Welcome to Incredible Conversation a podcast for adults supporting teenagers. We use the same principles in the podcast as we used in our book: What’s the neuroscience and how parents, teachers or any supporting adult use that neuroscience to help teens reach their potential. Listen to Bettina and Jane discuss topical issues. Join our conversation here.

Episode 5 includes a discussion of why teens may be vulnerable to extreme views on the internet (1:42), why toxic stress may be particularly harmful in adolescence but day to day stresses are beneficial (12:25). We figure out why teenagers who were managing their health condition well before puberty, suddenly seem to forget it all (19:42) and why living through COVID is a masterclass in tolerating uncertainty which will have advantages as well as losses (29:40).

Episode 4 includes a discussion of the impact of screen time on sleep pattern and quality (1:53) and tips for how teachers (and parents) can help teens manage the uncertainty they experiencing right now (13:48). We discuss the question of whether teen lack of peer contact due to the pandemic will negatively impact on their social development (22:48) and, given the wide variety of learning experiences and engagement during lockdown, how can teachers ensure all their students flourish (30:30).

Episode 3 has a focus on how to cope with a young teen who would benefit from catch-up classes in school but is resistant (1:26) and another case of a teen who is resistant to socialise in person with his peers even though rules allow (8:48). We discuss a question regarding a child with special needs whose parent is struggling with how to support him towards autonomy (15:06) and how a parent can enable a young person to take part in the black lives matter movement without putting themselves or others at increased covid risk (27:59). We also consider how a parent can manage the challenge of co-parenting a teen who is struggling (34:00)

In episode 2 Bettina and Jane discuss what to look for as signs of mental health difficulties in young people such as low mood and how to support them (1:40) as well as how to help a young person go back to school after friendships have shifted during lockdown (10:10). There is a discussion about how to help teens and their parents with underlying health conditions manage anxiety regarding covid (18:58). A question is address for how to help a teen on the Autism Spectrum cope with the ‘new world’ such as mask wearing (28:37) and finally there is advice for teachers about how to support teen transition back to school (33:15).

In episode 1 the issue of teens sleeping late and how to handle it is debated (1:17) along with ideas for how parents can set the environment up optimally for their teens to learn at home (6:48). The tricky issue of technology is addressed with a question of whether parents should let their teens have their phones while studying (15:28). A concern about the impact on teen motivation about exams being cancelled is considered (20:30) as well as considering specific risks to neurodiverse teens with home and online learning (24:11). The final question from a teacher for this episode is whether it should be compulsory to turn screens on during home learning (29:02) and Jane and Bettina finish this episode with ideas about how the new world order in schools and beyond may impact teens (32:45).