State feature: Purdue University Extension
Unlocking Childhood: Coffee and Conversations with Experts and Parents
Purdue University Extension, Indiana
A new podcast from Purdue University, Unlocking Childhood: Coffee and Conversations with Experts and Parents, dives into meaningful conversations that help listeners to understand what children need to flourish. Grab a cup of coffee and tune in to wherever you get your podcasts to learn more about parents’ everyday questions when it comes to raising young children!
Episodes available at:
https://rss.com/podcasts/unlocking-childhood/
Episode 1 – Children’s Sleep
• February 25, 2026 –The first Unlocking Childhood podcast introduces the coffee and conversations with Extension Specialist Kelsie Muller.
Episode 2 – Nutrition – Bites and Tips: Feeding Children
• March 11 2206 – Episode 2: Expert guest Kameron Moding from the Purdue University depart of human development and family science, along with two parent guests, discuss how families can support young children’s relationship with food. Parent guests share their real-life experiences, from navigating picky eaters to building healthy habits. (link)
Episode 3 – Play – Lets Have Fun: Spending Time in Play
• March 18, 2026 – Episode 3: A conversation with Dr. Sarah Eason breaks down how play supports everything from creativity to social skills, and how parents can be more intentional with it.
Episode 4 – Emotion Regulation – Managing Big Feelings and Behaviors
• March 25, 2026 – Dr. Leigha MacNeill and parents discuss how young children learn to regulate their emotions and what parents can do. In this episode, you will hear a conversation about tantrums, developmental considerations, age-appropriate expectations, emotional validation, and the balance between structure and emotional freedom.
Episode 5 – Quality of Care and Parent Well-Being
• April 01, 2026 – This episode covers raising children and parent wellbeing, featuring an Expert and Department Head, Valerie Knopik, from the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University, and a parent with four children. Listen to their conversation about how parents can ensure the quality of care for their children by also prioritizing their own care.