A few weeks ago I shared a podcast about teenagers in my newsletter and I had many readers reply to say they found it super helpful and really enjoyed it. And a number also asked if I had any other recommendations. So this post is a collection of podcasts plus some articles on teenagers that I have found interesting and/or helpful and I hope you do too!
Lisa Damour, PhD On The Emotional Lives of Teenagers – The Rich Roll Podcast – this is the podcast that I shared in my newsletter that I mentioned above and it is such a great episode. I would recommend even if your kids are only 10 years old to give it a listen. There was so much to take in and so many good tips that I have listened to it twice.
112: How Much Gaming is Too Much? Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting – From the podcast above I then started listening to Lisa Damour’s podcast which is called “Ask Lisa” and if you are new to parenting teens, this is such a fantastic resource. In this episode, Lisa answers the question “How do you know if your child has a gaming addiction?” A mum writes in who is worried about her son who used gaming to connect with friends during the pandemic but now games alone while his friends spend time together in person.
108: How Do I Help My Disorganized High School Kid? Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting – Lisa explains what executive functioning skills are – and how to help kids build them. She discusses what drives procrastination in kids, how adults can provide executive functioning “training wheels,” and how to get kids to do things like homework without having to nag constantly.
46 – Sleep and Teens: The Matt Walker Podcast – Matt interviews Dr. Craig Kanapari and they discuss sleep in teens and the biological and hormonal changes that occur that impact sleep. They also discuss how the single greatest threat to a teen’s sleep schedule is early high school start times!
623 – Dr Jean Twenge – Why Do Young People Seem So Fragile? – Modern Wisdom – Dr Jean Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, generational researcher and an author. On the podcast, they discuss a wide range of issues including whether millennials actually did have it harder than boomers, which generation has the most robust mental health and why, the massive effect of technology across age groups, why 60% of Gen Z girls have mental health problems, why young people aren’t getting their drivers’ licenses and why there is such a big decline in sexual activity and alcohol intake.
MICHELLE OBAMA! We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle – this is such a warm and wonderful interview with the former First Lady. It is not a purely teenage parenting podcast but throughout the interview, Obama shares great insights into parenting and marriage.
Ep 70 – Two key tools for runners to get right with Nike expert Molly Polak – Femmi Pod – again not a pure parenting teenager podcast but if you have a child who needs to wear a bra, then it is definitely worth a listen. Nike expert Molly Polak shares the importance of wearing a well-fitted sports bra from an early age and the damage that can occur to breast tissue if breasts are not well supported. A key reason young girls drop out of sports is that they experience breast pain when exercising which can be prevented by wearing the right bra.
Article – Kids Who Get Smartphones Earlier Become Adults With Worse Mental Health – A recent report by Sapien Labs, a non-profit research foundation, reveals a concerning trend between the age at which young adults receive their first smartphone and their mental health. The study, based on a global survey of nearly 28,000 participants, found that the younger the age at which individuals got their first smartphone, the worse their reported mental health. This pattern holds true across different regions and is particularly pronounced for women. The findings highlight the potential negative impact of early smartphone access on mental well-being and have implications for parents, educators, and policymakers considering measures to address this issue. The report also emphasises the need for further research and consideration of age restrictions or verification requirements for certain online platforms.
Article – APA panel issues recommendations for adolescent social media use – A presidential panel of the American Psychological Association (APA) has released recommendations for the use of social media by adolescents. The panel acknowledges that social media can have both positive and negative effects on youth and suggests that adolescents should receive training in social media literacy to maximise safe and meaningful experiences. The report emphasises the importance of tailoring social media use to developmental capabilities and recommends minimising exposure to harmful content, promoting psychological competencies, monitoring for problematic use, and limiting screen time to protect adolescents’ well-being.
Article – Correction Through Connection. As it turns out, there is no other way – this article highlights the significance of maintaining a strong connection with teenagers while guiding them. It emphasises that responding with yelling or shaming is counterproductive as it triggers the fight or flight response, hindering them from learning from their mistakes. Instead, the focus should be on correction through connection, fostering a safe environment where children feel understood and supported and it gives examples on how to do this.
Article – Why Women Still Can’t Have It All – I shared this article many years ago and I think it is still relevant and important so am sharing it again. I include it because if you are feeling overwhelmed with issues with teenagers and the pressures from work, know that you are not alone. It is something that many women feel.
New additions – more parenting teenagers podcast/video recommendations from me!
Ep 244: Financial Habits for Savvy Teens – Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers – in this episode, Berna Anat, author of Money Out Loud shares how we can easily transfer our financial habits on to our kids from as young as 7-9 and how we can talk to teens about finances.
How to be an adult – and how to raise one (w/ Julie Lythcott-Haims) – How to Be a Better Human – Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author and former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford, and she is dedicated to helping people reconsider what really makes a happy, “successful” adult. In this interview Julie shares great tips and insights in how you can allow your kids the independence they need to grow into functioning adults.
And if you haven’t watched Julie’s TED talk I can highly recommend it!
Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on Adolescent & Young Adult Brain | Dr. Andrew Huberman – this is a short video clip from a full episode Huberman did on Cannabis. In this clip he highlights the potential harm of cannabis on the developing brain and body of young people aged 14 to 25, including an increased risk of mental health disorders, and emphasizes the importance of reducing or eliminating cannabis use in this age group.
Why is Puberty Starting Earlier for Kids? | Dr. Andrew Huberman – again another short clip from a longer episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast. Dr. Huberman presents data showing that the average age of puberty onset has been decreasing over the past century, and discusses possible factors contributing to this trend, such as improved nutrition.
Reader recommendations – more parenting teenagers podcast recommendations from me!
Speaking of Teens – Ann Coleman – a recommendation from Teri. After drowning in those challenges, herself, Ann spent several years transitioning from practicing attorney to self-taught expert in the science of adolescence and parenting. Twice weekly she delivers information, news and advice regarding the challenges you face while parenting a teen or tween.
Peace and Parenting – Michelle Kenney – a recommendation from Emma. Michelle is a mother of two girls, as well as a former teacher and counselor turned Certified Parenting Instructor. After years of consequences, bribes, and star charts, she finally reshaped the relationship she shares with her daughters and credits peaceful parenting for changing her life. Michelle considers herself a recovering yeller, perfectionist, and control freak who has found a more calm and connected way to parent.
Raising Teens with Collett Smart – Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years’ experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice. This is an Australian podcast.
Share below any podcasts or articles on teenagers that you think will help other parents!
If you are keen to see other podcast lists I have created you can find them here.