The Puberty Podcast

Podcast review by Ana Hanssen, Common Sense Media
The Puberty Podcast poster

Common Sense says

age 13+

Science-based strategies for parenting through puberty.

Mental Health & Wellness Dr. Cara Natterson, Vanessa Kroll Bennett 2021
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Puberty Podcast is a weekly podcast where co-hosts Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett share their professional experience and research on puberty and also discuss their own questions as moms of tweens and teens with each other and expert guests. They both allow a sense of community for parents to feel like they aren't going through the adolescent years alone. Episodes offer science-based information and practical tips on topics pertaining to puberty -- periods, acne, erections, early and late bloomers, brain development, hormones and more. Since the podcast centers around puberty and the teenage experience, sex and issues of consent may be brought up and mention of words like "asshole" and occasional use of swearing give context when explaining typical teenage behavior.

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What’s It About?

THE PUBERTY PODCAST answers the "what and how" of raising kids through puberty. It gives concise, scientific information about the why of physical changes and behaviors during this stage of life -- acne, healthy body image, periods, erections, emotional outbursts -- and how to be a guide and support to kids going through it. Experiences and personal stories from the co-hosts and their guests are relatable and help to understand this transformational time in kids' lives. Conversations are honest and provide parents and kids a variety of tools and practical advice to navigate the twists and turns of puberty.

Is It Any Good?

Co-hosts Dr. Cara Natterson and Vannesa Kroll Bennett are articulate, warm and cover topics with a blend of humor, reassurance, and relatability. They do the necessary work of mentioning things in The Puberty Podcast that make many parents as well as their tweens and teens uncomfortable. It offers helpful tips and insights to approach puberty with information that's backed by science. Episodes can be a bit lengthy, and the casual tone of conversations can be distracting at times. Guests are experts on puberty (pediatricians, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, authors) and offer valuable points of views, practical advice and share facts to help understand puberty and make it more enjoyable for parents and kids alike. There is a lack of more diverse representation among guests and experts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ways in which The Puberty Podcast opens up the conversation about the unrealistic, sexualized and stereotypical images about bodies that are present in media. How are these images harmful? What would be more realistic and relatable?

  • How can parents and kids shift conversations around puberty from awkward or shameful to worthy and comfortable interactions to bring the family closer? Did listening to the podcast make having these conversations any easier?

  • Do you feel represented by the experiences and information shared on the podcast? Why or why not?

  • What are some puberty myths that were debunked after listening to the factual information on the show?

Podcast Details

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