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How We Grow Up: Inside the Adolescent Brain with Matt Richtel

In this powerful episode, Dr. Becky sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times science reporter Matt Richtel to explore the urgent mental health crisis facing today’s teens—and the science behind what’s really going on in the adolescent brain. Expanding on his acclaimed reporting, Matt shares insights from his groundbreaking new book How We Grow Up, diving deep into the neurological, biological, and social transformations that define adolescence. This episode is brought you by Chomps. When it comes to school snacks, I’ve never been the “pack my kid a portable charcuterie board” kind of parent. If you are, more power to you. I’m more of a “grab-and-go” type - I want something simple, nutritious, and easy for my kids to reach for as we’re heading out the door. That’s why I like Chomps. Their full-size meat sticks have 10 grams of protein and zero sugar. They’re filling and made from real ingredients, so it’s one less thing to think about. And if you’ve ever opened your kid’s backpack to find a half-eaten snack from who-knows-when still wrapped up in there, Chomplings are great. They’re smaller sticks (the right size to toss in a lunchbox or that little front backpack pocket) with 4 grams of protein and zero sugar. Chomps are made of high-quality ingredients like 100% grass-fed beef, venison, and antibiotic-free turkey. They’re also free from the top nine allergens, so you don’t have to worry about sending them to school. Check out all the sizes and delicious flavors at Chomps.com/DRBECKY for 15% off plus free shipping. Good Inside is now eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity!  We’re partnering with Truemed to make the process easy - go to https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/ to learn more.  Good Inside Members,  love the podcast and want to keep the conversation going? Starting Tuesday, August 5th, join us every Tuesday at 10:30am for Podcast Club to dive deeper, share reflections, and connect with other listeners. Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: [](https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk)[https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk](https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk-) Your Good Inside membership might be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement! To learn more about how to get your membership reimbursed, check out the link here: https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/ Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside Sign up for our weekly email, Good Insider: https://www.goodinside.com/newsletter For a full transcript of the episode, go to [goodinside.com/podcast](http://goodinside.com/podcast).

Dr. BeckyhostMatt Richtelguest
Jul 22, 202543mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
July 22, 2025
Duration
43m
Channel
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this powerful episode, Dr. Becky sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times science reporter Matt Richtel to explore the urgent mental health crisis facing today’s teens—and the science behind what’s really going on in the adolescent brain. Expanding on his acclaimed reporting, Matt shares insights from his groundbreaking new book How We Grow Up, diving deep into the neurological, biological, and social transformations that define adolescence. This episode is brought you by Chomps. When it comes to school snacks, I’ve never been the “pack my kid a portable charcuterie board” kind of parent. If you are, more power to you. I’m more of a “grab-and-go” type - I want something simple, nutritious, and easy for my kids to reach for as we’re heading out the door. That’s why I like Chomps. Their full-size meat sticks have 10 grams of protein and zero sugar. They’re filling and made from real ingredients, so it’s one less thing to think about. And if you’ve ever opened your kid’s backpack to find a half-eaten snack from who-knows-when still wrapped up in there, Chomplings are great. They’re smaller sticks (the right size to toss in a lunchbox or that little front backpack pocket) with 4 grams of protein and zero sugar. Chomps are made of high-quality ingredients like 100% grass-fed beef, venison, and antibiotic-free turkey. They’re also free from the top nine allergens, so you don’t have to worry about sending them to school. Check out all the sizes and delicious flavors at Chomps.com/DRBECKY for 15% off plus free shipping. Good Inside is now eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity!  We’re partnering with Truemed to make the process easy - go to https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/ to learn more. Good Inside Members,  love the podcast and want to keep the conversation going? Starting Tuesday, August 5th, join us every Tuesday at 10:30am for Podcast Club to dive deeper, share reflections, and connect with other listeners. Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: [](https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk)[https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk](https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk-) Your Good Inside membership might be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement! To learn more about how to get your membership reimbursed, check out the link here: https://www.goodinside.com/fsa-hsa-eligibility/ Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside Sign up for our weekly email, Good Insider: https://www.goodinside.com/newsletter For a full transcript of the episode, go to [goodinside.com/podcast](http://goodinside.com/podcast).

SPEAKERS

  • Dr. Becky

    host

    Clinical psychologist and parenting expert; host of the Good Inside podcast.

  • Matt Richtel

    guest

    Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist at The New York Times and author of How We Grow Up.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, featuring Dr. Becky and Matt Richtel, How We Grow Up: Inside the Adolescent Brain with Matt Richtel explores adolescence reframed: brain-driven exploration, boundaries, curiosity, coping, and repair Richtel argues adolescence has a clear developmental purpose: integrating what parents teach with what teens must learn firsthand about the world and their generation’s future.

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