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PODCAST

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life

Dr. Lisa Damour

Parenting a tween or teen? Buckle up. Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life tackles the questions that keep parents up at night — academics, friendships, mental health, screens, meltdowns, and more. Every week, psychologist Lisa Damour teams up with a different expert to answer a real parent"s real question — no fluff, no judgment, just practical, evidence-based advice you can actually use. Dr. Damour and her colleagues also turn their attention to the emotional rollercoaster of raising kids — the

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

29:43

235: No Phones at School. How Do I Help My Kid Cope?

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/09/02

Your teen just found out their school is banning phones, and they’re furious, anxious, or both! What now? If you’re the parent of a tween or teen, you know how quickly a rule about phones can spiral into conflict. Phone bans at school can feel like a loss of freedom for kids and a source of anxiety for everyone. But what if this change could actually strengthen your child’s focus, coping skills, and resilience, while also giving your family new ways to connect? In this episode of Ask Lisa: The

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40:33

234: Encore: Confronting Toxic Achievement Culture...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/08/26

Is your teen caught up in the grind culture of overachievement? Author Jennifer Wallace joins Dr. Lisa and Reena to talk about how to raise kids who feel like they matter, not just when they achieve. This encore episode offers real solutions to help families fight back against toxic stress.“Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It”: https://www.jenniferbwallace.com/about-never-enough ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is

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42:37

233: Encore: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/08/19

In one of our most heartwarming and hilarious episodes, Penn & Kim Holderness of “The Holderness Family” open up about parenting with ADHD. Together with Dr. Lisa & Reena they share honest advice, practical tips, and permission to embrace neurodiversity with compassion and humor.“ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD”: https://theholdernessfamily.com/adhd-is-awesome/ Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD: https://adhdgirlsandwomen.org/ ________________ Ask Lisa: The

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47:39

232: Encore: Getting into College with Special Guest...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/08/12

College admissions can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. Rick Clark, the author of “The Truth About College Admission,” joins Lisa and Reena to break down what matters most in the admissions process and how families can approach it with sanity and strategy.“The Truth About College Admission” Book & Workbook: https://www.truthaboutcollegeadmission.com/books “The Truth About College Admission” Podcast: https://www.truthaboutcollegeadmission.com/podcast Rick’s Blog:

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36:45

231: Encore: How Do I Parent with an Ex Who Doesn’t...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/08/05

If you're raising kids with an ex who doesn’t see eye to eye with you, Dr. Lisa & Reena offer strategies for reducing conflict, protecting your child, and staying grounded in your own values. Tune in for realistic and practical advice for co-parents navigating different parenting styles. ________________ 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

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36:12

230: Encore: Teens & Sleep with Journalist & Author...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/07/29

Sleep is the secret weapon every teen needs—but few get enough of it. Lisa L. Lewis, journalist and author of “The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive,” joins Dr. Lisa & Reena to explain why sleep is critical to teen development and how parents can improve their child’s sleep habits, even during the summer. Find “The Sleep-Deprived Teen” book here: https://www.lisallewis.com/book ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising

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42:30

229: Encore: The Science of Managing Emotions with...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/07/22

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 Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for

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30:27

228: Encore: What Should I Do When Other Parents Host...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/07/15

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 insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned

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37:23

227: Encore: The Power of Belonging with Special...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/07/08

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/ ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the

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29:53

226: Encore: What Should I Do With Dicey Information...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/07/01

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 Parenting” is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens

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31:59

225: Encore: Should I Let My Son Spend All His Free...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/06/24

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 Parenting” is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested

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33:40

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

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/06/17

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-lives-of-teenagers/ Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of

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39:52

223: Practical Optimism with Dr. Sue Varma

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/06/10

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 “Practical Optimism” here: https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/book/ Get the

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31:58

222: The Summer of Building Independence

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/06/03

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 down negotiation battles. This episode is your roadmap to raising

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31:42

221: Encore: What’s the Best Way for My Teen to...

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/05/27

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 (and when to hold back), and how to help teens build healthy,

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43:09

220: How to Stay Connected When Teens Pull Away....

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/05/20

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 thrive. This episode is a must-listen for any parent feeling lost or

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30:52

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

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/05/13

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, understand the psychological roots of health obsessions, and

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31:39

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

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/05/06

“Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting” 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

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44:17

217: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/04/29

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, emotional regulation, and building stronger family relationships. We

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33:48

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

Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life ·

2025/04/22

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 conversations and protecting teens' mental health. Whether your child might

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298 results

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