Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Mental Health

Parenting

Child Psychology

Divorce

ADHD

Social Media

Parenting Challenges

Children's Development

Parenting Strategies

Child Development

Resilience

Sibling Rivalry

Digital Isolation

Navigating Family Transitions

Co-Parenting

Introversion

Extroversion

Teenagers

Peer Relationships

Children's Emotional Support

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	267	Founded	6 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Mental HealthParentingHealth & FitnessKids & Family

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Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

264: Best of Ask Lisa: Friendship Breakups & Conflict

Your kid just got dropped by their friend group, or they're being left out, iced out, or caught in the middle of middle school friendship drama… and you have no idea what to say.

In this “Best of Ask Lisa” compilation, we’ve curated wisdom from clin... more

24 Mar 2026 • 23 min

263: Is My Teen Too Focused on Her Looks?

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... more

17 Mar 2026 • 30 min

262: Tracking Teens: Safety Tool or Trust Breaker?

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 happ... more

10 Mar 2026 • 28 min

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

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 ... more

3 Mar 2026 • 42 min

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners

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Recent Guests

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?

Jennifer Wallace

Award-winning journalist and author

Author of 'Never Enough, When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic'

Episode: 234: Encore: Confronting Toxic Achievement Culture with Author Jennifer Wallace

Penn Holderness

Content creator, co-author of ADHD Is Awesome

The Holderness Family

Episode: 233: Encore: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness

Kim Holderness

Content creator, co-author of ADHD Is Awesome

The Holderness Family

Episode: 233: Encore: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness

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
a month 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 States2 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 States3 months ago
SUCH relevant advice
Annoying voice yes, but the affect is infinitely more tolerable than Dr. Becky.
Apple Podcasts
5
JTH080
United States3 months ago
Very helpful
Great insights for parents of teenagers
Apple Podcasts
5
TECO 123
Germany4 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	#17	United States/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#63	United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts	#23	Canada/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#117	Canada/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts	#169	United Kingdom/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#65	Italy/Kids & Family/Parenting

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.

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

Q: How should parents interpret national trends versus what they see locally in their own communities?

Local data matters more for day-to-day decisions; parents should check with local officials or dashboards to understand their specific community trends rather than relying solely on national headlines.

259: Why Is My Teen So Snarky?

Q: What would your advice be to the family when you're dealing with a child who may possibly have depression?

Focus on improving sleep and reducing phone usage before making any further decisions.

259: Why Is My Teen So Snarky?

Q: How do you tell the difference between snark and depression?

Look for universality in their frustration; if they're irritated with everyone, that suggests a deeper issue.

Audience Metrics

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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. Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry
4. We Can Do Hard Things
5. Kelly Corrigan Wonders

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 267 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. Dr. Jonathan B. Singer
2. Dr. Reshma Shah
3. Dr. Laurence Steinberg
4. Joanna Schroeder
5. Christopher Pepper
6. Jeff Selingo
7. Jennifer Wallace
8. Penn Holderness

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