TPP 365a: Dr. Alok Kanojia Explains How to Raise Healthy Gamers
Where is the line between healthy gaming and unhealthy gaming? How much gaming is too much? And when does a gaming habit
evolve into gaming addiction? These are some of the questions regarding
screen time that I hear from many parents, and they highlight some of
the ongoing challenges families face in raising children who can be
responsible tech users and whose screen use and gaming doesn’t interfere
with their lives in a way that can be harmful or keep them stuck.
So when I learned of the new book How to Raise a Healthy Gamer: End Power Struggles, Break Bad Screen Habits, and Transform Your Relationship with Your Kids by Dr. Alok Kanojia, I knew I wanted to invite him onto the show to talk about all things gaming with us. In this conversation, we talked
about how we as parents can know whether our child is addicted to video games or not, why screen time limits and restricting gaming time
are at odds with the goal of raising a healthy gamer, and how to shift
to a holistic approach that considers overall well-being and
goal-setting. We also talked about why children with ADHD are more
susceptible to addictive behaviors surrounding gaming and how to raise
healthy gamers from a young age.
Dr. Alok Kanojia is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in
the intersection of technology x mental health. Also known as ”Dr. K” to
millions of people on the internet, Dr.Kanojia is the co-founder of
Healthy Gamer, a mental health platform that serves the digital
generation. He has inspired millions of people with online content while
overseeing the mental health coaching of thousands of young people. He
is widely regarded as the foremost expert on video game addiction and
most prominent mental health authority for young people. When he’s
offline, he’s usually traveling, gardening, or grilling with his family.
Things you’ll learn from this episode
How to determine if your child has a gaming addiction, and why it’s important to trust your instincts
Why screen time limits and carrot
and stick approaches surrounding a child’s gaming is at odds with the
goal of raising a healthy gamer
Why children with ADHD are more susceptible to addictive behaviors surrounding gaming
The importance of engaging in open and non-judgmental communication
with your child about their gaming habits and the impact it has on their
life
How to shift to a holistic approach that considers overall well-being and goal-setting
Ideas for proactively creating healthy gaming habits with younger children
learn more at https://tiltparenting.com/session365
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TPP 468: Helping Empaths and Highly Sensitive Kids Thrive with Dr. Judith Orloff
Today we’re diving into the world of empaths and highly sensitive people—what it means to be one, what makes it complicated, and why it’s also such a gift. My guest, psychiatrist, author, and empath Dr. Judith Orloff, shares her own journey as a highly sensitive child and how it shaped her work as a psychiatrist. We talk about the science behind sensitivity, how to recognize a highly sensitive child, and why self-care and co-regulation are so critical for both parents and kids. Judith also touches on bullying, sensory overload, and the strategies empaths can use to thrive—and she introduces her beautiful new children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, created to help kids understand and embrace their sensitivity.
About Judith Orloff, MD
Judith Orloff, MD, is a psychiatrist who serves on the UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty and an empath. She is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent books are The Genius of Empathy (2024) and The Empath’s Survival Guide (2017). Specializing in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice, she also offers Empathy Training Programs to organizations. She has spoken at the American Psychiatric Association, Google, Fortune’s Powerful Women’s Summit, and TEDx. She has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, PBS, and NPR. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Teen Vogue, and Scientific American.
Things you'll learn from this episode
How Dr. Orloff blends traditional psychiatric expertise with her lived experience as an empath
Why empaths and highly sensitive individuals often struggle with sensory overload and emotional stress from others
How co-regulation between parents and children supports emotional health and resilience
Why parents need to advocate for highly sensitive kids in schools, especially in the face of bullying
How recognizing the gifts of empathy—like deep connection to nature and beauty—helps children embrace who they are
Why self-empathy and intentional self-care practices are essential for empaths to thrive
Resources mentioned
Dr. Judith Orloff’s website
The Highly Sensitive Rabbit by Dr. Judith Orloff
The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff
Thriving as an Empath by Dr. Judith Orloff
Dr. Judith Orloff on Facebook
Dr. Judith Orloff on X
Dr. Judith Orloff on LinkedIn
Dr. Judith Orloff on YouTube
Dr. Judith Orloff on Instagram
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TPP 128b: Digital Media and Technology Expert Devorah Heitner on Helping Kids Be Screenwise
Dr. Devorah Heitner, a digital media and technology expert and the author of "Screenwise" talks about how parents can mentor their kids to develop a healthy relationship with screens (phones, online games, and more).
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TPP 467: A Conversation with Nefertiti Austin About the Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Today I’m talking with writer and memoirist Nefertiti Austin about her journey parenting a neurodivergent child and the many realizations that come with it, which she writes about in her new book, She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis That Changes Everything, continues that deeply honest exploration, this time through the lens of raising a differently wired child. In our conversation, Nefertiti shares the challenges and gifts of navigating labels, the role of educators in her family’s story, and the ways adoption has shaped her parenting experience. We also talk about what it means to adapt as parents—to let go of old visions and dream new dreams that embrace our children’s unique paths.
About Nefertiti Austin
Nefertiti Austin is a writer and memoirist. She wrote about the erasure of diverse voices in motherhood in the critically acclaimed Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America (2019) and her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Nation, Romper, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She was the subject of an article on race and adoption in The Atlantic and appeared on numerous shows, podcasts, and radio programs, including The Today Show and multiple NPR outlets. Her newest book is She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis That Changes Everything (2025). Nefertiti is the proud adoptive mother of two children and lives in Los Angeles.
Things you'll learn from this episode
How Nefertiti’s parenting journey began through adoption and was reshaped by raising a neurodivergent child
Why using positive terms like “spirited” instead of negative labels protects children’s sense of self, especially for children of color
How adoption adds unique layers of complexity to parenting neurodivergent kids and challenges assumptions about nurture
Why seeking assessments requires patience, persistence, and deep understanding from both parents and educators
How parents can move toward acceptance by dreaming new dreams for their children while navigating overwhelm and trial and error
Why bridging the gap between parents and educators is key to creating supportive environments for neurodivergent kids
Resources mentioned
Nefertiti Austin’s website
She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis That Changes Everything by Nefertiti Austin
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America by Nefertiti Austin
Nefertiti on Instagram
Nefertiti on Facebook
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TPP 016b: Understanding and Navigating the Parent-Teacher Relationship with Becca Wertheim
Becca Wertheim, a second-grade teacher at an inclusion school in North Carolina, talks about her experience as a teacher meeting the individual educational needs of a group of students with diverse learning styles, and her insight for parents who are looking for better support and communication with the teachers in their children’s lives.
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About Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child? Full-Tilt Parenting is here to help. Hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating life with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) kids. With expert interviews and candid conversations, you'll discover practical solutions for things like school challenges and refusal, therapy options, and fostering inclusion, social struggles, advocacy, intense behavior, and more — all through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Whether you're struggling with advocating for your child at school or seeking ways to better support their unique needs, Debbie offers the guidance and encouragement you need to reduce overwhelm and create a thriving, joyful family environment. It's like sitting down with a trusted friend who gets it. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back!
Listen to Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children, Begin Again with Davina McCall and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app