Episode 7: Friendship and social changes

During puberty, friendships can start to feel way more intense. A compliment from a friend might give you a rush. A fight with a friend might sting like a cut. And worrying about fitting in can feel like a full-time job. But why? In this episode, we’re exploring why social stuff gets so complicated during puberty — from the brain chemicals that make us crave connection to the reasons peer pressure feels so hard to resist. We’re tackling three big social challenges: FOMO, peer pressure, and self-consciousness, with practical advice for handling each one. Author and brain expert Erin Walsh from Spark & Stitch Institute is here to help. Think of puberty as Relationship Bootcamp — it’s your chance to practice and get good at the friendship skills you’ll use for the rest of your life. Want to support the show? Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Smarty Pass⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode.