differently… but how? Dr. Becky sits down with Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, to talk about his powerful personal story and research. They discuss understanding emotions as data, validating kids’ feelings without overindulging them, and building emotional literacy for the whole family.

Something no one tells you about parenting? How much time you'll spend in the driver’s seat - chauffeuring your kid to school, playdates, soccer, birthday parties, you name it. That's why Dr. Becky partnered with Chomps to answer questions from parents like you about carpool. In this bonus episode, she shares how to make car rides easier and more meaningful.

Praise always feels good in the moment. But does it build confidence that lasts? In today’s episode, Dr. Becky shares some surprising research on praise - and what it tells us about how to affirm our kids in more effective ways. You’ll learn exactly what to do to build your kid’s self-esteem in both high and low moments.

In honor of Grandparents Day, Dr. Becky takes questions from both sides: She hears from parents who feel stuck between gratitude and frustration about their parents’ involvement, and from grandparents who feel both needed and dismissed. Together, these conversations highlight the messy and necessary reality of building strong, emotionally healthy families across generations.

For the first time, we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing something usually reserved just for Good Inside Members - a live Q&A with Dr. Becky and Senior Good Inside Coach, Jamie Pfeffer. From dealing with bullying and hitting to navigating triggers, this conversation gives a peek inside the power of this community: real parents asking real questions - and getting unfiltered, empathetic, and practical support in return. Every question opens the door to powerful reframes and step-by-step strategies that will leave you feeling seen and encouraged. P.S. Have a question that didn’t make it into today’s episode? Join membership to access our daily “Ask a Coach” sessions and our 24/7 “Ask” feature in the Good Inside app (it's the closest thing to texting Dr. Becky!).

Sharpened pencils, new backpacks, picture-perfect outfits. Even if back-to-school season looks shiny on the outside, it often comes with a swirl of messy feelings for kids and parents! In this episode, Dr. Becky unpacks why starting school is more than just a change in schedule - and how to stay sturdy during the turbulence of transitions. She reframes regressive behaviors and offers practical strategies for building routines, so you and your child can feel more connected, resilient, and confident handling whatever this year throws your way. Plus, don't miss the back-to-school speed round - where Dr. Becky shares her own childhood lunchbox must-haves and fifth-grade pencil pouch confessions.

Back-to-school can test screen time rules. Dr. Becky leans on an expert guest to reframe limits so they’re guided by values, not guilt.

Dr. Becky shares why imaginative play fuels kids’ growth, how to spark wonder, and why it’s normal for parents to struggle with play.

The big, high-risk moments start with small parenting ones—Dr. Becky explains how everyday interactions lay the foundation for consent, self-trust, and emotional safety.

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Matt Richtel joins Dr. Becky to explore the adolescent brain, teen mental health, and the science of how we grow up.

In this powerful and intimate episode, Dr. Becky shares the never-before-told story behind the original Deeply Feeling Kid (DFK) - her daughter. For the first time, she opens up about what it was really like parenting a child with big emotions: the moments of connection, the moments of struggle, and the internal battles no one else could see.

Why does a messy house feel so overwhelming? In this episode, Dr. Becky unpacks the deeper emotional roots behind why physical clutter—like the laundry pile or the half-unpacked suitcase—can feel like a personal failure instead of just “stuff.” She explores how mess stirs feelings of chaos, shame, and “not enoughness,” especially for parents carrying the invisible mental load. You’ll hear why mess taps into childhood messages, cultural myths around “good moms,” and our very real need for control and completion. Plus: practical tools for separating self-worth from clutter, listener questions, and a powerful reminder—you are not your mess. If you've ever felt like the state of your home says something about you, this episode is for you.

Puberty is starting earlier than ever. Dr. Becky and Dr. Sheryl Ziegler dive into why—and how parents can support kids through this big transition. They explore what early puberty looks like today, its emotional and cultural impacts, and the tools caregivers need to stay connected and confident.

Dr. Becky joins Gretchen Rubin & Samantha Bee for a heartfelt, funny roundtable on parenting lessons, challenges & growth.

Explore how shifting gender roles are reshaping how we raise boys and redefine modern fatherhood in today's evolving world.

Explore how shifting gender roles are reshaping how we raise boys and redefine modern fatherhood in today's evolving world.

In this episode, Dr. Becky unpacks why summer feels so hard for parents—and shares real tools to survive sibling fights, snack overload, and the pressure to make it magical. You’re not failing summer. You’re just parenting in it.

In this episode of Good Inside, Dr. Becky talks with bestselling author and mental health expert Dr. John Delony about the utility trap — the pressure many men feel to always be useful, fix problems, and provide solutions, often at the expense of emotional connection. John shares his own experiences as a dad learning to step out of “fix-it mode” and into emotional presence, vulnerability, and attunement. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the role of provider or problem-solver, or you’re parenting with someone who is, this conversation is a powerful invitation to redefine what it really means to show up.

When your child isn’t a reflection of you, how do you accept and embrace who they truly are? This episode explores expectation, identity, and ego in parenting.

What happens when motherhood collides with disappointment, longing, and the parts of ourselves we thought we had to bury? In this raw and resonant conversation, Dr. Becky sits down with The Push and The Whispers author Ashley Audrain to explore the complicated terrain of identity, self-trust, and the forms of self-preservation we rely on to survive — and stay human — in the midst of parenting. Together, they unpack what it means to hold space for all the parts of ourselves: the ones we show, the ones we silence, and the ones still trying to be heard. Because being a mother doesn’t erase who you are. It just makes the work of knowing — and owning — yourself that much more essential.

What if the idea of maternal instinct isn’t an inherent truth—but a cultural narrative that sets parents, especially mothers, up for self-doubt and isolation? In this episode, Dr. Becky invites us into a space of curiosity, questioning where our thoughts about parenting "naturally" come from, and why we might expect ourselves to figure it all out alone. Together with a close friend, she unpacks the quiet pressures baked into motherhood and challenges the comforting-yet-limiting binary of maternal instinct. What might parenting look like if we gave ourselves permission to learn, struggle, and seek support—just like we do in every other role?

Dr. Becky sits down with bestselling author and truth-teller Glennon Doyle for a candid conversation about anorexia, the messy process of recovery, and the emotional baggage they’re determined not to pass on to their kids. Glennon also opens up about her Zillow scrolling—and to her surprise, Becky totally relates. Together, they explore what this search for the “perfect home” reveals about our deeper longing for safety, belonging, and peace. As the saying goes, “Wherever I go, there I am.”

We’ve been taught to fear compassion. That if we’re too soft, our kids will be too weak—unable to handle the “real world.” But what if that’s exactly backwards?

Dr. Becky explores the rise of “FAFO” parenting—is it burnout, backlash to gentle parenting, or just a rebrand of something that’s always been there?

Dr. Becky joins Tamron Hall to discuss the power of picture books in fostering connection between parents and kids, especially when addressing difficult behaviors.

It’s parent-teacher conference time—the moment that can fill any parent with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. What will the teacher say about my child? What does it say about me as a parent? When our kids struggle, it’s easy to worry that their behavior reflects our parenting.

Dr. Becky encourages all self-identifying “Good Girls” to reflect on what they truly want for themselves and to embrace the inconvenience that comes with pursuing it.

Dr. Becky unpacks the good girl conditioning from childhood and inspires women to embrace being inconvenient.

Dr. Becky talks to a mom about what happened when she braved taking her young kids to a restaurant and it didn't go so well.

Comedian and actress Ilana Glazer, joins Dr. Becky to talk about motherhood, boundaries, and being a millennial parent.

Today on the show, Dr. Becky tackles parental burnout, how to take care of yourself, and how to bring some fun back into your life.

Author and poet, Cleo Wade, joins Dr. Becky to talk about reclaiming yourself when you feel lost in motherhood and the importance of self-love.

This week, Dr. Becky addresses the challenges of parenting with a skeptical partner and gives tools for how parents can learn to speak the same language.

Today on the podcast, Dr. Becky tackles the very important topic of connection and shares ways you can increase connection with your kid.

This week, Dr. Becky talks with a couple about Deeply Feeling Kids, birth order, and sibling dynamics all at once.

Today on the podcast, Dr. Becky tackles the most popular parenting question she gets asked: Why won't my kids listen to anything I say?

Dr. Becky recently held a virtual event for parents affected by the LA wildfires - this episode is the recording of that event.

This week, Dr. Becky explores the complex topic of punishment in parenting.

Yale professor, scientist, and podcast host, Dr. Laurie Santos, joins Dr. Becky to talk about happiness.

Dr. Becky talks with a mom about the dilemma of raising kids differently when other people are intimately involved in the raising of your children.

Author and parenting activist, Debbie Reber, joins Dr. Becky to discuss different frameworks and strategies for parents of differently wired kids.