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Thriving Kids

Thriving Kids

The Child Mind Institute 55 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers seeking clear, science-backed advice on child and adolescent mental health. Hosted by clinical psychologist Dr. Dave Anderson, each episode tackles common parenting challenges like anxiety, behavior issues, and school struggles. The show offers practical strategies grounded in clinical expertise, with new episodes weekly and companion newsletters.

Episodes

Getting Sober Young: Molly Jong-Fast on Addiction and Recovery
Getting Sober Young: Molly Jong-Fast on Addiction and Recovery Oct 8, 2026 00:45:07 Journalist, author, and podcast host Molly Jong-Fast got sober at 19 — and nearly three decades later, she continues to speak candidly about her experience with alcoholism and recovery. In this episode of Thriving Kids, she joins Dr. Dave Anderson for a conversation about recognizing addiction in adolescence, overcoming stigma, and why young people struggling with substance use need to know that r
Q&A: How to Handle Attention & Focus Issues
Q&A: How to Handle Attention & Focus Issues Oct 1, 2026 00:31:59 Attention problems can be frustrating for kids and parents. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers nine parent questions about attention and focus, including when difficulties may point to ADHD.Dr. Dave explains why ADHD can make boring or repetitive tasks especially difficult and shares practical strategies for strengthening study, organization, and attention skills.I
What to Know About Teen Substance Use
What to Know About Teen Substance Use Sep 24, 2026 00:58:51 Experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substances isn’t uncommon during adolescence — but that doesn’t mean that parents don’t, or shouldn’t, have concerns about it. On this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by two experts from Partnerships to End Addiction, clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Hogue and licensed clinical social worker Molly Bobek, for a practical
Q&A: Anger, ADHD, Lying, OCD, and Big Feelings
Q&A: Anger, ADHD, Lying, OCD, and Big Feelings Sep 17, 2026 00:39:42 In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers eight parent questions about some of the most common — and challenging — behaviors families face. From aggression and ADHD to lying, motivation, OCD, and big emotions, Dr. Dave explains what may drive these behaviors and offers practical, evidence-based strategies parents can use to respond.In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:• Why i
Dad Brain: Fatherhood, Parenting, and the Brain
Dad Brain: Fatherhood, Parenting, and the Brain Sep 10, 2026 00:46:48 Becoming a father doesn’t just change your life, research suggests it can actually change your brain. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with psychologist and researcher Dr. Darby Saxbe, author of Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives, to explore the emerging science of what happens to men’s brains, hormones, relationships, and sense of i
Q&A: 
Friendship, Neurodiversity, and Staying True to Yourself
Q&A: Friendship, Neurodiversity, and Staying True to Yourself Sep 3, 2026 00:32:48 In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Caroline Maguire about friendship, neurodivergence, masking, and building authentic relationships.Dr. Dave discusses how parents can help kids make friends without making them feel like they have to change who they are, how to understand the difference between practicing
Summer Hot Takes: Parenting Advice With Dr. Aliza Pressman
Summer Hot Takes: Parenting Advice With Dr. Aliza Pressman Aug 27, 2026 00:48:44 From gentle parenting to strict rules about screen time, today’s parents are constantly bombarded with advice about the “right” way to raise their kids. But how much of that advice is actually supported by research?In this special Summer Hot Takes episode, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with developmental psychologist, bestselling author, and Raising Good Humans podcast host Dr. Aliza Pressman to exp
Q&A: Back-to-School Survival Guide
Q&A: Back-to-School Survival Guide Aug 21, 2026 00:35:07 Back-to-school season can bring a lot of excitement, but it can also bring anxiety — stressful mornings, friendship worries, homework battles, and questions about how to help kids adjust after summer break.In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson tackles some of the biggest concerns families face as a new school year begins. From how to tell the difference between normal first-d
Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends
Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends Aug 13, 2026 00:37:03 In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Caroline Maguire, an ADHD and executive function coach and author of Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. They discuss friendship, social anxiety, and how neurodivergent kids and teens can build more authentic relationships without feeling pressured to hide or “mask” who they are.In this episode, they cover:• What masking is
Q&A:  Sleep, Safety, Resilience, and More
Q&A: Sleep, Safety, Resilience, and More Aug 6, 2026 00:22:20 In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour about how to “future-proof” kids in an uncertain world.Dr. Dave breaks down the simple but powerful habits that help protect children’s mental health over time, including consistent sleep, family connection, face-to-face time with peers, satisfying hobbie
How to Future-Proof Kids for an Uncertain World
How to Future-Proof Kids for an Uncertain World Jul 30, 2026 00:39:26 In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson welcomes back Dr. Lisa Damour for a conversation about how parents can help kids prepare for an uncertain future. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Damour explains why the most protective tools are often the simplest: sleep, safety, family connection, coping skills, and opportunities for kids to develop interests that truly belong to
An Expert Perspective at the Intersection of Journalism and Mental Health
An Expert Perspective at the Intersection of Journalism and Mental Health Jul 16, 2026 00:43:37 In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by NBC News anchor and Senior National Correspondent Kate Snow for a conversation about journalism, mental health, and the power of telling stories that can reduce stigma. Kate discusses how personal loss shaped her reporting on mental health, as well as suicide prevention, substance use, access to care, and the systems that families of

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