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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

25:55

Q&A with Dr. Dave | When Teenagers Pull Away - How to...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/01/08

Parenting teens can feel confusing, hurtful, and exhausting — especially when connection starts to slip.In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode from the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about staying connected to teenagers during adolescence.He covers:Why teens can be warm and talkative with other adults but distant at homeHow memes, TikToks, and inside jokes still count as real connectionHow to prepare teens for college and independence without

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34:20

How to Build a Better Relationship With Your Teen...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/01/01

Parenting a teen can feel like walking on eggshells. Conversations turn into conflict. Teens pull away. Parents are left wondering how to stay connected without giving up boundaries.In this episode of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to talk about what actually helps build a stronger, healthier relationship with your teen — even during tough moments.They discuss: • Why teens push back and pull away during adolescence •

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33:52

How to Talk to Kids About Scary Topics — A Parenting Q&A

Thriving Kids ·

2025/12/26

How do you talk to kids about the hard stuff — without making their worries worse?In this Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about how to talk with kids and teens about difficult, emotionally loaded topics in calm, developmentally appropriate ways.Drawing on clinical experience from his work at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Anderson walks through what helps — and what often backfires — when kids ask about scary news, big life fears,

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33:59

Raising Kids Who Can Handle the Real World

Thriving Kids ·

2025/12/18

Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about what kids actually need to cope, connect, and grow up healthy today.They cover:Why letting kids have big feelings builds resilienceHow listening (not lecturing) strengthens connectionWhat parents get wrong about screens and techWhy avoiding hard topics doesn’t protect kidsHow everyday conversations shape empathy and judgmentThis episode is about practical, research-backed parenting — not

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36:45

Big Emotions, Meltdowns, and “I Can’t Do It”:...

Thriving Kids ·

2025/12/11

Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A: Handling Big Feelings, Screen Time Battles, and MoreJoin Dr. Dave Anderson in this special Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, where he addresses a range of parenting questions. From managing a 6-year-old's meltdowns over small issues to navigating screen time battles and teaching empathy between siblings, this episode covers it all. Dr. Anderson provides insightful advice on emotion regulation, developing coping skills, and setting effective

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42:05

Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Kids with Dr....

Thriving Kids ·

2025/12/04

Dr. Dave Anderson and special guest Dr. Marc Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, discuss the importance of understanding and managing emotions, especially in today's world. Dr. Brackett shares insights from his books, 'Permission to Feel' and 'Dealing with Feeling', and highlights practical strategies for emotional regulation. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation offers valuable guidance on raising emotionally healthy

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27:00

Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation...

Thriving Kids ·

2025/11/27

In this Q&A follow-up to last week’s Thanksgiving special, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions about emotional self-regulation, holiday expectations, and the stress that comes with getting everyone together under one roof.You’ll hear quick, practical guidance on:Managing holiday expectations so you don’t end up disappointedHow much to plan during winter breakLoosening screen limits without losing controlWhat to do about kids who refuse holiday mealsTeens who disappear the

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33:21

Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids

Thriving Kids ·

2025/11/20

The holidays can feel like a marathon for parents — full of expectations, logistics, and emotions. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with clinical psychologist (and new parent) Dr. Kimberly Alexander about what she calls “running the gauntlet” of the holiday season.They unpack how to manage your own expectations, keep kids regulated, and handle tricky family moments — without losing your sense of humor or sanity.You’ll learn:Why “know thy child” might be the best holiday mantraHow to

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30:25

Your Questions about Talking to Kids About Sex,...

Thriving Kids ·

2025/11/13

Parents sent in smart, honest questions about how to keep conversations about sex, consent, and safety going at home. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute answers questions about when to start, what’s age-appropriate, and how to talk about everything from consent to porn — without losing your kid’s trust.You’ll learn how to:• Start early with body boundaries and accurate language• Talk about consent in everyday life• Handle porn exposure

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36:39

How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex,...

Thriving Kids ·

2025/11/06

Talking to kids about sex, consent, and safety can feel intimidating — or like something you’d rather put off. But kids are already getting information from somewhere, and it’s not always accurate or safe. In this episode of Thriving Kids, clinical psychologist and host Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Angela Glymph, CEO of Peer Health Exchange, about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations that protect kids, affirm who they are, and strengthen your relationship with them.They

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28:20

Your Questions About Building a Healthy Parent-Teen...

Thriving Kids ·

2025/10/30

In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about raising teenagers. Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour, he shares research-backed guidance for navigating everything from therapy resistance and social media boundaries to privacy battles, motivation slumps, and shifting moods — all while keeping connection and communication strong at home.Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.orgWhat you’ll

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35:51

Staying Connected With Your Teen

Thriving Kids ·

2025/10/23

Adolescence can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming for families. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist and best-selling author, to share compassionate, practical guidance on what most powerfully supports teen mental health. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Damour explains why strong, caring relationships with adults are the single biggest factor in teen well-being, and why social media is only one small part of a much bigger

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29:06

Your Questions About Children and Sleep, Answered

Thriving Kids ·

2025/10/16

In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about kids and sleep. From breaking the habit of co-sleeping to tackling bedtime fears, setting routines that stick, and knowing when to drop naps, he offers practical strategies to make nights calmer for the whole family.Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.orgWhat you’ll learn:• Step-by-step ways to help kids learn to fall asleep independently• How to create a bedroom

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25:32

Helping Kids Build Healthy Habits for Better Sleep

Thriving Kids ·

2025/10/09

Building healthy sleep habits is one of the most important and sometimes most challenging parts of parenting. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, to share compassionate, practical guidance for families looking to improve their child’s sleep. Drawing on years of experience helping kids and parents, Dr. Harris explains why sleep matters for mental health, learning, and behavior, and how small

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24:39

Your Questions About Death and Grief, Answered

Thriving Kids ·

2025/10/02

How do you support your child through grief when you’re grieving too?In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about helping kids navigate death, loss, and big emotions. He covers how to support neurodivergent kids when grief shows up as anger or outbursts, whether it’s okay to talk about death directly, how to explain loss to young children, what to do when waves of sadness hit out of nowhere, how much to show your own emotions, when

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25:10

How to Talk to Kids About Death and Grief

Thriving Kids ·

2025/09/25

How do I talk to my child about death and grief—without making things worse or shutting down their feelings? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Katie Peinovich, LCSW, to share compassionate, practical guidance for supporting kids through loss. Drawing on years of experience working with children in New York City schools who’ve faced trauma, Katie explains why it’s important to be direct, validate emotions, and model coping—even when you’re grieving too.Key topics include:•

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34:56

Your Questions About School Success, Answered

Thriving Kids ·

2025/09/18

How do you help your child do well in school—without constant stress or conflict? In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about supporting kids’ academic success. He covers how to support teens when peers aren’t motivated, what to do when school doesn’t fit your child’s learning style, setting boundaries that stick for disruptive behavior, handling drop-off anxiety, balancing activities without burnout, keeping kids focused when

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30:59

How do I help my child do well in school?

Thriving Kids ·

2025/09/12

How can I help my child do better in school—without pushing too hard or taking over? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Adam Zamora, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute, to talk about how to build the habits, mindset, and support systems that help kids thrive academically. From kindergarten through college, they cover everything from procrastination and motivation to homework battles, parent-teacher communication, and how to know when it’s time to get

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36:55

Your Questions About Parenting Teens, Answered

Thriving Kids ·

2025/09/04

Teens can be a rollercoaster - mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, supporting motivation for school, navigating dating and consent, spotting the line between “typical teen” and depression, coping with rejection, and social media comparison.Have a question for a future episode? Email

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73:33

Bonus Podcast: Jonathan Haidt and Dr. Dave Anderson...

Thriving Kids ·

2025/09/01

In this special episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt for a live conversation on how smartphones and social media are transforming childhood — and what parents, schools, and policymakers can do in response.Recorded at Guild Hall in East Hampton, this discussion dives into the big questions raised in Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — and the points where he and Dr. Anderson see things differently.They talk candidly about

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67 results

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