We’re Doing Great | A Podcast for Imperfect Parents by Pok Pok

This week on Parenting, apparently, Esther and Melissa sit down with Elan Lee, the award-winning game designer, storyteller, co-creator of Exploding Kittens, and, most importantly, a dad. Elan shares how becoming a parent changed the way he thinks about play, creativity, and game design—including how his 4-year-old daughter helped him create a successful line of preschool games.Together, they explore what makes a games fun for both kids and adults, why children are often the best collaborators in creative game design, and how play can help kids build confidence, executive function, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. From board games and puzzles to pizza-making, boundaries, and the joy of watching your child get better at something, this episode is a thoughtful conversation about family play, child-led creativity, play-based learning, and designing experiences that respect our kids’ intelligence.To learn more about Elan Lee:https://www.elanlee.com/And follow his Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ElanLeeAnd find his games:https://www.explodingkittens.com/Write in to us at hello@parentingapparently.comSubscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:YouTubePok Pok YouTubeInstagramPok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.Learn more: https://playpokpok.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Parenting, Apparently, Esther and Melissa sit down with developmental psychologist Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek to talk about why play is one of the most powerful ways children learn. From everyday moments like walking to daycare or waiting at a restaurant, to bigger questions about screen time, school readiness, and achievement pressure, they explore how parents can bring more curiosity, connection, and play into daily life without added stress.Dr. Kathy shares why kids do not need perfect parents, flashcards, or constant milestone tracking to thrive. Instead, she makes the case for open-ended play, human interaction, and child-friendly environments that support creativity, language, problem-solving, and emotional development. For parents wondering how to help their kids learn without turning childhood into a race, this episode offers a grounded, science-backed reminder: play is not extra. Play is the work.Learn more about Dr. Kathy's work:https://kathyhirshpasek.com/And find her book: Einstein Never Used FlashcardsCheck out the study she mentions on human excellence and world class performance by Barth and Güllich:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41411418/And her book recommendation "Raising Humans" by Dana Suskind:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/811792/human-raised-by-dana-suskind-md/Write in to us at hello@parentingapparently.comSubscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:YouTubePok Pok YouTubeInstagramPok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.Learn more: https://playpokpok.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When parenting doesn’t go as expected, how do you move forward?Parenting rarely goes according to plan, and this episode will remind you that unexpected turns don’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Beth Leipholtz shares how raising her son Coop reshaped her understanding of inclusion, communication, and letting go of control. You’ll walk away with reassurance, perspective, and practical insight for parenting with curiosity, compassion, and confidence.Beth Leipholtz is a mom and storyteller who shares honest, joyful reflections on parenting, disability, and inclusion through her platform Beth & Coop. A passionate advocate for raising curious, empathetic kids while navigating life with humor and heart, she is also the author of The ABCs of Inclusion: A Disability Inclusion Book For Kids.Thank you to Beth Leipholtz for being on our show!Learn more about Beth Leipholtz, her platform Beth & Coop, and her book, The ABCs of Inclusion: A Disability Inclusion Book For Kids: https://bethandcoop.com/Write in to us at hello@parentingapparently.comSubscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:YouTubePok Pok YouTubeInstagramPok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.Learn more: https://playpokpok.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re navigating parenting in a world where screens are unavoidable, and this episode will help you release the guilt that often comes with that reality. In this episode, Melissa, Esther, and their guest, Ash Brandin, explore why leisure and downtime are essential for both you and your children, and how to model a healthy relationship with technology.Today’s guest is Ash Brandin. They are an educator, author of Power On, and are known online as The Gamer Educator. They help families rethink screen time without fear or shame.Thank you to Ash Brandin for being on our show!Learn more about Ash, aka The Gamer Educator at https://www.instagram.com/thegamereducator/Get Ash’s book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family: https://www.thegamereducator.com/bookWrite in to us at hello@parentingapparently.comSubscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:YouTubePok Pok YouTubeInstagramPok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.Learn more: https://playpokpok.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can you tell if your child’s struggles are normal or a sign of ADHD? And, how do you decide whether to pursue a formal ADHD diagnosis?In this episode, hosts Melissa Cash and Esther Huybreghts talk with psychologist Dr. Carrie Jackson to unpack the truth about ADHD in children. Together they explore early signs, gender differences, and how parents can support their kids without shame or stigma.Dr. Carrie Jackson is a licensed psychologist who specializes in ADHD in children—and she has ADHD herself, so she gets it. She’s on a mission to help parents understand their kids’ unique brains and build calmer, happier homes along the way.Visit https://www.drcarriejackson.com to learn more about Dr. Carrie Jackson’s ADHD resources, expert advice, and supportive parenting tools. Be sure to connect with Dr. Carrie on social media to ask questions and learn more about ADHD in kids:* Dr. Carrie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carriejackson/* Dr. Carrie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcarriejackson* ADHD Parenting Course: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/connectedandpracticalparenting* Free ADHD Parenting Guide: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/free-parent-guide* Dr. Carrie’s Private Practice: https://www.socalchildpsych.com/Here’s the timer clock discussed in this episode: Yunbaoit Visual Timer: https://amzn.to/4ipWzj9Write in to us at hello@parentingapparently.comSubscribe and follow Parenting, Apparently, a podcast by Melissa Cash, Esther Huybreghts, and the Pok Pok team:YouTubePok Pok YouTubeInstagramPok Pok helps raise the next generation of creative thinkers through non-addictive digital tools that encourage kids to think outside the box and learn through play.Learn more: https://playpokpok.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.