

This Is So Awkward
Peoples Media, This Is So Awkward
This is so awkward…but it doesn’t have to be. These days, puberty starts earlier, lasts longer, and happens with a cellphone in hand. The most trusted voices on puberty, Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, are here to remove cringe from this stage of life – not just for kids going through it but also the adults who care about them. With science, guidance and humor, they cover all the physical, emotional, and social changes that happen between ages 8-18 and beyond.Watch the full episodes on Youtube!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 5, 2025 • 50min
Our Kids Know More + Less Than We Think
It can be really hard to gauge what tweens + teens actually know about the biggest ticket topics. That’s because, in this age of information, they are pummeled with “facts” about sex, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, wellness, and so much more. It can seem like they have encyclopedic knowledge sometimes… until you get past the confident tone and actually listen to what they are saying. This episode will make you feel less alone (you are not the only one who has been dumbfounded by an adolescent!) and help you help them sort fact from fiction.
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2025 • 43min
Leaving Our Baggage at the Door
In this Season 1 re-release: Our own puberty stories are seared into our brains and the temptation is to share those experiences, the good and the bad, with the kids in our lives. Except, kids need to have their own puberty journeys without carrying our puberty baggage on their shoulders. Adults need to find their own trusted adults with whom to share these memories and Cara and Vanessa do just that in this episode.
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 29, 2025 • 51min
When We Care and They Don't
Parents know better, right? Maybe. While we may have brains mature enough to anticipate what’s coming down the road 5, 10, 20 years from now (and the lived experiences to back it up), we can’t force our kids to care about the things we deem important. This power struggle occurs throughout the tween + teen years, on everything from minor issues like wearing deodorant to major tensions like grades or substance use. How can we adults learn to manage our own feelings while simultaneously finding ways to inspire our kids? This hilarious and personal episode is packed with that advice.
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 25, 2025 • 42min
Parenting the Emotional Roller Coaster with Dr. Aliza Pressman
We’re rereleasing one of the very first episodes we ever recorded because it’s also one of the best. Developmental psychologist, Dr. Aliza Pressman, joins us to discuss the ways to respond to the emotional ups and downs of parenting adolescents. Aliza’s practical and actionable advice boils down to this: What’s going on for our kids and how can we meet them in a kind and constructive way?
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 22, 2025 • 54min
Setting Boundaries with Other Adults
Setting boundaries takes practice: kids need to learn this skill and most adults need to evolve it. Practically speaking, boundary-setting starts with drawing lines on our kids’ behalf. In doing so, we show (more than tell) what is (and isn’t!) okay for strangers, family, and friends to do and say — from comments about body changes or clothing choices to judgments about life paths. The trick is to set boundaries while still encouraging connection, because we want kids to learn about limits without walling themselves off.
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 18, 2025 • 52min
Deep Dive on Periods
Dr. Hina Talib, adolescent medicine specialist, joins us for a deep dive on periods. We discuss menstruation as a vital sign, what’s considered normal for teen menstruation and what’s not, when to worry and when to seek advice from medical providers. We’ll cover everything from mittelschmerz (WHAT?!!!) to endometriosis, so tune in for accessible expert advice on all things periods!
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 15, 2025 • 51min
How to be a Friend
Dive into the art of building friendships with insights on effective communication and vulnerability. Discover how to help children navigate social dynamics, ensuring they understand the importance of inclusivity and respect. Explore the impact of boundaries and conflict resolution in relationships. The hosts tackle the challenges kids face, from exclusion to developing empathy. Plus, valuable tips for parents on fostering meaningful connections and encouraging their children to express their feelings openly.

Jul 11, 2025 • 37min
How to Respond When Kids Treat Us Like Crap
This episode dives into the tricky terrain of parenting challenging teens. It explains the science behind adolescent mood swings and how to recognize when behaviors are just typical teenage angst versus deeper issues. The hosts share practical tips for setting limits during emotional outbursts while fostering healthy communication. They explore the importance of boundaries, managing hurtful comments, and nurturing positive interactions, all while maintaining a loving atmosphere in family dynamics.

Jul 8, 2025 • 52min
How to Give Information in a Way Kids Can Hear It
Communicating effectively with kids requires a delicate blend of tone and approach, adjusting to their unique personalities. The discussion reveals how timing, mood, and external factors can sway conversations. Listeners learn about emphasizing open dialogue, especially on sensitive issues like hormonal changes. The importance of listening over lecturing is underscored, alongside strategies to ensure children grasp the information shared. Sharing personal anecdotes fosters trust and builds stronger parent-child relationships.

Jul 4, 2025 • 33min
The Gambling Talk
We’re rereleasing this episode because it’s gotten even more important since we first recorded it. Move over sex and drugs, there’s a new hot topic to add to the list of the zillion talks you’ll have with the kids in your life: gambling. It’s time to start conversations about everything from online gambling sites to gaming platforms to fantasy sports leagues. Plus add the fact that kid-targeted phone-based apps offer lots of entry points into the world of wagering.
Show Notes:
Join our LESS AWKWARD ESSENTIALS
Get your Alloy prescription today. Visit https://myalloy.com/SOAWKWARD today for $20 off your first order!
Head to http://lumen.me/AWKWARD for 10% off your purchase.
Go to Quince.com/AWKWARD for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AWKWARD199 to get started.
Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/AWKWARD
Head to phyla.com and use code PUBERTY for 25% off your first order
Download the FREE Playbook for Getting Your Kid to Talk
Order our book This Is So Awkward
Check out all our speaking and curriculum at www.lessawkward.com and our super comfy products at www.myoomla.com
To bring us to your school or community email operations@lessawkward.com
To submit listener questions email podcast@lessawkward.com
Watch the full episode on Youtube!
Produced by Peoples Media
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices