
Help! I Have A Teenager
Being a teenager has changed. A lot. There’s TikTok, vaping, d*ck pics, there are Snap maps, selfies and filters...and it's all a potential battlefield for parents where the stakes feel impossibly high. So welcome to some real parenting talk. As both clinicians and parents, Dr. Ginni Mansberg and clinical psychologist Jo Lamble know first-hand how challenging it can be to raise adolescents. This is why they're bringing their common-sense expertise to Mamamia’s Help! I Have A Teenager. Every week Dr. Ginni and Jo will be answering your questions, and you can submit them at podcast@mamamia.com.au
Latest episodes

Dec 14, 2023 • 16min
Our Guide To The ‘We Can’t Afford It’ Chat With Your Teens
Were you shocked by your teenager’s extravagant Christmas wishlist this year? Our kids expect a lot and sometimes we simply can’t afford it. This episode we share our tips on how to talk to teens about the value of money especially around the holiday. And, how should you react when you get a late-night SOS text from your teen who’s at a sleepover? Ginni and Jo unpack sleepover anxiety and why some kids experience it more than others. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia Listen to You Beauty: Beauty Gifts Even The Notoriously ‘Hard To Buy For’ Will Love GET IN TOUCH: Got a question? We're listening! Send us a voice memo at podcast@mamamia.com.au or call the podcast phone on 02 8999 9386. Submit a question via our new anonymous form here CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Madeline Joannou Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 7, 2023 • 14min
Is My Child Depressed Or Just Avoiding Chores?
Wondering if your teen might have a secret Instagram account? Maybe they've got a PG-rated decoy for family members (it’s actually a thing). Jo explains why your child feels the need to hide their social media activity and how to speak to them about it. And, how do you know if your teen's really depressed or just manipulating you to skip chores and responsibilities? We’ve got tips on how to spot the difference and best support your teen. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Got a question? We're listening! Send us a voice memo at podcast@mamamia.com.au or call the podcast phone on 02 8999 9386. Submit a question via our new anonymous form here CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 30, 2023 • 16min
My Teenager Is A Bully & I’m The Target
As parents, we sometimes feel deflated by our teenagers—it’s normal, but how do we teach them empathy? We dive into a question from a mum who’s feeling like the punchline of her teenager’s jokes, with dad not offering much help. And, reintegrating a child into school after an ADHD diagnosis is tough. What steps can parents take? Ginni and Jo share some helpful ideas. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Got a question? We're listening! Send us a voice memo at podcast@mamamia.com.au or call the podcast phone on 02 8999 9386. Submit a question via our new anonymous form here CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Madeline Joannou Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 2023 • 15min
Why Is My Teen Having A Temper Tantrum?
Remember those days when you had to help your toddler calm down during a tantrum? Turns out, that doesn’t magically disappear as they become teenagers. This episode Ginni and Jo share advice for a parent looking to help their teen manage their rage. And as kids grow up, hugging mum can become kind of embarrassing. But if there’s a total lack of affection, how do you turn things around? We have tips. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Got a question? We're listening! Send us a voice memo at podcast@mamamia.com.au or call the podcast phone on 02 8999 9386. Submit a question via our new anonymous form here CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Madeline Joannou Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 2023 • 18min
The Signs Your Teen May Be Self-Harming
On today’s show, Ginni and Jo talk through the signs of self-harming and how to figure out if your teen might be intentionally hurting themselves. And, we all remember how tough being a teenager is, but dealing with the fact that your child might be getting bullied at school? That’s a whole different challenge. Our hosts share some advice for a parent who’s feeling lost about where to start to help. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Got a question? Call the podcast phone on 02 8999 9386 and leave a voicemail or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Submit a question via our new anonymous form here CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 9, 2023 • 15min
Acne, Anxiety & The Problem With Your Teens Getting No Sleep
Acne; it’s persistent, sore and not to mention a confidence killer for so many of our teenagers. Ginni answers all your questions including possible treatments. Plus, our experts answer a question from an exhausted parent who is up all night with their teenager who “can’t” (or doesn’t want to) go to sleep. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Got a question? Call the podcast phone on 02 8999 9386 and leave a voicemail or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Submit a question via our new anonymous form here CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 2, 2023 • 15min
'My Kids Always Choose Their Dad Over Me'
Does your teenager get overly anxious when they’re put under pressure? Jo reveals why telling your child just to “do their best” might actually be adding to their fear of failure. And let's be real, no parent enjoys having to beg for affection from their teenager. If you're feeling under-appreciated or suspect that your kids favour their other parent over you, we give advice on how you can turn things around. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form here Got a question? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2023 • 16min
How To Help Your Teen Process Disturbing Images On Their Socials
How can we shield our kids from distressing war images flooding our social media? Jo discusses some psychological strategies to help our teens process disturbing content. Plus, Ginni's got some advice for a dad whose 15-year-old daughter wants to visit the GP on her own. And, yes there are ways to support your teen without actually being in the room. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form here Got a question? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 19, 2023 • 17min
Easing Your Tweens Worries About High School
What do you do when your teenager starts to hate school, heavily influenced by their older siblings? Ginni and Jo share some advice on dealing with your tween's preconceived ideas of high school. And, how do you know if your teen has an unhealthy relationship with food? We share some signs to keep an eye on. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form here Got a question? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au *Kell G, Rao A, Beccaria G et al. Affron (2017)*Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Inarejos-Garcia AM et al. Affron CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Leah Porgess Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 12, 2023 • 14min
The Real Reason Our Gen Z Teens Are So Lonely
Gen Z are the loneliest generation, research has found. But how can we help our teenagers when they’re finding it hard to connect with people their age? Ginni and Jo offer their advice. Plus, the controversial rapper Kanye “Ye” West has said some outrageous things, and yet, teenagers are still obsessed with him. Is this such a big deal? We unpack. THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form here Got a question? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au CREDITS: Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Production: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.