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Lenore Skenazy

Cofounder and president of Let Grow, an organization dedicated to normalizing childhood independence. She is known for her advocacy of free-range parenting and her book 'Free-Range Kids'.

Top 10 podcasts with Lenore Skenazy

Ranked by the Snipd community
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129 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 15min

Why you should spend less time with your kids | Lenore Skenazy

Lenore Skenazy, cofounder of Let Grow and advocate for free-range parenting, tackles the anxiety crisis stemming from over-cautious parenting. She humorously argues for the benefits of giving kids more independence, sharing personal anecdotes like allowing her son to navigate the subway alone. Skenazy discusses how reduced parental oversight not only builds resilience but also fosters self-reliance in children, while encouraging a shift towards a balance between guidance and granting freedom.
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63 snips
Sep 18, 2024 • 47min

Ep 1: Are We Over-Parenting Our Kids?

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, discusses the alarming decline in children's independence, linking it to rising mental health issues. Tim Carney, author of 'Family Unfriendly,' highlights how contemporary culture complicates parenting, emphasizing traditional values. Lenore Skenazy, a proponent of free-range parenting, advocates for unsupervised play and its benefits. Together, they explore the consequences of over-parenting, the importance of fostering autonomy, and how societal fears have shaped modern parenting, revealing that embracing independence may enhance kids' well-being.
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30 snips
May 15, 2025 • 1h 53min

Why You Should Let Your Kids Take Risks - Lenore Skenazy

Lenore Skenazy, founder of the 'free-range kids' movement, challenges the pervasive culture of fear in American parenting. She discusses how safetyism and media sensationalism have led to overprotected children who lack confidence and independence. Lenore shares insights on the importance of risk-taking for resilience and critiques the absurdity of safety regulations. She advocates for empowering kids to explore freely, contrasting American tendencies with more lenient parenting practices in other cultures, and highlights the need for societal change in attitudes towards childhood freedom.
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9 snips
Jun 14, 2025 • 56min

Lenore Skenazy on Rejecting Helicopter Parenting

In a captivating chat, Lenore Skenazy, author of "Free-Range Kids" and co-founder of Let Grow, discusses the importance of risk-taking for children. Drawing from her own experience of allowing her son to ride the New York City subway alone, she explores why parents often shy away from granting independence. They tackle the challenges of helicopter parenting, the societal fears about child safety, and the pressing need for unstructured play. Skenazy advocates for a balanced approach to parenting that fosters resilience and autonomy in kids.
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9 snips
Jun 30, 2024 • 1h 53min

More Than one Way to Skin a Knee: Lenore Skenazy on DarkHorse

Lenore Skenazy, 'America’s Worst Mom', discusses the importance of exposing kids to risks, balancing safety and independence in parenting. She highlights the need for children to engage in risky play to develop competence, resilience, and independence. The conversation explores the impact of overprotective parenting and the significance of allowing kids to navigate challenges independently for their overall growth.
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8 snips
Apr 19, 2025 • 23min

Making the Case for ‘Free-Range Parenting’

Lenore Skenazy, an author and TED Talker, champions the concept of free-range parenting, calling for more independent play for kids. She discusses the societal backlash against parents who let their children explore the world alone, sparked by her own experiences. The conversation addresses the anxiety surrounding child safety fueled by media narratives and cultural shifts. Skenazy emphasizes how fostering autonomy can enhance children's confidence and enrich family bonds, urging parents to let go of their fears and encourage self-sufficiency.
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8 snips
Feb 24, 2024 • 54min

204. Advice from "The World's Worst Mom" — A Conversation with Lenore Skenazy

Lenore Skenazy shares her radical decision to let her nine-year-old son navigate NYC alone, sparking a debate on overprotective parenting. The discussion delves into societal fears, media influence on child safety perceptions, and the importance of fostering independence in children to alleviate anxiety. It challenges the culture of extreme caution and advocates for empowering kids through unstructured play and life skills.
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5 snips
Dec 31, 2022 • 1h 23min

Anti-Aging Hacks, Conquering Knee Pain, Vegetables Vs. Viruses, Grittiness Tips, New Sound Apps For Relaxation, Free-Range Kids & More: The Most Listened To Podcast Episodes Of 2022.

Tony Robbins, a renowned self-help coach, joins Ben Patrick, the 'Knees Over Toes Guy', and Dr. Thomas Cowan, an alternative medicine expert. They delve into innovative knee health strategies, like backward walking, and discuss unconventional views on viruses. Jeff Bondman shares stress management techniques employed by elite performers, while Lenore Skenazi advocates for free-range parenting, stressing child independence. They also explore sound apps for relaxation, bridging mental health with modern parenting and self-care.
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Sep 10, 2025 • 54min

How We Criminalized Childhood

Lenore Skenazy, a journalist and activist known as 'the world's worst mom,' discusses the current state of childhood independence. She shares insights on how over-parenting and exaggerated fears have criminalized typical childhood activities, leading to increased anxiety in kids. Skenazy highlights the growing free-range parenting movement and initiatives like Let Grow that advocate for children's autonomy. They explore how societal pressures and changing narratives around safety impact parenting, emphasizing the need for balance between safety and freedom.
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Oct 9, 2024 • 56min

Free-Range Kids

Lenore Skenazy, known as 'America’s Worst Mom,' is the author of Free-Range Kids and president of Let Grow. In an engaging discussion, she tackles the rise of helicopter parenting and the fear-driven narratives that dominate today's media. Lenore emphasizes the need for childhood autonomy to foster resilience and critiques the societal shift towards overprotection. She also highlights the importance of unstructured play and collective educational solutions to encourage independence, while navigating the challenges parents face amid societal judgment.

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