My Teen’s Best Friend Is an AI - 5 Tools to Help Kids Build Real Human Connection

Send us Fan Mail A parent in one of my leadership workshops recently told me her teen’s best friend isn’t a classmate or a pet - it’s an AI chatbot. And she’s not alone. AI companions like Replika and My AI are being used by millions of teens worldwide - replacing real relationships with emotionally optimized interactions. In this episode, I dive into the growing trend of emotional attachment to AI, how it’s rewiring our kids’ ability to connect, and what we can actually do about it. You’ll learn five powerful, practical tools to rebuild emotional intelligence and communication - from the EQ Switch™ to the Mystery Tour - and help this generation reconnect with what really matters: people. 🎧 Listen now to learn: • Why AI companions are so appealing to teens • What the research says about emotional outsourcing • How to teach your teen (or yourself) to connect again, one real moment at a time This one’s for every parent, teacher, coach, or leader who wants to raise emotionally intelligent humans in a digital world.