About this episode
Dr. Aliza Pressman discusses with Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary how anxiety can be viewed as a superpower rather than an enemy in parenting.
What if anxiety isn't the enemy but the edge you've been missing? Dr. Aliza Pressman sits down with clinical psychologist, professor, and author Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary to challenge one of the most widespread misconceptions in modern parenting: that anxiety is something to be eliminated. It isn't. And understanding why could change how you show up for yourself and your kids. Dr. Dennis-Tiwary unpacks the surprising science and history behind anxiety, from its ancient roots to how modern psychiatry transformed a normal human emotion into a medical diagnosis, and why that shift has made things harder for all of us. What you'll learn: Why anxiety is actually a superpower (backed by dopamine and oxytocin science) The parenting mistake that makes kids' anxiety worse, and what to do instead Why "fixing" your child's feelings is the one thing you should stop doing today Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and is the author of Future Tense: Why Anxiety Is Good for You (Even Though It Feels Bad).
People in this episode
Host: Aliza Pressman
Guest: Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary
Topics covered
- anxiety
- parenting
- mental health
- psychology
- child development
Keywords
- anxiety
- parenting
- mental health
- superpower
- child feelings
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Future Tense: Why Anxiety Is Good for You (Even Though It Feels Bad)
More episodes of Raising Good Humans
- Adam Grant + Dr. Aliza: The Real Science of Effective Parenting · June 12, 2026 · 40 min
- Why Are All the Young People So Insecure? · June 5, 2026 · 45 min
- Your Kids Are Wired to Flourish — Here's How to Get Out of Their Way · May 29, 2026 · 46 min
- Deodorant, Porn, and Nudes: How to Actually Talk to Your Tween About the Hard Stuff · May 22, 2026 · 45 min
- Perfectionism Isn't High Standards. It's Hurting Your Kid · May 15, 2026 · 28 min
- Perimenopause Starts Earlier Than You Think — What Every Mom Needs to Know Now · May 8, 2026 · 43 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Raising Good Humans podcast page.