Episodes

  • How to Talk to Kids About Scary Topics — A Parenting Q&A

    How to Talk to Kids About Scary Topics — A Parenting Q&A
    Dec 26 2025

    How do you talk to kids about the hard stuff — without making their worries worse?


    In this Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about how to talk with kids and teens about difficult, emotionally loaded topics in calm, developmentally appropriate ways.


    Drawing on clinical experience from his work at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Anderson walks through what helps — and what often backfires — when kids ask about scary news, big life fears, or sensitive issues at home.


    Topics covered in this episode include:


    • Talking to kids about anxiety, disasters, and frightening news
    • Helping children cope with worries about climate change
    • Supporting kids dealing with unkind friends or social rejection
    • How to respond when kids fear losing a parent
    • Discussing financial stress without passing on adult worry
    • How to talk about suicide safely and openly
    • Explaining substance use and addiction in age-appropriate ways

    Throughout the episode, Dr. Anderson emphasizes validation, honesty, emotional regulation, and keeping conversations open — even when a parent feels they didn’t handle a moment perfectly the first time.


    Related Articles & Resources

    • Helping Children Cope With Frightening News
    • Kids and Climate Anxiety
    • Big Talks: How to Have Important Conversations With Kids
    • Parents Guide to Problem Behavior
    • Tips for Communicating With Kids
    • Parents Guide to Substance Use and Mental Health
    • Anxiety Resources for Kids and Teens
    • Supporting vs. Enabling a Child With Challenges
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    34 mins
  • Raising Kids Who Can Handle the Real World

    Raising Kids Who Can Handle the Real World
    Dec 18 2025

    Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about what kids actually need to cope, connect, and grow up healthy today.


    They cover:

    • Why letting kids have big feelings builds resilience
    • How listening (not lecturing) strengthens connection
    • What parents get wrong about screens and tech
    • Why avoiding hard topics doesn’t protect kids
    • How everyday conversations shape empathy and judgment


    This episode is about practical, research-backed parenting — not perfection.

    • How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? - Child Mind Institute
    • Helping Kids Handle Big Emotions at Different Ages - Child Mind Institute
    • How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes - Melinda Wenner Moyer
    • Hello, Cruel World - Melinda Wenner Moyer
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    34 mins
  • Big Emotions, Meltdowns, and “I Can’t Do It”: Thriving Kids Q&A

    Big Emotions, Meltdowns, and “I Can’t Do It”: Thriving Kids Q&A
    Dec 11 2025

    Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A: Handling Big Feelings, Screen Time Battles, and More


    Join Dr. Dave Anderson in this special Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, where he addresses a range of parenting questions. From managing a 6-year-old's meltdowns over small issues to navigating screen time battles and teaching empathy between siblings, this episode covers it all. Dr. Anderson provides insightful advice on emotion regulation, developing coping skills, and setting effective boundaries. Learn how to talk to kids about inequality, media literacy, and tackle the common issues of homework difficulties and friendship dramas. Tune in for practical strategies to support your children's emotional and behavioral development.
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    37 mins
  • Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Kids with Dr. Marc Brackett

    Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Kids with Dr. Marc Brackett
    Dec 4 2025

    Dr. Dave Anderson and special guest Dr. Marc Brackett, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, discuss the importance of understanding and managing emotions, especially in today's world. Dr. Brackett shares insights from his books, 'Permission to Feel' and 'Dealing with Feeling', and highlights practical strategies for emotional regulation. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation offers valuable guidance on raising emotionally healthy children and the vital role of emotion regulation in achieving well-being and success.


    Further Reading from the Child Mind Institute

    • How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
    • How to Help Children Calm Down

    And more from Dr. Marc Brackett

    • Dealing with Feeling
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    42 mins
  • Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation for the Whole Family

    Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation for the Whole Family
    Nov 27 2025

    In this Q&A follow-up to last week’s Thanksgiving special, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions about emotional self-regulation, holiday expectations, and the stress that comes with getting everyone together under one roof.


    You’ll hear quick, practical guidance on:


    • Managing holiday expectations so you don’t end up disappointed
    • How much to plan during winter break
    • Loosening screen limits without losing control
    • What to do about kids who refuse holiday meals
    • Teens who disappear the moment break starts
    • Handling gift-giving reactions and gratitude
    • Protecting your own energy and avoiding resentment
    • Resetting when the day goes off the rails


    If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, we hope your day feels manageable. If you’re outside the U.S., these questions apply to any big family gathering — December holidays, birthdays, and every festival that brings people together.
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    27 mins
  • Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids

    Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids
    Nov 20 2025

    The holidays can feel like a marathon for parents — full of expectations, logistics, and emotions. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with clinical psychologist (and new parent) Dr. Kimberly Alexander about what she calls “running the gauntlet” of the holiday season.


    They unpack how to manage your own expectations, keep kids regulated, and handle tricky family moments — without losing your sense of humor or sanity.


    You’ll learn:


    • Why “know thy child” might be the best holiday mantra
    • How to balance structure and flexibility when school’s out
    • What to do when your child’s behavior doesn’t match your “perfect family” vision
    • How to set boundaries with relatives who take it personally
    • Tips for teaching gratitude and handling gift-giving meltdowns


    Dr. Alexander also shares what she calls “the Kim package” — her practical approach to balancing family needs, setting limits with grace, and remembering that every year looks different.


    Chapters (adjust as needed):

    00:00 – Welcome to Thriving Kids

    01:00 – Why the holidays can feel so intense for parents

    05:00 – The “perfect family” myth and social media pressure

    07:00 – “Know thy child”: tailoring expectations

    10:00 – Setting structure and boundaries that work

    13:00 – Handling relatives who push back

    17:00 – Teen dynamics and validation

    20:00 – Teaching gratitude (and managing disappointment)

    29:00 – Giving yourself grace


    Related resources:

    • childmind.org/article/helping-kids-cope-with-holiday-stress/
    • childmind.org/article/managing-family-stress-during-the-holidays/
    • childmind.org/article/helping-kids-cope-with-changes-in-routine/
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    33 mins
  • Your Questions about Talking to Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety, Answered

    Your Questions about Talking to Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety, Answered
    Nov 13 2025

    Parents sent in smart, honest questions about how to keep conversations about sex, consent, and safety going at home. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson from the Child Mind Institute answers questions about when to start, what’s age-appropriate, and how to talk about everything from consent to porn — without losing your kid’s trust.


    You’ll learn how to:

    • Start early with body boundaries and accurate language

    • Talk about consent in everyday life

    • Handle porn exposure and online curiosity

    • Balance privacy, safety, and your family’s values

    • Keep the door open even when teens roll their eyes



    Key topics


    • What age to start talking about sex and consent

    • How to explain the biology of reproduction without euphemisms

    • Setting boundaries and modeling consent in daily life

    • Talking about porn and online exposure without shame

    • Balancing privacy and safety with teens in relationships

    • How to share family values without sounding preachy

    • What to do if your teen is already sexually active

    • Keeping awkward conversations open and honest



    Resources mentioned


    Books

    • What Makes a Baby, Sex Is a Funny Word, You Know, Sex – Cory Silverberg

    • Being You and Yes! No! – Megan Madison


    Organizations & platforms

    • Peer Health Exchange

    • Selfsea – digital platform by Peer Health Exchange with stories and tools created with and for young people

    • Planned Parenthood – resources and education for sexual and reproductive health


    Further reading

    • How to Talk to Kids About Sex and Boundaries – Child Mind Institute

    • How to Talk to Your Kids About Porn – TIME, by Dr. Dave Anderson

    • Talk to Your Kids About Sex and Healthy Relationships – health.gov

    • The Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages (And Their Parents!) – Parents / AAP
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    30 mins
  • How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety

    How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety
    Nov 6 2025
    Talking to kids about sex, consent, and safety can feel intimidating — or like something you’d rather put off. But kids are already getting information from somewhere, and it’s not always accurate or safe. In this episode of Thriving Kids, clinical psychologist and host Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Angela Glymph, CEO of Peer Health Exchange, about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations that protect kids, affirm who they are, and strengthen your relationship with them.They break down what “comprehensive sex education” really means, how to start early with body autonomy and consent, and how to keep the conversation going through elementary school, middle school, and the teen years — without needing to be a “perfect” expert.GuestDr. Angela Glymph is the CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a national youth nonprofit dedicated to helping young people stay safe, healthy, and affirmed — no matter who they are or where they live. Her work centers adolescent health equity, social-emotional learning, and youth-led, inclusive health education. She’s also a parent, navigating these conversations at home herself.In this episode, we discuss:What comprehensive sex education actually includes (it’s more than just “the talk”)Why medically accurate, truthful information keeps kids saferHow kids really learn about sex, consent, and relationships (school, peers, online, social media)The benefits of giving kids good information vs. leaving them to “figure it out”How to teach body autonomy and consent starting in early childhoodWhy using correct terms (like vulva, penis, sperm, egg) mattersHow to build on the conversation in elementary school, middle school, and beyondWhen and how to talk about contraception, STIs, and safetyWhy abstinence can be part of the conversation — but not the whole thingHow to respond if your teen is already sexually activeWhat to do if you feel too awkward or underqualified to have these talksThe myth that teens don’t want to talk to parents about sex (and why it’s wrong)Age-by-age: Laying the groundworkAges 3–5 (early childhood)Simple yes/no and body boundariesNaming body parts accurately (including genitals)Basic explanation of where babies come from using truthful, simple language (e.g., sperm and egg)Ages 6–8 (early elementary)Building on earlier explanations with more biologyTalking about different family structures and ways babies come into familiesNormalizing questions and curiosityAges 9–11 (upper elementary)Puberty: what’s happening in their changing bodiesFactual explanation of sexual intercourse and pregnancy in developmentally appropriate termsIntroducing contraception and safety basicsReinforcing body autonomy and boundariesAges 12+ (middle & high school)Relationships, identity, and decision-makingMore detailed conversations about contraception, STIs, and safer sexConsent in the context of romantic and sexual experiencesHow to think about risks, pressure, and personal valuesKey takeaways for parentsIf kids don’t get information from you or other trusted adults, they will seek it elsewhere — online, from peers, or pornography.Comprehensive sex education is lifesaving: it helps prevent unintended pregnancy, STIs, and sexual violence, and it builds communication skills kids use far beyond this topic.Using medically accurate terms normalizes the conversation and gives kids language to advocate for themselves and report if something is wrong.Abstinence is a valid choice and part of comprehensive education — but it shouldn’t be the entire message.You don’t have to do this alone: your pediatrician, your child’s school, faith community, and trusted adults (like an aunt/uncle or family friend) can all help.Teens may act like they don’t want to talk to you, but many do want open, nonjudgmental conversations — they’re also trying to figure out how to approach you.Resources mentioned in the episodeBooks for kids & familiesCory Silverberg – books about bodies, reproduction, and growing up (including What Makes a Baby and later titles for older kids and teens)Megan Madison – Being You and Yes! No! (early childhood books covering gender, consent, and body autonomy)Organizations & platformsPeer Health Exchange – comprehensive, inclusive, peer-led health educationSelfsea (selfsea.org) – Peer Health Exchange’s digital platform created with and for young people, including stories and resources on sex, consent, and talking to parentsPlanned Parenthood – education and resources for teens and parents on sexual and reproductive healthFurther readingTalk to Your Kids About Sex and Healthy Relationships – health.govhttps://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/sexual-health/talk-your-kids-about-sex-and-healthy-relationshipsThe Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages (And Their Parents!) – Healthy Children / AAPhttps://www.parents.com/kids/health/best-sex-education-books-for-kids-by-age/How to Talk to Kids ...
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    37 mins