THE PARENTING IQ PODCAST
Understand your child & parent with confidence
Parenting advice is everywhere. Knowing what fits your child and your family can feel really hard.
The Parenting IQ Podcast helps you make everyday parenting decisions with greater understanding and confidence. Join Dr. Kelly Cagle and her guests for practical conversations that connect research with real family life so you can understand your child, weigh your options, and confidently choose your next step.
Hosted by Dr. Kelly Cagle, a PhD in K-16 education, ADHD researcher, and homeschooling mom of three boys, each episode helps you better understand your child’s needs, so you feel confident teaching life skills, character, and emotional intelligence that go far beyond the textbook and last a lifetime.
Some of the topics we cover include:
ADHD-friendly parenting strategies
How to motivate your kids without nagging
Building confident, connected families
Teaching life skills that stick
Rethinking academics for real-world success
Managing sibling dynamics and home rhythms
Biblical wisdom + brain science and so much more
The show is proudly part of The Christian Parenting Podcast Network.
Our mission is to help you understand your child so you can parent with confidence.
How to Create a Healthy Home Culture w/ Pr. Ben Meckel
What kind of culture is forming in your home—on purpose or by accident? In this episode, Dr. Kelly Cagle and Pastor Ben Meckel unpack the rhythms, words, and values that shape our family culture. Learn how to build a Christ-centered home through connection, grace, and intentional habits that reflect God’s love.
Raising Grounded Kids in a Performance-Driven Sport Culture w/ Ed Uszynski & Brian Smith
How do you raise kids with a strong identity in Christ when youth sports are all about stats, scholarships, and success? In this episode, Dr. Kelly Cagle talks with Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith about how to parent intentionally in a high-pressure sports culture. They explore practical ways to prioritize character over competition, protect your family’s values, and turn post-game car rides into connection—not correction.
How to Invest in the Next Generation w/ Derrick Kinney
What makes a teen confident, life-smart, and prepared for real-world success? In this episode, Dr. Kelly Cagle and guest Derrick Kinney share practical ways parents can help teens build confidence, connect with adults, and discover their God-given purpose. From making eye contact to embracing small moments of courage, this episode is full of tools you won’t find in textbooks—but you can teach at home.
Helping Teens Discover their God-Given Purpose w/ Dana Roefer
How do we raise teens to pursue their God-given purpose with confidence? In this episode, Dana Roefer shares how parents can recognize their teen's unique gifts, encourage creativity, and foster purpose without fear. From navigating out-of-the-box dreams like becoming a YouTuber to modeling faith-filled surrender, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration.
6 ADHD Rules for a Focused, Fulfilled Life
Dr. Kelly Cagle shares six life-giving rules that help her ADHD brain stay focused and purposeful. From simplifying your closet to kissing your dog (yes, really), these practical strategies are grounded in science, faith, and lived experience. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or just feel chronically overwhelmed, these tips will help you regulate your environment, minimize distractions, and move toward the life you were created to live.
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Speaking Topics
ADHD Conversations:
Parenting Beyond the ADHD Label— Understanding a child’s strengths, challenges, and needs without letting a diagnosis “define” them.
Why Won’t You Just Do It?— Exploring why getting started, following directions, and finishing tasks can be difficult, and how parents can help through systems, not more nagging and yelling.
Homework, ADHD, and the Parent-Child Relationship— Creating a more supportive homework experience through realistic expectations and school partnerships.
ADHD and Big Feelings— Navigating frustration and emotional overwhelm with compassion, clear boundaries, and opportunities to reconnect.
Building Independence When Your Child Has ADHD— Helping children practice responsibility with support that grows and changes alongside them.
Home Rhythms Conversations:
Creating a Home That Works for Your Family— Establishing predictable patterns that bring structure while making room for joy, hiccups, and real life.
Less Rushing, More Connection— Using simple moments as anchors, making busy life feel more manageable and less chaotic.
The After-School Reset— Creating space for kids’ needs while juggling homework, activities, and family time.
Running a Home Like a Business— Using systems to create a healthier flow, accomplish more, bring clarity and unity, and build skills
When the World Becomes Your School— Recognizing there are many lessons no school will teach and how we can weave them into our day-to-day.
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