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Ep. 105 [Revisited] - Gender, Emotion and Perfectionism: A conversation with Lisa Damour

Release Date: 12/27/2023

Ep. 127 Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls with Chelsey Goodan

Parenting Understood

In this episode of Parenting Understood we are joined by Chelsey Goodan, author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls. In this episode we talk about girls’ experiences feeling unheard while also experiencing societal pressures to be perfect and likable. We delve into the role of social media in girls’ views of themselves and others. We further discuss the role of gender in girls and boys identity development. Chelsey also offers advice on how to support girls and to provide strong relationships for them. To learn more about Chelsey and her work please visit: ...

Ep. 126 - How AI Can Help in Parenting

Parenting Understood

This week we discuss how AI language models, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, can support us in parenting. We delve into how ChatGPT and Gemini may help with things from crafting meals to creating personalized bedtime stories, generating craft ideas and developing educational games. We note, however, that AI models are best used as a starting point for evidence-based information and should not replace the input of a qualified professional.

Ep. 125 - The importance of parent-child talk with Dr. Harriet Tenenbaum

Parenting Understood

In this episode of Parenting Understood we speak with Dr. Harriet Tenenbaum about the importance of parent-child talk for a child's development. As we discuss, parents who speak more about emotions with their children help their children understand emotions better. Interestingly, there does not appear to be a large difference between explaining emotions to children and asking them questions about emotions in supporting their learning about emotions. We also address the role of parent talk in both children’s understanding of scientific principles, and in gender stereotyping. For more...

Ep. 124 - Preventing Turmoil with Your Toddler around Travel

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we discuss how a reward chart can support young children when traveling. More specifically, we walk through the key steps to using a reward chart, and the role of supporting positive behaviors. Traveling is a time of transition and often stress for children (and parents) but there are evidence based strategies to support children in the experience. For more information on Spot It and to get a copy please e-mail Michelle at

Ep. 29 [Revisited] - Self-Regulation With Dr. Clancy Blair

Parenting Understood

We are thrilled to be re-releasing our episode with Dr. Clancy Blair as part of our four week back to school series before our reflection on the past 100 plus episodes in two weeks. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist and Professor at New York University, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as executive functions, and the ways in which these aspects of cognition are important for school readiness and early school achievement. He is also interested in the development and evaluation of preschool...

Ep. 90 [Revisited] - How to Build a Balanced Plate: Successfully Tackling Selective Eating in Children with Success with Dr. Holly Gover

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Holly Gover, a board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gover, currently a faculty member in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us to tackle a common concern for parents: picky eaters. Dr. Gover shares valuable insights on how to encourage children to try new foods in a relaxed and enjoyable manner, empowering them to feel in control of their eating choices. We also explore the warning signs that may indicate the presence of an eating disorder and discuss...

Ep. 83 [Revisited] - The Fifth Trimester with Lauren Brody

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Smith-Brody, founder of the Fifth Trimester movement and the author of . We discuss with Lauren how her work addresses the research and policy around early parenthood, as well as the practical. Lauren speaks about how her work dissects the systems that drive the inequities that make new motherhood, and especially new employed motherhood, so challenging, and her mission to recruit others to speak up about caregivers in their workplace and their needs. Lauren addresses the parallels between infants’ fourth trimester and mothers’ fifth trimester. She...

Ep. 123 - How to Have Difficult Conversations with Children

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we discuss 9 key principles to consider when having conversations with children around difficult topics, such as illness. We discuss ways to be developmentally appropriate with one’s approach, especially for younger children. In addition, we talk about supports to consider when having these conversations, and the importance of gearing one’s approach towards one’s own child’s needs. Resources:

Ep. 122 - Imagining Childhood: Navigating the World of Young Minds with Dr. Paul Harris

Parenting Understood

In this episode we are joined by Harvard Professor, Dr. Paul Harris, to delve into the intricate world of children's imagination and its developmental significance. Drawing on his research, Dr. Harris challenges historical views, notably those of Freud and Piaget, highlighting the pragmatic value of children's imaginative play. He shares experiments involving young children's responses to pretend scenarios, revealing their sophisticated understanding and application of imagination in everyday situations. Moreover, Dr. Harris explores children's willingness to believe in unseen phenomena,...

Ep. 121 - Unlocking Children’s Creativity through Computer Programming

Parenting Understood

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Felienne Hermans to delve into the world of programming and its significance in children's development. We explore why programming is vital for children, emphasizing their shift from being digital consumers to creators. Felienne underscores the importance of fostering creativity in the digital realm, highlighting how programming empowers children to craft their own digital creations. Felienne also offers insights into age-appropriate programming activities. Moreover, she addresses common misconceptions about programming and offers practical advice for...

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In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys.

Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and CBS News.

Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.

Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan’s Power Foundation. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.

To learn more about Dr. Damour and her work please visit https://drlisadamour.com/ and follow her on instagram @lisa.damour

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