Raising Us: A Parenting Podcast

Self-esteem plays a powerful role in how kids handle challenges, relationships, and self-doubt – but how can parents ensure confidence doesn’t come with being “the best?” Raising Us host Elise Hu is joined by Dr. Kristin Neff, associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, to define self-esteem and share practical tips for building confidence at home. Also joining this episode is Nia Sioux, a dancer, singer and actress who's best known for her breakout role as an original cast member in Lifetime’s hit reality series Dance Moms. Nia talks with us about growing up in front of cameras, her best tips for practicing self-esteem and confidence, and more anecdotes from her new memoir, Bottom of the Pyramid.

Social media and screen time is becoming a bigger part of family life everyday – from how kids connect and learn, to how many parents manage busy schedules. To help define healthy social media habits, public school teacher and librarian Ash Brandin shares their best tips from recent book Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family. Also, award winning health and science journalist Catherine Price provides advice about how kids are experiencing social media today. Both guests break down how social media can impact developing brains, how families can set and tackle realistic boundaries together, and why monitoring healthy habits with tech use matters.

Youth sports can shape our kids in powerful ways on and off the field. In this episode of Raising Us, Elise Hu sits down with Managing Director of Olympics and Action Sports at Octagon Peter Carlisle to explore how early experiences in sports can build confidence, character, and lifelong resilience. Peter unpacks the hidden pressures young athletes face today, practical ways parents can nurture a positive sports environment, and how to keep the joy in the game—whether your child dreams of the pros or simply wants to play with friends.

As we get deeper into the holiday season and winter holidays, many parents start to wonder — how do we keep holiday magic alive while helping our kids understand what’s real? Jacqueline Woolley, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, studies how kids understand fantasy, reality, and belief itself. She joins us to explore and support curiosity, belief, and cultural traditions with grace by sharing her own stories and tactile advice to answering one of parents’ biggest questions around the holiday season — should we tell our kids about Santa?

As the season of holiday gifting approaches, kids and parents alike may notice new toys, new desires, and the effects of a tight budget. Here to build confidence in starting conversations about money with your kids is bestselling author, journalist, and host of the Her Money podcast, Jean Chatzky. Jean breaks down how to ease kids into the concept of money, what conversations about wealth can look like, and more from her decades of insights on talking with kids about money, status and self-worth.