Episode 339: Five Things Kids Need Right Now Socially with David and Sissy episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 8, 2026 · 30 MIN

Episode 339: Five Things Kids Need Right Now Socially with David and Sissy

from Raising Boys & Girls · host That Sounds Fun Network

Sissy Goff and David Thomas kick off a new series by exploring five things kids need most socially right now. Drawing from decades of counseling experience and current research, they unpack why today’s kids are struggling with civility, empathy, reciprocity, belonging, and real-time social practice. They discuss how screens, cultural tone, and isolation are shaping kids’ relationships—and offer practical, doable ways parents can help at home, from modeling kind disagreement to creating opportunities for face-to-face connection. This hopeful, practical conversation reminds parents that social skills are built through practice, and that small, intentional shifts can make a meaningful difference in kids’ lives. Resources mentioned: Wonder by R.J. Palacio Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life by David Thomas Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan . . . . . .  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! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠ . . . . . .  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. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas kick off a new series by exploring five things kids need most socially right now. Drawing from decades of counseling experience and current research, they unpack why today’s kids are struggling with civility, empathy, reciprocity, belonging, and real-time social practice. They discuss how screens, cultural tone, and isolation are shaping kids’ relationships—and offer practical, doable ways parents can help at home, from modeling kind disagreement to creating opportunities for face-to-face connection. This hopeful, practical conversation reminds parents that social skills are built through practice, and that small, intentional shifts can make a meaningful difference in kids’ lives. Resources mentioned: Wonder by R.J. Palacio Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life by David Thomas Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan . . . . . .  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! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠ . . . . . .  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. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Episode 339: Five Things Kids Need Right Now Socially with David and Sissy

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RAISING THE BAR MUSICHYPEBEAST The RAISING THE BAR Podcast is dedicated to providing a fresh and unconventional broadcast platform for the biggest names in music and entertainment.The interview insight provided by the staff of MUSICHYPEBEAST separates us from the pack. The passion of RAISING THE BAR podcast is fueled by Millennial Music culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. rAIsing the bar Isha Karim “rAIsing the bar” is a female-run podcast series committed to broadening the AI conversation and sparking discussion around the ethics and controversies surrounding the field today. By making AI more accessible in such an interconnected world, we aspire to foster an interest in AI for as many people as possible. TV Podcast Industries Chris Jones, Derek O'Neill and John Harrison. TV Podcast Industries TV Podcast Industries is a podcast that provides discussions and reviews of various TV shows, including recent popular series like Alien Earth, The Sandman, The Last of Us, The Boys, and Daredevil Born Again. They also cover shows such as Ironheart, Star Trek: Picard, The Rings of Power, and many more, spanning both Marvel and DC universes, as well as other genres. Not Your Mother's Mom Group Katy Monnot and Sunnie Wicker Katy and Sunnie explore the world of motherhood online. Raising seven boys between the two of them, the only thing they know for sure is that they don't know what they're doing. And that parenting in the age of the Internet can make anyone feel inadequate. Each week they bring you their favorite questions from Internet mom groups, articles on motherhood, and a bit of personal experience as well.

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This episode was published on January 8, 2026.

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Sissy Goff and David Thomas kick off a new series by exploring five things kids need most socially right now. Drawing from decades of counseling experience and current research, they unpack why today’s kids are struggling with civility, empathy,...

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