Podcast Summary: The Isabel Brown Show

Episode Title: New Age Parenting Is Out of Control — Don’t Fall For It
Host: Isabel Brown
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Isabel Brown takes on the latest trends in parenting advice, particularly those promoted by so-called “new age” parenting experts. Through incisive commentary and personal anecdotes, Isabel critiques recommendations such as asking infants for diaper-change consent, banning the word “no,” and raising children to rely entirely on intrinsic motivation. She questions the credibility of “parenting experts," highlights the dangers of disregarding instinct, and underscores the wisdom of generational, experience-based parenting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Consent Diaper Change” Trend ([00:10]–[08:30])

• Isabel’s Shock & Reaction:

  • Shares a headline from the New York Post about experts recommending parents ask babies’ "consent" before changing dirty diapers.
  • She sarcastically says, “I guess I’m a really bad mom because...I have never asked my daughter for her consent to change her diaper at six and a half months old.” ([00:09])
  • Explains, from personal experience, how chaotic and stressful real-life diaper changes are and how unrealistic the advice is.

• Analysis of the Suggestion:

  • The supposed “expert” advice stems from Australian childhood development researchers: “At the start of a nappy change, ensure your child knows what is happening. Get down to their level and say you need a nappy change. And then pause so they can take it all in.”
  • Experts suggest parents should “observe their facial expressions and body language to check if they understand what is happening.”

• Isabel’s Critique:

  • “There really is no such thing as a parenting expert at all.” ([09:10])
  • Emphasizes that real parenting is constant on-the-job training, not something you can master from textbooks or academics.

2. The Problem with “Expert” Advice & Parental Instincts ([08:30]–[12:45])

• Isabel brings up social media reactions from other parents, highlighting ridicule and disbelief toward the “expert” advice.
  • “My kid would have a constant rash if I was asking to change her diaper all the time.” – Amy Maine ([11:05])
  • Isabel: “Input from people, especially current parents, who had the funniest things to say about all of this.” ([10:56])
• Key Takeaway:
  • “If someone is self-proclaiming themselves to you as a parenting expert, you should probably sprint in the other direction.” ([12:28])

3. Spotlight: Gentle Parenting & Saying “No” ([23:45]–[30:50])

• Isabel critiques gentle parenting philosophy, referencing advice from the National Association for Child Development’s Bob Doman:

  • “You should never say no to your child, ever.”
  • “Every time you say no to your child as a parent, you are basically using a machine gun to shoot bullets at your children.”

• Isabel:

  • Pokes holes in this argument by offering real-world scenarios where not saying “no” would be irresponsible (e.g., if a child asks to sleep over at a boyfriend’s house or tries to buy drugs).
  • “Never say no to your child screams, ‘I spend no time with children.’” ([31:55])

4. Instagram Parenting Therapists: Avoiding “No,” Using Intrinsic Motivation ([32:00]–[37:00])

• Plays a viral therapist’s advice (paraphrased):
  • “Instead of saying no or stop, I’m gonna say ‘Hey, do that four more times…’”
• Isabel’s reaction:
  • Ridicules the suggestion, equating it to “the nicotine patch concept for your kids: instead of just quitting cold turkey your bad behavior…do it four more times.”
  • Warns of the consequences: “We’re raising an entire generation of legitimate narcissists.” ([38:03])

5. Avoiding Praise: The “Good Job” Debate ([37:00]–[41:00])

• A TikTok parenting coach explains why she avoids saying “good job” ([17:58]):

  • “We don’t say good job or good girl or good boy. To be honest, that kind of reminds me of talking to a dog…when we say that sort of positive affirmation…we’re shifting their focus to keeping us happy…”
  • Advocates for focusing on intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivation.

• Isabel:

  • Cautions that solely intrinsic motivation can foster narcissism and detachment from authority or societal norms: “We’re raising an entire generation of legitimate narcissists…not considering what is a good job to society and to serving other people.” ([20:33])

6. Child-Led Routines: Bedtimes & Boundaries ([42:00]–[47:00])

• Critiques articles advocating for letting kids set their own bedtimes (e.g., from mom.com).
  • “Children…are young only for such a short window, and I feel it’s not unrealistic to allow our own needs for rest to take a back seat to the children’s higher energy levels.”
• Isabel:
  • Challenges the idea that sleep training is “emotional neglect,” calls for healthy routines based on actual child development science.

7. Nicknames and Overthought Language ([47:00]–[53:00])

• Mocks advice from fatherly.com that says dads should stop calling their sons “buddy.”
  • Isabel: “Are dads really wanting to tell their kids go F themselves? Seriously? …Calling your son Buddy is going to ruin his life. These people need to get a grip. They have desperately got to get a grip.” ([52:15])

8. Overpraising & Parental Attachment ([53:00]–[58:40])

• Cites a 10-year-old CBS News piece claiming parents who overvalue their kids breed narcissists.
  • Isabel defends parental attachment, referencing the concept of ordo amoris: “Your ultimate responsibility is to love God and your family and your immediate community first.”
  • Isabel: “It would actually be a huge sign of imbalance and psychosis…if you didn’t think that your kid was more special to you than other people’s kids.” ([56:33])

9. Gendered Toys & Cultural Critiques ([59:00]–[66:00])

• Outlines efforts in California and beyond to ban gendered marketing of toys.
  • “The idea that we need to gender neutralize all of the toys is inherently linked to the idea that we need to let our kids pick their own gender later on, and I have a severe problem with that, actually, as a mom.” ([64:12])
  • Recaps a podcast clip where hosts are upset sons name their stuffed animals only with male names.
• Isabel concludes: “Like, seriously, I’ve just…had enough.” ([66:00])

10. The Real Motive Behind “Expert” Parenting ([66:30]–[77:00])

• Argues that new age parenting trends infantilize and pathologize both parents and children, urging parents to outsource judgment to “experts.”
• Shares a telling conversation with her father on homeschooling:
  • “The system has convinced entire generations of parents…to believe that they are too stupid to educate their own kids.”
• Criticizes the prevalence of childless “experts” and influencers dictating parenting trends.
  • Isabel: “Some of the loudest voices associated with this do not have kids.” ([75:45])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On asking babies for diaper-change consent:

  • “You guys know I have an almost seven month old right now…I cannot imagine a more stressful experience than changing my baby’s diaper…And now experts are encouraging moms and dads to request their infants’ consent. You read that correctly.” ([02:10])

• On the value of parental instinct:

  • “Instinct is not a dirty word. You will forever know your child so much better than a stranger with a ring light on your TikTok algorithm or some stuffy tweed blazer elbow patch wearing professor at Harvard University...” ([74:29])

• Critique of parenting experts:

  • “There really is no such thing as a parenting expert at all. You feel like you’re on the job every single day of your life.” ([09:10])

• On “never say no”:

  • “Never say no to your child screams, ‘I spend no time with children.’ And I have such an unhealthy relationship with children that I have no idea how to help them set appropriate boundaries to live a healthy, regulated, normal life.” ([31:55])

• On the issue of childless experts:

  • “Many, many, many parenting influencers are in their 20s and 30s and are completely childless…yet these are the people who are setting the cultural tone for actual parents navigating real world challenges.” ([75:45])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:09 – Isabel introduces the “diaper consent” trend and her personal experience.
• 08:30 – Social media and parent reactions to “expert” advice.
• 12:28 – Key takeaway: No such thing as true parenting experts.
• 23:45 – Breaks down “gentle parenting”; never say “no” to your child.
• 32:00 – Critique of the “never say no” TikTok therapist.
• 37:00 – Parenting coach explains why she avoids “good job” praise.
• 42:00 – Isabel addresses the prevalence of intrinsic motivation and child-led routines.
• 47:00 – Discussion on nicknames (like “buddy”) and language overthinking.
• 53:00 – Isabel brings up the CBS News piece on overpraising and narcissism.
• 59:00 – Gendered toys, law changes and parental reactions.
• 66:30 – Analysis of why new age parenting exists; infantilizing and pathologizing parents.
• 74:29 – Isabel’s closing thoughts on the importance of parental instinct.

Tone and Style

Isabel’s delivery is direct, witty, at times sarcastic, and always personable. She integrates personal anecdotes, media examples, and listener reactions to create an engaging and relatable critique of current parenting trends. Her tone is refreshingly skeptical of so-called experts, and she champions traditional wisdom, instinct, and parental confidence.

Key Takeaways

• “Parenting experts” often offer impractical, sometimes absurd advice disconnected from real experience.
• Parental instincts and generational wisdom are undervalued in the age of viral trends and academic theories.
• Overreliance on self-described experts—many of whom aren’t even parents—undermines genuine parental confidence and authority.
• Setting boundaries, saying “no,” and offering praise are natural, essential parts of raising healthy, well-adjusted children.
• Trust your instinct, value your attachment, and empower yourself as your child’s real expert.

Quote for Reflection:
“Instinct is not a dirty word. The only real parenting experts are indeed parents.” — Isabel Brown ([74:29])