Navigating the Teen Brain. A Conversation with Dr. Dean Burnett.

KindlED

Have you ever wondered about the hidden mechanisms of the teenage brain and how understanding them can shape a more empathetic and supportive environment for our youth? Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist and author, joins Kaity & Adriane to delve into the complexities of adolescent brain development and the critical role of parental influence.
What to listen for:
• Why teenage brains are wired for risk-taking and seeking new experiences
• How practicing good phone hygiene and setting a positive example can impact teen behavior and emotional regulation
• Why it's essential for parents to recognize and validate their teenagers' emotions, even when they seem exaggerated or trivial
• The difficulties parents face in understanding and empathizing with teenage emotions
• Insights into the development of the teenage brain and how this knowledge can guide parents in allowing teens to take calculated risks and learn from their experiences
So, what are you waiting for? Tune in to uncover the secrets of the teenage brain and how you can better support the young minds in your life.
About the guest:
Dr Dean Burnett is a doctor of neuroscience, an experienced postgraduate lecturer in psychiatry and mental health, and a sometimes comedian. And, most prominently, an internationally acclaimed science author, producing many books such as The Idiot Brain, Emotional Ignorance and Why Your Parents are Driving You Up The Wall and What to Do About It. Dean is in much demand as a science communicator and pundit, but as several of his books are aimed at teens and young people, he has also spoken at many schools and is involved with numerous projects regarding the mental health and development of young people. He lives in Cardiff, UK, with his wife and their two children, a chaotic beagle and a sociopathic cat.
Connect with Dean:
• Website
• Facebook
• Brain Yapping Blog
Mentioned in this episode:
• Brainstorm by Dr. Daniel Siegel

Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!

About the podcast:
The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.
Powered by Prenda, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning today. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being.

Got a burning question?
We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to [e-mail]. Let's dive into the conversation together!
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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. About the guest (00:05:09)

3. Dean's "big why" (00:06:28)

4. Does Dean have a different brain than everyone else? (00:08:26)

5. The central theme of Dean's work (00:14:28)

6. Does the brain need to have control? (00:21:20)

7. The adolescent brain (00:27:02)

8. Synaptic pruning (00:29:14)

9. What does the teen brain need to function? (00:32:43)

10. How important is co-regulation? (00:38:25)

11. How can we shift our mindset about attitude? (00:51:41)

12. The teen brain & risk (00:56:18)

13. Who has kindled Dean's love, curiosity, motivation, passion? (01:08:09)

14. Learn more about Dean's work (01:10:01)

15. Outro (01:11:46)