Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about what kids actually need to cope, connect, and grow up healthy today.

They cover:

• Why letting kids experience big feelings builds resilience
• How listening (not lecturing) strengthens connection
• What parents get wrong about screens and tech
• Why avoiding hard topics doesn’t protect kids
• How everyday conversations shape empathy and judgment

This episode is about practical, research-backed parenting — not perfection.

Further reading

• How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? - Child Mind Institute
• How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t A**holes - Melinda Wenner Moyer
• Hello, Cruel World - Melinda Wenner Moyer