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PODCAST

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

30:03

263: Is My Teen Too Focused on Her Looks?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/03/17

Is your teen obsessed with their appearance? Spending hours in front of the mirror, constantly taking selfies, and seeking validation for their looks? In a world where social media turns appearance into currency, building your teen's self-esteem on a stronger foundation has never been more important.In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan dig into a letter from a parent whose 14-year-old daughter’s world has started to revolve around how she looks. So when does preoccupation with

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28:29

262: Tracking Teens: Safety Tool or Trust Breaker?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/03/10

You check your phone and your teen's location is off again. Are they okay? Are they hiding something? …And should you even be tracking them in the first place?In this week's episode, Dr. Lisa and Reena dig into one of the most common standoffs happening in homes with teenagers right now: location sharing. A dad writes in about his 16-year-old son, who has started turning off his location. The kid wants privacy and autonomy. The dad just wants to sleep at night. Who’s right here? 💡 YOU'LL

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40:07

261: Teen Depression & Suicide in 2026: What’s...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/03/03

If your teen texts "I want to unalive myself" or "kms," should you be worried?The frightening topic of teen suicide is made worse by confusing headlines, evolving slang, and the fear of saying the wrong thing. But here's what you need to know: the research is cautiously hopeful, you have more power than you think, and asking direct questions saves lives. In this essential episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan sit down with Dr. Jonathan B. Singer, one of the country's leading experts on youth

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27:38

260: Is My Son Too Obsessed With His Girlfriend?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/02/24

Is your teen too obsessed with their girlfriend or boyfriend? Constant texting, ditching friends, and living on their phone. Perhaps you're watching them disappear into this relationship and you don't know what to do.If you're worried your teen's relationship is too intense and wondering how to talk to them about healthy balance without pushing them away, this episode is for you. Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan tackle a question from a mom whose high school son is texting his girlfriend 24/7,

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27:38

259: Why Is My Teen So Snarky?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/02/17

Is your teen’s snark just “normal attitude”… or could it be something more serious?If you’re walking on eggshells around a constantly irritable, sarcastic teenager and wondering whether this is just adolescence or a red flag not to ignore, you’re not alone. In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, Dr. Lisa Damour helps parents make sense of the exhausting, confusing reality of teen snark and explains when it may actually be a sign of depression that needs real

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27:56

258: What Do Parents Need to Know About Teens & Fan...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/02/10

What would YOU do if you discovered your tween or teen was reading explicit fan fiction online?Today’s kids are often learning about sexuality through the internet, often long before parents realize it. How you respond can either shut down communication or open the door to thoughtful, values-based conversations that actually stick. In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan tackle a question many parents

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26:55

257: How Do I Guide a Kid Who Only Cares About...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/02/03

What do you do when your tween or teen is convinced school doesn’t matter because they’re definitely going to be an influencer?If your child talks more about TikTok fame than homework, dismisses “real jobs,” or seems completely disengaged from school and real-world relationships, this episode is for you. Parents today are navigating brand-new territory, and it can feel scary, frustrating, and isolating when your kid’s ambitions seem disconnected from reality. In this episode of Ask Lisa: The

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29:34

256: How Many Piercings Should a Teen Have?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/01/27

Is your teen pushing for another piercing? Are you feeling torn between setting limits and respecting their self-expression?In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan take on a question sent directly from a 16-year-old listener: How many piercings should a teen be allowed to have? What starts as a question about jewelry opens up a much bigger conversation about boundaries, autonomy, culture, identity, and healthy parent-teen tension

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30:22

255: Can Teens Really Study While Scrolling?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/01/20

Today’s teens often try to tackle their homework while fielding nonstop notifications, listening to music, and participating in group chats. Plenty of parents wonder if this is a fight worth having, or if this is just – as some teens say – “how kids study now.” In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack one of the most common (and maddening) modern parenting dilemmas: Can teens really focus while

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36:21

254: How to Help Kids Build a Healthy Relationship...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/01/13

We all want for our kids to build a healthy relationship with food, but it’s not always clear how to make that happen. Special guest Dr. Reshma Shah offers a grounded, practical approach to navigating the common challenges parents face at mealtime. If you’re trying to guide your tween or teen toward healthier eating without power struggles, guilt, or the nightly “just take one bite!” battle, this episode is for you. In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, Lisa and

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25:45

253: How to Future-Proof Your Kids in 2026

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2026/01/06

Are you worried about how your tween or teen will navigate an unpredictable future?With AI accelerating, the economy shifting, and the world feeling increasingly fragile, many parents are asking, “How do I prepare my child for what’s ahead?” In this New Year’s episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan break down what kids actually need to thrive in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on psychology, developmental research, and decades of clinical

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32:51

252: ENCORE: Should I Talk with My Teens About My Own...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/12/30

Perhaps you’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, or stress… and your teen is now old enough to notice. But how much should you share? Parents want to be honest, yet may not want to needlessly burden their kids. Getting that balance right is tricky, and deeply important.In this encore episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan explore how age-appropriate conversations about mental health can strengthen trust and

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41:23

251: ENCORE: How Do I Parent a Young Adult (and Deal...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/12/23

Your kid is technically an adult, but still looking for–or needing–parental guidance. And maybe you still have your own parents weighing in, too. Parenting through this “in-between” stage can be complicated: How much guidance is too much? When do you let go? How do you stay close without taking over?In this encore episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan welcome Dr. Laurence Steinberg to discuss his book “You and

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25:00

250: Is It Okay to Push Back on My Kid’s Holiday Wish...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/12/16

Are you staring at your tween or teen’s holiday wish list wondering… is it okay to say NO?When every friend seems to be getting the “cool” brands, the pricey sneakers, or the latest tech, it can feel impossible to balance your family’s values with your child’s need to fit in. This episode helps you navigate that emotional middle ground with clarity, compassion, and practical tools you can actually use. Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack why kids get so fixated on

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28:17

249: When Teasing Turns Toxic, What’s a Parent to Do?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/12/09

Middle school can be rough—emotionally, socially, and developmentally. When teasing crosses the line into cruelty, it usually puts a dent in kids’ confidence and sense of belonging. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack the complicated social dynamics of middle school, explain why meanness can become a source of power, and why empathy can be in short supply.Drawing from years of clinical experience, Dr. Lisa explains how bullying emerges, why even “good kids” sometimes

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26:57

248: Should Our Tween Dictate Our Post-Divorce...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/12/02

When parents divorce, how much say should a tween or teen have in deciding where they live, and how often they switch homes?Divorce is hard on everyone, but for kids it often comes with a lot of upheaval. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack what divorced parents can do to minimize the emotional toll on their kids, ease the challenge of moving back-and-forth between homes, and create arrangements that grow with their child’s needs. Drawing on decades of clinical

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33:27

247: ENCORE: Lying, Sneaking, Cheating. What Keeps...

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/11/25

When your child lies about homework, screen time, or where they’ve been, it can feel like a punch to the gut. But what if lying isn’t a sign of bad character, and instead a normal part of growing up?In this encore episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan look at lying from a developmental standpoint and help parents understand what’s really going on when kids bend the truth. A request for privacy doesn’t always mean

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26:06

246: My Son is Becoming Sexist. How Do I Stop This?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/11/18

It’s not always easy to be a seventh grade boy. Their confidence may be fragile, they tend to lag behind girls in terms of pubertal development, and at school-a place that can feel like it's built for girls- boys may start to feel like they’re falling behind. When that happens, they can become vulnerable to harmful influences and start adopting views–even sexist ones–that can worry parents.In this episode, psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack what’s really going on

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32:00

245: Puberty + Menopause: How Are We Supposed to Cope?!?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/11/11

When your hormones are downshifting and your teen’s hormones are surging, it can feel like an emotional collision course. If you’ve ever wondered why your tween or teen seems moody, distant, or irritated (and you’re also running out of patience and estrogen), this episode is for you.Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack the double whammy of puberty and menopause under one roof: Why it feels so intense, what’s actually happening biologically, and how families can navigate

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24:21

244: What If Anxiety Won't Let My Teen Sleep?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens ·

2025/11/04

If your tween or teen lies awake with worries spinning in their mind, or if you’ve wondered whether it’s anxiety, hormones, or something more, this episode is for you. Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan break down why anxiety and sleep are so deeply connected, and how parents can help kids find calm at night without turning bedtime into a battleground.In this compassionate conversation, Dr. Lisa explains what’s normal about changing sleep patterns during puberty, when to worry about

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266 results

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