Psychologists Off the Clock

Епизоди

• 
  478. Restoring Childhood with Peter Gray 23.09.2026 1ч 4мин

  What if the biggest threat to kids’ mental health isn’t smartphones or social media—but the loss of freedom, play, and independence in childhood?In this episode of Psychologists Off the Clock, Emily welcomes researcher Peter Gray, author of Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety. Drawing on decades of research in developmental psychology, anthropology, education, and play, Peter challenges some of our most common assumptions about what children need to thrive.Peter explains why play isn’t simply recreation—it’s how children naturally learn independence, problem-solving, negotiation, courage, and the social skills they’ll need throughout their lives. He traces how adults have gradually “colonized” childhood, replacing independent play and exploration with increasingly adult-directed activities, supervision, and schoolwork.Emily and Peter also take on one of today’s biggest parenting debates: the role of smartphones and social media in the youth mental health crisis. Peter offers a provocative interpretation of the historical data, including why teen mental health actually improved during the early years of home computers, video games, and online communication—and why he believes increased school pressure deserves far more attention as a contributor to youth anxiety and depression.You’ll hear why children need opportunities to solve problems without adults swooping in, how risky play helps kids develop courage, why trust can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and what parents and schools can do to give children more ownership over their lives.Join Emily and Peter for a thought-provoking conversation about what we lose when we try too hard to protect and prepare our kids—and why restoring childhood may require adults to step back so kids can step forward.Listen and Learn:Why play is a biological drive across young mammals—and how it helps children practice the skills they need to become increasingly independentHow self-directed play teaches children to negotiate, compromise, solve problems, consider other people’s needs, and navigate conflict without adults stepping inWhy children’s freedom to play and explore independently has declined dramatically over the past several decades—and what Peter means by the disappearance of a distinct “culture of childhood”How children’s peer cultures once gave kids opportunities to create their own games, norms, language, and social worlds largely outside adult oversightThe surprising mental health trends Peter identifies from 1950 onward, including rising distress during decades when children’s independence was decliningWhy Peter believes the arrival of home computers in the 1990s may actually have improved adolescent well-being by giving teens new opportunities for mastery, independence, play, and connection with peersHow early computers created an unusual reversal in expertise, with teenagers often knowing more than their parents—and why that experience of competence may have matteredWhy video games and other forms of pretend or risky play can give children opportunities to experience fear, vulnerability, challenge, and mastery in relatively safe environmentsPeter’s critique of the popular claim that smartphones and social media are the primary cause of today’s youth mental health crisis, and why he argues the broader research literature does not support such a simple causal storyWhy Peter sees increasing academic pressure and changes in American schooling as an overlooked contributor to rising anxiety, depression, and burnout among young peopleHow schools could become more supportive of mental health by improving school climate, increasing student autonomy, restoring teacher flexibility, protecting recess, and reducing unnecessary academic pressureOne simple question parents can ask children to begin expanding their independence: What would you like to be doing on your own that you aren’t doing now?Why shifting from “What am I afraid to let my child do?” toward “What could I encourage my child to do independently?” can help both children and parents build confidenceWhat Peter calls “TAS parenting”—combining trustful and autonomy-supportive parenting by not only trusting children’s developing capabilities but actively creating opportunities for them to exercise independenceResources:Peter Gray’s book Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of AnxietyPeter’s book Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for LifePeter’s website: petergray.orgPeter’s Substack: Play Makes Us HumanAbout Peter Gray:Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current research and writing focus primarily on children’s natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play. He has helped found and continues to support nonprofit organizations aimed at bringing more play and independent activity to children’s lives. He is the author of an internationally acclaimed college introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, now in its8th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective, and of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. His newest book, Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety, is out now.Related Episodes:470. Parenting Science in the Media: Lost in Translation433. Rethinking Screens and Video Games with Ash Brandin414. The Disengaged Teen with Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health369. Good News About Adolescence with Ellen Galinsky 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with Emily Edlynn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
• 
  477. Beyond Belief with Nir Eyal 16.09.2026 58мин

  What if some of the things you believe most strongly aren’t actually facts—but tools you’re using to navigate a complicated world?In this bittersweet final interview for Psychologists Off the Clock, Jill Stoddard welcomes back Nir Eyal, author of Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Extraordinary Results. Nir was Jill’s very first guest when she joined the podcast, making this conversation a fitting bookend to her time on POTC. Together, they explore how our beliefs shape motivation, perception, pain, relationships, and our ability to create lasting change.Nir explains why beliefs are different from facts or faith, and why treating beliefs as tools rather than truths can give us more flexibility. He shares his personal story of struggling with his weight, how changing his beliefs helped him persist, and what his experience with Pain Reprocessing Therapy taught him about chronic pain.You’ll hear why “seeing is believing” is only half the story, how our expectations can change our experience of pain and pleasure, why venting may reinforce the very beliefs that keep us stuck, and how expanding your portfolio of perspectives can create more freedom in relationships and everyday life.Join Jill and Nir for a fascinating conversation about the power of belief—and a reminder that feeling bad isn’t necessarily bad. Sometimes, pain comes with purpose.Listen and Learn:Why beliefs are neither facts nor faith, but flexible “working models” that help us navigate reality when the truth isn’t fully knowableHow beliefs influence motivation, behavior, and persistence—and why believing you can succeed may be just as important as knowing what to doNir’s personal weight-loss journey and how searching for the “one true” diet ultimately got in the way of persistenceWhy beliefs can be powerful tools even when we can’t prove that they are objectively true, and how choosing beliefs that serve us can change the way we respond to everyday challengesHow attention shapes perception, why our brains rely on predictions and prior beliefs, and what the classic checkerboard illusion teaches us about seeing realityThe relationship between beliefs, expectations, pain, and suffering—including what Nir learned from Pain Reprocessing Therapy and the surprising power of the brain to change the experience of chronic painWhy feeling bad isn’t necessarily bad, and how redefining discomfort as something that can accompany purpose may help us stop avoiding the experiences that matterHow placebo and nocebo effects demonstrate the powerful role of expectations, and why beliefs can influence our experience through changes in behavior and biologyWhy venting can reinforce negative beliefs about other people, and how “getting it off your chest” may provide short-term relief while making us angrier in the long runHow Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction can help us loosen rigid beliefs by developing a broader “portfolio” of possible perspectives rather than forcing ourselves to replace one belief with anotherNir’s personal transformation in his relationship with his mother, and how questioning assumptions about other people can create more flexibility without requiring them to changeHow expanding our beliefs can create “wiggle room” to respond more flexibly, reconnect with our values, and take responsibility for our own contribution to difficult situationsResources:Nir’s book Beyond Belief: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780593852033 Free belief change guide is here: www.nirandfar.com/beyond-belief-liveBonus content and the 30-Day Belief Transformation Journal is here: nirandfar.com/beyond-beliefWebsite: http://nirandfar.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/Instagram - http://instagram.com/nireyalPrevious books:Hooked: geni.us/hookedIndistractable: geni.us/IndistractableAbout Nir Eyal:Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and human potential. He previously taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.He is the author of the international bestsellers Hooked and Indistractable, which have sold more than a million copies in more than 30 languages. His latest book, Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Extraordinary Results, explores the science of beliefs and how they influence our perceptions, behaviors, and ability to create lasting change. The book recently reached the New York Times bestseller list.Nir is also an active angel investor whose portfolio includes multi-billion-dollar companies such as Canva and Kahoot!. He blogs at NirAndFar.com and has published writing in The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. He is also a regular contributor to Psychology Today.Related Episodes:127. Indistractable with Nir Eyal310. The Expectation Effect with David Robson312. Throwback Episode! The Invisible Gorilla with Christopher Chabris422. Mindwise with Nicholas Epley443. Shift with Ethan Kross458. The Pain/Brain Connection with Alan Gordon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
• 
  476. Why We Ask Why with Tania Lombrozo 08.09.2026 1ч 2мин

  Cognitive scientist Tania Lombrozo joins Michael to explore why we ask why and what makes explanations satisfy.
• 
  475. What to Do When Your Partner is Depressed with David Dozois 01.09.2026 57мин

  Dr. David Dozois shares practical advice for supporting a depressed partner while caring for yourself.
• 
  474. Rethinking ADHD: Beyond Attention with Debbie Reber and Emily King 25.08.2026 59мин

  Dr. Emily King and Debbie Reber unpack ADHD, neurodivergent parenting, emotional shifts, and burnout.
• 
  473. Are You Type C? with Kore Glied and Anna White 18.08.2026 58мин

  How Type C traits cause burnout and how Kore Glied & Anna White use SASS to heal.
• 
  472. One Relationship, Two Brains with Cindy Ariel 11.08.2026 47мин

  Dr. Cindy discusses navigating love, communication, and autism in relationships.
• 
  471. Motivational Interviewing with Kristin Dempsey 04.08.2026 48мин

  Psychotherapist Kristen Dempsey on using Motivational Interviewing with resistant clients.
• 
  470. Parenting Science in the Media: Lost in Translation 28.07.2026 58мин

  Join Melinda Wenner Moyer, Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, & Jacqueline Nesi to decode real parenting science.
• 
  469. ACT Refresher with Matt Boone 21.07.2026 1ч 6мин

  Matt Boone on ACT, unhooking from negative thoughts, and living with values.
• 
  468. Joyful and Impactful Climate Choices with Elizabeth Dunn and Jiaying Zhao 14.07.2026 57мин

  Elizabeth Dunn and Jiaying Zhao explore how joyful, high-leverage lifestyle shifts fight climate change.
• 
  467. Bonded by Evolution with Paul Eastwick 07.07.2026 57мин

  Debunking dating myths with relationship scientist Paul Eastwick on the true science of attraction.
• 
  466. Creating Meaning and Magic through Writing with Janina Scarlet 30.06.2026 1ч 5мин

  Dr. Janina Scarlet on finding purpose through storytelling and the creative journey of writing.
• 
  465. Tradwives, Influencers, and Reality TV with Debbie and Emily 23.06.2026 39мин

  Debbie and Emily discuss tradwives, reality TV, & influencers via a mental health lens.
• 
  464. Dad Brain with Darby Saxbe 16.06.2026 57мин

  Psychologist Darby Saxbe reveals the science of "Dad Brain" and how biology redefines fatherhood.
• 
  463. Doubting Accusers; Protecting Abusers 09.06.2026 52мин

  Deborah Tuerkheimer unpacks the "credibility complex" and why society doubts survivors.
• 
  462. In a Good Place with Leidy Klotz 02.06.2026 44мин

  Leidy Klotz explores how our physical spaces shape our minds, habits, and wellbeing.
• 
  461. A Little More Social with Nicholas Epley 26.05.2026 50мин

  Nicholas Epley joins Michael to explore the surprising psychology of social connection
• 
  460. How to Raise Emotionally Mature Children with Lindsay Gibson 19.05.2026 53мин

  Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson joins POTC to talk mindsets for raising an emotionally mature child.
• 
  459. How to Rehuman Our Lives with Stephanie Malia Krauss 12.05.2026 58мин

  Stephanie Malia Krauss shares a roadmap for "rehumaning" our lives by reclaiming the essential needs that modern hustle culture has stripped away.