Parenting in the digital age is wild. Everyone, everything is seemingly fighting for your attention. Crying baby while checking (yet another) URGENT slack message? Checked. Whiny toddler sick at home in the middle of a weekly standup? Checked. Emergency fires to put out at work in the middle of nightly homework reviews with your grade-schooler? Checked.
It’s understandable, hence, that many parents have turned to tech as a crutch—handing over tablets at dinner, scrolling while supervising bathtime, answering emails during bedtime stories. Convenience becomes survival. But over time, we trade real connection for digital noise.
Jonathan Haidt said it best in his tectonic book, the Anxious Generation: “We have overprotected our children in the real world and underprotected them in the virtual world.”
The thing is, tech is not going away any time soon. Parents will have to not only use tech to work & provide for the family, but also understand it enough to engage with their kids who will grow up eventually using it too.
The good news? Tech doesn’t have to be the enemy. When used intentionally, it can actually bring families closer—whether that’s sharing a laugh on a long drive, sparking conversations that don’t start with “put your shoes on”, or learning something new together.
That’s where podcasts come in. They’ve become one of my favorite parenting tools: screen-free, story-rich, and often just the right length for a commute, a weekend without plans, or a moment of peace.
Here are 5 podcasts that have earned a spot in our family’s rotation—ones that entertain the kids, inform the parents, and sometimes do both at the same time. Stick to the end for a personal recommendation 😉
🎧 For Parents
Parenting is haaaaaard. These are podcasts that inform our ways of parenting A LOT as parents of 3 kids. Practical tips, insightful convos with experts, and safe space for parents to listen to and not feel alone.
1. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky Kennedy is basically the internet’s favorite mom/therapist. No exaggeration – her approach to parenting has taught me more about how to be a human than parenting itself. Favorite episode: Why Won’t Kids Listen?
2. The Lazy Genius Podcast
Kendra Adachi wants you to be “a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.” Yes please. Her advice is timely, practical, and full of so much grace. While it’s not strictly a parenting podcast, it’s helped me rethink how I plan, spend my time, and show up as a parent (and human). Favorite Episode: How to Parent When Your Kid Is Annoying
🎧 For Kids
Sometimes you just need a break—and so do your kids. These are our go-to shows when I need 20 minutes of peace, and they need something screen-free that still feels fun. Perfect for quiet time, car rides, or resetting after a long day.
3. Circle Round
Hosted by Rebecca Shear, Circle Round features folktales from around the world, told with gorgeous narration, original music (sometimes by the Boston Philharmonic!), celebrity cameos, and real heart. Favorite Episode: A Biscuit, A Basket
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4. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Kids send in real questions—like “Why do giraffes have long necks?” or “Do animals get married?”—and experts answer in ways that are fun, clear, and never condescending. Favorite episode: Who Invented Emojis, and What Do They Mean?
🎧 For Both Together
And finally, a personal favorite (thanks for sticking around until the end) ❤️ We noticed a gap in the podcasting world for one that’s fun for both parents and kids to consume!
5. Norah and Mama Time – Podcast Mẹ và con Tâm sự
Launched June 1st of this year, this is a podcast I co-host with my 8-year-old daughter Norah!
We wanted something that blends the best of parenting podcasts (advice, reflection) with kids’ podcasts (joy, curiosity). So we made our own. Real convos between a mom and her kid — about books, siblings, school, food, and all the big-little things in life.
Favorite episode (releasing June 15): From Dyslexia to Dog Man: Inside the Wonderful Universe of Dav Pilkey Books
Whether you’re parenting in the margins between meetings or building bedtime routines that don’t totally fall apart, these podcasts have helped us feel more connected — to our kids, to ourselves, and to each other.
Got a podcast your family loves? Drop it in the comments — we’re always adding to the queue.
