Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist who's spent decades working with adolescents, and this podcast puts her expertise to work on the questions parents actually lose sleep over. Co-hosted by former journalist Reena Ninan, episodes drop every Tuesday and run about 25 to 40 minutes, which is the right length for a commute or a quiet moment after the kids are in bed. The show has racked up 261 episodes and a 4.8-star rating from over 760 reviews. Listeners consistently say it's changed how they parent, and that tracks with the approach. Dr. Damour doesn't deal in vague reassurances. She explains the psychology behind teen behavior in a way that actually helps you respond differently in the moment. When she talks about why your teenager suddenly won't talk to you, or why your tween is obsessed with social media, the explanations land because they're grounded in clinical research without sounding like a textbook. Topics range from screen time battles and peer pressure to anxiety management, identity exploration, and how to talk about hard subjects without shutting the conversation down. Reena brings a parent's perspective that keeps things grounded. She asks follow-up questions that often mirror what you'd want to ask yourself. A handful of listeners have noted that Dr. Damour's breathy delivery takes some getting used to. Fair enough. But once you adjust, the substance is hard to beat. If your kids are somewhere between 10 and 18, and you've ever wished you could text a psychologist friend for advice at midnight, this podcast is the next best thing.