How We Grow Up: Inside the Adolescent Brain with Matt Richtel

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Jul 22, 2025

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel as he dives into the complexities of the adolescent brain and mental health. He reveals how crucial this developmental phase is for personal exploration and emotional resilience. Discover the importance of setting boundaries in parenting and fostering a curious, non-judgmental approach to nurture teens. Matt discusses identities of adolescents as 'nomads' or 'explorers,' and how understanding these roles can impact parenting choices like curfews and social media use.

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INSIGHT

Adolescence Integrates Known And Unknown

Adolescence is a crucial process to integrate what is known from previous generations and explore what works in the world.
This stage is marked by heightened information processing unmatched at any other life stage.

INSIGHT

Puberty Rewires Brain's Focus

Puberty triggers major biological changes that make teenagers hyper-aware of their environment.
Their brain's reward systems shift focus from their parents to strangers, prompting exploration outside the home.

INSIGHT

Don't Take Teen Rebellion Personally

Parents must not take teenage rebellion personally as it signals handing over control to the next generation.
Adolescence challenges parents' insecurities and mortality awareness, making the "let go" part essential.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Becky sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times science reporter Matt Richtel to explore the urgent mental health crisis facing today’s teens—and the science behind what’s really going on in the adolescent brain.

Expanding on his acclaimed reporting, Matt shares insights from his groundbreaking new book How We Grow Up, diving deep into the neurological, biological, and social transformations that define adolescence.

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For a full transcript of the episode, go to goodinside.com/podcast.