Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life

Latest Episodes:

222: The Summer of Building Independence Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Are you tired of doing EVERYTHING for your kids? Use summer as Independence Bootcamp! Dr. Lisa & Reena explore game-changing strategies to empower kids with life skills, from doing laundry to riding public transportation to managing personal appointments. Discover the powerful "doing for, doing with, standing by to admire" technique that turns chores into confidence-building moments. Lisa also shares a strategy that instantly shuts down negotiation battles. This episode is your roadmap to raising self-sufficient, resilient kids who actually want to help around the house.

We want to hear from you! What's the most challenging chore you've taught your kids?

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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.

Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: independence, summer, chores, life skills, responsibility, self-reliance, household management, teen autonomy, summer parenting

Show 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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221: Encore: What’s the Best Way for My Teen to Handle a Mean “Friend”? May 27, 2025

Show notes

Is your middle schooler or high schooler dealing with a so-called “friend” who’s just… mean? You’re not alone. Tweens and teens often struggle with toxic friendships, and it’s tough for parents to know when to step in—and how. In this episode, Dr. Lisa & Reena help a parent navigate one of the most common challenges of adolescence: friendship drama. Learn how to coach your child through unhealthy peer dynamics, when to give advice (and when to hold back), and how to help teens build healthy, supportive relationships.

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Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: teen friendships, toxic friends, mean girl behavior, middle school drama, emotional resilience, parenting advice, peer pressure, social skills for teens, teen mental health

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220: How to Stay Connected When Teens Pull Away. Guests: Gordon Neufeld, PhD & Gabor Maté, MD May 20, 2025

Show notes

Are you struggling to connect with your teenager in the digital age? Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufeld join Reena & Dr. Lisa to reveal groundbreaking insights into parent-child relationships, tech addiction, and the secret to maintaining a strong bond during the challenging teen years. Discover the neuroscience of attachment, the dangers of digital devices, and how to create a warm, supportive environment that helps teens thrive. This episode is a must-listen for any parent feeling lost or frustrated in the parenting journey.

We want to hear from you! What's your biggest challenge in connecting with your teenager?

Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers: https://neufeldinstitute.org/resources/hold-on-to-your-kids-book/

Learn more about Children & Screens.

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Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: attachment, digital addiction, neuroscience, family relationships, communication, social media, parenting tips, dr gordon neufeld, dr gabor maté, hold on to your kids

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219: My Kid is a Hypochondriac. What Can I Do? May 13, 2025

Show notes

Is your child constantly worried about their health, thinking that every minor ache or pain could be a potential medical crisis? Dr. Lisa and Reena dive deep into the world of illness anxiety disorder (aka "hypochondria"), revealing why teens obsess over health symptoms and how parents can compassionately support their anxious kids. Learn expert strategies to distinguish between real medical concerns and anxiety-driven health fears, understand the psychological roots of health obsessions, and discover practical tools to help your child break free from constant worry. From social media's impact on body image to the hidden emotional triggers behind health anxieties, this episode is a must-listen for parents navigating the complex landscape of teen mental health.

We want to hear from you! Share in the comments: Has your child ever struggled with health anxiety, and how did you handle it?

Online illness anxiety course with downloadable workbook.

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Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: hypochondria, illness anxiety disorder, health anxiety, body image, teenage stress, medical fears

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218: Is it Ever Okay for Me to Yell at My Kids? May 06, 2025

Show notes

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Are you a parent who finds yourself yelling more often than you'd like? In this episode, Dr. Lisa & Reena tackle the tough topic of parenting stress and frequent yelling. Dr. Lisa offers compassionate insights into why parents lose their cool, the potential long-term consequences of constant yelling, and practical strategies to manage stress and communicate more effectively with children. Learn how to recognize your stress triggers, repair past damage, and create a more peaceful home environment. This episode offers hope and real-world solutions for parents feeling stretched thin.

We want to hear from you! What's your biggest parenting stress trigger?

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

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Episode Keywords: yelling, stress, communication, discipline, consequences, stress management, parent-child relationship, emotional regulation, parenting strategies

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217: Embracing ADHD with Penn and Kim Holderness Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Are you struggling to understand ADHD and support your neurodivergent child? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with the Holderness Family, viral content creators who are taking the shame out of ADHD by talking openly about the benefits–and real challenges–that come with the diagnosis. Penn and Kim Holderness dive deep into their personal journey, sharing raw, hilarious, and compassionate insights about living with ADHD, emotional regulation, and building stronger family relationships.

We want to hear from you! What's your biggest challenge in supporting a child with ADHD, and what strategy from this episode resonated most with you?

ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD

Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD

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Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: the holderness family, penn holderness, kim holderness, adhd, adhd is awesome, neurodiversity, attention disorder

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216: How Do We Get Kids to Stop Fat Shaming? Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Are your kids participating in or experiencing fat shaming at school or online?

Dr. Lisa and Reena dive deep into the disturbing trend of weight-based bullying among teens. Discover why friends are targeting each other, how social media normalizes harmful body-shaming behaviors, and learn critical strategies that parents can use to support their children. This episode provides essential guidance for navigating body image conversations and protecting teens' mental health. Whether your child might be a victim, bystander, or unknowingly participating in these harmful dynamics, this podcast offers compassionate, actionable advice for families.

We want to hear from you! Have you witnessed fat shaming among teens, and how have you addressed it?

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Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: body shaming, fat shaming, bullying, social media, weight, tiktok, adolescence, body image, teen insecurities, weight-based victimization, adolescent psychology

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215: Is It Possible to Talk About Feelings Too Much? Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Are you drowning in emotional conversations with your teen? In this episode Dr. Lisa and Reena examine the critical line between healthy emotional processing and harmful rumination. They discuss how to support teenagers' mental health without letting feelings dominate, how to redirect emotional spirals, and empower teens to manage their emotions effectively. Whether your child overshares or stays completely closed off, this episode offers compassionate, expert guidance for navigating the complex emotional landscape of the teenage years while building trust and resilience.

We want to hear from you! How do you help your teen process difficult emotions without getting stuck?

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents: https://drlisadamour.com/books/the-emotional-lives-of-teenagers/

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Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlists. Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen: https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Episode Keywords: teen emotions, anxiety, rumination, emotional regulation, teenage communication, coping skills, self-care, emotional intelligence, social emotional learning

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214: Should I Let My Son Spend All His Free Time Playing Video Games? Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlist.

Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen:

https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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Are video games interfering with your child's social life, or could they be a secret weapon for connection and skill-building? In this episode, Dr. Lisa challenges parents' assumptions about gaming, revealing surprising benefits like spatial skill development and peer socialization while also addressing the critical importance of balancing screen time with real-world interactions. If your child is a gaming enthusiast or you're concerned about screen time, this episode provides nuanced, research-backed guidance for navigating the digital entertainment landscape.

We want to hear from you! What's your biggest challenge with your child's video game habits?

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Episode Keywords: video games, socialization, family activities, sports, balance, technology, youth culture

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213: Lessons from Netflix's "Adolescence" Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Check out our Ask Lisa Podcast Playlist.

Binge specific topics like Raising Sons, Staying Connected to Your Teen:

https://www.youtube.com/@asklisapodcast/playlists

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What does it truly mean to raise an adolescent boy in today’s world? In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour analyzes the Netflix miniseries “Adolescence,” diving deep into the emotional challenges boys face, the pressures of societal expectations around masculinity, and how parents can offer meaningful support. From helping boys navigate anger and vulnerability to managing online culture, this conversation offers insights for parents who want to better understand their sons and build stronger relationships with them.

We want to hear from you! How have you navigated emotional challenges with your adolescent son?

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents: https://drlisadamour.com/books/the-emotional-lives-of-teenagers/

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys: https://www.michaelthompson-phd.com/books/raising-cain/

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Episode Keywords:

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