Real conversations about parenting, adolescence, and mental health — grounded in clinical experience and built for families navigating today’s world.
Raising Families is a podcast hosted by Dr. Jerry Weichman, clinical psychologist and adolescent specialist.
Each episode explores the real challenges facing parents and teens — anxiety, motivation, conflict, resilience, independence — and offers practical, grounded insights rooted in decades of clinical experience.
No trends. No performative parenting. Just clear, thoughtful conversations about what actually works.
Season 1
Ep 0 | 3.16.26
Introducing Raising Families
In the inaugural episode of Raising Families, Dr. Jerry Weichman, Ph.D. discusses his background, his credentials, and why this podcast will be perfect for proactive parents on the go. With Raising Families, Dr. Weichman aims to give parents tools and systems they can actually use, delivered in a clear and easily digestible audio format. Make sure to follow Raising Families for more!
Ep .5 | 3.18.26
Dr. Jerry & Christina on Today’s Challenges in Parenting
Dr. Jerry introduces his co-host Christina, a mom of a middle schooler and a high schooler. Christina details some of her personal history and shares why she felt motivated to join the Raising Families project. Together, Christina and Dr. Jerry discuss some of the current day challenges facing parents and their families, as well as their future plans for the show.
Ep 1 | 3.23.26
Built to Bounce Back: Resilience Is the Foundation of Mental Health
CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware that today’s episode of Raising Families contains discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation.
In the first episode of Raising Families, Dr. Jerry Weichman explains why the concept of resilience is so foundational to a child’s mental health, and shares his strategies for instilling a fighter’s mentality in your kid. A lack of mental resilience can lead to suicidal ideation and poor mental health outcomes for kids and teens, so fostering a sense of toughness and emotional durability is an important tool in any parent’s kit.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the show as our discussion on the subject has only just begun. Later this week we will be joined by Kate Casey and of course our wonderful co-host Christina to continue the discussion.
Ep 2 | 3.25.26
Bent, Never Broken: Kate Casey of Reality Life Talks Resilience
Today, Kate Casey of Reality Life with Kate Casey joins Dr. Jerry and Christina to talk about resilience, and how parents can instill it in their children. Casey shares some details of her upbringing, on being an old soul even as a child, and "being bigger than the circumstances in which [you] live."
Together, the three discuss how to strike that perfect balance between protecting your kids and setting them up to navigate a challenging world, and how much of your own struggles you should share with your children. Finally, Dr. Jerry closes out with some actionable advice for parents.
Be sure to check out Kate Casey’s award winning, chart topping podcast Reality Life with Kate Casey and follow her for more!
Ep 3 | 3.30.26
Only Control What You Can: Tools for Parents and Kids
In this week's subject of Raising Families, Dr. Jerry tackles one of the biggest mental health challenges for parents and kids: control and adaptation. Life can feel chaotic, with endless tasks, unpredictable schedules, and frustrations we can’t control. Dr. Jerry shares practical strategies to focus on what you can control—your reactions and efforts—while teaching your kids to do the same. Learn how to ask, “What can I control?” to reduce stress, embrace life’s curveballs, and find peace within the storm. Using vivid analogies like the eye of the hurricane, Dr. Jerry offers tools to help you and your family stay calm and balanced, no matter what life throws your way. Plus, get actionable tips to implement these concepts at home and start building a stronger, healthier family dynamic today.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the show as our discussion on the subject has only just begun. Later this week we will be joined by Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and educator Jessica Conquest and of course our wonderful co-host Christina to continue the discussion.
Ep 4 | 4.1.26
Control: Teach Your Human How to Human with Jessica Conquest
In this powerful and eye opening episode of Raising Families, we dive into one of the most misunderstood and deeply felt issues in parenting today: control. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and educator Jessica Conquest joins us to explore how our desire for control over our kids, their behavior, and even ourselves often leads to disconnection, feeling overwhelmed, and emotional burnout.
Together, we unpack how screen time, shifting family dynamics, and increased societal pressure are affecting both kids and parents. Jessica offers real tools for navigating those tough parenting moments when you feel completely out of control, and explains why giving kids space to fail may be the most loving thing you can do.
From teaching emotional awareness to modeling vulnerability, this conversation is packed with insights that will help you strengthen your relationship with your kids while giving yourself a little more grace along the way.
For more from our wonderful guest Jessica Conquest you can find her on Instagram: @conquestleadjourney
Ep 5 | 4.6.26
Navigating the Overthinking Epidemic
This week we’re diving into overthinking. Everyone has struggled with overthinking at some point, and our kids and teens are especially vulnerable. In this episode, we break down how to shift from negative thoughts to positive actions. Positive thinking and shifting focus is a skill that we can teach our kids that they will take with them into their adult lives. As parents, it’s our job to learn these skills ourselves, and then teach them to our kids.Don’t forget to subscribe to the show as our discussion on the subject has only just begun. Later this week we will be joined by Dr. Julie Orris and of course our wonderful co-host Christina to continue the discussion.
Ep 6 | 4.8.26
Helping Our Kids Overcome Overthinking with Dr. Julie Orris
Dr. Julie Orris joins us this week to tackle the issue of overthinking. Especially after COVID, so many kids and teens are struggling with overthinking. Anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues are all issues that many kids face, and we as parents want to help them through. Dr. Orris delves into the differences in how boys and girls process thoughts and feelings and the importance of effective communication with our kids. As always, we share practical tools parents can use to help their kids navigate these periods of overthinking while validating their emotions.
For more information and to stay up to date with Dr. Orris please visit her website at www.julieorris.com.
Ep 7 | 4.13.26
The Present Is the Gift You Give Yourself
Does anyone in the family struggle with anxiety, holding grudges or depression? Join Dr. Weichman today as we share a powerful mental health strategy that helps both parents and kids get relief from any mental health issue.
In this episode, we explore the connection between where our mind is in time and the profound impact it has on both depression and anxiety. Dr. Jerry offers practical tools, real life examples, and a simple grounding exercise anyone can use to calm their nervous system and reset.
Whether you are a parent navigating big emotions with your kids or simply trying to stay grounded yourself, this episode offers tools to create more peace and connection at home.
Raising Families is a podcast for proactive parents on the go that dives deep into mental health, parenting, and the overall well-being of the entire family system. If you have a question or would like to be part of “Follower Fridays,” please fill out the form and we may discuss it live on the podcast.
