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PODCAST

Thriving Kids

The Child Mind Institute

Parenting can feel overwhelming when kids struggle with anxiety, behavior, school, or big emotions. Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers who want clear, honest answers about child and adolescent mental health. Hosted by Dr. Dave Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode focuses on a common parenting challenge — from tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies grounded in science. You’ll hear direct, expert guidance from clinicians who

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

36:57

Q&A: Parental Stress

Thriving Kids ·

2026/05/14

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ questions about the intense stress that can come with raising young children. Inspired by his recent conversation with pediatrician Dr. Lauren Hughes, this episode focuses on the early years of parenting: feeding decisions, sleepless nights, emotional overload, relationship strain, and the pressure many parents feel to do everything “right.”Dr. Dave also explains how parents can recognize when stress is affecting

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40:02

How to Deal With Parenting Stress

Thriving Kids ·

2026/05/07

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lauren Hughes, a board-certified pediatrician, mother of three, and trusted voice for realistic, evidence-based parenting guidance. Together, they explore the stress and pressure parents can face in the first years of raising a child, from navigating developmental milestones to feeding choices and methods for sleep training. Dr. Hughes also offers practical tips on how to support your child’s well-being without neglecting

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28:52

Q&A: Dyslexia Myths, Learning Differences, and How to...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/04/30

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parent questions sparked by the Orlando Bloom conversation, focusing on dyslexia myths, practical at-home learning strategies, self-esteem, movement and focus, AI tools, and the emotional impact of learning differences. He explains what dyslexia actually is, why evaluation and targeted support matter, and how parents can help kids understand a learning disorder in a way that feels honest, empowering, and grounded in their

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42:53

Orlando Bloom on Growing Up With Dyslexia

Thriving Kids ·

2026/04/23

This week on Thriving Kids, I’m joined by actor Orlando Bloom. He talks about growing up with dyslexia, including the challenges he faced paying attention and concentrating in school, and how he developed his own workarounds before many of today’s evidence-based supports existed. We also discuss how movement, mindfulness, good nutrition, and sleep can help kids (and adults) manage attention and learning challenges — and why every child should discover their area of excellence.In this

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28:52

Q&A: Your Questions About Learning Disabilities

Thriving Kids ·

2026/04/16

In this Thriving Kids Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson explains how parents can recognize early signs of dyslexia, ADHD, and learning disabilities, advocate for school support, and protect their child’s self-esteem while they struggle academically. This episode offers practical guidance on evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans, reading intervention, ADHD treatment, and why early support can change a child’s trajectory.In this episode, we cover:· Early signs of dyslexia and learning disabilities·

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40:05

What Every Parent (and Non-Parent) Should Know About...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/04/09

What happens when systems built to support kids with learning disabilities change? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, to discuss the state of learning disability support across the country, from early screening and phonics-based reading instruction to IEP protections and the real concerns parents are raising right now about changes at the Department of Education. Whether you're a parent,

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34:04

Q&A: How to Maintain a Positive Relationship with...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/04/02

In this Q&A follow-up to our conversation with Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, Dr. Dave answers eight listener questions about building and maintaining warm, positive relationships with your children, from toddlerhood through the teen years.He covers questions, including:- How do I stay present during child-led play when I'm bored out of my mind?- Can I build a positive bond with a child whose personality clashes with mine?- How do I stop my "inner drill sergeant" from taking

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29:32

How to Build a Positive Parent-Child Relationship

Thriving Kids ·

2026/03/26

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with[MH1] Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, a family therapist and the Roger and Carol Nooe Endowed Chair and Professor[MH2] in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. They discuss the ethical foundations of parenting and share key principles to guide parents in nurturing resilient children. They also cover: • How reflecting on your own history and motivations as a caregiver can lead to more intentional and

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34:36

Q&A: Your Questions About Healthy Technology Use,...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/03/19

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson follows up on last week’s conversation with Dr. Linda Charmaraman about how kids feel about social media. In this episode, we cover:Smartphone readiness is about preparation, not just age. Delaying access can help, but parents also need to take a realistic, flexible approach. Help build digital literacy and encourage kids to come to you for help when something goes wrong.Educational screen time can be useful, but entertainment is

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35:12

How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/03/12

Parents and caregivers may have a lot of worries about their teens using social media, from encountering harmful content to cyberbullying. But what do teens themselves say about how social media affects them day to day?In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Linda Charmaraman a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and founder and director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab. Dr. Charmaraman's research follows kids from

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33:28

Independence, Routines, and College Success Q&A

Thriving Kids ·

2026/03/06

Part 3 of 3: What actually helps students succeed in college?In this episode of Thriving Kids, our clinicians offer practical guidance for families preparing for the transition to college. From understanding accommodations to building routines that support mental health, this conversation focuses on actionable steps.Moderated by Dr. Morgan Eldridge with Dr. David Friedlander and Dr. Adam Zamora, this episode covers:• Academic supports and documentation• Counseling centers and mental health

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9:11

Executive Function, Procrastination, and the College...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/03/05

Part 2 of 3: College demands a new level of self-managementIn this episode of Thriving Kids, our clinicians unpack executive functioning and procrastination — and why struggling to start a task isn’t about laziness, but about skill development and brain maturation.In this moderated conversation led by Dr. Morgan Eldridge with Dr. David Friedlander and Dr. Adam Zamora, you’ll hear:• What executive functioning actually involves• Why procrastination can become a cycle• How brain development

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19:48

Why College Can Feel Harder Than Expected

Thriving Kids ·

2026/03/04

Part 1 of 3: Why does college feel overwhelming — even for strong, capable students?In this episode of Thriving Kids, our clinicians explore why the transition from high school to college can be harder than expected. Students move from a structured, familiar environment to one that demands independence, self-management, and new social connections.You’ll hear a moderated conversation led by Dr. Morgan Eldridge with Dr. David Friedlander and Dr. Adam Zamora that covers:• Why anxiety and

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42:29

What to Say When a Child Sees or Experiences Racism

Thriving Kids ·

2026/02/26

Talking to kids about racism and discrimination can feel intimidating. Many parents worry about getting the words wrong, or they wait until a child has a direct experience at school or sees something upsetting online. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson and Isha Metzger, PhD talk through how to start early, keep it practical, and support kids in ways that match their age and situation.What you’ll learnA clear definition of racism that goes beyond “one person being mean”How microaggressions

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26:48

Q&A: Filling Your Cup Without Guilt

Thriving Kids ·

2026/02/19

n this Questions & Answers episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson follows up on last week’s conversation with Joanna Kim, PhD about parental self-care and the invisible labor of raising kids. He answers listener questions about guilt, exhaustion, and how to make “filling your cup” realistic in a normal week.In this episode, we answer:“Self-care online looks like spas and vacations. What’s realistic for me?”Start with 1–5 minute options you can repeat.Think small: a mindful

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35:09

How Can I Take Care of Myself So I Can Be The Best...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/02/12

Self-care for parents isn’t selfish. It’s fuel.In this episode of the Thriving Kids podcast, Dave Anderson, PhD, talks with Joanna Kim, PhD, about what real self-care looks like for busy parents — especially those who feel guilty even thinking about taking a break.We cover: • Why “self-care” can feel privileged or unrealistic • How to “fill your cup” in 1–5 minutes (no spa day required) • The science of parent engagement and what gets in the way • How sleep, boundaries, and saying no

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21:54

How Parents Shape Their Child’s Stress - and What...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/02/05

In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode, Dave Anderson, PhD, answers parent questions about child stress, anxiety, avoidance, burnout, and emotional coping.Building on a recent conversation with Dylan Gee, PhD, professor of psychology at Yale University, this episode focuses on how kids learn to respond to stress — and how parent behavior can either ease anxiety or reinforce it over time.Dr. Dave addresses common situations parents face, including school anxiety, physical symptoms of stress,

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33:34

How To Help Your Child Cope with Stress

Thriving Kids ·

2026/01/29

Is your child struggling with stress — or is it something more?In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Dylan Gee, a professor of psychology at Yale University, to explore the vital difference between managing stress and simply trying to avoid it. While it’s natural to want to "pave the road" and remove obstacles for our children, learning to tolerate discomfort is one of the most important emotional skills a child can build.We discuss the "avoidance trap,"

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27:40

Should You Let Your Kid Fail? A Parent Q&A on...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/01/22

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids Podcast, Dave Anderson answers listener questions following last week’s conversation with Jennifer Wallace on achievement culture and helping kids feel like they matter.Parents asked practical, hard questions about failure, pressure, motivation, and emotional regulation. This episode focuses on finding balance—between support and independence, structure and flexibility, validation and limits.Questions covered:Natural consequences vs. stepping inDid

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38:23

Helping Kids Feel Like They Matter Not Just What They...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/01/15

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson speaks with Jennifer Wallace, award-winning journalist and author, about her books 'Never Enough' and 'Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose.' They discuss the trajectory of her work, the culture of toxic achievement, and how fostering a sense of mattering can serve as an antidote. Wallace shares research findings on mattering, practical strategies for parents, workplaces, and third spaces, and emphasizes the

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67 results

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