Episode 34: The teenage brain: separating myths from facts

What is neurodiversity and what does it mean to be neurodivergent? Today we talk about this broad category that covers autism-spectrum conditions as well as deficits in attention and other cognitive, learning issues. Why is neurodiversity becoming a popular term? Is this a useful category for our kids? Jessica and Dr. Ken talk about the possible drawbacks to this category. Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today we share the second half of our interview with Dr. Miriam Grossman. Grossman is a board certified psychiatrist who has been educating parents about the misinformation that has all but hijacked the fields of psychiatry, psychology and virtually all other human sciences. Dr. Grossman’s practice currently focuses on gender-distressed young people and their parents. She believes that every child is born in the right body. Dr. Grossman is the author of five books and has been translated into eleven languages. She testified before Congress and lectured at the British House of Lords. You might have seen her interview in the documentary "What Is A Woman?" Be careful when ordering her book as there have been efforts by some to interfere with getting the right book. Best to order from here: https://www.miriamgrossmanmd.com/about-4-2 Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

We are so excited to have one of our heroes join us for an in-depth look at the ideology of gender diversity that is sweeping our country. Dr. Miriam Grossman is a board certified psychiatrist who has been educating parents about the misinformation that has all but hijacked the fields of psychiatry, psychology and virtually all other human sciences. Dr. Grossman’s practice currently focuses on gender-distressed young people and their parents. She believes that every child is born in the right body. Dr. Grossman is the author of five books and has been translated into eleven languages. She testified before Congress and lectured at the British House of Lords. You might have seen her interview in the documentary "What Is A Woman?" We are honored to present this first of a two part discussion. Be careful when ordering her book as there have been efforts by some to interfere with getting the right book. Best to order from here: https://www.miriamgrossmanmd.com/about-4-2 Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

It's hard to believe how long it's been since we covered alcohol, drugs and vaping. Today we review the important differences between things that are bad for your teen and things that get them intoxicated. That difference is important! Also, Dr. Ken reviews the kind of craziness that can surround even normal sounding teens when they spend a lot of time around drunk kids. We also cover a brand new kind of nicotine delivery system (oh great)! Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today we review yet another news article about increased anxiety in teenagers. What is causing so much anxiety among our teens today? How should parents respond to teenagers who are anxious about the world they face today? When parents worry unnecessarily about every teenage struggle they run the risk of implying their adolescents are powerless to face today's struggles. Dr. Ken focuses instead on the need to parent in ways that empower adolescents and encourage them to face the troubles of their world in ways we parents could never imagine. Today's episode refers to these articles: Today’s Teenagers: Anxious About Their Futures and Disillusioned by Politicians - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/29/upshot/teens-politics-mental-health.html How Anxiety Became Content - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/12/therapy-language-anxiety-mental-health/676325/ Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Does your teenager misread others? Are they able to read the motives and feelings of their peers? This is known as "mentalization." Since the COVID pandemic more and more adolescents are struggling to read others and this effects their peer relationships and all other social interactions. Today we talk about how parents can influence mentalization in their teens and encourage their relationships. Dr. Ken references David Brooks' book "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen" https://www.amazon.com/How-Know-Person-Seeing-Others/dp/059323006X/ref=asc_df_059323006X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=647264363749&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11579897834764221685&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026972&hvtargid=pla-1973418059256&psc=1&mcid=2b6838d100a03234bfccdfda564a7ab5 Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

We've had some listeners ask about starting Feeding The Mouth parenting early. You know, like what about that extra responsible, mature 11-year-old? Wouldn't it be better to encourage that kind of behavior with early Planned Emancipation? Dr. Ken's answer may surprise you. Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

What can parents do when their teenager seems to attract the wrong kind of friends? How is it that some adolescents seem to get in with the "good" kids in their school while others apparently struggle? Today we talk about the somewhat complex issue of teens who hang with the "wrong" sort of friend group. What causes some teens to gravitate to the wrong crowd? What can parents do about it? What about moving your teenager to a new school? We answer these and other questions surrounding teens and the "bad crowd." Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

NOTE: Today's episode isn't suitable for young children (obviously). We know it's hard to talk about masturbation with your kids but it's so important that you do. How did we go from a culture that lied about near fatal consequences of masturbation to a culture that celebrates it as some sort of "self-care"? Today we take on the topic of how to address masturbation with your teenagers. When should you bring it up? Who should your son or daughter talk to? This episode isn't for kids to listen to but parents definitely should. Dr. Ken references the book: "Every Young Man's Battle" https://www.amazon.com/Every-Young-Mans-Battle-Strategies/dp/0307457990/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OBJ3JH43Z3MJ&keywords=every+young+man%27s+battle&qid=1705425383&sprefix=every+young+%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

When should parents allow their kids to wear make-up? What if your daughter tells you that all her friends are wearing make-up? What about some "radical" hairstyle? How should you respond if you son wants to wear make-up? Today we use the "Feeding The Mouth" philosophy with issues related to make-up, hair and even super long fingernails! Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! podcast@feedingthemouth.com Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667269257&sr=8-1 Music provided by the great John David Kent! - https://www.johndavidkent.com/