This Is So Awkward

Lying is normal – literally everyone does it – but it peaks during adolescence. Sometimes their little white lies, sometimes they’re big, scary lies. To help us understand how to handle all of them – and the difference between consequences, discipline, and punishment – child development specialist and parenting guru Betsy Brown Braun guides us through. Show Notes: www.betsybrownbraun.com Facebook....

Hickeys are back… but they never really went away. This episode focuses on these classic teenage suction-splotches and the age-old questions like: do we say something when we see them or zip our lips?! And what causes them anyhow? Order our book This Is So Awkward Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com To bring us to your sc...

Science journalist and author Donna Jackson Nakazawa explores the two-sided science of estrogen: as a source of female superpower and the root of certain mental health disadvantages. In light of recent data about teenage well-being, this is a must listen for anyone who wants to understand teen girls. Show Notes: Girls on the Brink donnajacksonnakazawa.com  Instagram: @DonnaJacksonNakazawa Twitter:...

Different families, different rules… a fact most apparent during sleepovers. Turns out, even Cara and Vanessa have surprisingly divergent opinions about sleepovers and how to handle the sticky situations that can arise. Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We tackle the hormonal science behind voice changes and their social and emotional impacts, including the perennial question: why are these ups and downs so embarrassing? Show Notes: Join the Awkward Roller Coaster Newsletter Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This bonus episode with Dr. Lisa Damour dives into specific topics like substance abuse, gender socialization, gender identity, and race. Lisa parses the research to shed light on modern day life as an American teen. Show Notes: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers Ask Lisa Podcast Subscribe to The Awkward Roller Coaster Newsletter Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

Adults walk a fine line in an effort to both support the teens in their lives and help them learn to manage the expected distress of adolescence. The incredibly wise and wonderful Dr. Lisa Damour shares invaluable advice from her newest book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, packed with data and decades of experience.  Show Notes: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers Ask Lisa Podcast & Subscribe to T...

This week saw a massive – and massively important – data dump about the physical, emotional and sexual behaviors of teens. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the CDC provides critical though imperfect insights into the lives of post-pandemic high schoolers. Show Notes: 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey  2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey  Associated Press Article on YRBS Subscribe to The Awkward Rolle...

After the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines about the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents last month, a firestorm ensued, starting with the medicalization of the term obesity. Therapist and body positive activist Zoe Bisbing shares her perspective of this evolving, complex conversation. Show Notes: @mybodypositivehome on IG My Body Positive Home Link to AAP guidel...

Does it matter if a kid is sloppy, leaving shoes strewn across the room or wet towels piled on the floor or school papers shoved half-in/half-out of a 3-ringed binder? These habits leave many adults frustrated because they imply that kids don’t care about their surroundings or the feelings of others. But is this accurate? Show Notes: Subscribe to The Awkward Roller Coaster Newsletter Production by...

Pediatrician, co-author of You-ology, and Girlology co-founder Trish Hutchison joins us to cover the questions we get all the time: When is the right time to talk about… fill in the blank. We have no doubt this informational and fun episode addressing everything from anatomy to sex to pornography will be helpful as you attempt these conversations with the kid(s) in your life. Show Notes: Girlology...

Every kid will knowingly disobey a rule – sometimes many rules – but occasionally the reason is completely understandable. Like the time (last week) when Vanessa’s kid downloaded Snapchat against her explicit wishes…  Show Notes: Subscribe to The Awkward Roller Coaster Newsletter Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are a million things we tell kids to keep them safe and as they grow up, the conversations evolve. But there are 5 specific topics – narrower conversations, if you will – that adults need to cover with teens before they head out the door for the night. Show Notes: OOMSHORTS  Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Period underwear brand Thinx recently settled a class-action suit alleging their underwear contained PFAS, a family of thousands of chemicals found in everything from fabrics to take-out containers. PFAS add functionality, but they’re not particularly healthy (for humans or the earth). The suit against Thinx aimed at the claim that their products are sustainable, organic and non-toxic. We answered...

Evolving relationships – and budding romantic ones – are a big part of puberty and adolescence. This incredible conversation with Ebele Onyema from the OneLove Foundation, dives deep into how to identify unhealthy versus healthy ones, and steps to take when there’s reason for concern. We encourage adults and teens to listen.  Show Notes: https://www.joinonelove.org/ Production by Peoples Media  Le...

Technology and social media have become increasingly intertwined. Researchers and authors Carrie James and Emily Weinstein, go deep into what they know about how tech affects adolescent social interactions and vice versa, and what teens wish adults understood about their digital existence. Show Notes: Behind Their Screens Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

While it’s tempting – and often-time fair – to demonize the role of technology in the lives of teens, there are lots of positives, too. In fact, at times the pros outweigh the cons. Hear all the data and insights from Carrie James and Emily Weinstein, authors of Behind Their Screens. Show Notes: Behind Their Screens Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

Common Sense Media released data from a study of 1300 teens (ages 13-17) collected in September 2022. Finally updated information about teens and their pornography consumption! Common Sense did an outstanding job collecting and presenting it. We hit the highlights and offer advice about how this data changes the way we talk to kids about porn. Show Notes: Common Sense Media Report on Teens and Por...

Sometimes kids share concerns about their friends. The question becomes: what to do with that information? The path through figuring out when something needs to be shared beyond you – with another parent, for instance – can be tricky, especially when the kid who shared in the first place interprets this as a violation of their trust and confidentiality.  Show Notes: Los Angeles Puberty Workshop Pr...

We loved this listener question! How to handle large age spans – sometimes they’re as big as 18 months – between the youngest and oldest kid in a grade, especially when the wide range of physical and emotional development adds to already complex social challenges.  Show Notes: Los Angeles Puberty Workshop Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...

It’s not uncommon to hear the same questions about race that we hear about sex: How do we bring it up? What if we bungle the conversation? When is the right time? Is it ever too early to begin? Journalist and author of Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World Uju Asika answers all of this and more is a deeply moving conversation about race and kids. Show Notes: Bringing Up...

We hear this all the time: How do I get my quiet kid to talk? In short, it’s an art not a science. There are, though, tried and true tips and tricks for drawing out the silent kid in your house. Show Notes: Los Angeles Puberty Workshop Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re not big believers in New Year’s resolutions, but we ARE big believers in resolving to make change. This episode is about learning lessons from the past year and harnessing that wisdom as we head into the new year! Show Notes: Los Angeles Puberty Workshop Production by Peoples Media  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kids’ friendships are a huge source of stress for both the kids themselves and their adults. The number one worry we hear from the latter is this: do they have enough friends? Spoiler alert! They only need one. This episode offers advice for helping kids build new friendships, one or many. Show Notes: Los Angeles Puberty Workshop on January 28th Dionne Warwick - That’s What Friends Are For Product...

Between what they eat and how much, not to mention who’s doing the prep and cleanup, food can be a battle between kids and adults. Stacie Billis to the rescue! The co-host of the podcast Didn’t I just Feed You draws on her culinary chops and her child development background to dish out realistic and practical ways to get our tweens + teens fed. Show Notes: Didn’t I Just Feed You Instagram Producti...