The Little Brain Campaign

We’re answering your questions again, and things get real, from funny to frustrating to deeply relatable. One parent asks how to handle it when their kid walks in during an intimate moment (yes, we go there), while others want help navigating bullying in schools, unrealistic academic pressure, and whether competitive sports are worth the mental strain. We talk through supporting kids with ADHD and...

Mental health diagnoses are skyrocketing, especially in young people, and we wanted to understand why. We dig into the numbers around anxiety, depression, suicide, autism, and ADHD, and explore the potential causes behind these trends. From social media and sleep deprivation to environmental toxins and dietary chemicals, we look at the many factors contributing to the current mental health crisis....

Dr. Megan Landry is an emergency medicine physician from New Orleans who joined us to unpack the growing use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. We discuss how these drugs work, why they’re being prescribed at skyrocketing rates, especially to adolescents, and the concerning physical and mental health risks that come with them, including depression, anxiety, and disordered eating. We als...

In this Q&A episode, Jessica and Lauren dive into thoughtful questions from listeners about kids and mental health. From how to talk to students who casually mention anxiety or depression, to helping children understand when to seek adult support, we unpack some of the complicated dynamics teachers and parents are seeing today. We also explain neuroplasticity (shoutout to the 9-year-old who as...

Dr. Sara Reardon, aka the Vagina Whisperer, is a pelvic floor therapist from New Orleans and she’s here to break down everything we should’ve learned about our bodies but never did. We talk with Sara about the real physical and emotional toll of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, and why so many pelvic floor issues are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or never treated at all. From C-section scars...

Factitious disorder (formerly known as Munchausen and Munchausen by proxy) is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in the DSM, and we’re breaking it down. As mental health providers, we unpack what this disorder really is, how it differs from malingering, and why it's so hard to detect. From people faking symptoms to those inflicting illness on others (often their own children), this conver...

Spanking and corporal punishment are still widely debated—so we’re breaking it down. We explore the real impact of spanking on kids' mental health, behavior, and brain development. Using research-backed insights, we unpack the fine line between discipline and physical abuse, the cultural roots of corporal punishment, and why even "mild" spanking may be more harmful than many realize. We discuss ho...

Ruby Franke is a former YouTube “momfluencer” whose family vlog  8 Passengers  once showcased picture-perfect parenting—but behind the scenes, it was a story of control, abuse, and obsession with external validation. We break down her journey from LDS family vlogger to convicted abuser, and how her partnership with therapist Jodi Hildebrandt fed into religious extremism, fear-based parenting, and...

Today, we are tackling your thoughtful and honest questions head-on. We talk about parenting while healing from childhood trauma, how to recognize if your sports betting habits are becoming a problem, and what staying fit realistically looks like for busy moms. One of the most heartfelt moments comes from an 11-year-old listener asking how she can improve her family relationships. We get into the...

Jamie is a 13-year-old boy whose story is told in the gripping Netflix series  Adolescence,  a four-part drama that explores peer pressure, social media, and teen brain development through the lens of a murder investigation. We break down the psychological and emotional elements behind Jamie’s actions, looking at the real-life neuroscience that explains why adolescence is such a vulnerable time fo...

Join hosts Jessica Eisenstat, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and Dr. Lauren LaRose, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, as they dive into raw and real conversations about all things kids. These two moms, who also happen to be mental health professionals, bring humor, debate, and a hefty dose of mom realness to every episode. From tackling children’s mental health to the daily chaos of parenti...

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) sounds wild—but is it real, or just a trending diagnosis? We unpack what the diagnosis  actually  means according to the DSM, how it’s often misunderstood in pop culture and social media, and why trauma is at the core of most real cases. We also explore infamous cases like Billy Milligan and share what we’ve seen (and questioned) in clinical practice. You’ll le...

Dr. Benton Marino is a pediatrician based in New Orleans who joined us to break down the misunderstood and often misdiagnosed conditions known as PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). We talked through the science, the symptoms, and the systemic barriers families face when seekin...

In this Q&A episode, we tackle parenting struggles, childhood trauma, ADHD medication concerns, and the realities of narcolepsy with our signature mix of humor and real talk. From a parent wondering how to regain their five-year-old’s respect to the ongoing debate over whether ADHD meds stunt growth, we break it all down with honest insights and personal experiences. Plus, we explore how child...

Jonathan Haidt is a professor and author of  The Anxious Generation , a book exploring how smartphones and social media have rewired kids' brains and impacted their mental health, academic performance, and resilience. We break down his research, including a case study on Mountain Middle School, which saw massive improvements after banning phones. Haidt argues that excessive screen time has widened...

We're diving into the importance of risky play and why it’s crucial for child development.. From climbing high structures to jumping off rocks, kids naturally seek challenges—but modern playgrounds and parental fears are making it harder for them to take healthy risks. We explore how overprotection can hinder kids' ability to assess danger, build resilience, and develop confidence. We break down t...

We’re diving into the concept of transitional age youth—the phase where young adults navigate independence, work, and responsibility. Originally a term from foster care, it now extends to those in their early to late 20s who may struggle with adulthood. We explore how changes in child labor laws, higher education, and helicopter parenting have influenced this shift, creating a generation that ofte...

Grading systems shape the way students learn, but are they really the best way to measure intelligence? We break down the history of grading in the U.S., from Yale’s early ranking system to the 100-point scale and A-F grading. We explore how grading impacts students’ motivation, self-esteem, and long-term success, plus the unintended consequences of merging different systems. We also discuss alter...

Lauren and Jessica dive into the chaos of modern parenting, from the struggle of setting boundaries to raising humble kids in a world that loves to brag. We get real about parents who refuse to say "no," why kids need to hear it, and how avoiding it leads to bigger problems. We also tackle video game addiction—both for kids and parents—breaking down why the only real solution is cutting...

Self-care isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity, especially for parents. We dive into the real impact of burnout and why taking time for ourselves is critical. Jessica just returned from Canyon Ranch, a wellness retreat where she tackled deep trauma, faced her fear of heights through rock climbing, and explored alternative healing like acupuncture. We break down how stress manifests in the body and...

Pornography is more accessible than ever, and it's impacting how young people understand sex, relationships, and consent. We break down the shocking statistics on teen porn consumption, including how early kids are exposed, where they're watching, and the disturbing content they encounter. From deepfake porn to violent depictions of sex, we explore how this influences their expectations an...

Young children’s impulsive behaviors are often misunderstood, leading to extreme disciplinary actions like suspensions and expulsions. We explore how zero-tolerance policies fail to account for kids’ developmental stages and the harmful long-term effects these measures can have. We share real-life examples, surprising statistics, and actionable ways parents can advocate for their kids while holdin...

Homeschooling has seen a significant rise since the pandemic, and we’re diving into the reasons behind it. From the benefits of tailored education for children with autism and special needs to the challenges of balancing peer interactions and family logistics, we cover it all. We also discuss how homeschooling is evolving, including co-ops and hybrid models, and share surprising insights from stud...

Parenting influencers and their advice are everywhere, but do their methods actually work? We’re diving into the pros and cons of gentle parenting, validation techniques, and managing strong-willed kids. Along the way, we share personal stories and parenting hacks that balance empathy with setting firm boundaries. From tantrums over breakfast to managing rudeness, we’re breaking down what works—an...

Shayna Morvant, a judge in Jefferson Parish, joins us to unpack the school-to-prison pipeline and the systemic issues driving it. We explore how students with disabilities, particularly those with IEPs or behavioral challenges, are disproportionately impacted by vague disciplinary measures, lack of resources, and biases in education. Shana sheds light on the justice system's role in addressing the...