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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

00:31:55

Q&A: How to Handle Attention & Focus Issues

Thriving Kids ·

2026/10/01

Attention problems can be frustrating for kids and parents — especially when it’s hard to tell whether a child can’t focus on a task or simply doesn’t want to. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers nine parent questions about attention and focus, including when difficulties may point to ADHD.Dr. Dave explains why ADHD can make boring or repetitive tasks especially difficult and shares practical strategies for strengthening study, organization, and attention skills. He

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00:58:51

What to Know About Teen Substance Use

Thriving Kids ·

2026/09/24

Experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substances isn’t uncommon during adolescence — but that doesn’t mean that parents don’t, or shouldn’t, have concerns about it. On this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by two experts from Partnerships to End Addiction, clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Hogue and licensed clinical social worker Molly Bobek, for a practical conversation about preventing teen substance use, recognizing the warning signs of substance use

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00:39:42

Q&A: Anger, ADHD, Lying, OCD, and Big Feelings

Thriving Kids ·

2026/09/17

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers eight parent questions about some of the most common — and challenging — behaviors families face. From aggression and ADHD to lying, motivation, OCD, and big emotions, Dr. Dave explains what may drive these behaviors and offers practical, evidence-based strategies parents can use to respond.In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:• Why is my three-year-old so angry and aggressive?• How can I help a child with ADHD without medication?• My

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00:46:48

Dad Brain: Fatherhood, Parenting, and the Brain

Thriving Kids ·

2026/09/10

Becoming a father doesn’t just change your life, research suggests it can actually change your brain. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with psychologist and researcher Dr. Darby Saxbe, author of Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives, to explore the emerging science of what happens to men’s brains, hormones, relationships, and sense of identity when they become fathers.Dr. Saxbe explains why some of the brain changes associated with

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00:32:48

Q&A: Friendship, Neurodiversity, and Staying True to...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/09/03

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Caroline Maguire about friendship, neurodivergence, masking, and building authentic relationships.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can help kids make friends without making them feel like they have to change who they are, how to understand the difference between practicing social skills and masking, and how to support kids who over-apologize, over-explain, or spiral after

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00:48:44

Summer Hot Takes: Parenting Advice With Dr. Aliza...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/08/27

From gentle parenting to strict rules about screen time, today’s parents are constantly bombarded with advice about the “right” way to raise their kids. But how much of that advice is actually supported by research?In this special Summer Hot Takes episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with developmental psychologist, bestselling author, and Raising Good Humans podcast host Dr. Aliza Pressman to explore some of parenting’s most talked-about topics. Together, they discuss why it’s important for any

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00:35:07

Q&A: Back-to-School Survival Guide

Thriving Kids ·

2026/08/21

Back-to-school season can bring a lot of excitement, but it can also bring anxiety — stressful mornings, friendship worries, homework battles, and questions about how to help kids adjust after summer break.In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson tackles some of the biggest concerns families face as a new school year begins. From how to tell the difference between normal first-day jitters and more serious anxiety to how to reset kids’ sleep routines after summer, Dr. Dave offers

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00:37:03

Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends

Thriving Kids ·

2026/08/13

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Caroline Maguire, an ADHD and executive function coach and author of Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. They discuss friendship, social anxiety, and how neurodivergent kids and teens can build more authentic relationships without feeling pressured to hide or “mask” who they are.In this episode, they cover:• What masking is and how it can affect kids’ mental health• Why getting support for social skills doesn’t mean people

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00:22:20

Q&A: Sleep, Safety, Resilience, and More

Thriving Kids ·

2026/08/06

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour about how to “future-proof” kids in an uncertain world.Dr. Dave breaks down the simple but powerful habits that help protect children’s mental health over time, including consistent sleep, family connection, face-to-face time with peers, satisfying hobbies, and emotional flexibility. He also discusses how parents can tell whether changes in a child’s mood,

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00:39:26

How to Future-Proof Kids for an Uncertain World

Thriving Kids ·

2026/07/30

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson welcomes back Dr. Lisa Damour for a conversation about how parents can help kids prepare for an uncertain future. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Damour explains why the most protective tools are often the simplest: sleep, safety, family connection, coping skills, and opportunities for kids to develop interests that truly belong to them.In this episode, they cover:• Why sleep is one of the most important foundations for kids’ mental

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00:26:54

Q&A: Talking to Kids about Mental Health, Suicide,...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/07/23

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with NBC News anchor and correspondent Kate Snow about mental health, journalism, and how suicide loss has shaped her reporting.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can talk with kids about suicide and mental health honestly and in age-appropriate ways, what changes in a child’s mood or behavior may indicate that they need support, and why asking directly about suicidal thoughts does

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00:43:37

An Expert Perspective at the Intersection of...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/07/16

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by NBC News anchor and Senior National Correspondent Kate Snow for a conversation about journalism, mental health, and the power of telling stories that can reduce stigma. Kate discusses how personal loss shaped her reporting on mental health, as well as suicide prevention, substance use, access to care, and the systems that families often have to navigate during moments of crisis.In this episode, they cover:• Why journalists can play an

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00:39:57

Q&A: Talking to Kids About Mental Health, Processing...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/07/09

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with actress and author Busy Philipps about parenting, mental health, technology, and staying actively involved in kids’ lives.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can stay connected to what kids are seeing on the internet, including how to help them think critically about influencers and what to do when they start wondering if they have ADHD, depression, or another diagnosis based

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00:36:11

The Challenges of Modern Parenting with Busy Philipps

Thriving Kids ·

2026/07/02

Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with best-selling author, actor, and activist Busy Philipps to discuss the challenges of modern parenting. Busy talks about her adult ADHD diagnosis, helping kids navigate mental health TikTok, and how to broach tricky conversations about the “manosphere” and politics with honesty and love. They also cover: • Active parenting in the digital age. Busy shares why watching YouTubers and learning Roblox alongside her kids was more effective than setting blanket screen-time

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00:32:31

Q&A: Setting Healthy Screen Limits and Supporting...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/06/25

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Candice Odgers about kids, social media, and what the research really says about screens and youth mental health.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can set healthy limits around phone use without reacting out of fear, why screens are often part of a much bigger picture, and how families can focus on the core drivers of kids’ well-being — including sleep, school,

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36:16

What the Research Really Says About Kids, Phones, and...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/06/18

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Candice Odgers, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine, whose research focuses on adolescent mental health and the role of smartphones and social media in kids’ daily lives. Together, they discuss what the evidence does — and does not — show about technology and youth mental health, and why the most popular explanations are not always the most accurate. In this episode, they cover: • What current

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29:29

Q&A: Talking to Kids About Mental Health, Processing...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/06/11

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Alfiee about youth mental health, community care, and what it really means to help young people thrive.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can talk with kids about mental health without making them feel like something is “wrong” with them, how to help children process stressful news and current events, and how families can think about social media in a balanced

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36:20

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health and Your Own...

Thriving Kids ·

2026/06/04

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble — better known as Dr. Alfiee — psychologist, founder of The AAKOMA Project, and author of Rise and Thrive: An intentional guide to caring for your mental health. Together, they discuss youth mental health, the importance of community-based care, and how parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals can better support young people as they navigate stress, stigma, social media, and the challenges

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32:41

How to Help Kids Face Fear and Build Resilience

Thriving Kids ·

2026/05/28

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon who talked about how the death of his son led him to face his panic attacks over public speaking.In this episode, he covers:What parents can learn from doctors about staying calm in a crisisWhy anxiety can run in families — and what parents can do about itHow parents can help kids face their fearsHow to encourage to kids to

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50:56

Anxiety and the Brain

Thriving Kids ·

2026/05/21

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon whoseprofession and personal story gives him a rare perspective on mental health.Dr. Hoeflinger shares how his brother’s traumatic brain injury first inspired him to pursue neurosurgery, howchronic panic attacks shaped his adolescence and early professional life, and how the loss of his son changed the way he speaks publicly about grief, purpose, and prevention. They also discuss what parents

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