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:

Your Questions About School Success, Answered Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

How do you help your child do well in school — without constant stress or conflict?

In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about supporting kids’ academic success. He covers how to support teens when they're unmotivated, what to do when school doesn’t fit your child’s learning style, balancing activities without burnout, keeping kids focused when they’re not interested, what to do when kids say they “hate school,” and how to talk about grades without piling on pressure.

What you’ll learn:

• How to use motivational interviewing to help teens set their own academic goals
• How to collaborate with teachers on realistic supports for neurodivergent learners
• Drop-off rituals and coping strategies for separation anxiety
• A developmental checklist for balancing school, activities, and downtime
• Practical focus hacks: participation checklists and active note-taking
• Visual cues and positive reinforcement to build independence in organization
• Shifting the conversation from grades and achievement to effort and process

Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org.

How Do I Help My Child Do Well in School? Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

How can I help my child do better in school — without pushing too hard or taking over? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Adam Zamora, a neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute, to talk about how to build the habits, mindset, and support systems that help kids thrive academically. From kindergarten through college, they cover everything from procrastination and motivation to homework battles, parent-teacher communication, and how to know when it’s time to get extra support.

Key topics include:

Building a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset
Supporting effective homework routines (without micromanaging)
When to push, when to scaffold, and when to step back
How to work with schools and teachers as part of your child’s “village”
The value of neuropsych evaluations and what they actually tell us
Prepping kids for college success — academically and emotionally

Further reading

College Readiness Toolkit – Child Mind Institute
Strategies to Make Homework Go More Smoothly – Child Mind Institute

Your Questions About Parenting Teens, Answered Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Parenting teenagers can feel like a rollercoaster — mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, spotting the signs of depression, and helping teens cope with rejection and social media comparison.

Have a question for a future episode? Email podcast@childmind.org.

Bonus Episode: Kids, Tech, and Mental Health with Dr. Jonathan Haidt Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt for a live conversation on how smartphones and social media are transforming childhood — and what parents, schools, and policymakers can do in response.

Recorded at Guild Hall in East Hampton, they discuss the questions raised in Dr. Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — including the points they see differently.

They talk candidly about screen time, youth anxiety, social media “addiction,” digital literacy, tech regulation, and why we’re seeing such sharp mental health shifts in teens and tweens. Whether you’re alarmed by what you see on your kid’s phone or just looking for practical next steps, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and room for multiple perspectives.

Topics include:

The “post-play childhood” and decline in free time
When (and if) kids should be using social media
Why phones in schools are so hard to manage
Where tech harms hit boys and girls differently
What parents can do now — even if the genie’s already out of the bottle

Further reading

The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt
Screen Time and Technology Resources – Child Mind Institute

Special thanks to Guild Hall and the Hamptons Institute for hosting this event and to journalist and filmmaker Perri Peltz for moderating with insight and care.

Supporting Your Teen Through the Tough Years Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Raising a teenager isn’t easy — but it is possible to stay connected. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Janine Domingues to explore how caregivers can support teens through adolescence — from emotional shutdowns to risky behavior to the weird world of YouTube.

Together they unpack:

• What’s really going on in the adolescent brain
• How to connect with your teen even if they won’t talk to you
• The power of shared rituals, from car rides to diner breakfasts
• Why you should care about what they care about (yes, even Minecraft)
• How to model communication — and stay regulated when they roll their eyes
• Tips for keeping teens safe around drugs, alcohol, social media, and more
• What to do when your teen shuts you out

Whether your child is 13 or 18, this conversation offers practical insights for building trust, maintaining open communication, and guiding kids through one of the most intense developmental phases of their lives.

Further reading

Communicating with Teens – Child Mind Institute
How do I help my child through the challenges they face in the teen years? – Child Mind Institute

Q&A: Your Questions About Kids' Self-Esteem, Answered Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

How do you help your child feel confident in who they are without putting pressure on them to be perfect or the best at everything?

In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers questions from listeners about how to support self-esteem in kids and teens. Building healthy self-worth isn’t just about praise — it’s about helping young people feel capable, valued, and grounded even when life is hard or they fall short. Drawing from clinical insight and everyday parenting strategies, Dr. Anderson tackles common concerns around negative self-talk, comparison, perfectionism, and how to model healthy self-esteem as an adult.

Topics include:

How to build kids’ confidence without making them feel entitled
What to do when your child says “I’m stupid” or “I hate myself”
Helping kids avoid harmful social media comparisons
Encouraging risk-taking when kids are afraid to fail
Supporting kids when they hear something unkind from a peer
Knowing the difference between low self-esteem and a rough patch
What to do when a child’s self-esteem depends on one area (like sports)
Moving beyond achievement as a source of pride
How to support perfectionists without reinforcing pressure
Why how you talk about yourself matters — and how to model healthy self-worth

How to Help Children Build Healthy Self-Esteem Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

In a world full of comparison — from the classroom to social media — it’s not always easy for kids to feel confident, capable, and valued just as they are. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Jenny Louie, a psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, to explore how parents can help children develop healthy self-esteem.

You’ll hear about creating a safe, supportive home environment, encouraging healthy challenges, and finding the right balance between nurturing and pushing kids to grow. Dr. Louie shares practical, real-world examples (including some from her own life) that show how small shifts in what we say and do can make a big difference in how kids see themselves.

You'll learn:

Why unconditional love is the foundation of self-esteem
Why it's good to encourage kids to try new things — even when they’re nervous
Why effort matters more than achievement
How to help kids recover from mistakes and “beautiful oopses”
How to support self-esteem in the teen years

Further reading

12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids – Child Mind Institute
(Video) How to Help Kids Build Healthy Self-Esteem – Child Mind Institute

Q&A: Kids and Friendships Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

What do you do when your child is struggling to make friends, or causing conflict with the friends they have? In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents and caregivers about how to help kids build and maintain healthy relationships, from early childhood through the teen years.

We cover:

How to explain that not everyone will like you — and that’s okay
What to do if your child doesn’t seem to have “real” friendships
How to support your child’s social life if you’re a shy parent
How to help a tween handle peer rejection
What to do when your teen gossips or ghosts their friends
How to respond to “bossy” behavior in younger kids
Why teen friendships can sometimes feel toxic — especially among girls
What to do when an older sibling is being unkind
How to recognize emotional dependence in friendships
Tips for supporting a child with ADHD who struggles socially

Whether your child is 6 or 16, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you guide them toward strong, supportive friendships — and build the social-emotional skills they’ll use for life.

Further reading

(Video) Being a Good Friend in Hedgehog Land – from the Child Mind Institute's Emmy and Webby-nominated series for young kids, featuring music by Lake Street Dive
How to Help Teens Through a Friendship Breakup – Child Mind Institute
How to Help Kids Who Are Lonely – Child Mind Institute

How to Help Kids Build Positive, Healthy Friendships Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Friendships are a major part of growing up — but they don’t always come easy. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Mandi Silverman, a psychologist and member of the Child Mind Institute’s Clinical Advisory Council, about how to support your child’s social development at every age.

From navigating playdates to managing screen-based relationships, they unpack what’s typical (and what’s not), how to encourage connection, and what to do when your child seems left out. Whether your child is struggling to make friends or just figuring out who they click with, this episode offers practical guidance and real-world perspectives.

Further reading

• Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends – Child Mind Institute

• How to Help Kids Who Are Lonely – Child Mind Institute

Your Questions About Challenging Behavior, Answered Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

In this first Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real parenting questions about kids’ behavior — what it is, how to shape it, and how to support children through challenges.

We cover:

How to handle lying, even when kids show no remorse
Teaching respect, kindness, and standing up for others
Whether there’s such a thing as “good” or “bad” behavior
What to do when boys’ behavior becomes more destructive as they grow
How to help kids recognize areas for growth without shame
What to do when a high-energy child is sensitive to feedback

Further reading

Common Causes of Behavior Problems in Kids – Child Mind Institute
Why Do Kids Act Out? – Child Mind Institute
Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It – Child Mind Institute

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