Free Daily Podcast Summary
Thriving Kids: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Child Mind Institute
Parenting can feel overwhelming when kids struggle with anxiety, behavior, school, or big emotions. Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers who want clear, honest answers about child and adolescent mental health.Hosted by Dr. Dave Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode focuses on a common parenting challenge — from tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies grounded in science.You’ll hear direct, expert guidance from clinicians who work with kids and families every day.New episodes every week, with companion newsletters for easy reference.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago44 min
Q&A: How to Help an Anxious Child Without Making Anxiety Worse
Every child worries sometimes, but how can parents tell when it has become something more? In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Theresa Welles, Shapiro Family Director of the Bubrick Center for Pediatric OCD at the Child Mind Institute, to answer listener questions about anxiety in children and teens. Dr. Welles explains why anxiety is a normal and even helpful emotion. She also covers signs that a child’s anxiety has become a problem, like when their world gets smaller because they're avoiding school, friends, or activities they used to enjoy.In this episode, Dr. Dave and Dr. Welles cover:· How to tell the difference between normal worries and an anxiety disorder· Less obvious signs of anxiety in teens, including anger, procrastination, and saying they "don't care"· Why stomachaches and headaches before school can be signs of anxiety, and how to respond· How to help a child who avoids activities because they're afraid of failing, without pushing too hard· How to help an anxious child without accidentally reinforcing their anxiety· When to seek professional help, including when family routines start to revolve around a child's anxiety· What good treatment for child and teen anxiety looks like, and signs that it isn't working· How OCD differs from anxiety, and how exposure and response prevention (ERP) helps kids break the cycleFurther Reading· How Anxiety Affects Teenagers· Anxious Stomachaches and Headaches· What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious· What Does OCD Look Like in Kids?
- 1 weeks ago41 min
Motivation, Persistence, and Learning
Why do some kids keep trying when something is difficult while others quickly give up? In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Yale University researcher Dr. Julia Leonard to explore the science of motivation, persistence, and learning — and the important role parents and other adults can play in helping kids decide which challenges are worth pursuing.In this episode, they cover:• How children develop beliefs about what they’re capable of• Why stepping in too quickly can unintentionally discourage independence• How modeling your own hard work can help kids learn to keep trying• Why giving kids opportunities to struggle and improve can build confidenceKey takeaways• Kids learn about effort through relationships. When children face a difficult task, they look to parents, teachers, and other adults for clues about whether the challenge is worth pursuing and whether they’re capable of succeeding.• Resist the urge to immediately take over. When a task is developmentally appropriate, giving kids room to try, struggle, and problem-solve can help them build independence and confidence.• Let kids see your hard work. Adults often make everyday tasks look effortless, while doing their own difficult work out of sight. Showing kids that adults struggle, practice, make mistakes, and eventually improve helps make effort visible.• Praise the process, not just the person. With younger children, highlighting effort, strategies, persistence, and progress can be more motivating than simply telling them they’re smart, talented, or “the best.”• Keep praise authentic. Over-the-top praise can backfire, and as kids get older, they become increasingly sensitive to praise that doesn’t match their own assessment of how they performed.• Create opportunities for kids to improve. Whether at home or in school, feedback, second chances, and opportunities to revise work send kids the message that learning is a process — not a single judgment of their ability.Further readingHow to Help Kids Learn to FailHelping Kids With Flexible ThinkingDoes It Matter How I Praise My Child?
- 2 weeks ago30 min
Q&A: When Kids Don’t Want to Go to School: Anxiety, Avoidance, and Refusal
When a child refuses to go to school, it can be easy to assume they’re unmotivated, being defiant, or simply trying to skip class. But school avoidance is often driven by anxiety — and understanding what’s behind it is an important first step toward helping kids get back to school.In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Alana Cooperman, LCSW, a senior social worker in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, to answer parents’ questions about school anxiety, avoidance, and refusal.Cooperman explains how school avoidance can look different across ages, from crying and clinging to parents in younger children to stomachaches, sleep problems, irritability, frequent trips to the nurse, or repeated requests to come home in older kids and teens. She and Dr. Dave also discuss how ADHD, learning difficulties, autism, peer problems, academic pressure, and embarrassing experiences at school can contribute to avoidance.In this episode, they cover:• Common reasons kids may avoid school• How bullying, peer conflict, tests, teachers, bathrooms, and lunchrooms can become triggers• How ADHD, executive functioning challenges, learning disorders, and autism can contribute• How to validate anxiety without validating avoidance• Why staying home shouldn’t become more rewarding than going to school• How gradual exposure can help kids build tolerance for anxiety• When professional help may be needed• Why progress isn’t always linear — and why effort mattersFurther readingWhen Kids Refuse to Go to SchoolHow Anxiety Affects Kids in SchoolAnxious Stomachaches and HeadachesHave a question you’d like Dr. Dave and a Child Mind Institute expert to answer in a future episode? Send it through the Child Mind Institute’s social channels or email podcast@childmind.org.
- 3 weeks ago45 min
Getting Sober Young: Molly Jong-Fast on Addiction and Recovery
Journalist, author, and podcast host Molly Jong-Fast got sober at 19 — and nearly three decades later, she continues to speak candidly about her experience with alcoholism and recovery. In this episode of Thriving Kids, she joins Dr. Dave Anderson for a conversation about recognizing addiction in adolescence, overcoming stigma, and why young people struggling with substance use need to know that recovery is possible.In this episode, they cover:• Why addiction can look different from typical adolescent experimentation• Why family history can be an important part of conversations about substance use• How parents can talk openly with kids about addiction without relying on shame• What parents should know about marijuana and the developing adolescent brain• Why lasting recovery involves more than simply removing access to a substance• How schools and colleges can better support young people who choose sobrietyKey takeaways• Addiction can begin early. Jong-Fast describes recognizing during adolescence that she had difficulty controlling her substance use and that her experience looked different from that of many of her peers.• Pay attention to patterns, not just individual incidents. Repeated inability to stop, dramatic changes in behavior, escalating use, or repeatedly trying and failing to cut back may signal that a young person needs additional support.• Talk honestly about family history. When addiction runs in a family, age-appropriate conversations can help kids understand that they may have increased vulnerability without framing their future as inevitable.• Shame isn’t treatment. Families can establish clear boundaries around substance use while continuing to communicate love, connection, and a willingness to help.• Legal doesn’t mean harmless. Alcohol and marijuana may be legal for adults, but that doesn’t eliminate the potential risks associated with adolescent use.• Young people need spaces that support sobriety. Substance-free housing, recovery communities, treatment programs, and supportive peers can help young people build lives that don’t revolve around alcohol or drugs.• Recovery can open up possibilities rather than close them down. Jong-Fast describes sobriety as what allowed her to build a life in which alcohol and drugs did not dictate her decisions.Further readingComplete Guide to Substance Use and Mental HealthHow to Talk to Your Teen About Substance Use
- Oct 1, 202631 min
Q&A: How to Handle Attention & Focus Issues
Attention problems can be frustrating for kids and parents — especially when it’s hard to tell whether a child can’t focus on a task or simply doesn’t want to. In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers nine parent questions about attention and focus, including when difficulties may point to ADHD.Dr. Dave explains why ADHD can make boring or repetitive tasks especially difficult and shares practical strategies for strengthening study, organization, and attention skills. He also discusses ADHD in girls, medication use as kids grow, phones and social media, and why an ability to intensely focus on some activities doesn’t rule out ADHD.In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:• How to distinguish attention problems from lack of motivation• Strategies for kids with attention difficulties, even with or without an ADHD diagnosis• How phones, gaming, and social media may affect attention• Why ADHD can look different in girls and boys• Helping kids start homework, stay focused, and study independently• When to seek a professional ADHD evaluationKey takeaways• ADHD is not simply a lack of effort. Kids may struggle most with tasks that feel boring or unrewarding.• Attention problems don’t always mean ADHD. Anxiety, depression, trauma, learning disorders and other factors can also affect focus.• ADHD strategies can help even without a diagnosis. Routines, reinforcement and organization systems can make tasks easier.• Planners, calendars, distraction-free workspaces, and check-ins can help kids develop independence.• Consider whether technology is affecting sleep, schoolwork, or relationships.Further readingHow to Get an ADHD DiagnosisHow to Tell if Your Daughter Has ADHDHow Girls With ADHD Are DifferentHow to Help Yourself Get OrganizedSide Effects of ADHD MedicationNot All Attention Problems Are ADHDBooks mentioned in the episodeAll About ADHD: The Complete Practical Guide for Classroom Teachers — Linda J. PfiffnerTaking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents — Russell A. BarkleyManaging ADHD in School — Russell A. BarkleyThe Everyday Parenting Toolkit — Dr. Alan E. KazdinOrganizational Skills Training for Children with ADHD: An Empirically Supported Treatment — Richard Gallagher, Howard B. Abikoff, and Elana G. SpiraAdditional ResourcesADDitudeCHADD
- Sep 24, 202658 min
What to Know About Teen Substance Use
Experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substances isn’t uncommon during adolescence — but that doesn’t mean that parents don’t, or shouldn’t, have concerns about it. On this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by two experts from Partnerships to End Addiction, clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Hogue and licensed clinical social worker Molly Bobek, for a practical conversation about preventing teen substance use, recognizing the warning signs of substance use problem, and helping young people make safer decisions.They explain why the relationship parents build with their kids may be one of their most powerful prevention tools. And they discuss how to talk about drugs and alcohol without exaggerating the risks or losing credibility, what parents should know about the connection between substance use and mental health, and how to respond when a teenager comes home after drinking or doing drugs. They also offer guidance on when to seek treatment, what effective treatment should look like, and why it’s important for families to be involved in the recovery process.In this episode, they cover:• How to distinguish typical experimentation from more concerning patterns of substance use• Why mental health challenges can make teens more vulnerable to misusing substances• How parents can balance family values, consequences, safety, and open communicationKey takeaways• Relationships are a powerful prevention tool. Staying calm, curious, and connected — Dr. Hogue’s “three C’s” — can offer teens somewhere to turn when they encounter substances or difficult situations.• Don’t feel like you have to exaggerate the risks of substances to be heard. Scare tactics can backfire, undermining parents’ credibility. Accurate, age-appropriate information can help teens understand real risks while preserving trust.• Think in terms of many small conversations, as opposed to one “big talk” about drinking and drugs. You can create an ongoing dialogue about peer pressure, family values, mental health, and safety.• Prioritize safety when something happens. If your teen has used a substance, beginning with curiosity about what happened and whether they’re safe preserves an open line of communication that can help them make better decisions in the future.• If a teen does need treatment, it should be framed as a form of support, not a punishment. Parents can approach counseling as something the family can work on together rather than evidence that the teen has failed or needs to be “fixed.”• Effective treatment should address the whole child. For adolescents, that often means addressing co-occurring mental health challenges and meaningfully involving parents and families in care.Further readingHow to Talk to Your Teen About Substance Use – Child Mind InstituteComplete Guide to Substance Use + Mental Health – Child Mind Institute
- Sep 17, 202639 min
Q&A: Anger, ADHD, Lying, OCD, and Big Feelings
In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers eight parent questions about some of the most common — and challenging — behaviors families face. From aggression and ADHD to lying, motivation, OCD, and big emotions, Dr. Dave explains what may drive these behaviors and offers practical, evidence-based strategies parents can use to respond.In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:• Why is my three-year-old so angry and aggressive?• How can I help a child with ADHD without medication?• My child is out of control. Where can I send him?• How do I motivate a “lazy” child?• How do I explain OCD to a child?• Why does my child lie about everything?• Why won’t my child listen unless I yell?• Why is my child so sensitive?Key takeaways• Anger and aggression in young children can stem from temperament, development, family stress, and other factors. Behavioral parent training can help parents combine warmth with clear expectations and consistent consequences.• Medication is not the only evidence-based ADHD treatment. Parent training, classroom support, organizational skills, and help with peer relationships can all be effective but require consistent adult involvement.• Even when behavior feels out of control, behavioral and family interventions can help. Families may also consider school-based services, therapeutic programs, residential treatment, or hospitalization when safety is a concern.• What looks like “laziness” may reflect depression, ADHD, learning challenges, or other difficulties. Parents can build motivation through meaningful rewards and opportunities for success.• OCD involves intrusive thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors a person feels driven to perform. Treatment, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), can help kids tolerate anxiety without compulsions.• Lying is common in childhood. Parents can emphasize honesty, reinforce truth-telling — especially when it’s difficult — and use calm, proportionate consequences when needed.• If kids only listen after a parent yells, the family may be in a coercive cycle. Calm directions and predictable consequences can break the pattern and show that yelling isn’t what makes a direction matter.• Some children experience emotions more intensely. Parents can help them identify feelings, build coping skills, and learn to move forward after difficult moments. Further ReadingAngry Kids: Dealing With Explosive BehaviorBehavioral Treatments for Kids With ADHDBehavioral Parent TrainingSchool Success Kit for Kids With ADHDComplete Guide to ADHDWhy Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About ItHow to Give Kids Effective InstructionsHealthy Minds, Thriving Kids
- Sep 10, 202646 min
Dad Brain: Fatherhood, Parenting, and the Brain
Becoming a father doesn’t just change your life, research suggests it can actually change your brain. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with psychologist and researcher Dr. Darby Saxbe, author of Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives, to explore the emerging science of what happens to men’s brains, hormones, relationships, and sense of identity when they become fathers.Dr. Saxbe explains why some of the brain changes associated with fatherhood may help dads become more attuned to their children, how testosterone levels can shift as men move into caregiving roles, and why becoming a parent can bring both psychological vulnerability and long-term neurological benefits. They also discuss paternal mental health, loneliness, and social connection among men, the pressures created by online messages about masculinity, and how being an engaged father can offer men a powerful source of connection and purpose.In this episode, they cover:• How men’s brains can change during the transition to fatherhood• Why some brain changes may help fathers become more responsive to their babies• What researchers are learning about paternal postpartum depression and anxiety• Why the popular idea that “higher testosterone is always better” misses what the research actually shows• How relationships and social connection contribute to men’s long-term health• How fatherhood can encourage healthier behaviors in menKey takeaways• Fathers’ brains change, too. Research suggests that becoming a father is associated with changes in brain structure and function, including areas involved in understanding and responding to other people’s thoughts and emotions.• Those changes can bring both opportunity and vulnerability. In Dr. Saxbe’s research, some of the brain changes associated with stronger bonding and greater caregiving involvement were also associated with more symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and sleep problems.• Fathers’ mental health deserves attention. Becoming a parent is a major physical, emotional, and social transition for all parents, yet fathers are often overlooked in conversations about postpartum well-being.• Testosterone isn’t simply a “more is better” hormone. Testosterone can naturally change as men transition into caregiving roles, and Dr. Saxbe argues that flexibility — rather than maximizing testosterone — is a more useful way to understand these changes.• Fatherhood can encourage healthier habits. Research suggests fathers may be more likely to engage in protective health behaviors and less likely to engage in some risky behaviors once they become responsible for a child.• Great parents are made, not born. One of Dr. Saxbe’s central messages is that good parenting isn’t innate. Investment, motivation, practice, and experience help parents develop the skills they need.Further reading10 Tips to Help Dads and Daughters Stay Close – Child Mind Institutehttps://childmind.org/article/parenting-through-depression/Parenting Through Depression – Child Mind InstituteDad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives by Dr. Darby Saxbe
Get Thriving Kids summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
You Only Know What You Know
Compass Health Center
Ask Lisa: Untangling Family Life
Psychologist Lisa Damour answers parents' questions about raising tweens and teens with evidence-based advice on mental health, behavior, and family dynamics.
Calm Parenting Podcast
Practical strategies for managing strong-willed, defiant, or neurodivergent children without power struggles or yelling.
Parenting With Psychology
A clinical psychologist offers practical parenting advice based on psychological research to help families manage challenges and strengthen relationships.
The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
A pediatrician and mom provides practical, science-backed advice on child health, development, behavior, and parenting from infancy through adolescence.
The ADHD Parenting Podcast
Practical strategies for parents to support children and teens with ADHD in improving behavior, executive function, and school success.
Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast
A Christian parenting podcast offering practical advice and faith-based encouragement for raising children from toddlers to teens.
Thrive Through and Beyond Cancer
Season Johnson
ResponseABLE Parenting
A podcast helping parents understand their reactions and develop mindful, effective strategies for raising strong-willed children.
Like You: Mindfulness for Kids
Guided mindfulness exercises for children using breath, music, and imagination to explore emotions and build self-awareness.
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
A psychologist and parenting coach offers science-backed strategies to help parents understand and connect with their teenagers.
Stronger Weekly
A health and fitness podcast for parents, featuring practical advice, parenting insights, and interviews on staying strong while raising a family.
About Thriving Kids
Parenting can feel overwhelming when kids struggle with anxiety, behavior, school, or big emotions. Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers who want clear, honest answers about child and adolescent mental health.Hosted by Dr. Dave Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode focuses on a common parenting challenge — from tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies grounded in science.You’ll hear direct, expert guidance from clinicians who work with kids and families every day.New episodes every week, with companion newsletters for easy reference.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Thriving Kids in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Thriving Kids daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Thriving Kids as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Thriving Kids podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Thriving Kids product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by The Child Mind Institute.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Thriving Kids release new episodes?
Thriving Kids publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Thriving Kids cover?
Thriving Kids covers topics including Fitness, Parenting, Health & Fitness, Kids & Family, Family, Mental Health. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Thriving Kids summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.