If your son is shutting down, pulling away, or turning to the internet to answer questions you wish he'd brought your way, this episode is for you.

Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan revisit their conversation with Joanna Schroeder and Christopher Pepper, co-authors of the book “Talk to Your Boys,” to cut through the noise about boys, masculinity, and what's actually happening inside the minds of tween and teen sons.. 

Joanna brings her background in gender studies and years as Executive Editor of The Good Men Project. Christopher has spent his career as an award-winning health educator teaching thousands of students about emotions, relationships, and healthy masculinity. Together, they share what years of research and real conversations with boys have taught them — and their findings might surprise you.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why boys suppress their emotions to fit in, and how that loneliness and disconnection quietly builds over time

- The specific strategies that actually get boys to open up — from the questions that really work to the power of doing things side by side

- Why boys are uniquely vulnerable to toxic online influences, and how to build the media literacy skills they need

- What boys are really looking for from the adults in their lives, and why connection, purpose, and feeling needed matter more than you might think

- Why validation works even when boys seem resistant or dismissive

Boys may not always act like they’re listening, but they’re taking in more than we think.

________________
 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

Shopify: Sign up for your free trial today at ⁠https://www.shopify.com/asklisa⁠

Caraway: 10% off your next order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.carawayhome.com/asklisa⁠

OneSkin: Use the code ASKLISA for 15% off your next purchase at ⁠https://www.oneskin.co/ASKLISA⁠.

Cash App: New Cash App customers can earn $10 if they use code: FAMILY10 at signup.

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: talking to teen boys, how to talk to tween boys, boys and emotions, teen boy shuts down, getting teen boys to open up, parenting teenage son, toxic masculinity and boys, boys and social media, boys and porn talk, teaching boys consent, raising good men, lonely teenage boys, helping boys with feelings, boys and mental health, tween boy attitude, middle school boy behavior, teen boy friendship problems, ideological predators online, boys and TikTok, boys and YouTube, joanna schroeder, christopher pepper

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is your family stressed, anxious, and fixated on getting your teen into a "dream school"? What if that's the wrong goal entirely?

Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan revisit their conversation with Jeff Selingo, bestselling author and higher education expert, to reframe the process of searching for the “right” college. After more than 25 years of studying what actually helps students thrive in college, Jeff has a finding that may surprise you: it’s not where your teen goes to college that matters most—it’s how they engage once they’re there.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why attending the most prestigious colleges doesn’t guarantee better outcomes

- Why belonging matters more than brand name — and what to actually look for when evaluating campus culture, mentorship, and fit

- How to have honest, early conversations about college costs, and why financial fit deserves just as much attention as academic fit

- Why the college search should be about your individual teen, not community expectations or rankings (and how to tune out the noise)

- What students can do at any college to maximize their success — and why how they show up matters more than where they enroll
________________
 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

Momentous: Get up to 35% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠

Cozy Earth: Get 20% off your order with promo code ASKLISA ⁠https://cozyearth.com/

Understood: Check out Everyone Gets a Juice Box wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hero: Use promo code ASKLISA for 10% off your order at https://www.hero.co

________________

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.

________________

Episode Keywords: choosing the right college for your teen, how to find the best college fit, college search for parents, college admissions stress parents, do AP classes matter for college, college prestige vs fit, are elite colleges worth it, college rankings myth, helping teens choose a college, college decision anxiety, plan B college options, paying for college without debt, college cost conversation with teens, college sense of belonging, college mentorship matters, new dream schools Jeff Selingo

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you feel like you're doing too much for your kids — and it’s time for them to do more for themselves — this episode is your roadmap out.

Dr. Lisa Damour makes the case for using summer to foster independence in our kids. The summer months provide the perfect window to hand off real responsibilities to your tween or teen in a way that actually sticks. From laundry to cooking dinner to managing their own appointments, this encore episode gives you a practical, step-by-step approach to raising a more capable kid.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why summer is the single best time of year to teach independence — and how to take advantage of the slower pace before fall routines kick back in

- The four-step sequence for handing off any task — and how to adjust if your kid gets overwhelmed

- Why independence is just as good for kids as it is for parents — and how being genuinely counted on builds competence, purpose, and mental health

- How to respond to pushback and resistance without turning every chore into a negotiation

- How to use structured choice to get teens to actually buy in — and why letting them pick their responsibilities makes a bigger difference than you'd expect

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

Jones Road Beauty:  Use the code ASKLISA for a free full sized Mascara with your first purchase at ⁠https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com⁠.

LMNT: Receive a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/asklisa.

Task Rabbit: Get fifteen dollars off your first task using promo code ASKLISA with the Taskrabbit app or at ⁠https://www.taskrabbit.com.⁠

Rocket Money: Join at https://www/RocketMoney.com/ASKLISA

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: summer independence for kids, summer chores for teens, teaching teens responsibility, how to get teens to help at home, chores for tweens list, age appropriate chores for teens, getting kids to do chores without yelling, parenting tweens independence, parenting teens independence, helping teens be more responsible, summer routine for teens, how to raise independent teens, teaching kids life skills, kids doing laundry, getting kids to cook dinner, natural consequences for teens, chore ideas for tweens and teens, kids resisting chores, how to stop doing everything for your kids, building kids confidence through responsibility

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Does your teen seem more attached to their friends and their phone than to you? That's not just a feeling, and it's not a phase you have to wait out.

Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan revisit their conversation with two of the world's leading experts on child development, globally renowned physician and author Dr. Gabor Maté, and developmental psychologist and author Dr. Gordon Neufeld, to address how parents can stay connected to their teens, even as they spread their wings. This is one of our most-watched episodes ever on YouTube, and we think you'll understand why.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why "healthy teenage rebellion" is mostly a myth — and what's actually happening when your teen pulls toward peers and away from you

- Why love and good intentions aren't enough on their own — and why a strong attachment bond is the only real delivery system for your care and influence

- How to read behavior problems as relationship problems — and why changing the relationship, not just the behavior, is where real progress happens

- Why warmth and curiosity are more powerful than consequences and control — and what "collect them before you direct them" actually looks like in family life

- How unchecked digital media can disrupt your teen's attachment to you — and what parents can do to strengthen their relationship with their kids

Drs. Neufeld and Maté have spent a combined 70-plus years studying what children need most from the adults who love them. They are co-authors of the book “Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers.” This conversation distills their wisdom into something every parent of a tween or teen can use today.

________________

GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

LMNT: Receive a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/asklisa.

Unwaffle: Use the promo code ASK LISA to get 15% off your first order at https://www.eatunwaffle.com.

Goodr: Get $10 off your first order at https://www.goodr.com/ASKLISA

Caraway: 10% off your next order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.carawayhome.com/asklisa⁠

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: teen pulling away from parents, teen withdrawal from family, how to connect with my teenager, teen prefers friends over family, teen glued to phone what to do, peer pressure vs parent influence, rebuild relationship with teen, attachment parenting teens, how to discipline without punishment, teenager always on social media, digital addiction in teens, teen rebellion not listening, parent teen connection, staying close to your teen, hold on to your kids summary

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD (or you suspect they might have it) this episode will change the way you see them.

Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan revisit their candid, funny, and genuinely moving conversation with Penn and Kim Holderness — viral content creators, bestselling authors, podcasters, and authors of “ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD.”

Together, they strip away the shame, explain what it really feels like to have ADHD, and give parents a practical, strengths-based roadmap for helping their kids thrive at home and at school.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why shame about having ADHD can be more damaging than the ADHD itself — and how to talk with your child about their diagnosis from a place of love, not frustration

- How ADHD can actually be a strength, and why its "abundance of attention" can fuel creativity, originality, and problem-solving when properly supported

- Why medication alone isn't enough — and the systems, routines, and relationships that make the real difference in long-term thriving

- How ADHD shows up differently in girls and women, and why so many are missed, masked, and struggling until much later in life

- How to advocate for your child's accommodations at school and why an early, accurate diagnosis can be life-changing

________________

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

LMNT: Receive a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/asklisa.

Mill: $75 off with your membership code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.mill.com/asklisa⁠.

Momentous: Get up to 35% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at ⁠https://www.shopify.com/asklisa⁠

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: adhd in teens, adhd in tweens, adhd parenting tips, adhd emotional dysregulation, adhd shame in kids, how to talk to child about adhd, adhd evaluation for kids, adhd diagnosis teen, adhd and school accommodations, adhd executive function, adhd and anxiety in teens, adhd mom support, adhd dad support, partner has adhd, adhd in girls and boys, adhd relationships family, adhd is awesome book, adhd strengths based, adhd overwhelm tween, adhd meltdown help, adhd big emotions, adhd creative strengths, adhd family strategies, adhd medication and coaching

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If watching "Adolescence" on Netflix left you feeling worried about your son, this episode will help you turn your concerns into action.

Dr. Lisa Damour breaks down what the show gets exactly right about adolescent boys: why they're emotionally constrained by culture, how that vulnerability gets exploited by toxic online figures like Andrew Tate, and what parents can do right now to connect with their sons. This is our most-watched episode ever on YouTube — and we think you'll understand why.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why boys are often only "allowed" to express anger and pleasure at others’ expense 

- How feelings of inferiority in middle school can make boys uniquely vulnerable to toxic influencers who offer them a shortcut to feeling powerful

- Why modeling emotional honesty is one of the most protective things a father can do — and why moms alone can't close this gap

- How toxic and misogynistic content finds boys through algorithms, even when kids aren't looking for it — and the concrete steps parents can take to intervene

- How to watch "Adolescence" with your teen and use it to start a real conversation built on curiosity and care, not fear and anxiety

With Father's Day around the corner, there's no better time to revisit this episode.

________________

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

OneSkin: Use the code ASKLISA for 15% off your next purchase at ⁠https://www.oneskin.co/ASKLISA⁠.

iRestore: Receive discounts on their red light therapy devices at ⁠https://www.irestore.com/⁠

Understood: Check out Everyone Gets a Juice Box wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hero: Use promo code ASKLISA for 10% off your order at https://www.hero.com.

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: parenting teen boys, raising adolescent boys, helping teen boys with emotions, teen boy mental health, middle school boy struggles, boys and anger issues, dads and sons relationship, father son communication, teaching boys to talk about feelings, breaking toxic masculinity, boys and online misogyny, Andrew Tate influence on boys, protecting kids from social media, teen cyberbullying help, Netflix Adolescence series, discussing difficult shows with teens, helping non athletic sons, building teen self worth

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If your child has just come out to you — or you sense they might be questioning their gender identity — you may be wondering what to say, what to do, and how to get this right. This episode is here to help.

Dr. Lisa Damour walks parents through one of the most important conversations of adolescence: how to respond when your tween or teen comes out as gay, lesbian, or bi, or expresses a non-traditional gender identity. From what to say in that first moment, to navigating sleepovers, sex, family disclosure, and community attitudes, this episode gives you a clear, compassionate roadmap so you don't have to guess your way through it.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why your first response matters so much, and the exact words that protect your relationship and your child's trust

- How to handle the complicated question of whether to tell your other parent or keep your child's confidence

- How to set sleepover and dating boundaries that are fair, consistent, and built on trust, regardless of your child's sexual orientation or gender identity

- What to do if your initial reaction missed the mark (and how to repair it)

- How to support your LGBTQ+ child even if your community isn't fully accepting (and where to find resources to help)

In honor of Pride Month, we're bringing this one back. Every family navigating this deserves guidance they can trust.

________________

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

iRestore: Receive discounts on their red light therapy devices at ⁠https://www.irestore.com/⁠

Cozy Earth: Get 20% off your order with promo code ASKLISA ⁠https://cozyearth.com/

Jones Road Beauty:  Use the code ASKLISA for a free full sized Mascara with your first purchase at ⁠https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com⁠.

Momentous: Get up to 35% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: how to support lgbtq child, my daughter came out as gay, my teen says she is bi, how to support lesbian daughter, parenting lgbtq teens, talking to kids about same sex relationships, lgbtq teen coming out to parents, rules for sleepovers lgbtq, conservative community lgbtq child, is my teen really gay or a phase

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does your family hit September feeling more exhausted than when summer started? You're not alone — and it doesn't have to be that way.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour shares her research-backed S.U.N. framework — Sleep, Unplug, and Nature — a simple, three-part plan for making summer genuinely restorative for your tween or teen (and for you). Whether your family is drowning in screens, running on bad sleep, or spending zero time outdoors, this episode gives you a realistic, concrete roadmap you can actually put on the calendar.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why protecting sleep matters even when summer schedules get loose — and the specific habits that make the biggest difference

- How to set tech boundaries that work as a family routine, not just a one-off rule

- What the research actually says about nature and why even brief time outdoors reliably restores attention and lowers stress

- Why a plan and a conversation are the two things standing between you and a genuinely restorative summer

- How to implement S.U.N. in your family in a way that sticks into fall

With summer just getting started, there's no better time to revisit this encore episode.

________________

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Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

Today's sponsors:

LMNT: Receive a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/asklisa

Children&Screens: Check out Screen Deep wherever you listen to podcasts

Pestie: Get 10% off your order at https://wwwpestie.com/ASKLISA 

Tumble: Get 10% off your order plus free shipping at https://www.Tumbleliving.com/ASKLISA

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: ummer with tweens, summer with teens, summer screen time rules, tween phone rules summer, teen phone rules summer, how to limit screen time in summer, kids addicted to phones summer, summer sleep schedule for teens, fix teen sleep schedule summer, how much sleep do teens need in summer, family tech boundaries, digital detox for teens, unplugging from technology as a family, getting kids outside in summer, nature activities for tweens, nature activities for teens

Podcast 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

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Does your tween or teen struggle with low confidence and self-esteem? Do you want to cultivate healthy self-compassion and self-worth in them — and in yourself?

In this special "Best of Ask Lisa" compilation, clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and co-host Reena Ninan pull together some of their most powerful conversations on self-esteem, confidence, and self-compassion, covering the full arc of the tween and teen years. 

Whether your child is drowning in negative self-talk, paralyzed by perfectionism, or just seems to have lost the spark they once had, this episode will help you understand what's normal, what's not, and what actually works.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why confidence naturally dips around ages 5-9 (and why that doesn't mean you've failed as a parent)

- Why girls often experience a sharp confidence drop around age 12, and what's really going on for boys during puberty

- The "tributaries and the lake" framework for building self-esteem that lasts across a lifetime

- How to respond when your kid spirals into harsh negative self-talk, including the exact phrases Dr. Lisa recommends

- Whether it's okay to tell your daughter she's beautiful

- How modeling self-compassion is one of the most powerful confidence tools you have

This episode draws on insights from guests Dr. Tovah Klein, Dr. Sue Varma, and Dr. Traci Baxley, alongside Dr. Lisa's own research and clinical expertise.

Your child's confidence struggles are workable; making small, consistent shifts in how you respond can make a real difference over time.

________________

Today's sponsors:

Momentous: Get 5% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at ⁠https://www.shopify.com/asklisa⁠

Mill: $75 off with your membership code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.mill.com/asklisa⁠.

Caraway: 10% off your next order with promo code ASKLISA at https://www.carawayhome.com/discount/asklisa

________________

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: teen self-esteem, tween confidence, building confidence in kids, negative self-talk kids, how to raise confident kids, self-esteem middle school, girl confidence drop age 12, boys puberty self-esteem, perfectionism in teens, self-compassion kids, parenting teen girls appearance, how to help insecure teen

Podcast 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

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Your teen does everything right. Homework done. Pays attention. Stays organized. Has study skills. And still struggles with tests.

​​Sound familiar? You're not alone, and this is not your kid's fault.

In this episode of “Ask Lisa,” clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan dig into one of the most frustrating and confusing problems parents face: the capable, motivated teen who just can't seem to perform on assessments. 

Drawing on the science of learning and memory, Lisa explains exactly why this happens, what's actually going on in your teen's brain, and how you can help without turning study time into a battleground.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why being great at class has almost nothing to do with being great at tests

- Why the transition to high school catches so many teens (especially boys) off guard

- The study habits that feel productive but actually don't work (and what to do instead)

- A step-by-step approach to starting the study skills conversation with your teen

- Why your teen probably won't take your advice, and who they will actually listen to

- How to broker the right kind of help so your kid feels supported, not managed

Whether your teen is heading into finals, is making the jump to high school, or has been struggling for a while, this episode gives you real, research-backed tools to help them turn things around.

BOOK: Outsmart Your Brain by Daniel T. Willingham, PhD

________________

Today's Sponsors:

Task Rabbit: Get fifteen dollars off your first task using promo code ASKLISA with the Taskrabbit app or at https://www.taskrabbit.com.

Donors Choose: Have your gift matched today at ⁠https://www.donorschoose.org/asklisa⁠.

iRestore: Receive discounts on their red light therapy devices at https://www.irestore.com/

Children&Screens: Check out Screen Deep wherever you listen to podcasts.

________________

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords:

teen failing tests, why does my teen bomb tests, high school test anxiety, how to study for tests teen, teen study skills, freshman year grades dropping, teaching teens how to study, teen not studying right, middle school to high school transition, test prep tips teens, retrieval practice teens, teen homework vs test grades, boys falling behind school

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's prom season, and one mom is facing a tough call: her son wants to go to an unsupervised after-party two hours away. Other parents are saying yes. Her gut is saying no. And her son is saying he'll skip prom entirely if she doesn't let him go.

Whether it's prom, spring break, or any other "big night" moment, dilemmas like this one can keep parents up at night. Should you trust your kid, or should you trust your instincts?

Dr. Lisa Damour, clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, and Reena Ninan break it all down with the warmth, honesty, and research-backed guidance parents of teens actually need. No judgment. Just real talk about the hard calls parents need to make.

This episode is about every high-stakes moment when your teen's desire for fun and independence collides with your responsibility to keep them safe. And it's about knowing, with confidence, that prioritizing safety IS the right call, even when it's the hard one.

💡 YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why your gut feeling about this isn't overreacting (and what the science says about teens, peer groups, and risk)

- How to hold a firm safety limit even when every other parent seems to be saying yes

- The "third option" strategy: how to get your teen out of all-or-nothing thinking and find an alternative you can both live with

- Why explaining the real risks (not just saying "no") changes the conversation entirely

- How to survive your teen being mad at you without caving, holding a grudge, or damaging the relationship

________________

Today's sponsors:

Understood: Check out Everyone Gets a Juice Box wherever you listen to podcasts.

OneSkin: Use the code ASKLISA for 15% off your next purchase at https://www.oneskin.co/ASKLISA.

Jones Road Beauty:  Use the code ASKLISA for a free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase at ⁠https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com⁠.

Momentous: Get 5% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠

________________

 GET DR. DAMOUR'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/⁠

 DR. DAMOUR'S BESTSELLING BOOKS

- Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – ⁠https://bit.ly/UntangledBook⁠

- Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – ⁠https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook⁠

- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – ⁠https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp⁠

 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP

Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → ⁠https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F⁠

 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → ⁠https://drlisadamour.com/⁠

________________

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.

________________

Episode keywords: prom after party no supervision, teen prom safety, unsupervised teen party, prom night rules, teenager drinking at prom, how to say no to teen, teen peer pressure prom, setting limits with teens, prom after party alcohol, high school party safety, parenting teen boundaries, when to say no teenager, teen safety overnight, prom decisions parents

Podcast 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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices