Podcast Episodes

Helping an anxious student requires a strong collaboration between families and schools, but so often meetings to create a plan become adversarial. In this episode, Lynn (who routinely attends such meetings) offers her key tips for how parents and schools can work together to support a child and teach the needed skills, minus the conflict and blaming. We also answer a question from a shy mom entering a new school environment. She’s socially anxious but wants to do the best for her kids. What ca...

Don’t we all want to raise problem-solvers? Today we are recasting one of our most popular episodes in which we break down specific steps that parents can put into practice. We must give our kids the practice of creating solutions and not fixing things for them. This episode also wraps up the third of a previously-released three-part series on the principal skills that children need for a strong foundation in mental health (along with flexibility and autonomy). We encourage you to check out the...

A kid with a flexible brain becomes a person who can go with the flow when life doesn’t unfold as planned. Handling the unexpected is a critical skill in most scenarios. Rigidity just makes life harder. What does it mean to be cognitively flexible and how can you help your child get there? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this p...

In Season 4, we offered a three-episode series in which we unpacked Lynn's big triad: Autonomy, Flexibility, and Problem Solving. These essential skills help prevent mental health issues from developing, and, of course, Lynn will tell you how to nurture them in your children. We tackle autonomy in this episode and the important question every parent should ask: "How controlling am I with my kids?" WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our f...

In this recast of a Season 5 episode, we answer listener questions from three different families with five-year olds about handling big emotions and fears. Rigidity, disappointment, tantrums, new schools…issues that most parents of all kids will encounter! And, we have a conversation on those red flags that might lead you to consider a new therapist. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For t...

When children are hesitant or afraid of something, they often avoid, refuse, or even explode. The good news? You can work with your child on your own using the principles of exposure therapy, role playing and front loading. Here’s your DIY plan for stepping in and developing more resilience. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this...

This episode tackles a relatable and critical question from a listener: what do I do about my own anxiety as my child goes from kid to tween to teen? The key is learning the difference between normal adolescent development and your parental anxiety’s desire to take charge. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring...

Our guest on this episode is Lynn’s amazing colleague, Mindy Szelap, a therapist who is known affectionately as the Poop Lady. Because anxiety has connections to all sorts of stomach problems, including constipation and pain, Mindy offers information and tips for dealing with worried tummies. Find Mindy here: bayareaspacetreatment.com WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new t...

Do your kids lie? The answer is likely yes. And we adults do, too, because honesty is not always the best policy. In this episode, we talk about lying, what’s normal developmentally, and how to help your kids better understand the nuances. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part anxiety...

In this recast of a popular episode from last year, sit in on Lynn's consultation with Mom, Dad and their high school junior who would prefer just staying in his room for most of the summer. Lynn helps identify the skill most teens need to strengthen — the skill of doing something you don't really want to do (and how it applies to getting a first job, applying to college, or completing schoolwork). Most parents will find this a very relatable episode about teens learning to motivate themselves t...

Parents often focus on the details of a child’s anxiety or frustration or distress. The parental interrogation fueled by “I have to know what happened and they should be able to tell me” is a common sentiment. Do you fall prey to needing to know the details? Our desire to know is less important than supporting our children’s ability to manage their emotions and learn problem solving. Can you help without knowing the details? Yes, yes, yes! WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND R...

It’s graduation time. Robin is smack in the middle of this emotional time and Lynn has navigated it twice. So they’re both crying. ...and here's the Katrina Kenison piece that Lynn mentions: https://www.katrinakenison.com/2020/03/16/the-gift-of-an-ordinary-day/ WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyon...

Have you been hearing a lot about boundaries lately? And “toxic relationships"? Buzzwords capture our—and our children’s—attention, but what do memes and quotes on social media actually teach us about managing friendships and repairing ruptures? In this episode we talk about the skills of repair, the importance of connection, and valuing relationships amidst the pull of a throw-away culture. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: ...

.... WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part anxiety disruptor series as well as a 3-part series on the skills most helpful in managing anxious kids: flexibility, problem solving, and autonomy. Consult our Spotify profile for the most up-to-date selection. WIN A COPY OF THE ANXIETY AU...

Pediatricians and family physicians are on the front lines of our children’s mental health needs. In fact, they are reporting more and more that it’s the most common (and often most challenging) issue they are addressing with families. On this episode, Lynn and Robin are joined by Dr. Jessica Hochman, whose practice and podcast (Ask Dr. Jessica) focus on helping families feel more confident and informed. What is it like to be a pediatrician in the age of worry? What is most satisfying/challengin...

In this recast of a popular Season 5 episode, we continue our discussion on loneliness, this time focusing on adults. Making friends in adulthood feels risky. If you are at all anxious or introverted, vulnerability and rejection hardly seem worth it. But connection is possible once we dispel some limiting beliefs. VISIT OUR SPONSORS FOR SPECIAL OFFERS JUST FOR YOU: Get 20% off your first order when you go to LIQUIDIV.com and use code FLUSTER at checkout. Go to zocdoc.com/FLUSTER and download ...

Do you wish your child could hear about worry directly from Lynn? Here you go! In previous episodes Lynn has spoken directly to teens; this episode is for the youngsters. She describes how worry works, what makes it better and worse, and how to externalize and talk to worry. Listen with your child! Get 20% off your first order when you go to LIQUIDIV.com and use code FLUSTER at checkout. Go to zocdoc.com/FLUSTER and download the ZOCDOC app for free. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today....

We’ve talked about kids and phones before, but it deserves another deeper look. What’s the impact of younger and younger children having smartphones? The research shows big shifts on mental health after 2010? It’s time to talk about the consequences of smartphones seriously. Here is the article by Jonathan Haidt which we discuss in this episode: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/teen-childhood-smartphone-use-mental-health-effects/677722/ Get 20% off your first order when ...

Death is a part of life, but it still scares most of us. When children experience death and other types of loss, they grieve in different ways, depending on age, family culture, and personality. How can you help your child deal with loss and grief, especially when you yourself are grieving? What can parents do and say to help children navigate a painful but universal human experience? And can we do better when showing our children how to support others? UPDATED: WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPIS...

Every once in a while, teens need a pep talk that is based on accurate information and hopeful language about their moods, their relationships and their mental health. Anxiety and depression are common and powerful but not inevitable and certainly not permanent. Listen to this with your teen. Then, have a talk and listen more. UPDATED: WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new...

It’s a fact: some kids need more social coaching than others. And if your child (or you!) struggle with anxiety, practicing social skills is both more challenging and more vital. How do we enhance our kids’ ability to make good friends? The research offers some interesting do’s and don’ts that will be helpful to all parents! UPDATED: WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here For those brand new to...

Lynn often says that the hardest people to work with in her practice are the ones that don’t own their own stuff. In this episode, we talk about owning patterns in your marriage. Both Robin and Lynn work with their husbands and both are consistently working on owning and breaking patterns. Do you get defensive? Of course you do! We’ll get specific in this episode. UPDATED: WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious...

A global cognitive style, to use the fancy terminology, means that your perceptions of the world or yourself are broad and overly general: “All dogs are mean” or “I never get anything right.” Because this pattern is a solid predictor for depression and anxiety, it’s one to recognize and interrupt. We’ll talk about how to make helpful shifts in your family. UPDATED: WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, S...

As college acceptance letters arrive, it 's timely to revisit this popular episode from Season 4! Parents and students are focusing on college admissions earlier and earlier, hoping to get a head start on what has become an increasingly competitive race through high school. They say they want their kids to be “happy” and “successful” in college, but if parents are obsessed with the "getting in," are they developing the right skills to help them thrive once there? Anxiety expert and therapist Ly...