Lisa Damour: How to Talk to Teenagers

We used to be afraid of teenagers. Now we’re afraid for them. Anxiety, depression, social media, school pressures, loneliness—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about what it means to raise or support a teenager today. But Lisa Damour has spent decades helping us understand what’s actually happening in the emotional lives of teenagers—and what they really need from the adults who care for them. If you’ve ever wanted to be a steady, loving presence in a teenager’s life (without making things weird), this one’s for you.

In this conversation, Kate and Lisa talk about:

• The difference between normal teenage emotions and when it’s time to worry
• Why “emotional does not equal fragile” (and why kids need us to believe that)
• How to talk to teenagers in a way that builds trust and connection
• The biggest factors that shape teen mental health (hint: sleep matters more than you think!)
• When social media becomes a problem—and how to set guardrails that actually work

If you liked this episode, you may enjoy:

• Lisa Damour Part 1, Understanding Today’s Teenagers
• Pamela Morris Perez on Suicide Prevention and Hope
• Our Talking to Kids Support Guide

Watch clips from this conversation, read the full transcript, and access discussion questions by clicking here or visiting katebowler.com/podcasts.

Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter)—@katecbowler. Links to social pages and more available at linktr.ee/katecbowler.

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