Thriving Kids

Parenting can feel overwhelming when kids struggle with anxiety, behavior, school, or big emotions. Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers who want clear, honest answers about child and adolescent mental health.

Hosted by Dr. Dave Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode focuses on a common parenting challenge — from tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies grounded in science.

You’ll hear direct, expert guidance from clinicians who work with kids and families every day.

New episodes every week, with companion newsletters for easy reference.

Latest Episodes:

Q&A: Back-to-School Survival Guide Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Back-to-school season can bring a lot of excitement, but it can also bring anxiety — stressful mornings, friendship worries, homework battles, and questions about how to help kids adjust after summer break.

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson tackles some of the biggest concerns families face as a new school year begins. From how to tell the difference between normal first-day jitters and more serious anxiety to how to reset kids’ sleep routines after summer, Dr. Dave offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies you can put into practice right away.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:

How to recognize the difference between typical back-to-school nerves and anxiety that may require extra support
Practical ways to reset sleep schedules, screen time, and morning routines after the summer break
How to help children build friendships and navigate worries about fitting in
Why stomachaches and headaches can sometimes be signs of anxiety — and when to seek a medical evaluation
Strategies for supporting students with ADHD, learning disorders, and executive functioning challenges
How to partner effectively with teachers at the beginning of the school year

Key Takeaways

Small, gradual routine changes make the back-to-school transition easier for children.
Anxiety about going to school is common, but persistent school avoidance can benefit from early support.
Strong parent-teacher partnerships help children succeed academically and emotionally.
Sleep, consistent routines, and healthy technology habits create a stronger foundation for learning.
Family schedules should prioritize wellness, not just productivity.

Further Reading

Back-to-School Hub

The Child Mind Institute’s comprehensive collection of expert advice for preparing children and families for the new school year.

Help for School Refusal

Managing Back-to-School Anxiety

Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Caroline Maguire, an ADHD and executive function coach and author of Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. They discuss friendship, social anxiety, and how neurodivergent kids and teens can build more authentic relationships without feeling pressured to hide or “mask” who they are.

In this episode, they cover:

• What masking is and how it can affect kids’ mental health
• Why getting support for social skills doesn’t mean people need to abandon their authentic selves
• How black-and-white thinking can make social situations feel more painful
• How parents, clinicians, and coaches can help kids build confidence in relationships

Key takeaways

• Masking — hiding how you really feel — can help people get through social situations, but over time it may lead to anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, and disconnection from the self.

• Neuro-affirming social support should help kids and adults connect with others while still honoring their own needs, values, and personalities.

• Social mistakes are part of being human, and over-apologizing or repeatedly revisiting them can make anxiety worse.

• Black-and-white thinking can turn a mostly positive interaction into something that feels like a failure.

• Building authentic friendships often starts with understanding your own patterns, communicating your needs, and finding people who appreciate you as you are.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:

The basic habits that support kids’ long-term mental health
How sleep affects mood, focus, behavior, and stress
What to do when kids push back hard against bedtime
Why “pointless” hobbies can still build pride, confidence, and identity
How to help kids practice flexible thinking when faced with a challenge

Further Reading

How to Future-Proof Kids for an Uncertain World Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson welcomes back Dr. Lisa Damour for a conversation about how parents can help kids prepare for an uncertain future. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Damour explains why the most protective tools are often the simplest: sleep, safety, family connection, coping skills, and opportunities for kids to develop interests that truly belong to them.

In this episode, they cover:

• Why sleep is one of the most important foundations for kids’ mental health
• How safety, structure, and clear limits help kids feel secure
• Why family meals can matter even when the conversation is not perfect
• How hobbies help kids build confidence, identity, and coping skills
• Why parents should make room for interests that are not tied to achievement
• What families can do now to help kids face an unpredictable future

Key takeaways

• Sleep is one of the strongest protections for kids’ mental health, learning, attention, mood, and emotional regulation.

• Parents do not need to control every part of a child’s future, but they can build routines and expectations that help kids feel grounded.

• Safety is a reasonable area for parents to be firm about, including issues like seatbelts, helmets, substance use, and other non-negotiables.

• Family meals are not valuable because they are always magical; they matter because they create warmth, structure, and regular connection.

• Hobbies give kids a sense of ownership, pride, mastery, and healthy coping that may not come from school or achievement alone.

Further Reading

Signs a Child Might Be Suicidal

Reducing Suicide Risk With Safety Plans

Supporting Children After the Suicide of a Classmate

Complete Guide to Emergency Hospitalization

An Expert Perspective at the Intersection of Journalism and Mental Health Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by NBC News anchor and Senior National Correspondent Kate Snow for a conversation about journalism, mental health, and the power of telling stories that can reduce stigma. Kate discusses how personal loss shaped her reporting on mental health, as well as suicide prevention, substance use, access to care, and the systems that families often have to navigate during moments of crisis.

In this episode, they cover:

• Why journalists can play an important role in reducing stigma
• What Kate has learned from reporting on teen mental health, substance use, and access to care
• Why transitions or experiencing a loss of purpose can be mental health risk factors
• How young people are broadening conversations about mental health

Key takeaways

• Sharing personal stories about mental health can help people feel less alone and make it easier for them to seek support.

• Suicide loss can be traumatic for an entire family, and talking about it thoughtfully may help reduce shame and stigma.

• Young people may be more open to conversations about mental health than previous generations, but they still need trusted adults and systems that can respond when they ask for help.

Further Reading

Teen Self-Diagnosis and How to Respond, Child Mind Institute

When Parent and Child Both Have ADHD, Child Mind Institute

Q&A: Setting Healthy Screen Limits and Supporting Kids’ Well-Being Offline Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Candice Odgers about kids, social media, and what the research really says about screens and youth mental health.

Dr. Dave discusses how parents can set healthy limits around phone use without reacting out of fear, why screens are often part of a much bigger picture, and how families can focus on the core drivers of kids’ well-being — including sleep, school, friendships, family connection, offline activities, and caregiver mental health. He also explains how to respond when kids see something upsetting online, how to manage parent anxiety around tech headlines, and how to model healthier screen habits at home.

This episode offers practical guidance for helping kids use technology more intentionally, while keeping the focus on connection, communication, and the everyday habits that help children thrive.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:

How to tell the difference between healthy phone limits and fear-based reactions
Why screens should be considered in the context of a child’s whole life
What to focus on first when you’re worried about a child’s mental health
How to respond when kids see something upsetting online
Why parents should avoid passing tech anxiety on to kids
Why caregiver mental health is a major driver of child well-being
How to approach online risk when a child is already struggling offline

Further Reading
How to Set Limits on Screen Time

Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages

How Phones Ruin Concentration
Common Sense Media
American Association of Pediatrics

What the Research Really Says About Kids, Phones, and Mental Health Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Candice Odgers, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine, whose research focuses on adolescent mental health and the role of smartphones and social media in kids’ daily lives. Together, they discuss what the evidence does — and does not — show about technology and youth mental health, and why the most popular explanations are not always the most accurate.

In this episode, they cover:

• What current research can tell us about the relationship between smartphones and social media and adolescent mental health — and why correlation does not necessarily prove causation
• How adult anxiety about technology can shape the way we talk about kids
• Why family conflict, school stress, and peer relationships are still central factors affecting youth mental health

Key takeaways

• The research on social media and youth mental health is more complicated than many headlines suggest.

• Many studies show associations between screen use and mental health symptoms, but that does not mean screens are the primary cause.

• Family conflict, pressure to succeed at school, peer stress, and caregiver mental health are major factors that affect young people’s well-being.

• Tech companies should be held accountable, but blaming social media alone can distract from other urgent supports kids and families need.

• Parents can help kids more effectively by investing in relationships, routines, school support, and open conversations rather than focusing only on restrictions.

Further reading
What We're Getting Wrong About Teens and Tech
Screen Time & Technology
Does Social Media Use Cause Depression?
How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers
Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages
How Much Should You Monitor Your Teen’s Social Media?