Audible Launches Audio Series to Understand the Teenage Mind

If you are a parent, I highly recommend listening to the newly released eye-opening audio series from Audible titled, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? which provides valuable insight and understanding of the teenage thought pattern. 

Hosted by journalist Dina Temple-Raston, each episode touches upon unique situations in which teenagers were in and the reasons behind the choices made. From joining ISIS to planning a school shooting to bullying, and suicide, each story explores in a scientific way the why behind these significant decisions.  

As a parent to elementary-aged children, I found this series to be brilliant, thought-provoking and educational. The information presented in each episode can help us be more thoughtful and empathetic to the needs of our children. Hearing from each person gives us an opportunity to better understand the brain-science behind why boundaries are pushed and how it is then up to us to provide the support and resources needed to guide our kids in their decision making. 

To listen to this captivating series, it is currently available to Audible.com and Amazon Prime members. If you are tno a member, consider signing up to Audible's 30-day free trial to experience this incredible series.
 
Below is the episode list of this series. 

BAND OF BROTHERS

Abdullahi Yusuf went from winning Minnesotan high-school football player to ISIS recruit in less than a year. He opens up publicly for the first time on how his search for identity ended up in radicalization. Plus, leading scientists explore why Abdullahi’s brain may have been hard-wired to make these decisions.

BEING WORTHY

Ryan Green explains how the thrill of hacking and being considered “elite” prompted him to hijack 77,000 computers at once. And a look into how the adolescent brain’s hunger for the “feel good” chemical, dopamine, drives young people to push boundaries and take risks.

AFTER RILEY

Seemingly happy high-schooler Riley Winters killed herself at age 15. It was one of many suicides in Colorado Springs that year, a sharp increase that showed no signs of slowing. In this episode, we travel to Riley’s hometown to talk to friends and family, and find that suicide is more complicated than depression.

VIRTUALLY ADDICTED

Hear the private thoughts of Felix Graham, a British teen struggling to redefine himself after quitting the internet games he spent countless hours playing. Plus, we travel to South Korea where the government is providing programs and feedback to young people who are over-dependent on smartphones and internet gaming. And finally, we hear from neuroscientists about how neuroplasticity may make adolescents susceptible to addiction, but also more likely to be able to rewire.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Dillon Cossey felt isolated and alone… until he turned to the internet to connect with other victims of bullying which led to him poring over sites about school shootings. Not long after, he was arrested. In this episode, we see how chronic bullying can change the adolescent brain and, along with other significant factors, can lead to violence. Also, we hear from Sue Klebold, mother of one of the Columbine High School shooters.

IT ISN’T SPIRITUALITY, IT’S NEUROSCIENCE

We visit programs that help adolescents make better choices, including a Moroccan morchidat center that helps counter Islamist radicalization and a NYC high-school teacher focused on “mindful fitness.” Finally, we go deeper into the science of the adolescent brain and the role white matter plays in its evolution.