Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Sleep is the secret weapon every teen needs—but few get enough of it. Lisa L. Lewis, journalist and author of “The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive,” joins Dr. Lisa & Reena to explain why sleep is critical to teen development and how parents can improve their child’s sleep habits, even during the summer. Find “The Sleep-Deprived...

If you’ve ever wished for a toolkit to manage big teen emotions—or your own—this is the episode for you. Psychologist Dr. Ethan Kross, author of the book “Shift: Managing Your Emotions – So They Don’t Manage You,” shares cutting-edge science on how to “shift” emotional states and regain calm and control, even in stressful moments. Find Dr. Ethan’s book here: https://www.ethankross.com/books/shift...

Your teen wants to go to a party—but you’re worried about underage drinking, peer pressure, and safety. In this can’t-miss encore, Dr. Lisa & Reena outline how to talk with your teen about parties, risks, and consequences—without shutting down the conversation. ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested s...

Social isolation, loneliness, and friendship struggles are all too common in middle and high school. Celebrated psychologist & author Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble joins Dr. Lisa and Reena to talk about how to help kids feel connected and valued—at home, at school, and in their communities. Learn more about Dr. Alfiee here: https://dralfiee.com/ To learn more about the AAKOMA Project, visit: https://aa...

Your teen just shared something concerning about a friend. Now what? Dr. Lisa & Reena offer a thoughtful roadmap for what to do when your teen is a “safe person” for their peers—but you’re left holding information about risky behavior. Learn how to protect trust while also protecting teens’ safety. ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for par...

Your teen's gaming habit might not be all bad. Video games can feel like a battleground for parents—but are they always a negative? In this episode, Dr. Lisa & Reena explore how gaming can help teens connect, learn, and unwind. Learn how to set boundaries without igniting power struggles and how to spot when gaming is helping (or hurting) your child’s development. ________________ Ask Lisa: The Ps...

Raising a teen boy? Dr. Lisa & Reena use the Netflix series Adolescence as a springboard to explore masculinity, emotional vulnerability, and how boys handle pressure in today’s world. Together they explore how adults can support boys as they navigate social media, anger, sadness, and identity. The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents: https://drl...

How do we help our tweens and teens thrive—even in tough times? Dr. Sue Varma joins Dr.  Lisa & Reena to break down the science of optimism and the four key pillars of mental well-being. You’ll learn how to model emotional strength for your child, build resilience in the face of anxiety and setbacks, and adopt daily habits that boost happiness. The perfect episode for parents looking to reset and...

Are you tired of doing EVERYTHING for your kids? Use summer as Independence Bootcamp! Dr. Lisa & Reena explore game-changing strategies to empower kids with life skills, from doing laundry to riding public transportation to managing personal appointments. Discover the powerful "doing for, doing with, standing by to admire" technique that turns chores into confidence-building moments. Lisa also sha...

Is your middle schooler or high schooler dealing with a so-called “friend” who’s just… mean? You’re not alone. Tweens and teens often struggle with toxic friendships, and it’s tough for parents to know when to step in—and how. In this episode, Dr. Lisa & Reena help a parent navigate one of the most common challenges of adolescence: friendship drama. Learn how to coach your child through unhealthy...

Are you struggling to connect with your teenager in the digital age? Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufeld join Reena & Dr. Lisa to reveal groundbreaking insights into parent-child relationships, tech addiction, and the secret to maintaining a strong bond during the challenging teen years. Discover the neuroscience of attachment, the dangers of digital devices, and how to create a warm, supportive...

Is your child constantly worried about their health, thinking that every minor ache or pain could be a potential medical crisis? Dr. Lisa and Reena dive deep into the world of illness anxiety disorder (aka "hypochondria"), revealing why teens obsess over health symptoms and how parents can compassionately support their anxious kids. Learn expert strategies to distinguish between real medical conce...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges.  Looking to learn more about how to boost kids...

Are you struggling to understand ADHD and support your neurodivergent child? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with the Holderness Family, viral content creators who are taking the shame out of ADHD by talking openly about the benefits–and real challenges–that come with the diagnosis. Penn and Kim Holderness dive deep into their personal journey, sharing raw, hilarious, and compassionate ins...

Are your kids participating in or experiencing fat shaming at school or online? Dr. Lisa and Reena dive deep into the disturbing trend of weight-based bullying among teens. Discover why friends are targeting each other, how social media normalizes harmful body-shaming behaviors, and learn critical strategies that parents can use to support their children. This episode provides essential guidance f...

Are you drowning in emotional conversations with your teen? In this episode Dr. Lisa and Reena examine the critical line between healthy emotional processing and harmful rumination. They discuss how to support teenagers' mental health without letting feelings dominate, how to redirect emotional spirals, and empower teens to manage their emotions effectively. Whether your child overshares or stays...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges.  Looking to learn more about how to boost kids...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges.  Looking to learn more about how to boost kids...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’...