Lisa Damour, a bestselling author and expert on teen psychology, joins the conversation to illuminate the complexities of adolescent emotions. She discusses the fine line between normal teenage angst and genuine concern, emphasizing that emotional expression is a strength, not a sign of fragility. Damour highlights the significant impact of sleep on mental health and offers practical strategies for adults to communicate effectively with teens. She also addresses the challenges posed by social media, suggesting ways to set healthy boundaries.
44:29
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Distinguishing Teen Emotions vs Disorders
Emotional distress in teens is often mistaken for mental health disorders, causing unnecessary alarm.
It's essential to differentiate typical teenage emotions from clinical concerns to support them effectively.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Sleep as Mental Health Prevention
Prioritize getting teenagers enough sleep to greatly improve their mental health.
Advocate for delayed school start times to align with teens' biological sleep needs.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Build Strong Adult-Teen Relationships
Encourage strong connections between teenagers and caring adults to promote mental well-being.
Adults should show genuine interest and respect to build trust with teens.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents
Lisa Damour
This book provides parents with practical, research-informed strategies to support their teenagers through the challenges of adolescence. It covers what to expect in normal adolescent emotional development, why mental health is about having feelings that fit the moment, and how to help teens manage their emotions. The book also addresses common challenges such as academic pressure, social media stress, anxiety, and navigating friendships and romances, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a connected and supportive relationship with teens.
Untangled
Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood
Lisa Damour
In 'Untangled', Dr. Lisa Damour provides a comprehensive and reassuring guide for parents of teenage girls. The book outlines seven distinct developmental transitions that girls undergo as they grow into adulthood, including Parting with Childhood, Contending with Adult Authority, Entering the Romantic World, and Caring for Herself. Drawing on decades of experience and the latest research, Damour offers realistic scenarios and practical advice on how to engage daughters in constructive ways, addressing common questions and concerns such as managing eye-rolling, dealing with social media, discussing sex and substance use, and handling anxiety and eating disorders. The book helps parents understand and connect with their daughters, making the challenging years of adolescence less fraught and more enjoyable.
Under Pressure
Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls
Lisa Damour
In 'Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls', Dr. Lisa Damour challenges readers to reframe their understanding of stress and anxiety. She argues that stress can be a healthy stimulus for personal growth and that anxiety can play a key role in keeping girls safe. The book explores various facets of girls’ lives, including home life, school pressures, social interactions, and online activities, to identify sources of toxic stress and anxiety. Damour provides actionable steps for parents, educators, and mentors to help girls manage these pressures and maintain emotional well-being.
We used to be afraid of teenagers. Now we’re afraid for them. Anxiety, depression, social media, school pressures, loneliness—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about what it means to raise or support a teenager today. But Lisa Damour has spent decades helping us understand what’s actually happening in the emotional lives of teenagers—and what they really need from the adults who care for them. If you’ve ever wanted to be a steady, loving presence in a teenager’s life (without making things weird), this one’s for you.
In this conversation, Kate and Lisa talk about:
The difference between normal teenage emotions and when it’s time to worry
Why “emotional does not equal fragile” (and why kids need us to believe that)
How to talk to teenagers in a way that builds trust and connection
The biggest factors that shape teen mental health (hint: sleep matters more than you think!)
When social media becomes a problem—and how to set guardrails that actually work
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler 
