Thriving Kids – Details, episodes & analysis

What do I do when my child is anxious — or angry — or just shuts down? 

Welcome to Thriving Kids, a new podcast from the Child Mind Institute. Hosted by clinical psychologist Dr. Dave Anderson, each episode shares practical tools and clear answers to tough parenting questions. Always evidence-based and judgment-free, you’ll hear advice from experts and real parents, all focused on helping you raise confident, connected kids. 

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Learn more at childmind.org/podcast.

In this first episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson and Dr. Caroline Mendel, a psychologist, dive into one of the most common questions parents ask: How can I get my child to behave better?

From toddlers to teens, they explore what really works when it comes to promoting positive behavior — and why quick fixes and harsh discipline aren’t the answer. Instead, they break down a proven, evidence-based approach that starts with the foundation of a strong parent-child relationship.

You’ll learn:

• Why quality time matters more than you think
• How to “catch them being good” — and why that phrase is more than a cliché
• What the behavior pyramid is (and how to use it)
• Why consistency beats intensity every time
• What actually makes time-outs effective
• And how to handle common behavior challenges like sibling conflict and screen time battles

This episode is packed with realistic strategies, expert insight, and personal stories that remind us: there’s no magic solution — but there is a better way.

Further reading

• (Video) How Can Parents Promote Good Behavior? – Child Mind Institute
• How to Handle Tantrums and Meltdowns – Child Mind Institute
• The Power of Positive Attention – Child Mind Institute

In this first Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real parenting questions about kids’ behavior — what it is, how to shape it, and how to support children through challenges.

We cover:

• How to handle lying, even when kids show no remorse
• Teaching respect, kindness, and standing up for others
• Whether there’s such a thing as “good” or “bad” behavior
• What to do when boys’ behavior becomes more destructive as they grow
• How to help kids recognize areas for growth without shame
• What to do when a high-energy child is sensitive to feedback

Further reading

• Common Causes of Behavior Problems in Kids – Child Mind Institute 
• Why Do Kids Act Out? – Child Mind Institute 
• Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It – Child Mind Institute

Friendships are a major part of growing up — but they don’t always come easy. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Mandi Silverman, a psychologist and member of the Child Mind Institute’s Clinical Advisory Council, about how to support your child’s social development at every age.

From navigating playdates to managing screen-based relationships, they unpack what’s typical (and what’s not), how to encourage connection, and what to do when your child seems left out. Whether your child is struggling to make friends or just figuring out who they click with, this episode offers practical guidance and real-world perspectives.

Further reading

• Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends – Child Mind Institute

• How to Help Kids Who Are Lonely – Child Mind Institute

What do you do when your child is struggling to make friends, or causing conflict with the friends they have? In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents and caregivers about how to help kids build and maintain healthy relationships, from early childhood through the teen years.

We cover:

• How to explain that not everyone will like you — and that’s okay
• What to do if your child doesn’t seem to have “real” friendships
• How to support your child’s social life if you’re a shy parent
• How to help a tween handle peer rejection
• What to do when your teen gossips or ghosts their friends
• How to respond to “bossy” behavior in younger kids
• Why teen friendships can sometimes feel toxic — especially among girls
• What to do when an older sibling is being unkind
• How to recognize emotional dependence in friendships
• Tips for supporting a child with ADHD who struggles socially

Whether your child is 6 or 16, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you guide them toward strong, supportive friendships — and build the social-emotional skills they’ll use for life.

 Further reading

• (Video) Being a Good Friend in Hedgehog Land – from the Child Mind Institute's Emmy and Webby-nominated series for young kids, featuring music by Lake Street Dive
• How to Help Teens Through a Friendship Breakup – Child Mind Institute
• How to Help Kids Who Are Lonely – Child Mind Institute

In a world full of comparison — from the classroom to social media — it’s not always easy for kids to feel confident, capable, and valued just as they are. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Jenny Louie, a psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, to explore how parents can help children develop healthy self-esteem.

You’ll hear about creating a safe, supportive home environment, encouraging healthy challenges, and finding the right balance between nurturing and pushing kids to grow. Dr. Louie shares practical, real-world examples (including some from her own life) that show how small shifts in what we say and do can make a big difference in how kids see themselves.

You'll learn:

• Why unconditional love is the foundation of self-esteem
• Why it's good to encourage kids to try new things — even when they’re nervous
• Why effort matters more than achievement
• How to help kids recover from mistakes and “beautiful oopses”
• How to support self-esteem in the teen years

Further reading

• 12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids – Child Mind Institute
• (Video) How to Help Kids Build Healthy Self-Esteem – Child Mind Institute

How do you help your child feel confident in who they are without putting pressure on them to be perfect or the best at everything?

In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers questions from listeners about how to support self-esteem in kids and teens. Building healthy self-worth isn’t just about praise — it’s about helping young people feel capable, valued, and grounded even when life is hard or they fall short. Drawing from clinical insight and everyday parenting strategies, Dr. Anderson tackles common concerns around negative self-talk, comparison, perfectionism, and how to model healthy self-esteem as an adult.

Topics include:

• How to build kids’ confidence without making them feel entitled
• What to do when your child says “I’m stupid” or “I hate myself”
• Helping kids avoid harmful social media comparisons
• Encouraging risk-taking when kids are afraid to fail
• Supporting kids when they hear something unkind from a peer
• Knowing the difference between low self-esteem and a rough patch
• What to do when a child’s self-esteem depends on one area (like sports)
• Moving beyond achievement as a source of pride
• How to support perfectionists without reinforcing pressure
• Why how you talk about yourself matters — and how to model healthy self-worth

Raising a teenager isn’t easy — but it is possible to stay connected. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Janine Domingues to explore how caregivers can support teens through adolescence — from emotional shutdowns to risky behavior to the weird world of YouTube.

Together they unpack:

• What’s really going on in the adolescent brain
• How to connect with your teen even if they won’t talk to you
• The power of shared rituals, from car rides to diner breakfasts
• Why you should care about what they care about (yes, even Minecraft)
• How to model communication — and stay regulated when they roll their eyes
• Tips for keeping teens safe around drugs, alcohol, social media, and more
• What to do when your teen shuts you out

Whether your child is 13 or 18, this conversation offers practical insights for building trust, maintaining open communication, and guiding kids through one of the most intense developmental phases of their lives.

Further reading

• Communicating with Teens – Child Mind Institute
• How do I help my child through the challenges they face in the teen years? – Child Mind Institute

In this special episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt for a live conversation on how smartphones and social media are transforming childhood — and what parents, schools, and policymakers can do in response.

Recorded at Guild Hall in East Hampton, they discuss the questions raised in Dr. Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — including the points they see differently.

They talk candidly about screen time, youth anxiety, social media “addiction,” digital literacy, tech regulation, and why we’re seeing such sharp mental health shifts in teens and tweens. Whether you’re alarmed by what you see on your kid’s phone or just looking for practical next steps, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and room for multiple perspectives.

Topics include:

• The “post-play childhood” and decline in free time
• When (and if) kids should be using social media
• Why phones in schools are so hard to manage
• Where tech harms hit boys and girls differently
• What parents can do now — even if the genie’s already out of the bottle

Further reading

The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt
Screen Time and Technology Resources – Child Mind Institute

Special thanks to Guild Hall and the Hamptons Institute for hosting this event and to journalist and filmmaker Perri Peltz for moderating with insight and care.

Parenting teenagers can feel like a rollercoaster — mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A edition of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, spotting the signs of depression, and helping teens cope with rejection and social media comparison.

Have a question for a future episode? Email podcast@childmind.org.