Dr. Emily Lieberman is a board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of experience caring for children and adolescents. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, completing her pediatric residency at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. A passionate advocate for child health and safety, Dr. Lieberman uses her voice to promote preventive care and family-centered strategies in clinical and community settings.

​Do family dinners often turn into power struggles over what your child will or won’t eat? Are you stuck in a cycle of making multiple meals just to avoid tantrums at the table? If you're tired of catering to picky eaters and longing for more peaceful, productive mealtimes, you’re not alone. How can parents reclaim control without turning dinner into a battlefield?

According to Dr. Emily Lieberman, a board-certified pediatrician specializing in child nutrition and behavior, the key is to serve one family meal — no exceptions, no substitutions. She highlights the importance of modeling healthy eating behaviors and creating consistent mealtime expectations. When parents stop offering alternate meals and resist the urge to give in to tantrums, stress levels drop, and children begin to engage with a wider variety of foods. Dr. Lieberman also encourages incorporating children into the meal prep process, which fosters curiosity and ownership over what they eat.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz sits down with Dr. Emily Lieberman to discuss how parents can end mealtime battles with their picky eaters. They explore the power of the “no thank you bite,” why snacking habits impact productive dinners, and how to keep mealtimes positive and consistent. Dr. Lieberman also gives advice on when to seek professional help for extreme eating behaviors.

Dr. Debra Kissen is a licensed clinical psychologist and the CEO and Founder of Light On Anxiety Treatment Centers, which specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders. As an internationally recognized speaker and author, she has co-authored books, including Overcoming Parental Anxiety and The Panic Workbook for Teens. In her recent book, she explores practical tools for parents to manage anxiety and enjoy parenting, drawing from both clinical insights and personal experience.

Parenting is often described as one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences, but for many parents, worry and anxiety overshadow the joy. Why does it feel so difficult to stay calm and make clear decisions, especially when your child is distressed? How can you maintain your emotional and mental well-being during parenting challenges?

According to Dr. Debra Kissen, an internationally recognized anxiety expert and author, the parent brain is wired for survival, attuning deeply to a child’s emotions through empathy and mirror neurons. While essential for bonding, this connection can amplify anxiety when parents feel their child’s distress as their own. The result is a cycle of heightened emotions where both parent and child struggle to cope effectively. By understanding this wiring and implementing tools for emotional regulation, parents can disrupt the cycle, build confidence, and guide their children through challenges while remaining calm.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz speaks with Dr. Debra Kissen, CEO and Founder of Light On Anxiety Treatment Centers, about overcoming parental anxiety by rewiring the brain. They explore how to identify and manage emotional triggers, practical tools for staying calm in stressful moments, and strategies for fostering self-compassion as a parent. Dr. Kissen also shares advice on relinquishing control and finding more joy in everyday parenting.

Demi Agaiby is the Founding Director and Mental Performance Consultant at Beyond Horizons Performance, a mental performance consultancy for performers and athletes. With over 20 years of commercial and concert dance training and a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology, Demi has worked with hundreds of performers to master their mindset and mental skills. She has presented at the National Dance Education Organization, the National Dance Coaches Association, the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and more.

Helping young athletes navigate the highs and lows of competitive sports can be a daunting task for parents. How can they support their children through setbacks like injuries, burnout, and performance pressures, all while fostering resilience and joy?

According to Demi Agaiby, a mental performance consultant and sports psychology expert, focusing on the process rather than the outcome is crucial for boosting performance during setbacks. She highlights the importance of praising effort, maintaining open communication, and building multidimensional identities that allow young athletes to thrive in and out of their sport. By helping children connect to their “why,” parents can guide them back to their intrinsic motivations during challenging times. Demi also emphasizes creating opportunities for exploration and cultivating transferable skills, such as leadership and teamwork, which carry over into every aspect of life.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz is joined by Demi Agaiby, Founding Director and Mental Performance Consultant at Beyond Horizons Performance, to discuss how parents can build resilience in their young athletes. They explore strategies for managing burnout, balancing identity with sports, and viewing setbacks as growth opportunities. Demi also gives practical advice for creating a support system and fostering emotional intelligence in children.