Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

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’ resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr. lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

Episodes

229: Encore: The Science of Managing Emotions with Author Ethan Kross

July 22, 2025 • 42 mins

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 ________________ Ask Lisa: The P...

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228: Encore: What Should I Do When Other Parents Host Wild Parties?

July 15, 2025 • 30 mins

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 strategies, and psychological insi...

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227: Encore: The Power of Belonging with Special Guest Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble

July 8, 2025 • 37 mins

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://aakomaproject.org/ _______________...

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226: Encore: What Should I Do With Dicey Information About Other People’s Kids?

July 1, 2025 • 29 mins

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 parents seeking expert guidance, tes...

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225: Encore: Should I Let My Son Spend All His Free Time Playing Video Games?

June 24, 2025 • 31 mins

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 Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teen...

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224: Encore: Lessons from Netflix's "Adolescence"

June 17, 2025 • 33 mins

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://drlisadamour.com/books/the-emotional-...

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223: Practical Optimism with Dr. Sue Varma

June 10, 2025 • 39 mins

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 reenergize during summer! Find “Pr...

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222: The Summer of Building Independence

June 3, 2025 • 31 mins

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 shares a strategy that instantly shuts...

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221: Encore: What’s the Best Way for My Teen to Handle a Mean “Friend”?

May 27, 2025 • 31 mins

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 peer dynamics, when to give advice ...

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220: How to Stay Connected When Teens Pull Away. Guests: Gordon Neufeld, PhD & Gabor Maté, MD

May 20, 2025 • 43 mins

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 environment that helps teens thriv...

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219: My Kid is a Hypochondriac. What Can I Do?

May 13, 2025 • 30 mins

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 concerns and anxiety-driven health fears...

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218: Is it Ever Okay for Me to Yell at My Kids?

May 6, 2025 • 31 mins

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217: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness

April 29, 2025 • 44 mins

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 insights about living with ADHD, emoti...

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216: How Do We Get Kids to Stop Fat Shaming?

April 22, 2025 • 33 mins

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 for navigating body image conver...

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215: Is It Possible to Talk About Feelings Too Much?

April 15, 2025 • 32 mins

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 completely closed off, this episode...

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214: Should I Let My Son Spend All His Free Time Playing Video Games?

April 8, 2025 • 31 mins

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213: Lessons from Netflix's "Adolescence"

April 1, 2025 • 33 mins

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212: ENCORE: Will Social Media Harm My Kid?

March 24, 2025 • 32 mins

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211: How Do I Parent with an Ex Who Doesn't Share My Values?

March 17, 2025 • 38 mins

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210: Dealing with Disappointing College Admissions. What Helps?

March 10, 2025 • 36 mins

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Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}229: Encore: The Science of Managing Emotions with Author Ethan Kross

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}228: Encore: What Should I Do When Other Parents Host Wild Parties?

227: Encore: The Power of Belonging with Special Guest Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble

226: Encore: What Should I Do With Dicey Information About Other People’s Kids?

225: Encore: Should I Let My Son Spend All His Free Time Playing Video Games?

224: Encore: Lessons from Netflix's "Adolescence"

223: Practical Optimism with Dr. Sue Varma

222: The Summer of Building Independence

221: Encore: What’s the Best Way for My Teen to Handle a Mean “Friend”?

220: How to Stay Connected When Teens Pull Away. Guests: Gordon Neufeld, PhD & Gabor Maté, MD

219: My Kid is a Hypochondriac. What Can I Do?

218: Is it Ever Okay for Me to Yell at My Kids?

217: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness

216: How Do We Get Kids to Stop Fat Shaming?

215: Is It Possible to Talk About Feelings Too Much?

214: Should I Let My Son Spend All His Free Time Playing Video Games?

213: Lessons from Netflix's "Adolescence"

212: ENCORE: Will Social Media Harm My Kid?

211: How Do I Parent with an Ex Who Doesn't Share My Values?

210: Dealing with Disappointing College Admissions. What Helps?

Popular Podcasts

229: Encore: The Science of Managing Emotions with Author Ethan Kross

228: Encore: What Should I Do When Other Parents Host Wild Parties?