Image by John Hain from Pixabay

The Power of Adolescence

Most often the terms teenagers and adolescents are used interchangeably. However, it is interesting to note that adolescence is the period from 10-25 years.

From time immemorial adolescents have received a bad rap for various ‘misdemeanours’ caused by their ‘raging’ hormones. However, new research is revealing that the powerful changes taking place during this phase are advantageous rather than a challenge. After the first five years of life, which are now recognised as a time when a child’s brain is extremely receptive, the adolescent brain is second in line for the great amount of growth and pruning that occur.

Here is a list of informative and inspiring podcasts (with links) that shed light on topics relevant to the adolescent age group.

  1. Dan Siegel: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain (Chopra Center Radio)
  2. Adam Gazzaley: The Neuroscience of Attention (The Unmistakable Creative Podcast)
  3. Unlocking the Psychology of Millenials (APA’s Speaking of Psychology podcast with Dr Jean Twenge)
  4. Parenting: The Teenage Brain (BBC Woman’s Hour podcast with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore)
  5. Inside the teenage brain: How science is helping us understand adolescents (CBC Radio Ideas)