Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood Episode 233: Where’d You Hear That? Sorting Through Today’s Parenting Advice
Jan 13, 2026
This week’s guest, Dr. Ken Wilgus, is a psychologist and author, offering his expertise on navigating the overwhelming advice found online. He discusses the importance of discerning credible sources, especially when faced with sensational parenting headlines. They dive into a viral claim about teens' brains 'no longer listening' to parents, debunking misconceptions about brain science. Dr. Ken cautions against over-medicalizing behavior and emphasizes the value of clear communication with teens. Tune in for a dose of practical wisdom!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Question The Source Before You Follow
- The internet is full of parenting advice that often lacks clear authorship or credentials.
- Cynthia Yanoff warns listeners to ask "Where'd you get that?" before accepting bold claims.
Different Sources Serve Different Roles
- Different parenting sources serve different roles: experience-based voices vs. research-based guidance.
- Dr. Ken Wilgus urges listeners to distinguish between anecdote and controlled research before applying advice.
Be Skeptical Of Quick Neuroscience Claims
- Neuroscience findings are exciting but often overstated by non-experts.
- Dr. Ken warns we cannot infer long-term causal effects from short-term brain studies.
