Episode 373: Capable the High School Years with David and Sissy

This conversation highlights a growing “capability gap” in teens, where some, often girls, are overwhelmed by pressure and perfectionism while others, often boys, are disengaged and avoidant. David and Sissy connect this to factors like digital communication, lowered relationship standards, and increased screen use, all of which can hinder resilience and healthy development. They emphasize that true capability is built through real-life challenges, responsibility, and healthy risk-taking, and encourage parents to raise expectations, foster strong relationships, teach coping skills, and create space for both rest and growth. Resources mentioned: Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience by David Thomas and Sissy Goff The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence by Jessica Lahey Navigating Our Teens Dating with Paula Faris Birds & Bees . . . . . . Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. SHOPIFY: Go to to learn more about Shopify! LEGACY BOX: Legacybox is running their Mother’s Day sale and they’re also offering an additional $10 off your order. Visit Legacybox.com and use discount code: RBG GO MINNO: Visit GoMinno.com to get a one month FREE TRIAL using code: RBG JOLIE: Jolie will give you your best skin & hair guaranteed. Head to jolieskinco.com/RBG to try it out for yourself with FREE shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can listen to Episode 373: Capable the High School Years with David and Sissy online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Episode 373: Capable the High School Years with David and Sissy is an episode from Raising Boys & Girls by That Sounds Fun Network.

This episode is 25:31 long.

This episode was published on May 7, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Raising Boys & Girls when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.