240: Talk to Your Boys: Raising Confident, Caring Young Men

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Kids & Family, Mental Health, Parenting, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 720 Ratings

🗓️ 7 October 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Many boys are struggling, and parents are often left wondering how to reach them. If your tween or teen son seems distant, gives one-word answers, or is spending too much time online, you’re not alone. In this episode of “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens,” psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan sit down with Joanna Schroeder and Christopher Pepper, authors of the book “Talk to Your Boys,” to tackle one of the toughest challenges parents face: raising confident, caring young men in today’s complicated world. Joanna and Christopher draw on decades of experience working directly with boys to reveal what they really want from the adults in their lives, and how parents can help them grow into emotionally healthy, compassionate young men. 💡 YOU’LL LEARN: - Why boys often shut down emotionally, and how to break through the silence- Practical strategies to start conversations that go beyond one-word answers- How to protect boys from harmful online influences and teach media literacy- Ways to talk about consent, respect, and healthy masculinity- How to support your son’s mental health and help him find purpose and connection This conversation is full of warmth, honesty, and actionable advice. Whether you’re raising a middle schooler just starting to pull away or a high schooler navigating friendships, identity, and independence, you’ll leave with tools to connect more deeply with your son. Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan. Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/ Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com Episode keywords: talk to your boys, joanna schroeder, chrisopher pepper, boys, parenting, teens, mental health, communication, masculinity, social media, emotions, raising sons Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Dr. Lisa D'Amore, and I'm thrilled to share some exciting news.
0:05.3	Untangled, guiding teenage girls through the seven transitions into adulthood has just been re-released in a newly revised edition.
0:13.4	Lisa, this book is a total game changer for parents of teens.
0:17.1	You walk us through the seven developmental stages every girl goes through, helping us understand what's normal, what's not, and how we can support them every step of the way.
0:26.7	That's right, Rina.
0:27.7	And in this updated edition, I've added fresh insights and research to help parents navigate today's challenges, from social media to school pressures and more.
0:37.1	And though the book centers on raising girls, at least 80% of the content applies to all kids.
0:42.5	So if you're raising a teen or a preteen, this book is the guide that you've been looking for.
0:47.4	And of course, we'll continue to explore these topics on the Ask Lisa, the Psychology of Parenting Podcast.
0:53.3	So grab your copy of the revised Untangled today, and let's navigate this journey together.
0:58.7	Available, everywhere books are sold.
1:04.0	Tell me a parenting issue everyone struggles with with tweens and teens, but no one talks about.
1:09.5	Rina, I think a lot of people feel like they just don't know how to connect to their kid anymore.
1:15.3	I'm Rina Nainen, and welcome to Ask Lisa, the psychology of raising tweens and teens.
1:20.3	And I'm Dr. Lisa DeMore.
1:21.7	We bring you science-back strategies for managing anxiety, discipline, intense emotions, and more.
1:28.0	We decode tough parenting issues with tips you can use right now.
1:31.9	So subscribe to Ask Lisa the Psychology of Raising Twins and Teens and Join our YouTube community today.
1:38.2	Just Google, Ask Lisa Podcast.
1:40.6	We're here to help you untangle family life.
1:45.8	Episode 236, talk to your boys, raising confident, caring young men with authors Joanna Schroeder and Christopher Pepper.
1:57.0	I'm really excited about today because having a ninth grade boy, this next book, the authors that we're going to talk to today, I just thought this book was incredible and every parent of boys should read this one.
	...

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