Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Parenting

Mental Health

Social Media

Parenting Strategies

Family Dynamics

Child Development

Parental Guidance

Bullying

Teen Mental Health

Adolescence

Teen Development

Anxiety

College Admissions

ADHD

Emotional Regulation

Parenting Challenges

Co-Parenting

Body Image

Fentanyl

Teenagers

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’... more

1.2k ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	274	Founded	6 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Health & FitnessMental HealthParentingKids & Family

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Latest Episodes

270: Should I Let My Kid Make In-App Purchases in Video Games?

Loot boxes, in-app purchases, Robux, skins — and a kid who won't stop asking for them. If you're a parent of a tween or teen gamer, you already know this pressure. But are these purchases actually harmful, or are you just out of touch with how gaming... more

5 May 2026 • 28 min

BONUS Episode: How Do I Talk With My Teen About Fentanyl?

In recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we're bringing back one of our most critical episodes — because every family needs this information.

Illicit fentanyl has contaminated the drug landscape and is causing record deaths among young peo... more

29 Apr 2026 • 35 min

269: Why Is Basic Hygiene Such a Battle With My Tween?

Your tween won't shower, won't change their clothes, or lies about having brushed their teeth or washed their face...Sound familiar?

If you're in the middle of a hygiene battle with your tween or young teen, you're not alone, and you're not failing ... more

28 Apr 2026 • 30 min

268: Should I Let My Teen Take Supplements?

Creatine for teens, supplements for teen athletes, and navigating gym culture pressure on social media… Dr. Lisa Damour answers the question parents of teen athletes are searching for.

Your teen's teammate is taking creatine. Now your kid wants it t... more

21 Apr 2026 • 25 min

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Recent Guests

Ed Ternan

Father who lost his son to fentanyl poisoning; co-founder of Song for Charlie

Song for Charlie; The New Drug Talk

Episode: BONUS Episode: How Do I Talk With My Teen About Fentanyl?

Marcia Lee Taylor

Former president/CEO of Partnership for Drug-Free Kids; founder of MLT Strategies

MLT Strategies; Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Episode: BONUS Episode: How Do I Talk With My Teen About Fentanyl?

Nadine Burke Harris

Former Surgeon General of California; Chief Impact Officer for ACE Resource Network

ACE Resource Network / California Surgeon General

Episode: 265: Screens, Toxic Stress & Staying Connected with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Dr. Jonathan B. Singer

One of the country's leading experts on youth suicide prevention; former president of the American Association of Suicidology; Loyola University Chicago professor; co-author of Suicide in Schools

Loyola University Chicago; American Association of Suicidology

Episode: 261: Teen Depression & Suicide in 2026: What’s Different Now? with Dr. Jonathan Singer

Dr. Reshma Shah

Board certified pediatrician, parent coach, and co-author of the book 'Nourish, The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families'.

Plant-Based Juniors

Episode: 254: How to Help Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Food with Special Guest Dr. Reshma Shah

Dr. Laurence Steinberg

Leading psychologist, professor of psychology at Temple University, and author of 'You and Your Adult Child.'

Temple University

Episode: 251: ENCORE: How Do I Parent a Young Adult (and Deal with My Own Parents)?

Joanna Schroeder

Writer, editor, and media critic known for her bold perspectives on parenting issues.

Episode: 240: Talk to Your Boys: Raising Confident, Caring Young Men

Christopher Pepper

Award-winning health teacher and coordinator of young men's health groups in San Francisco Public Middle and High School.

Episode: 240: Talk to Your Boys: Raising Confident, Caring Young Men

Jeff Selingo

New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and professor of practice at Arizona State University.

Arizona State University

Episode: 236: Dream School: How Do You Find the Right College for Your Teen?

Hosts

Dr. Lisa Damour

Co-host and clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent development, offering expert insights on parenting challenges and psychological well-being.

Reena Ninan

Co-host and former journalist, bringing a relatable and supportive perspective to parenting discussions alongside insights from her experiences as a mother.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings

Just a bunch of neurotic nonsense for modern parents who want to be hand held through very normal things. Nothing they say is particularly insightful and the problems they address are mostly in the minds of paranoid parents. Please dont listen to this show, its just not worth the time.
Podcast Addict
1
josh
2 months ago
Phenomenal
This podcast is my favorite listen of the week! I had learned so much from it and become a better parent because of it! My spouse recently commented on how my parenting has changed and I gave credit to Dr. Lisa!! Thank you Dr. Lisa and Reena.
Apple Podcasts
5
Alwobl
United States4 months ago
Thank you
I wish I had discovered this podcast earlier, but the first one i listened to was so good I went and listened from 1(now on #40). This is great advice to help me parent my now 10 and 12 year old.
Apple Podcasts
5
The Gabinator
United States4 months ago
SUCH relevant advice
Annoying voice yes, but the affect is infinitely more tolerable than Dr. Becky.
Apple Podcasts
5
JTH080
United States5 months ago
Very helpful
Great insights for parents of teenagers
Apple Podcasts
5
TECO 123
Germany5 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the discussions practical and supporting, especially regarding emotional well-being and resilience in children, making it a valuable resource for parents.

Some listeners express dissatisfaction with specific aspects, like the hosts' speaking style, yet still acknowledge the content's usefulness in navigating complex parenting issues.

Listeners appreciate the expert insights and actionable advice provided by Dr. Lisa and Reena, highlighting how the podcast addresses real-life parenting challenges.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#10	United States/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#32	United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts	#43	Canada/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#50	United Kingdom/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#114	Canada/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts	#128	United Kingdom/Kids & Family

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS Episode: How Do I Talk With My Teen About Fentanyl?

Q: What should parents say to their teens to keep them safe when attending parties or social events?

Parents should use a non-judgmental, collaborative approach, practice refusal skills with teens, discuss scenarios, and frame the topic as ongoing dialogue rather than a one-time conversation.

BONUS Episode: How Do I Talk With My Teen About Fentanyl?

Q: What is fentanyl and how are young people coming into contact with it?

Experts describe a seismic shift in the drug landscape, with fentanyl now present in counterfeit pills and even in powders, making it far more dangerous and accessible to teens; conversations should emphasize practical prevention and awareness.

265: Screens, Toxic Stress & Staying Connected with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Q: Can you talk us through what toxic stress means in an online context for a developing nervous system?

Toxic stress occurs when there is repeated activation of the body's stress response without adequate buffering from caring adults, which can dysregulate stress responses and influence brain, immune, and even DNA processes; online content often acts as a personal, immersive trigger that a teen may not be able to talk about, so buffering through conversation and connection is crucial.

262: Tracking Teens: Safety Tool or Trust Breaker?

Q: Dear Dr. Lisa, I'm writing because I'm stuck in a standoff with my 16-year-old son and I'm not sure what to do. Until recently, we used location sharing on his phone. A few weeks ago, I realized his location was no longer available. When I asked about it, he told me calmly that he had started turning off his location sharing so he wouldn't be tracked.

Summary: Lisa argues that there is no simple right-or-wrong answer; the dynamic reflects a natural push-pull between safety and autonomy in adolescence. She suggests reframing the issue as a peace-of-mind need rather than a trust failure, exploring compromises (e.g., selective sharing, explicit safety plans, and clear expectations for reaching out in emergencies) and prioritizing a strong, trustworthy relationship to keep teens safe rather than relying solely on surveillance.

261: Teen Depression & Suicide in 2026: What’s Different Now? with Dr. Jonathan Singer

Q: What should parents do when they suspect their child is struggling emotionally or talking about self-harm?

Take disclosures seriously, ask direct questions about safety, and seek immediate support through trusted professionals or resources like 988 if urgent.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A podcast focused on offering expert guidance and psychological insights for parents navigating the challenges of raising tweens and teens, featuring discussions on stress, anxiety, social media pressures, and school-related concerns. Clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and co-host Reena Ninan provide practical, science-backed advice based on real-life parenting scenarios, making it an invaluable resource for caregivers seeking to enhance emotional well-being and resilience in their children. Unique in its format, the show invites listener questions, ensuring relevant, actionable insights tailored to contemporary parenting issues, thereby fostering an engaging and supportive community for parents.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. This Is So Awkward
2. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
3. Raising Good Humans
4. Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry
5. We Can Do Hard Things

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 274 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Ed Ternan
2. Marcia Lee Taylor
3. Nadine Burke Harris
4. Dr. Jonathan B. Singer
5. Dr. Reshma Shah
6. Dr. Laurence Steinberg
7. Joanna Schroeder
8. Christopher Pepper

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