Delaney's summer podcast roundup is here, a hand-picked list of great episodes for the whole family. This year she's got recommendations spanning music, history, science, and ethics, plus a few surprise picks from a 3rd-grader she met at a lemonade stand. Each comes with a note on why it's worth a listen.
It is always a joy to compile my summer Podcast family listening episode list. It was even more fun than usual because while I was out biking this Sunday, I passed by a super cute lemonade stand run by a spunky 3rd-grader (going on 4th) who turned out to be an avid podcast listener and made some suggestions.
With his permission (and of course his parents too), I recorded him giving me the suggestions, so while you can read them below, here he is talking through his current favorites:
By the way, he was also selling Legos, in part to help him purchase a “squishy toy” he had recently lost and missed dearly. Ok, is that cute or what?!
Episode 315: Paul McCartney — "Ripples in a Pond"
It is a new song by him, about his love for his wife… so sweet! I also enjoyed this interview with Yusuf/Cat Stevens about a redo of one of his songs with his son. You will find hundreds of artists, including Lady Gaga, Natalie Merchant, and Seal. (Side note: Seal's song "Get It Together" is an absolute fav of mine. It is not the one he talks about in the Podcast, but if you are on a family drive, consider playing it.)
As many teens are upset about AI taking from creatives, hearing from creatives is great right now. We want our kids to create, so let them be inspired by hearing how musicians do just that.
Episode: BFFS
As a doctor, the first story really resonated with me. I know the disease she has, and it hit home recently when I learned a new friend has it and, in their early 50s, just had to get bilateral hearing aids. The middle story takes on lesbianism, which makes for a wonderful way to discuss the topic. And the last story, about singing a cartoon theme song and what happens afterward, is sure to warm your heart.
Episode: Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup
Seattle, where I live, is one of the cities where it is happening, so I should know a bit about the history and significance. Thank you, The Daily, for this entertaining overview.
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Episode: The Magnificent Golden Gate Bridge
If you think the Golden Gate Bridge is named because of its color, think again. The name predates the bridge by a long time. But that's just one interesting fact about this awesome structure. Listen to hear more.
Episode: Why Is There a Supplement Craze If They Don't Even Work?
Kids are being bombarded with ads for protein powder and other supplements. It is super important that they know about all the controversies surrounding supplements. This is an entertaining way to delve into it.
Episode: A Flood of New, Deadlier Drugs
It is crucial that our teens learn about the synthetic drug crisis. Jaw-dropping. Over 1,400.
Episode: Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
A new friend I have met loves backgammon, so I wanted to learn more. The ending part about a young woman who has created backgammon clubs all over NYC is really inspiring. And guess how she first started playing? In middle school, her parents taught her. Gotta love that. Head to around the 50-minute mark if you just want to hear her speak.
Episode 2: How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?
For little kids. I find otters to be endlessly fascinating and cute. Sea otters eat about 25% of their body weight each day; living in cold water will do that to you.
Episode: Pride, Prejudice, and Peer Pressure
I had such fun listening to this show about Jane Austen's masterpiece and how it has had an enduring impact on society and romance.
Episode: Graffiti
I seek out podcasts that inspire ethical debates with my kids, and this one will do just that. Vandalism or art? Where’s the line? BTW, whenever possible, I sign up for street art tours and have had such fun doing this with my kids over the years. If you get a chance to do one, I highly recommend it.
Episode: D-Day
I am going to give you the punchline because I have been talking about this nonstop recently. I have, of course, learned about D-Day, but I had not appreciated that the offensive involved 7,000 boats and almost 200,000 people from 8 countries, all coordinated for the surprise attack that helped end the awful Nazi regime. I know who wants to talk about war, but talking with our kids about it at times is indeed important. War happens, it is happening, and talking about it matters.
I also really loved her May 31, 2026, episode, A Declaration of Conscience, about trailblazing Representative Margaret Chase Smith, who in the 1950s stood up against McCarthyism. (My major in college was Government/Political Science, which helps explain why I am sharing some history podcast episodes today.)
Episode: A Health Move That Will Change Your Life, with Manoush Zomorodi
In this recent episode, Dr. Ruston interviews tech journalist Manoush Zomorodi about her book Body Electric and a movement to normalize periodic movement breaks from screens.
Zomorodi talks about research that shows five minutes of gentle movement every 30 minutes can significantly improve glucose, blood pressure, focus, mood, and energy.
They discuss why standing desks aren’t enough, how movement supports circulation and cognition, practical habit strategies, and parenting approaches to help motivate kids to move, such as framing movement as something kids “get to” do.
Episode: A Clear Roadmap for When Your Kid Breaks a Rule
When your child breaks a rule or misbehaves, do you feel unsure what consequences to impose? Do you avoid discipline altogether, or worry your responses are too harsh?
Dr. Ruston talks about this with Tammy Fisher Huson, PhD, a beloved school counselor, trainer of counselors, and the author of two books: Fearless Parenting and There's Always Something Going Right.
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Register your interest in bringing our new movie to your school or community
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! We add new videos regularly and you'll find over 100 videos covering parenting advice, guidance, podcasts, movie clips and more. Here's our most recent:
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It is always a joy to compile my summer Podcast family listening episode list. It was even more fun than usual because while I was out biking this Sunday, I passed by a super cute lemonade stand run by a spunky 3rd-grader (going on 4th) who turned out to be an avid podcast listener and made some suggestions.
With his permission (and of course his parents too), I recorded him giving me the suggestions, so while you can read them below, here he is talking through his current favorites:
By the way, he was also selling Legos, in part to help him purchase a “squishy toy” he had recently lost and missed dearly. Ok, is that cute or what?!
Episode 315: Paul McCartney — "Ripples in a Pond"
It is a new song by him, about his love for his wife… so sweet! I also enjoyed this interview with Yusuf/Cat Stevens about a redo of one of his songs with his son. You will find hundreds of artists, including Lady Gaga, Natalie Merchant, and Seal. (Side note: Seal's song "Get It Together" is an absolute fav of mine. It is not the one he talks about in the Podcast, but if you are on a family drive, consider playing it.)
As many teens are upset about AI taking from creatives, hearing from creatives is great right now. We want our kids to create, so let them be inspired by hearing how musicians do just that.
Episode: BFFS
As a doctor, the first story really resonated with me. I know the disease she has, and it hit home recently when I learned a new friend has it and, in their early 50s, just had to get bilateral hearing aids. The middle story takes on lesbianism, which makes for a wonderful way to discuss the topic. And the last story, about singing a cartoon theme song and what happens afterward, is sure to warm your heart.
Episode: Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup
Seattle, where I live, is one of the cities where it is happening, so I should know a bit about the history and significance. Thank you, The Daily, for this entertaining overview.
Episode: The Magnificent Golden Gate Bridge
If you think the Golden Gate Bridge is named because of its color, think again. The name predates the bridge by a long time. But that's just one interesting fact about this awesome structure. Listen to hear more.
Episode: Why Is There a Supplement Craze If They Don't Even Work?
Kids are being bombarded with ads for protein powder and other supplements. It is super important that they know about all the controversies surrounding supplements. This is an entertaining way to delve into it.
Episode: A Flood of New, Deadlier Drugs
It is crucial that our teens learn about the synthetic drug crisis. Jaw-dropping. Over 1,400.
Episode: Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
A new friend I have met loves backgammon, so I wanted to learn more. The ending part about a young woman who has created backgammon clubs all over NYC is really inspiring. And guess how she first started playing? In middle school, her parents taught her. Gotta love that. Head to around the 50-minute mark if you just want to hear her speak.
Episode 2: How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?
For little kids. I find otters to be endlessly fascinating and cute. Sea otters eat about 25% of their body weight each day; living in cold water will do that to you.
Episode: Pride, Prejudice, and Peer Pressure
I had such fun listening to this show about Jane Austen's masterpiece and how it has had an enduring impact on society and romance.
Episode: Graffiti
I seek out podcasts that inspire ethical debates with my kids, and this one will do just that. Vandalism or art? Where’s the line? BTW, whenever possible, I sign up for street art tours and have had such fun doing this with my kids over the years. If you get a chance to do one, I highly recommend it.
Episode: D-Day
I am going to give you the punchline because I have been talking about this nonstop recently. I have, of course, learned about D-Day, but I had not appreciated that the offensive involved 7,000 boats and almost 200,000 people from 8 countries, all coordinated for the surprise attack that helped end the awful Nazi regime. I know who wants to talk about war, but talking with our kids about it at times is indeed important. War happens, it is happening, and talking about it matters.
I also really loved her May 31, 2026, episode, A Declaration of Conscience, about trailblazing Representative Margaret Chase Smith, who in the 1950s stood up against McCarthyism. (My major in college was Government/Political Science, which helps explain why I am sharing some history podcast episodes today.)
Episode: A Health Move That Will Change Your Life, with Manoush Zomorodi
In this recent episode, Dr. Ruston interviews tech journalist Manoush Zomorodi about her book Body Electric and a movement to normalize periodic movement breaks from screens.
Zomorodi talks about research that shows five minutes of gentle movement every 30 minutes can significantly improve glucose, blood pressure, focus, mood, and energy.
They discuss why standing desks aren’t enough, how movement supports circulation and cognition, practical habit strategies, and parenting approaches to help motivate kids to move, such as framing movement as something kids “get to” do.
Episode: A Clear Roadmap for When Your Kid Breaks a Rule
When your child breaks a rule or misbehaves, do you feel unsure what consequences to impose? Do you avoid discipline altogether, or worry your responses are too harsh?
Dr. Ruston talks about this with Tammy Fisher Huson, PhD, a beloved school counselor, trainer of counselors, and the author of two books: Fearless Parenting and There's Always Something Going Right.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! We add new videos regularly and you'll find over 100 videos covering parenting advice, guidance, podcasts, movie clips and more. Here's our most recent:
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It is always a joy to compile my summer Podcast family listening episode list. It was even more fun than usual because while I was out biking this Sunday, I passed by a super cute lemonade stand run by a spunky 3rd-grader (going on 4th) who turned out to be an avid podcast listener and made some suggestions.
With his permission (and of course his parents too), I recorded him giving me the suggestions, so while you can read them below, here he is talking through his current favorites:
By the way, he was also selling Legos, in part to help him purchase a “squishy toy” he had recently lost and missed dearly. Ok, is that cute or what?!
Episode 315: Paul McCartney — "Ripples in a Pond"
It is a new song by him, about his love for his wife… so sweet! I also enjoyed this interview with Yusuf/Cat Stevens about a redo of one of his songs with his son. You will find hundreds of artists, including Lady Gaga, Natalie Merchant, and Seal. (Side note: Seal's song "Get It Together" is an absolute fav of mine. It is not the one he talks about in the Podcast, but if you are on a family drive, consider playing it.)
As many teens are upset about AI taking from creatives, hearing from creatives is great right now. We want our kids to create, so let them be inspired by hearing how musicians do just that.
Episode: BFFS
As a doctor, the first story really resonated with me. I know the disease she has, and it hit home recently when I learned a new friend has it and, in their early 50s, just had to get bilateral hearing aids. The middle story takes on lesbianism, which makes for a wonderful way to discuss the topic. And the last story, about singing a cartoon theme song and what happens afterward, is sure to warm your heart.
Episode: Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup
Seattle, where I live, is one of the cities where it is happening, so I should know a bit about the history and significance. Thank you, The Daily, for this entertaining overview.
Some families are exploring a new, Wi-Fi-enabled landline phone that allows kids to communicate without screens. This blog explains how the phone works, why parents value its simplicity and built-in controls, and how groups of families are adopting it together to reduce pressure around smartphones. A parent conversation highlights shared buy-in, voice-only communication, and giving kids more independence while delaying personal devices.
READ MORE >
Today I’m rounding up six of the most-read blogs from 2025 so far. Stories and interviews that struck a chord with readers and offered real tools for parenting in the screen age. Whether you missed a few or want a quick refresher, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires a new conversation in your home, school, or community.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
