Thriving Kids: A Parenting Podcast From the Child Mind Institute
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, clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode tackles a common parenting challenge — from anxiety to tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies backed by science. You’ll hear real talk, expert advice, and compassionate guidance from clinicians who work with kids every day. New episodes every week, with companion newsletters for easy reference.
Big Emotions, Meltdowns, and “I Can’t Do It”: Thriving Kids Q&A
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...
Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Kids with Dr. Marc Brackett
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
Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation for the Whole Family
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:
Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids
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:
Your Questions about Talking to Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety, Answered
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...
How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety
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 consen...
Your Questions About Building a Healthy Parent-Teen Relationship, Answered
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about raising teenagers. Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour, he shares research-backed guidance for navigating everything from therapy resistance and social media boundaries to privacy battles, motivation slumps, and shifting moods — all while keeping connection and communication strong at home.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn
• How to approach therapy when your teen refuses to go
• The best way to address vaping or substance us...
Staying Connected With Your Teen
Adolescence can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming for families. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist and best-selling author, to share compassionate, practical guidance on what most powerfully supports teen mental health. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Damour explains why strong, caring relationships with adults are the single biggest factor in teen well-being, and why social media is only one small part of a much bigger picture.
Key topics include:
• The number one protector of teen mental health: consistent, caring relationships with adults
• How to put social media in p...
Your Questions About Children and Sleep, Answered
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about kids and sleep. From breaking the habit of co-sleeping to tackling bedtime fears, setting routines that stick, and knowing when to drop naps, he offers practical strategies to make nights calmer for the whole family.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn:
• Step-by-step ways to help kids learn to fall asleep independently
• How to create a bedroom environment that promotes restful sleep
• When a soothing bedtime ro...
Helping Kids Build Healthy Habits for Better Sleep
Building healthy sleep habits is one of the most important and sometimes most challenging parts of parenting. In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist, to share compassionate, practical guidance for families looking to improve their child’s sleep. Drawing on years of experience helping kids and parents, Dr. Harris explains why sleep matters for mental health, learning, and behavior, and how small changes can make a big difference.
Key topics include:
• Why sleep is essential for children’s growth, mood, and focus
• How to creat...
Your Questions About Death and Grief, Answered
How do you support your child through grief when you’re grieving too?
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about helping kids navigate death, loss, and big emotions. He covers how to support neurodivergent kids when grief shows up as anger or outbursts, whether it’s okay to talk about death directly, how to explain loss to young children, what to do when waves of sadness hit out of nowhere, how much to show your own emotions, when grief becomes something more serious, and even the surp...
How to Talk to Kids About Death and Grief
How do I talk to my child about death and grief—without making things worse or shutting down their feelings? In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Katie Peinovich, LCSW, to share compassionate, practical guidance for supporting kids through loss. Drawing on years of experience working with children in New York City schools who’ve faced trauma, Katie explains why it’s important to be direct, validate emotions, and model coping—even when you’re grieving too.
Key topics include:
• Why kids need clear, honest language (and why euphemisms don’t help)
• What grief looks like...
Your Questions About School Success, Answered
How do you help your child do well in school—without constant stress or conflict?
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson answers your top questions about supporting kids’ academic success. He covers how to support teens when peers aren’t motivated, what to do when school doesn’t fit your child’s learning style, setting boundaries that stick for disruptive behavior, handling drop-off anxiety, balancing activities without burnout, keeping kids focused when they’re not interested, building organizational skills, what to do when kids say they “hate school,” and how to talk about gra...
How do I help my child do well in school?
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 clinical 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 mindsetEffective home...Your Questions About Parenting Teens, Answered
Teens can be a rollercoaster - mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, supporting motivation for school, navigating dating and consent, spotting the line between “typical teen” and depression, coping with rejection, and social media comparison.
Have a question for a future episode? Email podcast@childmind.org.
Bonus Podcast: Jonathan Haidt and Dr. Dave Anderson on Kids, Tech, & Mental Health
In this special episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist 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, this discussion dives into the big questions raised in Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — and the points where he and Dr. Anderson see things differently.
They talk candidly about screen time, youth anxiety, social media “addiction,” digital literacy, tech regulation, and why we’re seeing su...
How to Support Your Teen Through the Tough Years
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 abo...
Your Questions About Self-Esteem, Answered
How do you help your child feel confident in who they are — without creating pressure to be perfect or the best at everything?
In this Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers thoughtful 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, comparis...
How to Help Children Build Healthy Self-Esteem
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 the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Jenny Louie, a clinical psychologist in our Anxiety Disorders Center, to explore how parents can help children develop true self-esteem that lasts.
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 practica...
Your Questions About Positive Relationships, Answered
What do you do when your child is struggling to make friends, or causing drama in the ones they have? In this Q&A episode, 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 okayWhat to do if your child doesn’t seem to have “real” friendshipsHow to support your child’s social life if you’re a shy parentHow to help a tween h...How to Help Kids Build Positive, Healthy Friendships
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. Mandy Silverman, clinical psychologist and member of the Child Mind Institute’s Clinical Advisory Council, about how to support your child’s social development at every stage.
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...
Your Questions About Challenging Behavior, Answered
In this first Thriving Kids Q&A episode, 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 remorseTeaching respect, kindness, and standing up for othersWhether there’s such a thing as “good” or “bad” behaviorWhat to do when boys’ behavior becomes more destructive as they growHow to help kids recognize areas for growth without shameWhat to do when a high-energy child is sensitive to feedback
For more on this...
How to Promote Good Behavior in Kids
In this premiere episode, Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Caroline Mendel dive into one of the most common questions parents ask: How can I get my child to behave better?
From toddlers to teens, they explore what really works when it comes to promoting positive behavior — and why quick fixes and harsh discipline aren’t the answer. Instead, they break down a proven, evidence-based approach that starts with the foundation of a strong parent-child relationship.
Guest: Dr. Caroline Mendel, Former Senior Director of Clinical Services at the Child Mind Institute
You’ll learn:
Why...Introducing Thriving Kids by the Child Mind Institute
What do I do when my child is anxious—or angry—or just shuts down?
Welcome to Thriving Kids, the new podcast from the Child Mind Institute. Hosted by clinical psychologist Dr. Dave Anderson, each episode shares practical tools and clear answers to tough parenting questions—always evidence-based and judgment-free.
You’ll hear from experts and real parents, all focused on helping you raise confident, connected kids.
Subscribe now!
Learn more at childmind.org/podcast
