Show Notes
In this powerful episode of Cake for Dinner, Greg Schiller joins the podcast for an urgent and eye-opening conversation every parent needs to hear. Greg is a former assistant U.S. attorney who spent 20 years prosecuting online predators, internet crimes, and crimes against children. He has testified before Congress on online exploitation and now serves as the CEO of Child Rescue Coalition, an organization helping law enforcement identify and stop predators around the world. This conversation dives into what parents are getting wrong when it comes to kids and technology, why smartphones are not just “phones,” how predators target children online, and why communication at home is the most important safety tool parents have. Greg breaks down the realities of online exploitation, the dangers hidden inside apps, games, and social platforms, and the simple non-negotiables parents can put in place to better protect their children. From Snapchat and Instagram to hidden apps, screen monitoring, privacy myths, and the importance of starting conversations early, this episode is a must-listen for moms, dads, and anyone raising kids in the digital age. This is not about fear. It is about awareness, communication, and giving parents the tools to protect their children before something happens. Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/Read More About Gregs Work: https://childrescuecoalition.org/ 00:00 — Introduction00:48 — What parents are getting wrong about kids and technology02:27 — Why online predators are everywhere children are04:49 — If your child has a device, they can access everything06:02 — Why parents need to talk about sex and online safety earlier08:38 — The best parental control is communication10:29 — Why devices should not charge in kids’ bedrooms13:36 — When should parents give their child a phone?14:52 — “Pause before you post” and teaching kids digital awareness16:17 — How predators pretend to be someone they are not17:52 — The reality of online offenders and how they target kids21:44 — Why parents need better language to explain online danger23:50 — The shocking number of online child exploitation reports26:50 — How Child Rescue Coalition helps law enforcement catch predators28:58 — How Greg’s work affects him as a father33:29 — Three non-negotiables for kids and devices34:56 — Why kids should never communicate with strangers online35:28 — The truth about Snapchat and disappearing messages38:54 — Why kids feel safe online when they are not39:11 — Rapid fire: Snapchat, Instagram, privacy, apps, and monitoring43:55 — The one sentence every kid should hear before getting a phone44:49 — Greg’s biggest takeaway for parents46:46 — Where to learn more about Child Rescue Coalition
More from Cake For Dinner
What if your drinking doesn’t look like a problem—but it doesn’t feel right either? Kate Bee, founder of The Sober School, joins Cake for Dinner for an honest conversation about gray area drinking, “mommy needs wine” culture, and choosing an alcohol-free life without waiting for rock bottom. Kate shares how she kept her career and life looking together while privately questioning her drinking. We explore the quieter warning signs: making rules you keep breaking, hiding how much you’ve had, and waking up wishing you’d drunk less. We also talk about what women may really be seeking in that evening glass of wine, the cycle of drinking and next-day anxiety, and why sobriety doesn’t have to mean a smaller or less enjoyable life. With different personal experiences of Alcoholics Anonymous, Kate and our host discuss why connection matters—and why support doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Whether you’re sober curious, taking a break, or already living alcohol-free, this episode offers a compassionate perspective on building a life you don’t feel the need to escape from. Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 Follow Kate Bee : https://www.instagram.com/thesoberschool
Would you stay in your marriage if money weren’t a factor? Tracy Tutor gets candid about financial independence, divorce, mom guilt, and the lessons she wants her daughters to carry into adulthood. In this episode of Cake for Dinner, the Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star joins Keesha Scott for an unfiltered conversation about building a demanding career while raising two daughters—and letting go of the pressure to do everything perfectly. Tracy opens up about co-parenting after divorce, dating younger men, her tendency to choose partners who need saving, and why she believes financial independence gives women the freedom to choose their own lives. She and Keesha also explore whether privileged kids can develop grit, why protecting children from every struggle can hold them back, and what it means to finally choose yourself in midlife. Plus, Tracy shares her unexpected path from acting to luxury real estate, how she responds to being underestimated, and her thoughts on a possible future in reality TV. Honest, funny, and full of hard-earned perspective—this is a conversation about ambition, imperfect motherhood, and finding the courage to start again.
When does helping your child become rescuing them—and how do you know when they truly need you to step in? Double board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Saltz joins Keesha Scott on Cake for Dinner for an honest conversation about parenting anxious kids, motherhood, and the pressure to get everything right. Dr. Sam shares why connection matters when working with teenagers, how she sees social media affecting their emotional lives, and why parents need compassion and validation, too. Keesha opens up about raising a daughter with OCD and why a child’s biggest achievements aren’t always reflected in grades or college acceptance letters. The conversation also takes a deeply personal turn as Dr. Sam discusses fertility treatments, miscarriages, and discovering she was pregnant shortly before a planned embryo transfer to a surrogate. Together, she and Keesha reflect on the loneliness of infertility and what it takes to keep showing up for work and family while struggling privately. Plus, Dr. Sam answers listener questions about sleepaway camp anxiety and nail biting, explaining why understanding the individual child matters more than finding one rule for everyone. Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 Follow Dr Samantha Saltz : https://www.instagram.com/doctorsamllc/
"I smoked weed when I was a kid and turned out fine." If you've ever said that or thought it, this episode is for you. John Puls is a licensed clinical social worker, master certified addiction professional, adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, and expert witness who specializes in addiction and mental health. He joins Cake for Dinner to explain why today's cannabis should be treated as a completely different drug. Potency is much higher now, and vapes are nearly odorless, so teens can use almost anywhere, anytime. We get into cannabis-induced psychosis and why adolescents and young adults are the most vulnerable group. John explains how THC can quietly erode a teen's ability to cope with anxiety, and how parents' instinct to rescue can feed that same cycle. Then we zoom out to the harder questions: how to tell a phase from a real problem, when therapy stops being optional, and how to step in without wrecking your relationship with your kid. We also talk honestly about parenting a difficult teen, why your own nervous system matters, why scare tactics backfire, and what it means to be "honest-ish" as a sober parent. This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 (U.S.) to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 Follow John Puls : https://www.instagram.com/full_life_cc
Are we punishing children for being children? And can we set firm boundaries without relying on shame, disconnection, or control? In this episode of Cake for Dinner, Dr. Vanessa Lapointe—parenting educator, former psychologist, and bestselling author of Discipline Without Damage—challenges common approaches to discipline and explores what children’s behavior may be communicating. We talk about raising strong-willed and highly sensitive kids, why kindness during a meltdown isn’t the same as giving in, and how to balance compassion with clear expectations. Vanessa shares her approach to co-regulation, while both women get honest about the gap between knowing about parenting and navigating it with your own child. The conversation also explores ADHD, personal experiences with childhood OCD and school anxiety, the environments children need to thrive, and the pressure to look like a perfect mom online. If you’ve ever wondered why familiar parenting strategies aren’t working for your child—or felt judged, overwhelmed, or like you’re failing—this conversation offers a different way to understand the struggle. Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 Follow Dr Vanessa LaPointe : https://www.instagram.com/dr.vanessalapointe