246: My Son is Becoming Sexist. How Do I Stop This?
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 developmentally for boys in early adolescence, and how parents can respond with empathy and understanding instead of fear or frustration. You’ll learn why boys often struggle more in school at this age, how their neurological growth differs from girls’, and what you can do to protect your son’s confidence and values as he grows into himself.
💡 YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why seventh-grade boys face unique biological and neurological challenges
- How school environments can unintentionally favor girls’ developmental strengths
- How figures like Andrew Tate prey on boys’ vulnerability, and what parents can do about it
- How to keep communication open and help boys find confidence in healthy ways
This episode is a must-watch for any parent of a tween or teen boy who wants to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface — and how to support his growth with empathy and confidence.
Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast
And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.
Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/
Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com
Episode keywords: boys, puberty, development, self-esteem, sexism, parenting
Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence
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26:06
245: Puberty + Menopause: How Are We Supposed to Cope?!?
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 it with more empathy and less guilt. Lisa also opens up about her personal experience with menopause and how finally seeking treatment changed everything.
💡 YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why menopause symptoms are real medical symptoms, and what kinds of treatment and support to ask for
- What’s normal about your teen’s mood swings and distance
- How to connect with your teen, even if they don’t want to talk
- How understanding the hormonal and developmental changes in both generations can ease the tension at home
This episode helps parents understand what’s normal for their teens (and what’s happening within themselves) so they can respond with more calm, connection, and compassion.
Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast
And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.
Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/
Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com
Episode keywords: puberty, menopause, perimenopause, parenting teens, hormones, family dynamics
Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence
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244: What If Anxiety Won't Let My Teen Sleep?
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 anxiety, and how to help your teen create healthy routines that set them up for better rest and less stress.
💡 YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why teens naturally want to stay up later (and why that’s normal)- How anxiety and sleeplessness feed each other- Practical strategies to help teens wind down before bed- How to talk with your child about what’s really worrying them- Ways to normalize anxiety so kids don’t feel “broken” when they struggle
Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast
And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.
Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/
Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com
Episode keywords: teen sleep, anxiety, bedtime, parenting, mental health, sleep hygiene
Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence
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243: How Do I Talk with My Teen About Alcohol and Weed?
How do you tell your teen not to drink or use weed… while also letting them know they can let you know if they’ve made a bad choice? It can feel impossible to balance rules with approachability. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack how to have open, judgment-free conversations about alcohol and marijuana--conversations that keep kids safe and keep communication flowing.
Substance use among teens can feel scary and overwhelming, especially with today’s high-potency marijuana and the social pressure to experiment. Dr. Lisa shares science-based guidance that helps parents know when to start these talks, what messages really matter, and how to model healthy behavior at home.
💡 YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why it’s best to start the substance conversation early — ideally around 7th grade
- How to frame the discussion around safety instead of punishment or judgment
- What to say about the risks of alcohol and marijuana for the developing brain
- How to respond if your teen says, “But you drink,” or “Everyone does it”
- How to keep communication open so your teen knows they can always call you, no matter what
Warm, practical, and grounded in real science, this episode gives parents a roadmap for navigating one of the hardest (and most important) conversations you’ll ever have.
Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast
And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.
Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/
Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com
Episode keywords: teen substance use, weed, alcohol, parenting advice, teen safety
Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence
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242: How Do I Get My Kids to Like Each Other?
How do you get your kids to like each other… or at least stop fighting all the time?
If you’re parenting tweens and teens, sibling conflict can feel endless. One moment they’re laughing together, the next they’re at each other’s throats. You want them to grow up valuing each other, but the daily bickering (and your role in it) can leave you wondering: Am I making things WORSE?
In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan dig into the complex world of sibling relationships. With warmth, humor, and research-backed insight, they unpack why siblings pull away in adolescence, how parents can support their bond without forcing closeness, and what really matters in the long run.
💡 YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why siblings often distance themselves during the tween and teen years
- How comparisons and “fairness” struggles can fuel conflict
- When parents should step in—and when to step back
- Why forced apologies backfire (and what to do instead)
- Practical ways to build connection through one-on-one time and family experiences
- Why taking the long view helps parents worry less about today’s fights
Sibling relationships are complicated, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Dr. Lisa offers strategies that are both realistic and compassionate, helping you set the stage for healthier family dynamics now and stronger sibling bonds later.
Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast
And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan.
Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/
Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com
Episode keywords: sibling rivalry, sibling conflict, teen conflict, family dynamics, parenting tips, sibling relationships
Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence
Over Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens
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 got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids.
Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr. lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence
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