Can faith and perseverance really transform a life from survival to success?

In this inspiring episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Angela “Stikks” Adams—a single mom turned successful model and founder of the Christian Models Association. Angela opens up about her incredible story of overcoming hardship, staying grounded in her Christian faith, and choosing purpose over popularity.

From battling poverty to breaking into the modeling industry without compromising her values, Angela shares the real-life lessons and God-centered strategies that helped her rise above. She also explains how parents can pass on "God-confidence" instead of self-confidence to help their children walk in truth and strength.

If you're a single mom, a parent trying to raise faith-filled kids, or someone searching for hope during hard times, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

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In This Episode:

• The raw challenges of single motherhood and starting over with nothing
• How faith can reshape your identity and future
• The hidden dangers of seeking validation from the world
• Building "God-confidence" in your children
• Creating a God-honoring career in a values-challenging industry
• Practical encouragement for moms navigating loneliness, exhaustion, and uncertainty
• Why purpose and obedience matter more than popularity and applause

About Angela "Stikks" Adams

Angela is a professional model, speaker, and founder of the Christian Models Association, an organization dedicated to helping aspiring models walk in their faith while pursuing careers in fashion and entertainment. Her passion is to guide others, especially single mothers, into their God-given potential through authenticity, discipline, and spiritual alignment.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Struggling to find an apartment as a single mom

01:02 – Parenting in a world that pressures compromise

01:46 – Pursuing God-given dreams despite hardships

02:44 – Single motherhood and trusting God through adversity

10:30 – Moving across the country to rebuild a life

15:55 – Finding work and divine encouragement

17:36 – The importance of real, face-to-face interactions

17:48 – Entering the modeling world with strong values

18:03 – Avoiding spiritual and professional traps

18:50 – Staying true to God’s purpose

21:42 – Teaching children faith-based confidence

22:47 – Launching the Christian Models Association

24:05 – Why "God-confidence" outlasts self-confidence

29:28 – Powerful encouragement for single mothers

34:30 – What it means to model with purpose

Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
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Parenting strong-willed kids can be exhausting—but it doesn’t have to be a constant battle. In this episode, Dr. Meg is joined by Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast, to talk about how to handle big emotions—starting with your own. From defusing power struggles to managing anxiety and sibling fights, Kirk shares practical, often humorous strategies to help you stay calm, confident, and connected to your kids.

You Will Learn:

• Why your calm is more important than your child’s behavior
• How to avoid power struggles with strong-willed kids
• Simple ways to lower anxiety in your home
• The difference between teaching and controlling
• Creative solutions for homework, sibling fights, and more
• How humor and self-reflection can shift the parenting dynamic

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About Our Guest:

Kirk Martin is the founder of Celebrate Calm, a behavior training resource that has helped over 500,000 parents and teachers worldwide. He is also the host of the Calm Parenting Podcast. Known for his practical strategies and relatable humor, Kirk teaches families how to stop yelling, defuse defiance, and build stronger connections with their kids.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Parenting strong-willed kids

00:27 – Meet Kirk Martin

01:37 – Why parental self-control matters most

02:50 – Strategies for managing defiance

06:42 – Creative homework solutions

09:48 – Handling sibling fights without yelling

14:16 – Reducing parental stress

17:47 – From controlling to teaching

18:52 – Dealing with tween attitude

21:00 – Understanding and easing anxiety in kids

27:35 – How humor builds connection

32:02 – Encouraging honest communication

34:32 – Final thoughts and resources

Our Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off plus a free item in every box with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – Spark real conversations with your kids. Use code DRMEGPOD for 10% off
• K12-powered schools – Tuition-free, accredited online public education for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean, vegan beauty that gives back. Get 10% off your first order

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Can today’s teens still achieve financial freedom in a world of soaring inflation, student debt, and housing costs? In this episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Rachel Rodgers, entrepreneur and author of Future Millionaires, to uncover actionable strategies for helping young people become financially independent.

From building marketable skills to encouraging entrepreneurship and resilience, Rachel shares powerful tools that empower teens to take control of their financial futures.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the traditional American Dream is harder to reach—and what to do about it
• How to help your child recognize their natural skills and turn them into income
• The “Million Dollar Decisions” formula and why it matters
• Why teaching kids to embrace failure can lead to lasting success
• Smart, age-appropriate ways to introduce kids to investing and money management

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About Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers is a business coach, lawyer, and bestselling author of We Should All Be Millionaires. Her latest book, Future Millionaires, offers a blueprint for teaching teens how to build wealth, develop decision-making skills, and create lasting independence. She’s the founder of Hello Seven, a company that helps women and people of color grow their businesses and transform their financial futures.

Our Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off plus a free item in every box with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – Spark real conversations with your kids. Use code DRMEGPOD for 10% off
• K12-powered schools – Tuition-free, accredited online public education for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean, vegan beauty that gives back. Get 10% off your first order

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction: Financial Challenges for Young Adults

00:56 The American Dream and Its Challenges

01:37 Strategies for Financial Independence

03:52 The Importance of Marketable Skills

05:35 Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Teens

10:21 Parental Guidance and Support

14:36 Teaching Kids About Money

18:21 Motivating Kids with Incentives

19:28 Million Dollar Decisions Formula

21:10 Teaching Kids Decision-Making Skills

24:02 Encouraging Kids to Embrace Failure

29:08 Financial Education for Kids

35:11 Conclusion and Resources

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Is your response to your teen’s emotions helping—or hurting—the situation? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Sheri Gazitt, teen life coach and founder of Teen Wise, to explore how parents unintentionally contribute to the emotional “drama” of adolescence—and what to do instead.

Together, they unpack the real reasons teens act out, how parents can shift from reacting to responding, and why connection—not control—is the foundation of a healthy parent-teen relationship.

In this episode, we cover:

• Are you reacting or responding? How to tell the difference
• Why emotional regulation starts with you, not your teen
• The impact of post-COVID loneliness on teen behavior
• Friendship drama and social conflict—why it’s normal and how to guide without rescuing
• How to talk about social media without making your teen defensive
• Rebuilding trust after big blow-ups or boundary-crossing
• Small daily practices to ease tension and build emotional safety

About Sheri Gazitt

Sheri Gazitt is a certified teen life coach, parenting educator, and founder of Teen Wise, an organization dedicated to empowering teens and supporting parents through the challenges of adolescence. With a background in psychology and counseling, Sheri specializes in emotional resilience, social confidence, and helping families navigate the often turbulent teen years with compassion and clarity. She also hosts workshops and speaks nationally on teen mental health, friendship dynamics, and parent-teen communication.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Sheri Gazitt and Teen Wise → https://www.teenwiseseattle.com
• Coaching and parenting tools with Dr. Meg Meeker → https://meekerparenting.com
• Join Dr. Meg’s community → https://linktr.ee/meekerparenting

Sponsored by:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + a free item in every box at hungryroot.com/drmeg (code DRMEG)
• Rula – Licensed therapy for as little as $15/session with insurance. Visit rula.com/drmeg to get started
• K12-powered schools – Tuition-free, accredited online public education for K–12 at K12.com/DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – Spark real conversations with your kids using this therapist-designed card deck. Search famgabs on Amazon and use code DRMEGPOD for 10% off
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean, vegan beauty that gives back. Get 10% off your first order at ThriveCausemetics.com/DRMEG

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Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes Leslie Tyler, Director of Parent Education at Pinwheel and a champion for Children’s Digital Wellness, to unpack the risks and opportunities AI brings into our children’s lives.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why children are early adopters of AI—and what parents need to know.
  

• The double-edged sword of AI as both a learning tool and a potential digital crutch.
  

• Key risks for kids using AI, from misinformation to emotional dependence.
  

• The role of parents in guiding safe AI usage and encouraging critical thinking.
  

• Pinwheel GPT and other tools designed with kids’ safety in mind.

🎉 Join Our New Parenting Community — FREE! Get access to webinars, mini-courses, exclusive content, a private forum to connect with other parents, and so much more. Start parenting with more confidence and real support: 👉⁠ ⁠meekerparenting.com⁠

Our Guest:

Leslie Tyler is the Director of Parent Education at Pinwheel and a leading voice in children’s digital wellness. A mom of two teens and an expert in ed-tech and online safety, she collaborates with researchers at the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital to help parents raise tech-smart kids in a screen-heavy world.

Sponsored by:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + a free item in every box at⁠ ⁠hungryroot.com/drmeg⁠⁠ (code DRMEG)

• KiwiCo – $15 off your Summer Adventure Series at⁠ ⁠kiwico.com/DRMEG⁠⁠

• Summer Bridge Workbooks with IXL – Keep your kids learning and loving it this summer at⁠ ⁠summerbrains.com/DRMEG⁠⁠.

• Rula connects you with licensed therapists for as little as $15/session using insurance—visit rula.com/drmeg to get started.

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