Best Parenting Podcasts 2026: Top 19 Shows Ranked by Data: Ranked by Real Chart Data
Updated September 2026 · Based on CastFox data covering 24 Apple Podcasts chart snapshots in 78 countries (2026-02-24 to 2026-09-08) and 5M+ indexed podcasts
If you search best parenting podcasts 2026 you mostly get lists somebody assembled by hand. This one is not. The 19 shows below each appeared in all 24 US Parenting chart snapshots CastFox recorded between February 24 and September 8, 2026, and they are ranked by how consistently they charted, how high they ranked while they were there, and how many of the 78 countries we track them in they reached.
Parenting podcasting in 2026 has settled into six recognizable formats. Psychologist-led shows that explain a child's behavior back to you (Good Inside with Dr. Becky, Raising Good Humans, Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled). Behavior specialists for strong-willed kids and kids with ADHD (Calm Parenting Podcast, The ADHD Parenting Podcast, BratBusters Parenting Podcast). Pregnancy and birth shows that double as medical explainers (Evidence Based Birth, Is It Normal?, The Birth Hour, The PedsDocTalk Podcast). Age-specific shows that stay inside one stage of childhood (Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life, The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast). Faith-framed family shows (Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, Raising Boys & Girls). And conversational shows where the point is company rather than instruction (Always Here, Two Parents & A Podcast, Andy Cohen's Daddy Diaries Podcast, The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast).
Each card shows the cover art, the host, what the show is, why it earned its place in 2026, and who it is best for, plus the chart record behind the ranking: how many of the 24 US chart snapshots it appeared in, its average US rank, and how many countries it charted in on the most recent scrape. Click through to CastFox for the full profile, with audience estimates, chart history by country, reviews, and contact details.
The 19 best parenting podcasts of 2026 at a glance
| # | Podcast | Hosted by | Avg US rank | Best rank | Countries charting | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good Inside with Dr. Becky | Good Inside | 1.7 | #1 | 74 | 114 |
| 2 | Raising Good Humans | Aliza Pressman | 13.3 | #10 | 71 | 401 |
| 3 | Calm Parenting Podcast | Kirk Martin | 6.8 | #1 | 55 | 639 |
| 4 | Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life | Dr. Lisa Damour | 16.5 | #8 | 62 | 292 |
| 5 | Always Here | Abby Howard and Abby Howard | Daylight Media | 6.9 | #1 | 43 | 37 |
| 6 | Focus on the Family with Jim Daly | Focus on the Family | 5.4 | #3 | 34 | 100 |
| 7 | Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled | JLML Press | 20.9 | #17 | 51 | 455 |
| 8 | BratBusters Parenting Podcast | Lisa Bunnage | 19.5 | #15 | 46 | |
| 9 | The Dr. Laura Podcast | Dr. Laura Schlessinger & SiriusXM | 5.5 | #2 | 28 | 1,000 |
| 10 | The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast | 1000 Hours Outside | 10.9 | #5 | 32 | 914 |
| 11 | The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom | Dr. Mona Amin | 25.3 | #14 | 43 | 436 |
| 12 | Two Parents & A Podcast | Alex & Harrison Fugman | 13.2 | #7 | 25 | 193 |
| 13 | Raising Boys & Girls | That Sounds Fun Network | 8.6 | #3 | 16 | 415 |
| 14 | Is It Normal? The Pregnancy Podcast With Jessie Ware | Jessie Ware | 35.7 | #31 | 46 | 42 |
| 15 | Evidence Based Birth® | Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN | 26.9 | #21 | 32 | 444 |
| 16 | Andy Cohen’s Daddy Diaries Podcast | SiriusXM | 16.3 | #4 | 19 | 188 |
| 17 | The ADHD Parenting Podcast | The ADHD Parenting Podcast | 18.2 | #9 | 19 | 66 |
| 18 | The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast | Suzanne M. Swain, EDS LMSW | 8.3 | #1 | 4 | 41 |
| 19 | The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast | Bryn Huntpalmer | 28.3 | #19 | 27 | 100 |
Jump to a Show
- #1. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
- #2. Raising Good Humans
- #3. Calm Parenting Podcast
- #4. Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life
- #5. Always Here
- #6. Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
- #7. Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled
- #8. BratBusters Parenting Podcast
- #9. The Dr. Laura Podcast
- #10. The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
- #11. The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
- #12. Two Parents & A Podcast
- #13. Raising Boys & Girls
- #14. Is It Normal? The Pregnancy Podcast With Jessie Ware
- #15. Evidence Based Birth®
- #16. Andy Cohen’s Daddy Diaries Podcast
- #17. The ADHD Parenting Podcast
- #18. The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast
- #19. The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast
Rising this month · How we ranked these · How to pick the right show · FAQ
The 19 Best Parenting Podcasts to Listen To in 2026
Parenting Psychology and Expert Advice
#1. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Hosted by Good Inside
About this show: Clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy, a mother of three, works through parenting problems using emotional regulation and connection rather than consequences. Episodes are short and built for parents listening while they do something else.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most consistent show on the US Parenting chart this year and the one with the widest international footprint on this list. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 1.7, best #1, charting in 74 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents who want a calm, practical script for the moments they usually handle badly.
#2. Raising Good Humans
Hosted by Aliza Pressman
About this show: Developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and author of The Five Principles of Parenting, mixes expert interviews with shorter solo episodes. The tone is supportive rather than prescriptive.
Why it made the list in 2026: A deep back catalog and a research-first approach that have kept it near the top of the chart all year without a single gap. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 13.3, best #10, charting in 71 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents who want child development research translated into something they can use tonight.
#7. Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled
Hosted by JLML Press
About this show: Parenting author and consultant Janet Lansbury answers a reader's problem each episode through her respectful parenting approach, built on more than 25 years working with infants, toddlers, and the adults raising them. The aim is a perspective shift, not a script.
Why it made the list in 2026: The reference point for respectful and gentle parenting, and a fixture in the chart every month of the window. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 20.9, best #17, charting in 51 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents of infants and toddlers who want to stop relying on tricks and tactics.
#9. The Dr. Laura Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Laura Schlessinger & SiriusXM
About this show: Dr. Laura Schlessinger takes calls and email questions on parenting, marriage, and family conflict, alongside commentary on research about human behavior. The format is direct advice rather than discussion.
Why it made the list in 2026: A daily publishing habit and one of the largest back catalogs in the category keep it near the top of the chart. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 5.5, best #2, charting in 28 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want blunt, immediate answers about family conflict.
Behavior, ADHD, and Strong-Willed Kids
#3. Calm Parenting Podcast
Hosted by Kirk Martin
About this show: Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm, focuses on strong-willed and defiant kids, drawing on his work with challenging children at home and in classrooms. Episodes are short, blunt, and aimed squarely at stopping power struggles.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the longest-running shows in the category, with a back catalog deep enough to cover almost any behavior problem you can name. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 6.8, best #1, charting in 55 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents of a strong-willed child who are tired of consequences that do not work.
#8. BratBusters Parenting Podcast
Hosted by Lisa Bunnage
About this show: A parenting show from Lisa Bunnage. CastFox has the full chart history for this show but no feed description or episode count, so we are listing it on its chart record alone.
Why it made the list in 2026: A steady presence in the US Parenting top 100 across the entire 2026 window. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 19.5, best #15, charting in 46 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who prefer to sample a show themselves rather than read about it first.
#17. The ADHD Parenting Podcast
Hosted by The ADHD Parenting Podcast
About this show: Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, founder of ADHD Dude, and executive function specialist Mike McLeod, SLP, give evidence-informed strategies for behavior, emotional regulation, routines, and school success for kids and teens with ADHD.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most specific show on this list, and the one that answers a question the general parenting shows tend to skip. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 18.2, best #9, charting in 19 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents of a child or teen with ADHD who need tactics that work at home and at school.
Pregnancy, Birth, and the Early Years
#11. The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
Hosted by Dr. Mona Amin
About this show: Pediatrician and mother of two Dr. Mona Amin translates child health research into plain advice on illness, nutrition, sleep, development, and behavior. Episodes mix expert interviews with answers to real parent questions.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most medically grounded show on this list, and the one parents reach for when a symptom or a missed milestone worries them. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 25.3, best #14, charting in 43 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents of babies and young children who want a pediatrician's answer before calling the office.
#14. Is It Normal? The Pregnancy Podcast With Jessie Ware
Hosted by Jessie Ware
About this show: Jessie Ware follows a pregnancy week by week and puts the questions to doctors, midwives, sonographers, anaesthetists, home birth midwives, doulas, and mental health experts. The aim is reassurance backed by specialists.
Why it made the list in 2026: A short, finite series that keeps returning to the chart because pregnant listeners keep finding it. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 35.7, best #31, charting in 46 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Anyone pregnant who wants a week-by-week guide answered by specialists.
#15. Evidence Based Birth®
Hosted by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN
About this show: Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, founder of Evidence Based Birth, runs research-driven discussions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for parents and birth workers alike. The focus is on what the evidence actually says.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most research-driven maternity show on the chart, and a rare one written for professionals as much as for parents. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 26.9, best #21, charting in 32 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Expectant parents who want to make informed decisions about their own care.
#19. The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast
Hosted by Bryn Huntpalmer
About this show: Bryn Huntpalmer collects first-person birth stories from a wide range of parents, covering pregnancy through postpartum. The format is storytelling rather than instruction.
Why it made the list in 2026: A story archive rather than an advice show, which gives it a reason to be listened to from the back as well as the front. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 28.3, best #19, charting in 27 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Expectant parents who want to hear how birth actually goes for other people.
Tweens and Teens
#4. Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life
Hosted by Dr. Lisa Damour
About this show: Psychologist Lisa Damour answers one real parent question each week alongside a different expert, covering academics, friendships, screens, mental health, and meltdowns. Evidence-based, and free of judgment by design.
Why it made the list in 2026: The steadiest tween and teen show on the chart, and the one most likely to name the research behind its answer. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 16.5, best #8, charting in 62 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents of tweens and teens who want an evidence-based answer to a specific question.
#18. The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast
Hosted by Suzanne M. Swain, EDS LMSW
About this show: Suzanne M. Swain, EDS, LMSW, helps parents, educators, counselors, and caregivers understand tweens and young teens. It is an independent, self-funded show built around a single stage of childhood.
Why it made the list in 2026: The best example on this list of a narrow show earning a chart position by owning one age band completely. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 8.3, best #1, charting in 4 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents and teachers of middle schoolers.
Faith and Family
#6. Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Hosted by Focus on the Family
About this show: Jim Daly and John Fuller host the long-running Focus on the Family broadcast, connecting listeners to Christian marriage and parenting advice in short episodes. The organization has been producing this material for over 40 years.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most consistent faith-based parenting show on the chart, helped by a publishing rhythm that keeps it permanently in front of listeners. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 5.4, best #3, charting in 34 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Christian parents who want short, biblically framed family advice on a regular schedule.
#13. Raising Boys & Girls
Hosted by That Sounds Fun Network
About this show: Counselors Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan cover child development and family dynamics with a mix of psychological insight and spiritual guidance, through discussions, expert interviews, and listener questions.
Why it made the list in 2026: A counseling-led show with a large back catalog and a steady pipeline of listener questions to work from. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 8.6, best #3, charting in 16 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents who want clinical counseling and faith in the same answer.
Family Life, Play, and Real Talk
#5. Always Here
Hosted by Abby Howard and Abby Howard | Daylight Media
About this show: Sisters-in-law Abby Howard and Abby Howard talk through the real, funny, and hard parts of family life and their own relationship. Conversational, short, and light on expert framing.
Why it made the list in 2026: A small back catalog that has punched far above its size, reaching the very top of the US Parenting chart during the year. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 6.9, best #1, charting in 43 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents who want company and humor rather than instruction.
#10. The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
Hosted by 1000 Hours Outside
About this show: Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside movement, interviews voices in parenting, education, nature, mental health, neuroscience, and free play about choosing real-world activity over screens. The show is built around one challenge: 1,000 hours outdoors in a year.
Why it made the list in 2026: A movement with a podcast attached, which gives it a committed audience that turns up in the chart week after week. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 10.9, best #5, charting in 32 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents trying to cut screen time and get their kids outdoors.
#12. Two Parents & A Podcast
Hosted by Alex & Harrison Fugman
About this show: Alex and Harrison Fugman talk through new parenthood, their relationship, and whatever is trending, in a conversational and often funny format. Less advice, more shared experience.
Why it made the list in 2026: An independent show with no network behind it that has held its chart position all the same. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 13.2, best #7, charting in 25 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: New parents who want to hear a couple work it out in real time.
#16. Andy Cohen’s Daddy Diaries Podcast
Hosted by SiriusXM
About this show: Andy Cohen and co-host John Hill recount life as a father of two week by week, mixing the highs and lows of parenting with unfiltered commentary and Housewives talk. Based on Cohen's bestselling diaries.
Why it made the list in 2026: The celebrity entry point to this category, and proof that a parenting chart is not only for advice shows. Chart record: 24 of 24 US snapshots, average US rank 16.3, best #4, charting in 19 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Parents who want entertainment alongside their parenting content.
Rising This Month: Parenting Podcasts Climbing the Charts (September 2026)
These are the parenting shows moving up fastest in CastFox rankings. We compare each show's average US chart position across the 3 most recent snapshots (2026-08-18 to 2026-09-08) with the 3 snapshots before that. A show that was outside the top 100 in the prior window is marked as new to the top 100. This section is refreshed every month; the main list above changes more slowly because it rewards consistency.
Parenting & You With Dr. Shefali New to the top 100
Hosted by Dr. Shefali / Maia Wisdom. Parenting & You With Dr. Shefali new to the US top 100, now averaging #28.7, with a best US rank of #3 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 55 countries on the latest snapshot. This is not your typical parenting podcast. It is a podcast about raising the parent as much as it is about raising our children. Join Dr. Shefali, the pioneer of conscious parenting, New York Times bestselling author,...
Not As We Planned New to the top 100
Hosted by Tash Gershfield & Carly Harris. Not As We Planned new to the US top 100, now averaging #32.5, with a best US rank of #26 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 37 countries on the latest snapshot. New episodes every Thursday, with exclusive bonus episodes every Monday on Patreon. Welcome to Not As We Planned, the honest podcast about relationships, dating, marriage, divorce and motherhood, and all the things no...
The Mind of a Child New to the top 100
Hosted by Leslie Dudley Corbell & Diane Doucet Matthews. The Mind of a Child new to the US top 100, now averaging #44.5, with a best US rank of #23 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 6 countries on the latest snapshot. The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting...
Built To Birth Podcast New to the top 100
Hosted by Bridget Teyler. Built To Birth Podcast new to the US top 100, now averaging #52.7, with a best US rank of #52 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 11 countries on the latest snapshot. Preparing for birth can be overwhelming and many stories surrounding birth are scary. But the truth is, Birth is a NORMAL, NATURAL, and BEAUTIFUL event. This Built To Birth Podcast exists to share Mama's TRUE and...
Dysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help for Behavior, Anxiety, ADHD and More
Hosted by Dr. Roseann Capanna Hodge. Dysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help for Behavior, Anxiety, ADHD and More moved from an average of #95 to #49.5 (up 45.5 places), with a best US rank of #20 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 6 countries on the latest snapshot. Are you tired of the daily battles, the problems with listening and focus, meltdowns over minor frustrations, and the constant feeling of walking on eggshells in your own home? If you're a parent who feels overwhelmed,...
How We Ranked These: CastFox Methodology
CastFox scrapes the Apple Podcasts charts every day in 78 countries and stores every position in the top 200 of every genre. For this list we took the 24 2026 snapshots of the US Parenting chart between 2026-02-24 and 2026-09-08, and scored every show that appeared in the top 100 of any of them.
- Consistency (50% of the score): the number of snapshots in which the show appeared in the US top 100. Every show on this list scored 24 out of 24, which is the filter that removes one-week spikes.
- Average US rank (30%): the mean of the show's US chart positions across those snapshots. Lower is better.
- Global reach (20%): the number of tracked countries in which the show was in the genre top 100 on the most recent snapshot. This is what separates a show with a large US following from a show with a global one.
There are no paid placements and no editorial overrides. A few shows on this list would not be our personal picks; they are here because the chart data put them here, and we would rather show you what people are actually listening to than what we think they should be. Chart position is not the same as audience size, so treat the ranking as a measure of sustained popularity rather than a download count. For a deeper look at what chart data can and cannot tell you, read how podcast audience demographics are calculated.
How to Pick the Right Parenting Podcast for You
What are the best parenting podcasts for new parents?
Start with The PedsDocTalk Podcast for health questions, Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled for the first two years of behavior, and The Birth Hour if you are still pregnant. Good Inside with Dr. Becky works from day one and stays useful for the next decade.
What are the best podcasts for moms?
Raising Good Humans and Good Inside with Dr. Becky are the two most consistent chart performers here, and both are hosted by psychologists who are also mothers. Always Here is the one to pick when you want company rather than advice, and The PedsDocTalk Podcast when you want a pediatrician.
What are the best podcasts for dads?
Andy Cohen's Daddy Diaries Podcast is the only show on this list told entirely from a father's point of view. Two Parents & A Podcast splits the narration between both parents, and Calm Parenting Podcast is built around Kirk Martin's work with strong-willed kids, which is where a lot of fathers start.
What are the best parenting podcasts for toddlers and teens?
For toddlers, Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled is the reference show and The PedsDocTalk Podcast covers the health side. For teens, Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life and The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast are the two that stay inside that age band episode after episode.
What are the best positive parenting podcasts?
Good Inside with Dr. Becky, Raising Good Humans, and Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled all start from the same premise: change the parent's response rather than punish the child. Calm Parenting Podcast arrives somewhere similar by a blunter route.
Are there parenting podcasts hosted by psychologists?
Yes, and three of them are in the top four of this list. Good Inside with Dr. Becky is hosted by clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy, Raising Good Humans by developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman, and Ask Lisa by psychologist Lisa Damour. The ADHD Parenting Podcast is co-hosted by a licensed clinical social worker rather than a psychologist, but it is the closest thing here to a clinical show about one diagnosis.
Want the next 181 parenting podcasts?
This list is the top 19. The CastFox Parenting chart page shows the top 50 updated daily, and PodcastGPT can find shows on any specific topic across 5M+ podcasts.
See the daily top 50 → Search by topic →Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Parenting Podcasts
What is the best parenting podcast in 2026?
By CastFox's chart-consistency score, Good Inside with Dr. Becky is the best parenting podcast of 2026. It appeared in all 24 US Parenting chart snapshots between February and September 2026 with an average US rank of 1.7, and it charted in 74 of the 78 countries CastFox tracks. Raising Good Humans and Calm Parenting Podcast are second and third.
How is this list ranked?
Each show's score combines three things from CastFox's daily Apple Podcasts chart data: how many of the 24 US Parenting chart snapshots it appeared in the top 100 of (50% of the score), its average US rank across those appearances (30%), and how many of 78 tracked countries it charted in on the latest scrape (20%). There are no paid placements and no editorial overrides.
What is the most popular parenting podcast on Apple Podcasts in 2026?
Good Inside with Dr. Becky held the highest average US Parenting rank of any show CastFox tracked in 2026, at 1.7 across 24 snapshots, and it reached number 1 during the year. Focus on the Family with Jim Daly and The Dr. Laura Podcast are the next highest by average rank.
Are there parenting podcasts for parents of kids with ADHD?
Yes. The ADHD Parenting Podcast is the only show on this list dedicated to it, hosted by Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, founder of ADHD Dude, and executive function specialist Mike McLeod, SLP. Calm Parenting Podcast also covers strong-willed and neurodivergent kids, drawing on Kirk Martin's years of work with challenging children at home and in classrooms.
How often is this list of parenting podcasts updated?
CastFox pulls Apple Podcasts chart data daily across 78 countries, and this list is rebuilt from that data rather than edited by hand. The version you are reading covers 24 chart snapshots between February 24 and September 8, 2026, and the Updated line under the title shows when it last changed.