Rephonic
Artwork for This Is So Awkward
Puberty
Parenting
Mental Health
Social Media
Child Development
Sex Education
Education
Communication
Adolescence
Emotional Development
Body Image
Parenting Strategies
Teenagers
Family Dynamics
Consent
Substance Use
Nutrition
Eating Disorders
Emotional Health
Self-Esteem

This is so awkward…but it doesn’t have to be. These days, puberty starts earlier, lasts longer, and happens with a cellphone in hand. The most trusted voices on puberty, Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, are here to remove cringe from this stage of life – not just for kids going through it but also the adults who care about them. With science, guidance and humor, they cover all the phy... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes398Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingEducation for KidsKids & Family

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for This Is So Awkward

Latest Episodes

Rerelease of an important episode on eating disorders. Eating disorders and disordered eating can show up in many different ways—and often aren't easy to recognize. In this episode, clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist, Dr. Kelly Bhat... more

Rerelease! When kids struggle with frequent headaches, are they stress-related? Hormonal? Something more serious? In this episode, pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist Daniel Noam Lax helps us make sense of one of the most common—a... more

A rerelease on the eternal question: Is resilience a skill kids can develop over time? Psychologist and child development expert Tovah Klein unpacks what resilience really means and how trusted adults help kids build it. From managing frustration and... more

We’re rereleasing our incredibly popular episode that tackles how ADHD can shape tweens' and teens' friendships, romantic relationships, and sexual decision-making. In this candid conversation, psychologist and ADHD expert Ari Tuckman draws on 25 yea... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Noam Lax
Headache medicine specialist and neurologist
Einstein Montefiore Hospital
Episode: Migraines, Hormones, and Teens
Ari Tuckman
Psychologist focused on ADHD in kids and adults
Ari Tuckman & Associates
Episode: ADHD and the Social Scene: Friendships, Dating, and Growing Up
Donna Henderson
Neuropsychologist and autism expert
Episode: When Autism Meets Puberty
Mary Claire Haver
Author of The New Perimenopause, OB-GYN
Author, The New Perimenopause
Episode: Dr. Mary Claire Haver on The New Perimenopause
Angela Casey
Dermatologist and founder of Bright Girl Beauty
Bright Girl Beauty
Episode: The 5 ingredients to keep off kids’ skin
Kim Holderness
Kim Holderness, part of the Holderness family featured on the podcast
Holderness Family
Episode: The Holderness Family on Letting Go (Kind Of)
Penn Holderness
Penn Holderness, part of the Holderness family featured on the podcast
Holderness Family
Episode: The Holderness Family on Letting Go (Kind Of)
Trisha Pasricha
Physician, gastroenterologist, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Episode: You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong!
Brooklyn Raney
Research practitioner and author focused on trusted adults
One Trusted Adult / One Trusted Adult (organization)
Episode: The Role of Trusted Adults

Hosts

Cara Natterson
Host of the show and pediatrician
Vanessa Kroll Bennett
Co-host and author

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 502 ratings
  • OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I’ve herd of you on ‘the smart girl’s podcast with Shay & Jess’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘The smart girl’s podcast…’ isn’t favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M.D🙂
    United States3 months ago
  • 🤩 🤩 🤩 🤩 🤩

    Okay y’all, I know this is like for parents and stuff.. but like Im fourteen and I LUV THIS!! I don’t know but like it’s just so helpful, but yeah

    TYSM! 💅 ĞURŁŁY 💅

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    💅 ĞURŁŁY 💅
    Canada7 months ago
  • Grateful to have this podcast!!!

    I know I’m about to be in the thick of it with my tween and learning from Vanessa & Cara’s wisdom is incredibly reassuring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sklarra
    United States8 months ago
  • 🤩 🤩 🤩 🤩 🤩

    Okay y’all, I know this is like for parents and stuff.. but like Im thirteen and I LUV THIS!! I don’t know but like it’s just so helpful, but yeah

    TYSM! 💅 ĞURŁŁY 💅

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    💅 ĞURŁŁY 💅
    Canada9 months ago
  • ♥️

    This is a great and informative show, Cara and Vanessa, don’t quit this show no matter what people think. You guys are awesome and funny

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Itsme dubs
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Helpful, practical parenting guidance with evidence-based insights
Shows diversity of guests and topics, with strong emphasis on teen well-being and family communication
High-quality mix of science and everyday life anecdotes
Hosts are relatable, funny, and trustworthy resources for navigating puberty and teen years
Listeners appreciate actionable scripts and real-world applications for parenting

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders, Explained
Q: What are the most common diagnoses you see in kids and teens, and how do you differentiate between them clinically?
The most common are anorexia nervosa, ARFID, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, each defined by distinct patterns of restriction, fear, compensatory behaviors, and the presence or absence of weight concerns; a full medical and psychological evaluation helps distinguish among them.
Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders, Explained
Q: Can you help weigh in on the difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder, and when parents should be worried?
Disordered eating covers the same kinds of behaviors found in eating disorders but occurs with lower frequency or severity; nonetheless, it is still harmful and can be a precursor to a full eating disorder, so monitoring and early conversation are important.
When Autism Meets Puberty
Q: How can families foster empathy and open dialogue around puberty for autistic kids without making them feel on edge or walk on eggshells?
The hosts and Donna advocate for ongoing, curiosity-driven conversations, non-defensiveness, and validating rather than correcting; create safe spaces for questions; and emphasize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, encouraging families to meet difference with curiosity.
When Autism Meets Puberty
Q: Donna, can you walk us through the body changes during puberty in autistic kids and what might be different from non-autistic peers?
Donna outlines sensory and interoceptive differences, proprioceptive changes, vestibular functioning, and how these neurodivergent factors shape puberty experiences. She also emphasizes direct communication, validating feelings, and managing caregivers' own nervous systems to support children effectively.
The 5 ingredients to keep off kids’ skin
Q: And the questions that we're going to answer are like, does it matter if kids use them? Right? There's all this noise. Like, could they do harm?
The panel explains that tween skin has an immature barrier and hormonal shifts that can make some ingredients irritate or harm the skin, so it's about age-appropriate use and understanding long-term effects rather than a blanket rule.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Is So Awkward

What is This Is So Awkward about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show combines science, candid parenting strategies, and humor to help adults navigate puberty, adolescence, and family dynamics. Episodes frequently tackle teen health, mental well-being, social media and technology, education, and practical conversations parents can have with their kids. Notable guests range from pediatric and adolescent health professionals to psychologists, authors, and educators, often focusing on real-world guidance, evidence-based frameworks, and relatable family stories. A standout aspect is the mix of clinical expertise with personable storytelling, plus episodes that address sensitive topics like peer influences, sexual health, and digital culture in an approachable way.

Where can I find podcast stats for This Is So Awkward?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This Is So Awkward. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This Is So Awkward and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This Is So Awkward get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for This Is So Awkward, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for This Is So Awkward?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This Is So Awkward, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does This Is So Awkward have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This Is So Awkward has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to This Is So Awkward?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is So Awkward:

1. Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens
2. Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry
3. Raising Good Humans
4. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
5. The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl

How many episodes of This Is So Awkward are there?

This Is So Awkward launched 5 years ago and published 398 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact This Is So Awkward?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This Is So Awkward?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This Is So Awkward from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This Is So Awkward?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of This Is So Awkward. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on This Is So Awkward?

Recent guests on This Is So Awkward include:

1. Noam Lax
2. Ari Tuckman
3. Donna Henderson
4. Mary Claire Haver
5. Angela Casey
6. Kim Holderness
7. Penn Holderness
8. Trisha Pasricha

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days