Thriving Kids
Kids & Family
About
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.
Episodes
- How to Deal With Parenting Stress
In this episode, Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Lauren Hughes discuss parenting stress. They cover navigating developmental milestones, feeding choices, sleep training, and prioritizing connection over perfection.
- Q&A: Dyslexia Myths, Learning Differences, and How to Help Your Child Thrive
In this Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson addresses parent questions regarding dyslexia myths, effective at-home learning strategies, self-esteem in children, the impact of movement on focus, the role of AI tools, and the emotional aspects of…
- Orlando Bloom on Growing Up With Dyslexia
Actor Orlando Bloom shares his experiences growing up with dyslexia, discussing challenges, workarounds, and the impact on confidence. The episode also explores practical strategies, movement, mindfulness, nutrition, and sleep for managing…
- Q&A: Your Questions About Learning Disabilities
This episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson, who answers listener questions about learning disabilities. He discusses recognizing early signs of dyslexia and ADHD, advocating for school support, and protecting a child's self-e…
- What Every Parent (and Non-Parent) Should Know About Learning Disabilities
This episode features a discussion with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, about current learning disability support. Topics include early screening, phonics-based reading instruction, and IEP p…
- Q&A: How to Maintain a Positive Relationship with Your Child
Dr. Dave answers listener questions on building and maintaining positive relationships with children of all ages. The discussion covers topics like managing play, personality clashes, parenting styles, and communicating with teens.
- How to Build a Positive Parent-Child Relationship
Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona discuss ethical approaches to parenting, the importance of reflecting on one's own caregiving history, and the principle of asymmetry in parent-child relationships. They provide guidance on fos…
- Q&A: Your Questions About Healthy Technology Use, Answered
Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions regarding healthy technology use for children. The episode covers digital literacy, setting screen time boundaries, and the importance of gradual digital independence.
- How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health (and What to Do)
Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Linda Charmaraman discuss the impact of social media on teen mental health. They explore research on how social media affects well-being and provide practical strategies for parents to support their teens' digital…
- Independence, Routines, and College Success Q&A
In this episode of Thriving Kids, clinicians discuss practical strategies for students transitioning to college, focusing on academic support, mental health resources, and fostering independence. The panel offers advice on self-advocacy an…
- Executive Function, Procrastination, and the College Brain
In this episode of Thriving Kids, clinicians discuss executive functioning and procrastination in the context of college readiness. The conversation covers how brain development and skill-building impact a student's ability to manage tasks…
- Why College Can Feel Harder Than Expected
This episode of Thriving Kids discusses why the transition from high school to college can be unexpectedly difficult for students, covering factors like anxiety, depression, the impact of losing structure, and the emotional adjustment to l…
- What to Say When a Child Sees or Experiences Racism
This episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Isha Metzger discussing strategies for talking to children about racism and discrimination. They cover defining racism, recognizing microaggressions, understanding children's…
- Q&A: Filling Your Cup Without Guilt
This Q&A episode of Thriving Kids addresses parental self-care, guilt, and exhaustion. Dr. Dave Anderson offers practical advice on reframing time with children, setting boundaries, managing obligations, finding moments of calm, and modeli…
- How Can I Take Care of Myself So I Can Be The Best Parent I Can Be?
This episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Joanna Kim discussing the importance of self-care for parents. They explore why self-care might seem difficult, offer quick methods to recharge, and explain how practices lik…
- How Parents Shape Their Child’s Stress — and What Actually Helps
Dr. Dave Anderson addresses parent questions on child stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation in this Thriving Kids Q&A episode. He explains how parental behavior impacts children's stress responses and offers evidence-based strategies f…
- How To Help Your Child Cope With Stress with Dr. Dylan Gee
In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dylan Gee and Dr. Dave Anderson discuss the difference between helping children manage stress and the negative effects of avoidance. They cover the
- Should You Let Your Kid Fail? A Parent Q&A on Pressure, Resilience, and Emotions
This Q&A episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson addressing parent questions about failure, pressure, and emotional regulation. It covers topics like natural consequences, cheating, rewards, negative self-talk, and dealing with…
- Helping Kids Feel Like They Matter with Jennifer Wallace
Jennifer Wallace joins Thriving Kids to discuss her work on mattering, exploring how fostering a sense of value in children can combat toxic achievement culture. The episode covers research findings and practical strategies for parents to…
- Q&A: How to Stay Connected Without Power Struggles
This Thriving Kids Q&A episode features Dr. Dave Anderson addressing parental concerns about maintaining connection with teenagers. Topics include communication challenges, understanding teen behavior, preparing for independence, and manag…
- How to Build a Better Relationship With Your Teen with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart discuss evidence-based strategies for parents to improve communication, reduce tension, and strengthen trust with their teens, even during difficult times.
- How to Talk to Kids About Scary Topics: A Parenting Q&A
In this Thriving Kids Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson discusses how parents can talk to children and teens about difficult topics such as anxiety, disasters, climate change, social rejection, and substance use. He emphasizes validation, honesty, an…
- Raising Kids Who Can Handle the Real World
Dr. Dave Anderson and science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer discuss research-backed parenting strategies for raising resilient and healthy children. They cover topics like managing big feelings, the importance of listening, screen time,…
- Big Emotions, Meltdowns, and “I Can’t Do It”: Thriving Kids Q&A
In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson provides guidance on managing children's emotions, meltdowns, screen time, and sibling dynamics. He discusses emotion regulation, coping skills, and setting boundaries.
- Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Kids With Dr. Marc Brackett
This episode features Dr. Marc Brackett discussing emotional intelligence in children with Dr. Dave Anderson. They cover practical strategies for understanding and managing emotions, drawing from Dr. Brackett's books and highlighting the i…
- Your Holiday Survival Q&A: Emotional Self-Regulation for the Whole Family
This Q&A episode addresses listener questions about emotional self-regulation and managing stress during family holiday gatherings, offering practical advice on expectations, planning, screen time, and more.
- Making the Holidays Less Stressful for You and Your Kids
This episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Kimberly Alexander discussing strategies for managing holiday stress. They cover managing expectations, regulating children's emotions, navigating family dynamics, setting bo…
- Your Questions About Talking to Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety, Answered
This Q&A episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson addressing common parental concerns about discussing sex, consent, and safety with children. The discussion covers age-appropriate language, consent in daily life, handling onlin…
- How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Consent, and Safety
Dr. Dave Anderson and guest Dr. Angela Glymph discuss how parents can have honest, age-appropriate conversations with their children about sex, consent, and safety. The episode covers starting these discussions in early childhood and maint…
- Q&A: Building a Healthy Parent-Teen Relationship
Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents' questions on raising teenagers in this Thriving Kids Q&A episode. Topics include navigating therapy refusal, social media boundaries, motivation, moodiness, and maintaining connection.
- Staying Connected With Your Teen
Dr. Lisa Damour explains that strong, caring relationships with adults are the most significant factor in teen well-being. The episode offers guidance on managing social media, identifying healthy coping strategies and red flags, and maint…
- Your Questions About Children and Sleep, Answered
In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson addresses common parental concerns about children's sleep. He provides strategies for establishing independent sleep, managing bedtime routines and fears, adjusting nap schedules, and…
- Helping Kids Build Healthy Habits for Better Sleep
Dr. Shelby Harris joins Dr. Dave Anderson on Thriving Kids to discuss building healthy sleep habits in children. The episode covers the importance of sleep for child development, strategies for creating a sleep-friendly environment, and ad…
- Your Questions About Death and Grief, Answered
Dr. Dave Anderson addresses common questions about supporting grieving children, covering topics like validating emotions, understanding grief in neurodivergent children, and appropriate language when discussing death. The episode also tou…
- How to Talk to Kids About Death and Grief
Dr. Dave Anderson and LCSW Katie Peinovich discuss how to talk to children about death and grief on Thriving Kids. They emphasize using clear language, validating emotions, and modeling coping mechanisms, offering practical advice for supp…
- Your Questions About School Success, Answered
Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions on Thriving Kids about supporting children's school success, covering topics like teen motivation, learning differences, balancing activities, focus strategies, and discussing grades constructiv…
- How Do I Help My Child Do Well in School?
Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Adam Zamora discuss how parents can foster academic success in children by building positive habits, mindsets, and support systems. They cover topics like procrastination, motivation, homework strategies, parent-t…
- Your Questions About Parenting Teens, Answered
In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson addresses common parenting challenges with teenagers, such as maintaining connection, managing conflict, and setting boundaries. The discussion also covers identifying signs of depres…
- Bonus Episode: Kids, Tech, and Mental Health with Dr. Jonathan Haidt
Thriving Kids features Dr. Jonathan Haidt discussing the impact of smartphones and social media on childhood with Dr. Dave Anderson. They cover screen time, youth anxiety, tech regulation, and parental strategies, referencing Haidt's book…
- Supporting Your Teen Through the Tough Years
In the Thriving Kids episode 'Supporting Your Teen Through the Tough Years,' Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Janine Domingues offer practical advice for caregivers navigating adolescence. They discuss adolescent brain development, communication…
- Your Questions About Kids' Self-Esteem, Answered
In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson addresses listener questions about fostering healthy self-esteem in children and teens. He discusses building confidence, managing negative self-talk, social media comparisons, and mo…
- How to Help Children Build Healthy Self-Esteem
Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Jenny Louie discuss how parents can foster healthy self-esteem in children by providing unconditional love, encouraging challenges, and focusing on effort. They offer practical advice on creating a supportive envi…
- Q&A: Kids and Friendships
This Q&A episode of Thriving Kids features Dr. Dave Anderson answering parent questions about helping children navigate friendships. Topics include explaining differing likeability, supporting shy parents, handling peer rejection, addressi…
- How to Help Kids Build Positive, Healthy Friendships
Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Mandi Silverman discuss supporting children's social development and friendships at all ages on the Thriving Kids podcast. They cover navigating playdates, screen-based relationships, and helping children who are…
- Your Questions About Challenging Behavior, Answered
Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions on children's behavior, discussing how to manage lying, teach respect and kindness, understand 'good' vs. 'bad' behavior, address destructive tendencies in boys, and support growth without shame.
- How to Promote Good Behavior in Kids
Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Caroline Mendel discuss effective, evidence-based strategies for promoting good behavior in children of all ages, emphasizing the importance of the parent-child relationship and positive reinforcement over quick f…
- Introducing Thriving Kids by the Child Mind Institute
Thriving Kids is a new podcast from the Child Mind Institute, hosted by clinical psychologist Dr. Dave Anderson. Each episode provides evidence-based, judgment-free advice and practical tools for parents to address anxiety, anger, and othe…