About Dr. Popkin
Family has always come first for Dr. Michael Popkin — his own and those of the families he has served for his entire professional career.
Dr. Popkin earned a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the Georgia State University and served as Director of Child and Family Services at an Atlanta hospital before entering private practice as a family therapist. His work with overwhelmed parents and unhappy children convinced him that parents were not receiving the information and tools they needed to help their children become responsible, contented adults. This ultimately led him to form his own company in 1980, Active Parenting Publishers, and to develop the first video-based parenting education program.
Since then, Dr. Popkin has written and produced many video and discussion parenting programs, helping millions of parents develop cooperation, responsibility, and courage in their children. In 2001, he spearheaded production of the first Active Parenting online parenting class. He has also authored many books and publications. His latest book is Active Parenting: First Five Years, the companion to the parenting curriculum of the same name.
Dr. Popkin has served on numerous advisory boards, including the panel of experts assembled for the United States Office of Substance Abuse Prevention. He is widely known for his expertise in the field of parent education and has appeared on over 100 TV programs, including CNN and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Dr. Popkin lives in Atlanta with his wife, Christian Active Parenting co-author Melody F. Popkin. They are parents of two adult children.
