Coming of Age: The Science of Adolescence – Details, episodes & analysis

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Coming of Age: The Science of Adolescence

Dr Lucy Foulkes and Dr Jack Andrews

Science

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 3

Why do teenagers copy their friends? Why does being one of the "cool kids" backfire later in life? Is there really a teenage mental health crisis? Coming of Age is hosted by Lucy Foulkes and Jack Andrews, psychologists at the University of Oxford who study adolescence for a living. Each week they take one thing about being a teenager - or raising one - that nobody quite understands, and actually explain it: real research and a lot more reassurance than the headlines usually offer.

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Data updated on 09/09/2026

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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19628323/
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36564745/
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28832975/
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https://theconversation.com/teens-with-at-least-one-close-friend-can-better-cope-with-stress-than-those-without-126769
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Score global : 17%

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Why Do Teenagers Copy Each Other?

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 38:28

Why does your teenager suddenly need a very specific pair of trainers, copy their friends’ opinions, or lose interest in family traditions they once loved? In this episode, Lucy and Jack unpack the psychology of peer influence and why fitting in matters so much during adolescence. They explore when teenagers are most susceptible to their friends, how peer influence can shape everything from clothes and risk-taking to anxiety and bullying, and why it can also be a powerful force for good. Plus, they explain what parents can do when they’re worried about the influence a friendship group is having on their child.

Get in touch at pod.comingofage@gmail.com

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Why Is the Social World of Adolescence So Intense?

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 41:29

Lucy Foulkes and Jack Andrews are research psychologists at the University of Oxford, and in the very first episode of Coming of Age they explore what adolescence really is, and why it's one of the most misunderstood stages of our lives. From why teenagers seem so sensitive to friendships and social status to what the science tells us about identity, popularity and belonging, they unpack the psychology behind behaviours that are so often dismissed as "just being a teenager."

Together, they discuss why adolescence now stretches well into our twenties, why fitting in feels so important during the school years, the surprising difference between being popular and being well liked, and why just one close friendship can make a profound difference to a young person's wellbeing. They also explain why that unanswered text message can genuinely feel catastrophic to a teenager, and how understanding the science can help parents respond with greater empathy.

Get in touch at pod.comingofage@gmail.com

Research Discussed:

Age range debate:

Sawyer, S. M., Azzopardi, P. S., Wickremarathne, D., & Patton, G. C.(2018). The age of adolescence. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2(3),223-228.

Cliques and hierarchies:

Foulkes, L. (2024). Coming of Age: How AdolescenceShapes Us. London, UK: Penguin Random House.

Two kinds of popularity:

Sandstrom, M. J., & Cillessen, A. H. (2006). Likeable versus popular:Distinct implications for adolescent adjustment. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 30(4),305-314.

Prinstein, M. J. (2017). Popular: The Power of Likabilityin a Status-Obsessed World. New York: Penguin.

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Trailer: Coming of Age

Monday, August 24, 2026 • Duration 00:45

Coming of Age is coming. Oxford psychologists Lucy Foulkes and Jack Andrews are lifting the lid on why teenagers really do what they do — the science behind friendships, peer pressure, risk-taking and the truth about the "mental health crisis," minus the panic. Subscribe now so you're first in line for episode one.

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Coming of Age: The Science of Adolescence – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

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Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

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Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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Coming of Age: The Science of Adolescence – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

PubMed3

Other3

The Conversation1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

PubMed3

Other3

The Conversation1

Apple Podcasts

Spotify