Teenagers Untangled has been picked by The Times UK as one of the top podcasts for parents

Social Media Episodes

April 15, 2025

138: How to get your teenager out of their bedroom - even one who's into gaming.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? So many parents feel a deep loss when their teenager begins to separate from them; staying in their room and behaving as if the person they used to adore is the most embarassing thing they have ever witnessed. In today's episode I brought in Anita Cleare, author of How to Get Your Teenager Out of Their Bedroom, to discuss the challenges of parenting teenagers. In her book she covers the key things tha…

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April 8, 2025

137: Identity formation - the main job of a teenager?

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? In psychology, the term "identity" is most commonly used to describe the distinctive qualities or traits that make an individual unique. Identities are strongly associated with self-esteem, and individuality and - for a teenager - forming their identity is a crucial job. It's been over two years since I created the first episode looking at the topic of identity formation. In this episode I h…

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April 1, 2025

135: Adolescence: Help for parents with the core themes. How to discuss and connect with our kids

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? The mini-series, Adolescence, is a global hit, topping Netflix charts in 71 countries and amassing 24.3 million views in its first four days. It's sparked a global conversation about parenting, masculinity, and the impact of social media on young people. It's brilliance rests on holding up a mirror to everyone in society, showing us the complex factors that cause toxic ideas to take root. When I …

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March 18, 2025

134: Are we too cynical? Helping our kids see hope in a world of cynicism.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Twenty years ago The Times asked young people in Britain a series of questions. The new Millenials gave answers which showed that the majority thought the UK was forward-looking and tolerant; they were proud to be British. This year that same survey - this time asking Gen Z - has brought in radically different results. 48 per cent thought that Britain is a racist country, compared with 36 per cent who did …

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Feb. 18, 2025

130: Worries about skin care obsessions? The social media 'Sephora' kid craze from a teen perspective

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Most teens go through a phase of being hyper-focused on looking good; whether it's clothes, bodybuilding, skin-care or makeup. What can seem like an obsession could be a normal part of the process, so when should we start to worry and how should we step up? When Clare wrote in worried about her daughter's skin-care regime she was hoping to get a teen perspective. Here's what she said. I woul…

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Dec. 3, 2024

119: Girls: Sexism, beauty standards, entitlement and misogyny an interview with Jo-Ann Finkelstein

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Encouraging our kids to make the most of themselves is a vital job for parents, but how do we talk with girls about the barriers they face? From the subtle expectation that girls and women be humble to the not so subtle focus on their worth based on body parts and beauty, we parents are left with a tricky path to tread. We want to encourage our girls to be bold, and try to achieve their dreams, but how do …

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Oct. 15, 2024

112: Stress - the major health issue for parents in our 'culture of comparison'.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? Over the last decade, parents have been consistently more likely to report experiencing high levels of stress compared to other adults, according to a report issued by the US Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Murthy. According to the advisory, 'When stress is severe or prolonged, it can have a harmful effect on the mental health of parents and caregivers, which in turn also affects the well- being of the chil…

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Sept. 10, 2024

107: Teen weight and body image: Mother and daughter explore the issues.

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover? As your child turns from a tween to a teen it's obvious to everyone that their body and mind are undergoing massive changes. It's destablising for our kids and can be very uncomfortable for us parents watching as the changes take place. Some of our discomfort can come from our own fears about how to guide them through the changes and what sort of person will come out the other side of the transfo…

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