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: Your Questions about Your & Your Child's Mental Health Jun 11, 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. Alfiee about youth mental health, community care, and what it really means to help young people thrive.

Dr. Dave discusses how parents can talk with kids about mental health without making them feel like something is “wrong” with them, how to help children process stressful news and current events, and how families can think about social media in a balanced way. He also explores the mental health needs of marginalized kids, how to reduce stigma around therapy — especially for boys and young men — and why community support can make parenting feel less isolating.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:

What to do when kids are stressed by politics, current events, or frightening news
How to balance concerns about social media with the belonging some kids find online
What parents should understand about the mental health needs of marginalized kids
How to reduce stigma around therapy, anxiety, depression, and asking for help
Why boys and young men may need extra support talking about emotions
Realistic ways to build community around parenting and caregiving
What parents can do while waiting for therapy or additional support

Further Reading
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event

Helping Children Cope With Frightening News

Mental Health Challenges of LGBTQ+ Kids

Mental Health Support for Black Families

Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Black Adolescent Boys

What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious

Video Library

Family Resource Center

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health and Your Own With Dr. Alfiee Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble — better known as Dr. Alfiee — psychologist, founder of The AAKOMA Project, and author of Rise and Thrive: An intentional guide to caring for your mental health. Together, they discuss youth mental health, the importance of community-based care, and how parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals can better support young people as they navigate stress, stigma, social media, and the challenges of growing up today.

In this episode, they cover:

How political news, social media, and stigma affect young people’s emotional well-being
Why social media can be both risky and meaningful for marginalized kids
How community-based organizations can help make mental health care more accessible
Why representation, empathy, and cultural understanding matter in mental health support

Key takeaways

· Young people are managing a wide range of stressors, including anxiety, depression, political unrest, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.

· Social media can pose real risks for kids and teens, but it can also provide connection, community, and support — especially for young people who may feel isolated offline.

· Stigma remains a major barrier to mental health care, even as conversations about mental health become more common in popular culture.

· Community-based organizations can play a powerful role in helping families access mental health support from people they already know and trust.

· Representation matters, but so does what Dr. Alfiee calls an “empathy match” — the feeling that someone understands your experience and can meet you with compassion.

Further reading

Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids

Why Childhood Anxiety Often Goes Undetected

Treating Anxiety in Kids by Working With Parents

Panic Attacks and How to Treat Them

Anxiety and the Brain May 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon whoseprofession and personal story gives him a rare perspective on mental health.

Dr. Hoeflinger shares how his brother’s traumatic brain injury first inspired him to pursue neurosurgery, howchronic panic attacks shaped his adolescence and early professional life, and how the loss of his son changed the way he speaks publicly about grief, purpose, and prevention.

They also discuss what parents should understand about panic, head injuries, and the everyday choices that support a healthier brain.

This conversation is both practical and deeply human — a reminder that the brain is powerful, fragile, resilient, and still full of mystery.

In this episode, they cover:

How childhood panic attacks affected Dr. Hoeflinger’s life and career
Why anxiety can be treated more effectively when kids get support early
What neurosurgery can teach us about staying calm during crisis
Why sleep, movement, and overall wellness matter for brain health
How grief can reshape a person’s purpose, perspective, and voice

Further information on these topics from the Child Mind Institute:

Why Childhood Anxiety Often Goes Undetected

Panic Attacks and How to Treat Them

Behavioral Treatment for Kids With Anxiety

Q&A: Parental Stress May 14, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ questions about the intense stress that can come with raising young children. Inspired by his recent conversation with pediatrician Dr. Lauren Hughes, this episode focuses on the early years of parenting: feeding decisions, sleepless nights, emotional overload, relationship strain, and the pressure many parents feel to do everything “right.”

Dr. Dave also explains how parents can recognize when stress is affecting their mood, relationships, or ability to function — and why asking for extra support is not a failure.

He covers:

• Supporting moms and birthing parents around breastfeeding, formula, and feeding pressure
• Creating emotional safety at home
• Navigating sleepless nights and early infant care
• Avoiding comparison around developmental milestones
• Knowing when to seek early intervention or professional guidance
• Staying connected as a family during the early years of parenting
• Practical self-care habits for overwhelmed parents

Key takeaways

• A parent’s mental health matters, especially during the early years when stress and sleep deprivation can be intense.
• Supporting a partner often starts with asking what would actually help, not making them carry the burden of explaining everything.
• Developmental milestones matter, but children grow at different rates, and variation is normal.
• Self-care does not have to be expensive or time-consuming; small changes in sleep, hydration, movement, relationships, or screen use can help parents feel more grounded.

Further reading

• 8 Self-Care Tips for Parents
• [Video] How can I take care of myself to be the best parent I can be?
• Mindful Parenting

How to Deal With Parenting Stress May 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lauren Hughes, a board-certified pediatrician, mother of three, and trusted voice for realistic, evidence-based parenting guidance. Together, they explore the stress and pressure parents can face in the first years of raising a child, from navigating developmental milestones to feeding choices and methods for sleep training. Dr. Hughes also offers practical tips on how to support your child’s well-being without neglecting your own. This conversation can help parents separate common worries from real concerns learn to prioritize connection over perfection.

In this episode, they cover:

Why “weird but normal” child behaviors are often part of healthy development
When to seek an evaluation or early intervention if something feels off
Why feeding choices — breastfeeding, formula, or supplementation — should support both you and your child
How to approach sleep training without one-size-fits-all pressure
And why repair, connection, and physical and emotional safety are key to raising thriving kids

Further reading
Complete Guide to Developmental Milestones

Choosing a Sleep Training Program That Works for Your Family

The Public Hughesletter

Q&A: Dyslexia Myths, Learning Differences, and How to Help Your Child Thrive Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parent questions sparked by the Orlando Bloom conversation, focusing on dyslexia myths, practical at-home learning strategies, self-esteem, movement and focus, AI tools, and the emotional impact of learning differences. He explains what dyslexia actually is, why evaluation and targeted support matter, and how parents can help kids understand a learning disorder in a way that feels honest, empowering, and grounded in their full identity — not just their struggle.

Show Notes

· What dyslexia really is — and why letter reversals are not required for a diagnosis.

· How schools and neuropsychological testing can identify reading, writing, or math-related learning disorders.

· At-home strategies that may help kids learn, including writing things out by hand, trying creative workarounds, and measuring what actually improves retention or task completion.

· How to protect a child’s self-esteem when they feel “stupid” or defeated by school.

· Why movement breaks can help with focus, and how to talk with teachers about using them thoughtfully and effectively.

· Where the line is between AI as a helpful learning tool and AI as a crutch.

· Whether learning differences can be linked to strengths like creativity, resilience, or big-picture thinking — and what the research can and can’t say yet.

· Signs that a learning disability may be affecting a child’s anxiety, mood, identity, or school engagement beyond academics.

· How parents can talk about a learning disorder in a way that is truthful, supportive, and empowering.

Relevant Links from the Child Mind Institute

· Understanding Dyslexia: Signs of Dyslexia in Kids

· Inside an Evaluation for Learning Disorders

· How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Disabilities

Orlando Bloom on Growing Up With Dyslexia Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

This week on Thriving Kids, I’m joined by actor Orlando Bloom. He talks about growing up with dyslexia, including the challenges he faced paying attention and concentrating in school, and how he developed his own workarounds before many of today’s evidence-based supports existed. We also discuss how movement, mindfulness, good nutrition, and sleep can help kids
(and adults) manage attention and learning challenges — and why every child should discover their area of excellence.
In this episode, we cover:

• Orlando Bloom’s experience growing up with dyslexia
• How learning disabilities can affect confidence and school performance
• Why diagnosis and support matter
• Practical strategies for reading, memorization, and focus
• The role of movement, mindfulness, and routine in mental health
• How parents can help children build resilience and self-belief
• Why neurodiversity includes both challenges and strengths

Further reading from the Child Mind Institute:
• Understanding Dyslexia - https://childmind.org/article/understanding-dyslexia/
• ADHD and Exercise - https://childmind.org/article/adhd-and-exercise/
• The Power of Mindfulness - https://childmind.org/article/the-power-of-mindfulness/

Q&A: Your Questions About Learning Disabilities Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

In this Thriving Kids Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson explains how parents can recognize early signs of dyslexia, ADHD, and learning disabilities, advocate for school support, and protect their child’s self-esteem while they struggle academically. This episode offers practical guidance on evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans, reading intervention, ADHD treatment, and why early support can change a child’s trajectory.

In this episode, we cover:

· Early signs of dyslexia and learning disabilities

· ADHD in kids and why it’s not just about trying harder

· When to ask for a school evaluation

· IEPs, 504 plans, and school accommodations

· The emotional impact of academic struggles

· How early intervention supports confidence and long-term success

· What parents can do when teachers say a child will “grow out of it”

Podcast Links

· Understanding Dyslexia

· Getting Support From Your Child’s School

· Inside an Evaluation for Learning Disorders

What Every Parent (and Non-Parent) Should Know About Learning Disabilities Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

What happens when systems built to support kids with learning disabilities change? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, to discuss the state of learning disability support across the country, from early screening and phonics-based reading instruction to IEP protections and the real concerns parents are raising right now about changes at the Department of Education.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone who cares about public education, this conversation is for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) — https://ncld.org/

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) — https://ncld.org/join-the-movement/understand-the-issues/learn-the-law/

Further reading:

· How Kids Learn to Read – Child Mind Institute

· Learning Disabilities and Self-Advocacy – Child Mind Institute

· Quick Guide to Specific Learning Disorder – Child Mind Institute