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What if the “problem behavior” you see- anger, anxiety, avoidance, endless scrolling- is your kid’s way of shielding against something deeper? In this episode, I chat with Dr. Marcus Rodriguez, director of the Youth and Family Institute and tenured professor at Pitzer College, about what parents can do when their young adult children struggle with adulting. We dig into when these young adults hit a wall, their nervous systems recruit anger, anxiety, and shame to avoid the pain of “I can’t.” Understanding that function changes how we respond at home.

With DBT expert Dr. Rodriguez, we unpack why this generation can be deeply caring and also overwhelmed by information designed to agitate. From algorithm-driven feeds that reward outrage to climate fear and economic uncertainty, young people face a flood of threats their brains aren’t built to regulate alone. We talk about wild cases of kids getting trapped in upsetting content loops and what media literacy and parent coaching can do to break that cycle.

We translate big ideas into everyday moves that you can use with your kids today. If you’re parenting a teen in their room, a college student off-track, or a 20-something stuck in avoidance, this conversation offers a practical, hopeful roadmap. 

If you need more help knowing what to do to help your children struggling with emotions, join KulaMind.

Resources:

• Dr. Rodriguez provides family DBT through his clinic in Los Angeles, Youth and Family Institute. 

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• For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com