In this episode, author Ruth Whippman sits down with us to explore the complex challenges of raising boys. Our discussion dives deep into the socialization of boys, the impact of societal norms, and the urgent need for empathy and emotional nurture. We address how to navigate the conflicting messages boys receive about masculinity and vulnerability, the impo ... Show More
Nov 21
Adolescence Isn’t What We Think: The Real Reason Your Teen Isn’t Listening to You, Why They Push Back, and More w/ New York Times Journalist Matt Richtel
<p>In this week’s episode, I talk with New York Times reporter Matt Richtel about what adolescence actually is—and why so much of what we think we know about teens is outdated. We discuss an entirely new framework for understanding the adolescent brain: a period designed for inte ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 14
Is Your Child "Sensitive"? Tools, Truths, and What the Research Really Shows w/ Renowned Temperament Researcher Professor Michael Pluess
<p>In this week’s episode, I speak with Professor Michael Pluess, renowned temperament researcher, to explore what it really means to have a "sensitive" child. We break down the science behind sensitivity as a key part of temperament, why some kids are more reactive to both posit ... Show More
1h 13m
Feb 2024
Are You Raising A Nice Kid?
In this episode, we delve into fostering kindness within our families, prompted by a study showing kids often think their parents value success over empathy. As a pediatrician and mom, I share actionable steps for embedding kindness in our daily lives, from acknowledging the groc ... Show More
10m 1s
Oct 7
240: Talk to Your Boys: Raising Confident, Caring Young Men
Many boys are struggling, and parents are often left wondering how to reach them. If your tween or teen son seems distant, gives one-word answers, or is spending too much time online, you’re not alone. In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” psych ... Show More
41m 27s
Apr 2025
The 3 Parenting Skills That Shape Future Communicators
If you're a parent, there’s nothing more important than teaching your kids how to communicate — how to handle a "no," how to disagree without disrespect, and how to show kindness even when it’s hard. That’s what this episode is all about. I’m sharing a few key lessons from my own ... Show More
20m 4s
Nov 11
The Cost of Compliance for Our Kids
<p>We often think of “good” kids as those who listen and follow rules, but what if constant compliance comes with a long-term cost? Dr. Becky talks with Dr. Sunita Sah, author of <i>Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes</i>, about rethinking defiance, the downsides of ... Show More
36m 15s
Oct 13
The missing skill that helps parents and kids stay calm: Interoception
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1255388/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>Last week, we uncovered how your child’s behaviour is really their nervous system communicating.</p><p>Today, we’re going deeper, <em>inside the body,</em> to ex ... Show More
39m 12s
Sep 17
Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids
Big kids mean big feelings and sometimes that shows up as defiance, meltdowns, or even anxiety. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it’s not just “bad behavior.” We often think school-aged is cruising with emotions but big feeling ... Show More
51m 48s