HEY OTHER PARENTS – S03E007: This Isn’t the Parenting We Grew Up With… (Millennial Pressures of Raising Kids in 2025)

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week, we’re talking all about what it means to raise kids right now — in a world that looks nothing like the one we grew up in.

Even from the time our kids were babies until now, so much has changed. Every generation has faced its own version of “hard,” but millennial parents are juggling a whole new mix — from nonstop work expectations and rising costs to tech-filled classrooms, social media stress, and a constant feeling that we’re supposed to be doing it all.

We’ll talk about how the optics around parenting have changed — how it’s not just what we do as parents, but how it looks online, at school, and even to other parents. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to ask whether changing our approach isn’t such a terrible idea after all.

So let’s do some reflecting, ease up on the guilt, and give ourselves a little grace in 2025.

Because on Hey Other Parents, it’s an honest discussion about raising kids. I’m Michael Heit, I’m Sara D, and I’m Mike Levine. ❓ Question of the Week What differences do you see now as a parent compared to when you were a kid?

📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

⏰ Time to Unplug Because parents deserve their own fun too:

• Michael: Wednesday, Season 2 – Part 2
• Sara: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story — absolutely no kids allowed, and maybe some eye bleach after.
• Mike: Star Wars: Visions Volume 3

🎯 Support Hey Other Parents If you enjoy the show, consider donating so we can keep making it — or just share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more than you know!

🎧 New episodes drop every Friday—join us for another honest discussion about raising kids.

This is S03E007: Hey Other Parents Episode 057

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

HEY OTHER PARENTS – S03E006: Hey Mom… The Meatloaf (Family Recipes & Stories That Live On)

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week, we’re talking all about how food keeps our families connected — not just through the meals we share, but through the stories, memories, and love that come with them.

This episode was inspired by Umma: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes — a beautiful reminder that recipes aren’t just instructions, they’re stories of love, culture, and connection passed from one generation to the next.

We’re diving into the dishes that do more than feed us — the ones that remind us who we are, where we come from, and the people who taught us how to cook in the first place. From handwritten cookbooks to traditions passed down by taste and memory, these are the meals that carry our families forward.

Michael shares the cookbook his mom made him when he left for college — a simple gift that turned into a lifelong reminder of home. Sara opens up about cooking with her dad and how one special dessert became their way of reconnecting. And Mike reflects on teaching his kids to cook (and the creative chaos that comes with it). Together, we explore how food preserves culture, love, and legacy — and what recipes we hope our own kids will carry on.

❓ Question of the Week What’s a family recipe that means the world to you — and what story comes with it? Was it passed down, improvised, or rescued from an old notebook?

📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

What We Cover:

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🍽️ Then (Childhood Lens)

• The meals that defined growing up — mom’s “Heit-ie chicken,” dad’s apple pie, and lasagna that only tasted right when made by family.
• Remembering the cooks who never measured, but somehow made everything perfect.
• Why certain dishes still transport us back home with one bite.

👨‍👩‍🍳 Now (Parenting Lens)

• Teaching kids that cooking is about love, not perfection.
• The next generation remixing family favorites — Alfredo, Birria, rice and beans, and more.
• What food teaches about patience, creativity, and connection.
• The beauty (and occasional chaos) of kids helping in the kitchen — from cracked eggs to flour explosions.

❤️ Family Recipe Confessions

• Dishes we “pretend” to make from scratch.
• Family recipes we’ve totally ruined but still serve with pride.
• The meals our kids refuse to eat — but everyone else swears by.

🥣 The Takeaway Every recipe tells a story. We may forget the measurements, but we never forget how it made us feel. 📚 Book Club Reminder Don’t forget — our Hey Other Parents Book Club pick is Fierce Intimacy by Terry Real. We’ll be diving into what it really means to fight for your relationship instead of in it.

👉 Homework for Listeners: Listen to or read the first half of the book before Episode 10, when we’ll start unpacking it together on the show!

⏰ Time to Unplug Because parents deserve their own fun too:

• Michael: The Studio – Seth Rogen
• Sara: Taking 30 minutes at the start and end of each day for herself — coffee, journaling, or a quiet walk
• Mike: Task on HBO – a gripping new crime drama series

Because you’ll be a better we if you take care of me. 🎯 Support Hey Other Parents If you enjoy the show, consider donating so we can keep making it — or just share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more than you know!

🎧 New episodes drop every Friday—join us for another honest discussion about raising kids.

This is S03E006: Hey Other Parents Episode 056

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to our tip jar: 👉 https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

HEY OTHER PARENTS – S03E006: 13 Relationship Rules That Help Avoid Blowouts

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week, we’re stepping away from parenting tips and diving into something just as important—keeping our relationships strong.

Arguments are normal in any marriage or partnership, but sometimes it’s the simplest of unspoken rules that help avoid blowouts over the little stuff. From thermostat wars to fridge fights, we’re talking about the creative strategies couples use to stay grounded, keep perspective, and remember they’re on the same team.

Sara shares a beautiful reflection on loving your partner through all the seasons of life—because you’ll both change, and that’s okay. And Mike Levine talks about a powerful anniversary tradition where he and his wife look back on the good times, the bad times, and the okay times—a ritual that helps them appreciate their journey together.

❓ Question of the Week What’s an unspoken rule in your relationship that helps keep the peace?

📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

What We Cover:

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💬 Then (Childhood Lens)

• How conflict looked when we were kids—silent treatments, shouting matches, or calm conversations.
• What we learned (or didn’t learn) from watching our parents argue.
• The moments that shaped how we now handle tension in our own homes.

❤️ Now (Parenting Lens)

• Why small arguments can feel bigger when you’re juggling parenting.
• How to stay patient, listen, and avoid keeping score.
• The importance of saying “I” instead of “you” and knowing when to step back.
• Fighting for your relationship instead of in your relationship.

📚 Fierce Intimacy Preview Later this season, we’ll be reading Fierce Intimacy by Terry Real—a book that challenges couples to stop fighting for themselves and start fighting for each other. Grab a copy if you’d like to read along!

⏰ Time to Unplug Because parents deserve their own fun too:

• Michael: Discovering surprise meals through the TooGoodToGo app
• Sara: Midweek date nights at Casita RD (Baldwin) and BK9 (Brooklyn)
• Mike: Celebrating 28 years later!!!

Because you’ll be a better we if you take care of me.

🔗 Future Hey Other Parents Book Club - Fierce Intimacy by Terry Real

🎯 Support Hey Other Parents If you enjoy the show, consider donating so we can keep making it—or just share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more than you know!

🎧 New episodes drop every Friday—join us for another honest discussion about raising kids.

This is S03E006: Hey Other Parents Episode 055

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

Quick Message

🎙️ Hey everyone! Quick heads-up — I goofed when editing Episode 5 (The Grandparent Episode). Around the 30-minute mark, the audio gets a little out of sync, and it sounds like we’re all talking over each other.

If you downloaded the episode before Saturday, October 4th, just re-download Episode 5 and you’ll be all set!

Thanks for rolling with us — and as always, don’t forget to hug your kids and charge those Chromebooks. 💻💙 Enjoy the day, everyone!

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

Episode Description

HEY OTHER PARENTS – S03E004: The Grandparent Episode: Love, Boundaries, and Clashes

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week, we’re talking all about grandparents—the love, the spoiling, the traditions, and yes…the clashes. From too many sweets and outdated advice to “back in my day” comparisons, we’re diving into what happens when well-meaning grandparents sometimes forget to pass the parenting torch back to us.

We’ll share our own stories, talk about generational differences, and explore how to set boundaries with love—because keeping the peace with family doesn’t have to mean losing your sanity. ❓ Question of the Week What is the funniest or most frustrating “grandparent move” you’ve experienced?

📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents What We Cover: •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

👵 Then (Childhood Lens)

• The magic we loved about grandparents: spoiling, freedom, family traditions.
• The things we didn’t notice as kids (but our parents sure did).

👨‍👩‍👧 Now (Parenting Lens)

• How grandparent quirks hit differently once we’re the parents.
• Too much sugar, endless toys, ignoring routines, outdated advice.
• The tension of wanting kids to have magical grandparent experiences—without undermining parenting.

⚡ Generational Clash

• Why these differences exist (era, culture, parenting style).
• Which clashes are harmless, and which ones cause real friction.

💬 Boundaries With Love

• How to set boundaries without making it a battle.
• Framing limits as protecting relationships, not laying down laws.
• Remembering to stay grateful, even in the tough moments.

⏰ Time to Unplug Because parents deserve their own fun too:

• Michael: AirPods Translate (English ↔ Spanish beta—wild!)
• Sara: Using ChatGPT for outfit ideas (faster than Pinterest scrolling)
• Mike: Rediscovering Linkin Park & music nostalgia

🔗 Links & Resources

• The Biggest Grandparenting Mistakes – BuzzFeed

🎯 Support Hey Other Parents If you enjoy the show, consider donating so we can keep making it—or just share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more than you know!

🎧 New episodes drop every Friday—join us for another honest discussion about raising kids.

This is S03E004: Hey Other Parents Episode 053

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

HEY OTHER PARENTS – S03E003: Parenting Hacks… We Have Questions

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week we’re diving into the weird, wild world of parenting hacks—the ones that felt totally normal when we were kids, and the ones we’ve tried (or sworn off) as parents ourselves.

Inspired by a BuzzFeed list of bizarre and brilliant “hacks,” we’re sharing stories that range from monster spray and mayonnaise remedies to Santa’s OSHA compliance rules. Some are genius, some are questionable, and some are… probably therapy fodder.

We’ll cover:

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👶 When We Were Kids: “Wait… That Was Normal?”

• The childhood hacks our parents swore by (and the ones that make us shake our heads now).
• From Vicks on everything to car lights = jail time.

👨‍👩‍👧 Now That We’re Parents: Hacks, Lies & Survival Tactics

• Which “creative solutions” we’ve inherited, which ones we’ve invented, and which ones we refuse to repeat.
• Tooth Fairy threats, Santa hotlines, toy jail, and snack stations.

⚡ Rapid Fire Hacks

• Netflix in Greek = bedtime.
• Ice cream truck music = out of ice cream.
• Whining is illegal in Cape Cod.
• The pet fish are secret Santa spies.
• Bedtime tickets, broccoli muscle checks, Gmail time capsules, and more!

❓ Question of the Week What’s the strangest parenting hack you’ve heard—or tried? Did it actually work, or was it total chaos?

📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) 📩 Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents ⏰ Time to Unplug Because parents need their own hacks too:

• Michael: Owala 40oz tumbler (perfect for powdered drink mixes)
• Sara: Better Me Pilates program
• Mike: Borderlands 4 frustrations (lag + choppy PC issues)

🎯 Support Hey Other Parents If you enjoy the show, consider donating so we can keep making it—or just share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more than you know!

🎧 New episodes drop every Friday—join us for another honest discussion about raising kids.

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

HEY OTHER PARENTS – S03E002: Mourning the Aging Kiddo

🎙️ In This Episode:

Parenting means growing up right alongside your kids—and sometimes, that growth stings. This week, we’re unpacking the bittersweet ache of letting go: when your child walks into school without looking back, chooses friends over trick-or-treating with you, or suddenly decides they’re “too old” to snuggle.

We’ll share the mix of pride and grief that sneaks up on parents, why independence feels like a hidden kind of goodbye, and how to reframe those moments as both loss and opportunity. What We Cover: •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

💔 The Hidden Grief of Growing Up

• The first times our kids pulled away—from school drop-offs to bedtime routines.
• Why milestones feel like small goodbyes that pile up over time.

💡 Pride vs. Pain

• Celebrating independence while coping with the ache it leaves behind.
• Real parent stories: from learning to cook alone to shutting the bedroom door.

🤝 Coping & Connection

• Practical ways to reconnect as kids grow older.
• Reframing independence as proof you’ve done your job well.
• Why it’s important for parents to fill their own cup, too.

✨ Reflection

• “They outgrow your lap, but not your love”—why independence is both hard and beautiful.

📞 Join the Conversation: Call us at 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) or email us at [email protected]. We might feature your story in a future episode!

🎧 New episodes drop every Friday — don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

🖤 Follow us on Instagram: @HeyOtherParents ❓ Question of the Week 💬 What gave you the most anxiety of your child needing. you less and how have you worked through it? Drop your answers in the comments or DM us!

HeyOtherParents #ParentingPodcast #HonestParenting

📞 Voice/Text: 559-537-5437

📩 Email: [email protected]

⏰ Time to Unplug 🎬 Michael: 3D Printing with the Bambu Labs P1S 🎬 Sara: Unknown Number: The High School Catfish 🎬 Mike: Fantasy football season (and that trophy!) 🎯 Support Hey Other Parents

Support us on Pinecast Join us on Patreon S03E002 | Series Episode 49 Intro voice recording done by the one and only Koltrane

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to our tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

Season 3, Episode 1: The Welcome to Middle School Episode

Middle school is a big milestone for kids—and for parents. It’s that tricky stage where they’re craving independence, friendships are shifting, and school expectations are ramping up. As parents, it’s a constant dance between stepping in with guidance and stepping back to let them figure it out—because we can’t round off all the sharp corners for them.

Michael’s son Jacob even joins us for a quick chat about his own middle school experiences: what’s exciting, what’s nerve-wracking, and how he’s finding his way.

We talk about:

• Balancing effort and results when it comes to quizzes and tests
• Navigating independence in social situations and the in-between moments
• When kids should handle challenges themselves vs. when parents step in
• Why a little pressure can actually be a good thing—it shows you care

❓ What are your kids most excited—or nervous—about in middle school? And what about you?

📞 Call or text us at 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) or email [email protected]. We might feature your story in a future episode!

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday — don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

🖤 Follow us on Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

❓ Question of the Week

💬 What’s been the biggest surprise (good or bad) about your child starting middle school? Drop your answers in the comments or DM us! #HeyOtherParents #MiddleSchool

📞 Voice/Text: 559-537-5437 📩 Email: [email protected]

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⏰ Time to Unplug

🎬 Michael H: Wednesday – Season 2 (Netflix) 🎬 Sara D: Animal Kingdom (Netflix) 🖼 Mike Levine: Fall vibes + Mixedtiles magnetic lightweight photos

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🎯 Support Hey Other Parents

https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents https://www.patreon.com/HeyOtherParents

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• S03E01 | Series Episode 48

Intro voice recording done by the one and only Koltrane

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to our tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

🎉 Season 2 Finale: A Look Back, A Pause, and What’s Next!

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week on Hey Other Parents, we’re wrapping up Season 2 with a look back at the stories, laughs, and real parenting moments that made this season special.

From parenting burnout to first-time fatherhood, raising kids in multicultural families, and the wildest parenting battles, this season has been full of incredible conversations. Plus, we had some fun with our BuzzFeed movie quiz episode and got nostalgic about the movies that shaped our childhoods (even the ones we probably shouldn’t have watched).

We’ll also share why we’re taking a short pause (family first, always ❤️), what’s coming in Season 3, and how you can help shape the next chapter of the podcast.

So grab a coffee, take a breath, and join us for one last episode before we return with more real talk, big laughs, and unfiltered parenting moments.

Because on Hey Other Parents, it’s an honest discussion about raising kids.

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📞 Join the Conversation:

Call us at 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) or email us at [email protected]. We might feature your story in a future episode!

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday — don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

🖤 Follow us on our social media for updates:

Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

Bluesky: @HeyOtherParents

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❓Question of The Week

💬 What do you want to hear more of? What topics should we tackle in Season 3? Drop your answers in the comments or DM us! #HeyOtherParents

📞 Voice/Text: 559-537-5437

📩 Email: [email protected]

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⏰ Time to Unplug will return next season

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🎯Support Hey Other Parents

https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

https://www.patreon.com/HeyOtherParents

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S02E019 | Series Episode 49

Intro voice recording done by the one and only Koltrane

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

HEY OTHER PARENTS - S02E018: Movies That Shaped Our Childhoods!

🎙️ In This Episode:

This week, we’re diving into the movies that shaped our childhoods—whether they were magical, terrifying, or just completely inappropriate for kids. We’ll explore the classics we rented from the library, the ones we caught on primetime TV with all the curse words dubbed over, and the films our parents probably shouldn’t have let us watch. Plus, we’ll see if the movies we loved as kids still hold up when we show them to our own children!

What We Cover:

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🎥 Nostalgic Movie Picks:

-The films we couldn’t get enough of as kids (think The Goonies, Princess Bride, and Labyrinth!)

-The ones that totally traumatized us (The Exorcist, Poltergeist 2, and Aliens—thanks, parents!).

-How our childhood video rental store visits were an event of their own!

😂 Hits and Misses With Our Kids:

-Which of our childhood favorites our kids actually liked—and which ones flopped.

-Movies that aged poorly vs. the ones that are timeless.

-Unexpected moments when we realized, "Oh wow, this is not kid-friendly!" (Indiana Jones, anyone?)

🧐 Dubbed Over & Edited for TV:

-The weirdest replacements for curse words in primetime movies.

-Those ultra-long TV movie marathons that turned a 90-minute film into a 3-hour event!

🎬 Fun With a BuzzFeed Quiz:

-Can a BuzzFeed quiz guess our favorite movie genre based on our picks from A to Z? Let’s find out!

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📞 Join the Conversation: Call us at 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437) or email us at [email protected]. We might feature your story in a future episode!

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday — don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

🖤 Follow us on Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

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❓Question of The Week

💬 What movies do you believe were nostalgic classics from your childhood? Which ones did you try showing your kids, and how did it go? Drop your answers in the comments or DM us! #HeyOtherParents #MovieNostalgia

📞 Voice/Text: 559-537-5437

📩 Email: [email protected]

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⏰ Time to Unplug

🎬 Michael: Fallout - Full Season Review (Amazon Prime) – Dark, post-apocalyptic, and surprisingly funny.

🎬 Sara: Almost Pregnant (Netflix) – A hilarious, lighthearted Amy Schumer comedy.

Mike: Will return next episode

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🎯Support Hey Other Parents

https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents

https://www.patreon.com/HeyOtherParents

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S02E017 | Series Episode 47

Intro voice recording done by the one and only Koltrane

Support Hey Other Parents: An Honest Podcast About Raising Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/heyotherparents