Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Lauren Muhlheim, author of When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder and clinical psychologist, speaks with Andy on spotting and treating eating disorders in teens. Eating disorders are scary, but Lauren tells us that together, families can reduce the dangers and stress eating disorders cause. Full show notes For the average person, there is absolutely nothing frightening about pizza. It’s delicious,...

Esther Wojcicki, author of How to Raise Successful People , shares her insights into what we can give teens in the home and the classroom to set them up for ultimate success later in life. As the mother of 3 highly successful daughters in Silicon Valley and founder of the Media Arts Program at Palo Alto High School, Esther not only talks the talk but walks the walk. Full show notes We all want our...

Amy Schalet, author of Not Under My Roof reveals the cultural underpinnings of teen sexual development. Amy and I discuss how a focus on achievement may leave teens feeling unsuccessful in intimate relationships later in life--and also what parents might try to better prepare their teens for connection. Full show notes Every parent wants their teen to find love one day. But maybe not while the tee...

Tanith Carey, prolific author and journalist, joins us to talk about all the knowledge packed into her latest book, What’s My Teenager Thinking? . Tanith takes us behind “whatever” and “I’m bored” and even “You can’t make me” to discover what the heck is going through a teen’s brain when those classic one liners come out of their mouths! Full show notes Sometimes, talking to your teen feels like a...

Michelle Baddeley, author of Copycats and Contrarians , offers a multidisciplinary look at why a teen goes along with the group and when they choose instead to rebel. The key to preventing potentially harmful impulses may lie in a moment of hesitation. Full show notes “I’m not going! Leave without me, I already have plans!” your son yells at you from his bed. It’s a bright and sunny Saturday, and...

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, psychologist, educator, and author of " Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? " joins us for a candid and in-depth conversation about race, identity, and how to start difficult conversations of your own in the home. In support of increased education and awareness of the experiences of POC, we are pleased to share the full 52 minute conversation in...

Rosalind Wiseman, author of the classic Queenbees and Wannabees (the inspiration for the hit film Mean Girls) and four other books, shares her knowledge from over two decades of working with teens and schools. From what dads-with-daughters have to deal with now to where to draw the line on offensive language between mom-and-son, Rosalind has a wealth of insights! Full show notes In many ways, high...

Paul Tough, NYT bestselling author, shares what he learned in putting together his most recent book The Years That Matter Most . College may have a special place in the American Dream, but Paul enlightens us into what is really happening behind the scenes--it may have you rethinking decisions about higher education. Full show notes College holds a special place in the American Dream. It’s almost e...

Lindsey Sealey, girl-advocate and author of the new book Rooted, Resilient, and Ready , re-joins us to discuss the tips and tricks from her latest book on raising strong girls, resilient and ready for the path ahead but firmly rooted in who they are! Full show notes The hum of the morning is different today. There is a nervous electricity in the air, as everyone around the house rushes through the...

Joshua Wayne, author of new book The Simple Parenting Guide to Technology , clues Andy in on the latest statistics and solutions to teens’ addiction to technology. Plus, how to adjust your rules--or set them--during the coronavirus pandemic. Full show notes Viewing Life From a Screen Did you know the average teen spends over seven hours a day in front of a screen? And no—that doesn’t include manda...

Terry Iverson, founder of the non-profit Champion Now and author of Finding America’s Greatest Champion , talks about the future of the job market--where are the gaps now and what might young people do to best prepare themselves for the world of work? Find out in this week’s episode! Full show notes All parents want their teenagers to be happy and successful in their personal and professional live...

Tony Wagner, educator and author of several books, most recently his memoir Learning by Heart , joins us this week for a closer look at what really makes a difference in the education of teens. What makes the greatest positive impact on students? How an unconventional education can be advantageous? Full show notes What do you want your child to learn in school? Do you want your teen to learn math,...

Janice Kaplan, NYT Bestselling author, most recently of The Genius of Women , discusses why 90% of the population thinks only men can be geniuses. Janice and Andy cover what we can talk to and teach our girls about to empower them at a time when we need more geniuses than ever! Full show notes If your daughter was a brilliant pianist—as good as Mozart, say—wouldn’t you want her to share her talent...

Tim Harford, author of Messy and accomplished journalist, economist, and speaker, and I talk about how messiness can play a positive role in your teen’s (and maybe your) life. Turns out you can use messes, randomness, and disorganization to enhance your thoughts and actions, rather than bog you down. Full show notes You stick your head into your kid’s bedroom to see their desk littered with crumpl...

Dr. Michael Kimmel, author of the NYT bestselling Guyland , speaks with Andy to discuss boys, men, and everything in between. Masculinity doesn’t have to be “toxic” but the way we teach (or don’t teach) our boys about what it means to be a “man” has dire consequences for us all. Full show notes “Boys will be boys,” right? Unfortunately, the playing field of masculinity in society today is more dan...

Stanley Fish, best-selling author and octogenarian, clues us into the intricacies of arguments: how argument is a more natural state; destructive arguments; how to get out of one; and much more! Grateful to be able to connect with the author of Winning Arguments and The First , Dr. Fish! Full show notes “I hate you! You never trust me to do anything on my own!” Your teen yells at you as they storm...

Amy Cooper Hakim, author of Working With Difficult People , joins us for a discussion on how to deal with the most common types of difficult people, particularly when you are quarantined with them!! Full show notes The global pandemic COVID-19 is causing the world to stand still. It almost seems unreal—like a sci-fi movie. Schools are closing rapidly, causing college students to fly home from all...

Linda Perlman Gordon, co-author of Mom, Can I Move Back In With You? and four other books sat down with me this week to explores techniques and strategies for parenting teens who are transitioning into ‘real’ adulthood. Linda, a private psychotherapist in the greater D.C. area, counsels parents of teens and twentysomethings--and is the perfect person to discuss how to make better boundaries with y...

Alexis Rockley, author of Find Your F*ckyeah , sat down with me this week to talk about how you can help your teen find their groove, their vibe, their f*ckyeah--the things that gets them popping out of bed in the morning, ready to take on the world. It’s sort of like “purpose” but will cause a lot less eyerolls… Full show notes I’m sure you remember going to high school, but do you remember how i...

Lindsay Sealey, author of Growing Strong Girls and “girl advocate” speaks with me this week about how to help your daughter find, understand, and value her own voice. With girls receiving so many conflicting external messages, it is vital we help them strengthen their internal self! Full show notes Mixed Messages “Be yourself,” “know that you are strong because you are a girl,” “stand up for yours...

Cynthia Kane, author of How to Communicate Like a Buddhist and Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist , sat down with me to discuss the communication tactics she has learned during her journey as a Bodhisattva. Her techniques are perfect for getting out of escalating arguments and questionable conversations! Full show notes Anyone who works in a team knows that proper communication can be a nightmare fo...

Dr. Steven Sloman, co-author of The Knowledge Illusion and professor at Brown University, joins Andy for a conversation on knowledge, making deliberate decisions, and how to talk to your teen about the gaps in their knowledge around things like vaping. Full show notes “Mom! Dad! Shut up! You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Have you ever heard these words fly out of the mouth of your teenage...

Dr. Adam Price, author of He’s Not Lazy , shares the tricks and tips from his book. Dr. Price and Andy dive deep into all that Dr. Price has discovered about motivating “lazy” teens in during his 20+ years as a clinical psychologist. Full show notes Teens face more pressure today than ever before. At times, it seems like a teenager’s only path to success comes from a rigorous schedule of academics...

Richie Jackson, author of the newly-released Gay Like Me and long-time, award-winning TV/film and theater producer, joins Andy this week. Richie and Andy discuss how parents can support their teens in their own journey of sexual identity, and how teens might become allies for their friends in the LGBTQ community. Full show notes Gay like Me These days it seems like just about everyone is ok with g...

KJ Dell’Antonia, author of How to Be a Happier Parent , joins Andy for a look at how to get happier while parenting. It’s time for parents to stop thinking about their kids so much and get back to what makes them happy! Full show notes Remember the days when you’d lose your mind over kids drawing on the walls or refusing to eat the dinner you prepared for them? You might still experience the same...