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

Growing up is packed with awkward moments… not just for the kids going through it, but for their adults, too. Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett are here to help, with humor and zero judgment. They explain the science behind all of the physical, emotional, and social changes of the tween, teen, and even early 20-something years. From body changes and big feelings to every imaginable blu... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes413Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingEducation for KidsKids & Family

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Artwork for This Is So Awkward

Latest Episodes

Is social media truly driving the teen mental health crisis? Because if it is, we should be taking one set of steps to protect kids. But if it’s not, we’re spending a ton of energy barking up the wrong tree. Dr. Candice Odgers has been researching te... more

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The people raising tweens and teens make what feels like a million decisions a day. How do we know if any are the right ones?! This episode explores five of the most common decision-making fallacies. Many of the potholes that cause us to make the wro... more

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We’ve covered boys and we’ve covered sex, but we’ve never covered male sexual health… until now. To understand more about what they’re doing and why, we’re joined by adolescent medicine physician Dr. David Bell. This episode covers a lot of ground: s... more

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Recent Guests

David Bell
Adolescent medicine physician and medical director of the Lawrenceville School.
The Lawrenceville School
Episode: Guys and Sex with Dr. David Bell
Linda Richter
Senior vice president of prevention research and policy at the Partnership to End Addiction
Partnership to End Addiction
Episode: Modern Marijuana: What You Need to Know
Debby Herbenick
Provost Professor at Indiana University School of Public Health; Director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion
Indiana University
Episode: Sexual Assault and Consent
Galit Atlas
Internationally renowned psychoanalyst; NYU/Columbia faculty; author of Emotional Inheritance
New York University; Columbia University; author
Episode: The Childhood Wounds We Bring to Parenting
Supreet Mann
Director of Research at Common Sense Media, PhD in Communication
Common Sense Media
Episode: Growing Up in the Age of Deepfake Nudes
Dana Kugler
Founder/Director, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: Does AI Help Raise Kids?
Deepika Chopra
Author of The Power of Real Optimism; psychologist by training
Author, psychologist
Episode: The Science of Real Optimism
Chris Balme
Educator, writer, school founder
Author of Finding the Magic in Middle School
Episode: Can Middle School Be Wonderful?
Doug Bolton
Psychologist, educator, author of Untethered
Author/Clinical Psychologist
Episode: Understanding the Kids Who Challenge Us Most

Hosts

Cara Natterson
Host of This Is So Awkward; pediatrician and author focused on puberty and adolescent health.
Vanessa Kroll Bennett
Co-host focusing on parenting, education, and public discussions about puberty.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 505 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 States6 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 💅
    Canada9 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 States10 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 💅
    Canadaa year 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.

Families value inclusivity and empathy in discussions about puberty and teen health.
Listeners praise practical, evidence-based guidance for parenting teens.
Fans appreciate how experts translate complex topics into actionable conversations.
Therapists and educators highlight real-world applicability and relatable hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The 5 Traps That Make Parenting Decisions Harder
Q: Do you want to take it?
Vanessa explains that the straw man fallacy in parenting often appears as sweeping claims such as “you always” or “you never.” These exaggerations make conversations less effective and can make children feel boxed into a fixed identity.
The 5 Traps That Make Parenting Decisions Harder
Q: What's the problem with the anecdotal fallacy, Vanessa?
Anecdotes are not real population-level data, and parents may project their own experiences onto their children. The hosts say personal stories can cause unnecessary fear and should not guide public health policy or broad parenting decisions.
Modern Marijuana: What You Need to Know
Q: What does a parent or a trusted adult do when a kid says, I don't have a problem?
Richter recommends continuing a nonjudgmental conversation about what cannabis is doing for the young person, exploring underlying needs, and offering support for small changes or help with related issues. A trusted adult should remain available rather than rely on anger, threats, or an automatic referral to rehab.
Modern Marijuana: What You Need to Know
Q: Can you start with helping us to understand how marijuana weed is different today compared to 30, 40 years ago?
Richter says cannabis has been bred to contain far more THC: older flower was about 3 to 4 percent, while current flower is often 25 to 30 percent and concentrates can reach 90 to 99 percent.
Guys and Sex with Dr. David Bell
Q: What advice do you have for folks on talking to young men about sex?
Bell recommends staying calm and nonjudgmental, answering questions without chastising young people, and keeping communication open so they feel able to return with further questions.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Is So Awkward

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

A practical, science-backed exploration of puberty and adolescence aimed at parents, educators, and caregivers. Episodes blend expert insights with real-world parenting strategies, covering topics from puberty timing and brain development to healthy communication, mental health, and managing common teen challenges. Regular guests include psychologists, pediatricians, dermatologists, and researchers who translate complex science into actionable guidance for families, schools, and communities. A notable strength is translating research into accessible scripts, conversations, and routines, helping adults foster belonging, resilience, and healthier relationships during the tween-to-teen years.

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Which podcasts are similar to This Is So Awkward?

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

1. Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life
2. Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry
3. Raising Good Humans
4. The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl
5. Good Inside with Dr. Becky

How many episodes of This Is So Awkward are there?

This Is So Awkward launched 5 years ago and published 413 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 Is So Awkward?

Recent guests on This Is So Awkward include:

1. David Bell
2. Linda Richter
3. Debby Herbenick
4. Galit Atlas
5. Supreet Mann
6. Dana Kugler
7. Deepika Chopra
8. Chris Balme

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