Podcast
Thriving Kids
Hosted by The Child Mind Institute · EN
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.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What the Research Really Says About Kids, Phones, and Mental Health
1w ago00:36:16Summary readyIn this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Candice Odgers, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine, whose research focuses on adolescent mental health and the role of smartphones and social media in kids’ daily lives. Together, they discuss what the evidence does — and does not — show about technology and youth mental health, and why the most popular explanations are not always the most accurate. In this episode, they cover: • What current research can tell us about the relationship between smartphones and social media and adolescent mental health — and why correlation does not necessarily prove causation • How adult anxiety about technology can shape the way we talk about kids • Why family conflict, school stress, and peer relationships are still central factors affecting youth mental health Key takeaways • The research on social media and youth mental health is more complicated than many headlines suggest. • Many studies show associations between screen use and mental health symptoms, but that does not mean screens are the primary cause. • Family conflict, pressure to succeed at school, peer stress, and caregiver mental health are major factors that affect young people’s well-being. • Tech companies should be held accountable, but blaming social media alone can distract from other urgent supports kids and families need. • Parents can help kids more effectively by investing in relationships, routines, school support, and open conversations rather than focusing only on restrictions. Further reading What We're Getting Wrong About Teens and TechScreen Time & Technology Does Social Media Use Cause Depression? How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages How Much Should You Monitor Your Teen’s Social Media?
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Q&A: Talking to Kids About Mental Health, Processing Current Events, and More
2w ago00:29:29Summary readyIn this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Alfiee about youth mental health, community care, and what it really means to help young people thrive.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can talk with kids about mental health without making them feel like something is “wrong” with them, how to help children process stressful news and current events, and how families can think about social media in a balanced way. He also explores the mental health needs of marginalized kids, how to reduce stigma around therapy — especially for boys and young men — and why community support can make parenting feel less isolating. In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:What to do when kids are stressed by politics, current events, or frightening newsHow to balance concerns about social media with the belonging some kids find onlineWhat parents should understand about the mental health needs of marginalized kidsHow to reduce stigma around therapy, anxiety, depression, and asking for helpWhy boys and young men may need extra support talking about emotionsRealistic ways to build community around parenting and caregivingWhat parents can do while waiting for therapy or additional supportFurther ReadingHelping Children Cope After a Traumatic EventHelping Children Cope With Frightening NewsMental Health Challenges of LGBTQ+ KidsMental Health Support for Black FamiliesMeeting the Mental Health Needs of Black Adolescent BoysWhat to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are AnxiousVideo LibraryFamily Resource Center
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Supporting Your Child's Mental Health and Your Own With Dr. Alfiee
3w ago00:36:20Summary readyIn this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble — better known as Dr. Alfiee — psychologist, founder of The AAKOMA Project, and author of Rise and Thrive: An intentional guide to caring for your mental health. Together, they discuss youth mental health, the importance of community-based care, and how parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals can better support young people as they navigate stress, stigma, social media, and the challenges of growing up today. In this episode, they cover:How political news, social media, and stigma affect young people’s emotional well-being Why social media can be both risky and meaningful for marginalized kidsHow community-based organizations can help make mental health care more accessible Why representation, empathy, and cultural understanding matter in mental health support Key takeaways· Young people are managing a wide range of stressors, including anxiety, depression, political unrest, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.· Social media can pose real risks for kids and teens, but it can also provide connection, community, and support — especially for young people who may feel isolated offline.· Stigma remains a major barrier to mental health care, even as conversations about mental health become more common in popular culture.· Community-based organizations can play a powerful role in helping families access mental health support from people they already know and trust.· Representation matters, but so does what Dr. Alfiee calls an “empathy match” — the feeling that someone understands your experience and can meet you with compassion. Further readingDoes Social Media Use Cause Depression? – Child Mind InstituteQuick Guide to Anxiety in Children – Child Mind InstituteDr. Alfiee – Dr. Alfiee’s website with research, interviews, and moreRise and Thrive by Dr. AlfieeCouched in Color – A podcast with Dr. AlfieeThe AAKOMA Project
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How to Help Kids Face Fear and Build Resilience
4w ago00:32:41Summary readyIn this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon who talked about how the death of his son led him to face his panic attacks over public speaking.In this episode, he covers:What parents can learn from doctors about staying calm in a crisisWhy anxiety can run in families — and what parents can do about itHow parents can help kids face their fearsHow to encourage to kids to take risks while still keeping them safeHow to talk to kids about grief and lossKey takeaways· To try and figure out if your child’s anxiety is problematic, consider the frequency, intensity, duration, and level of impairment.· Facing your fears is about being able to ride the discomfort. It doesn’t necessarily mean you feel comfortable.· Encouraging your child to try something scary by taking a small step can help them push themselves to try hard things.· If you're experiencing loss and you're sad, it’s important to label that and let your kid know it's okay for them to feel those emotions. Further readingHealthy Minds, Thriving KidsWhy Childhood Anxiety Often Goes UndetectedTreating Anxiety in Kids by Working With ParentsPanic Attacks and How to Treat Them
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Anxiety and the Brain
May 2100:50:56Summary readyIn this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon whoseprofession and personal story gives him a rare perspective on mental health.Dr. Hoeflinger shares how his brother’s traumatic brain injury first inspired him to pursue neurosurgery, howchronic panic attacks shaped his adolescence and early professional life, and how the loss of his son changed the way he speaks publicly about grief, purpose, and prevention. They also discuss what parents should understand about panic, head injuries, and the everyday choices that support a healthier brain. This conversation is both practical and deeply human — a reminder that the brain is powerful, fragile, resilient, and still full of mystery. In this episode, they cover:How childhood panic attacks affected Dr. Hoeflinger’s life and careerWhy anxiety can be treated more effectively when kids get support earlyWhat neurosurgery can teach us about staying calm during crisisWhy sleep, movement, and overall wellness matter for brain healthHow grief can reshape a person’s purpose, perspective, and voiceFurther information on these topics from the Child Mind Institute: Why Childhood Anxiety Often Goes UndetectedPanic Attacks and How to Treat ThemBehavioral Treatment for Kids With Anxiety
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Q&A: Parental Stress
May 1400:36:57Summary readyIn this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ questions about the intense stress that can come with raising young children. Inspired by his recent conversation with pediatrician Dr. Lauren Hughes, this episode focuses on the early years of parenting: feeding decisions, sleepless nights, emotional overload, relationship strain, and the pressure many parents feel to do everything “right.”Dr. Dave also explains how parents can recognize when stress is affecting their mood, relationships, or ability to function — and why asking for extra support is not a failure.He covers:• Supporting moms and birthing parents around breastfeeding, formula, and feeding pressure• Creating emotional safety at home• Navigating sleepless nights and early infant care• Avoiding comparison around developmental milestones• Knowing when to seek early intervention or professional guidance• Staying connected as a family during the early years of parenting• Practical self-care habits for overwhelmed parentsKey takeaways• A parent’s mental health matters, especially during the early years when stress and sleep deprivation can be intense.• Supporting a partner often starts with asking what would actually help, not making them carry the burden of explaining everything.• Developmental milestones matter, but children grow at different rates, and variation is normal.• Self-care does not have to be expensive or time-consuming; small changes in sleep, hydration, movement, relationships, or screen use can help parents feel more grounded.Further reading• 8 Self-Care Tips for Parents• [Video] How can I take care of myself to be the best parent I can be?• Mindful Parenting
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How to Deal With Parenting Stress
May 700:40:02Summary readyIn this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Lauren Hughes, a board-certified pediatrician, mother of three, and trusted voice for realistic, evidence-based parenting guidance. Together, they explore the stress and pressure parents can face in the first years of raising a child, from navigating developmental milestones to feeding choices and methods for sleep training. Dr. Hughes also offers practical tips on how to support your child’s well-being without neglecting your own. This conversation can help parents separate common worries from real concerns learn to prioritize connection over perfection.In this episode, they cover:Why “weird but normal” child behaviors are often part of healthy developmentWhen to seek an evaluation or early intervention if something feels offWhy feeding choices — breastfeeding, formula, or supplementation — should support both you and your childHow to approach sleep training without one-size-fits-all pressureAnd why repair, connection, and physical and emotional safety are key to raising thriving kidsFurther readingComplete Guide to Developmental MilestonesChoosing a Sleep Training Program That Works for Your FamilyThe Public Hughesletter
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Q&A: Dyslexia Myths, Learning Differences, and How to Help Your Child Thrive
Apr 3000:28:52Summary readyIn this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parent questions sparked by the Orlando Bloom conversation, focusing on dyslexia myths, practical at-home learning strategies, self-esteem, movement and focus, AI tools, and the emotional impact of learning differences. He explains what dyslexia actually is, why evaluation and targeted support matter, and how parents can help kids understand a learning disorder in a way that feels honest, empowering, and grounded in their full identity — not just their struggle. Show Notes· What dyslexia really is — and why letter reversals are not required for a diagnosis. · How schools and neuropsychological testing can identify reading, writing, or math-related learning disorders. · At-home strategies that may help kids learn, including writing things out by hand, trying creative workarounds, and measuring what actually improves retention or task completion. · How to protect a child’s self-esteem when they feel “stupid” or defeated by school. · Why movement breaks can help with focus, and how to talk with teachers about using them thoughtfully and effectively. · Where the line is between AI as a helpful learning tool and AI as a crutch. · Whether learning differences can be linked to strengths like creativity, resilience, or big-picture thinking — and what the research can and can’t say yet. · Signs that a learning disability may be affecting a child’s anxiety, mood, identity, or school engagement beyond academics. · How parents can talk about a learning disorder in a way that is truthful, supportive, and empowering. Relevant Links from the Child Mind Institute· Understanding Dyslexia: Signs of Dyslexia in Kids· Inside an Evaluation for Learning Disorders· How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Disabilities
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Orlando Bloom on Growing Up With Dyslexia
Apr 2300:42:53Summary readyThis week on Thriving Kids, I’m joined by actor Orlando Bloom. He talks about growing up with dyslexia, including the challenges he faced paying attention and concentrating in school, and how he developed his own workarounds before many of today’s evidence-based supports existed. We also discuss how movement, mindfulness, good nutrition, and sleep can help kids (and adults) manage attention and learning challenges — and why every child should discover their area of excellence.In this episode, we cover:• Orlando Bloom’s experience growing up with dyslexia• How learning disabilities can affect confidence and school performance• Why diagnosis and support matter• Practical strategies for reading, memorization, and focus• The role of movement, mindfulness, and routine in mental health• How parents can help children build resilience and self-belief• Why neurodiversity includes both challenges and strengthsFurther reading from the Child Mind Institute: • Understanding Dyslexia - https://childmind.org/article/understanding-dyslexia/• ADHD and Exercise - https://childmind.org/article/adhd-and-exercise/• The Power of Mindfulness - https://childmind.org/article/the-power-of-mindfulness/
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Q&A: Your Questions About Learning Disabilities
Apr 1600:30:35Summary readyIn this Thriving Kids Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson explains how parents can recognize early signs of dyslexia, ADHD, and learning disabilities, advocate for school support, and protect their child’s self-esteem while they struggle academically. This episode offers practical guidance on evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans, reading intervention, ADHD treatment, and why early support can change a child’s trajectory.In this episode, we cover:· Early signs of dyslexia and learning disabilities· ADHD in kids and why it’s not just about trying harder· When to ask for a school evaluation· IEPs, 504 plans, and school accommodations· The emotional impact of academic struggles· How early intervention supports confidence and long-term success· What parents can do when teachers say a child will “grow out of it”Podcast Links· Understanding Dyslexia· Getting Support From Your Child’s School· Inside an Evaluation for Learning Disorders
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