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Social Media Episodes

Oct. 28, 2025

Mental health problems in teenagers. We can't just blame phones.

Ask Rachel anything Why is it that so many teenagers today seem to be struggling with mental health? In this conversation, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel reveals the surprising science behind adolescent development, explaining why teens aren't 'difficult' they're doing an important job and how there's a fundamental mismatch between biological adolescent development and the world in which we now life. One of the key problems nowadays is that kids are g…

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April 15, 2025

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

Ask Rachel anything Explore Worldwide Holidays - Click here for an adventure your child will never forget: πŸ‘‡πŸ» https://www.explore.co.uk/experiences/family-holidays?utm_source=teenagers-untangled&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=family-adventures 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…

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April 8, 2025

Identity formation - the main job of a teenager?

Ask Rachel anything 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 have pulled material from the orginal discussion, and brought in Sus…

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April 1, 2025

Adolescence: Help for parents with the core themes. x

Ask Rachel anything 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 started this podcast I set out to create somewhere that is a safe..…

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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

Skin care obsession: The social media 'Sephora' kid craze from a teen perspective.

Ask Rachel anything Explore Worldwide Holidays - Click here for an adventure your child will never forget: πŸ‘‡πŸ» https://www.explore.co.uk/experiences/family-holidays?utm_source=teenagers-untangled&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=family-adventures 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…

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Dec. 3, 2024

Girls: Sexism, beauty standards, entitlement and misogyny.

Ask Rachel anything Explore Worldwide Holidays - Click here for an adventure your child will never forget: πŸ‘‡πŸ» https://www.explore.co.uk/experiences/family-holidays?utm_source=teenagers-untangled&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=family-adventures 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 …

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Oct. 15, 2024

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

Ask Rachel anything 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 children they raise. Children of parents with mental health conditions.…

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Sept. 10, 2024

Teen weight and body image: The teen view.

Ask Rachel anything Explore Worldwide Holidays - Click here for an adventure your child will never forget: πŸ‘‡πŸ» https://www.explore.co.uk/experiences/family-holidays?utm_source=teenagers-untangled&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=family-adventures 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 …

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