This episode explores how cognitive dissonance — the tension we feel when our beliefs collide with reality — plays a crucial role in helping children and parents move toward healthier choices. Although being contradicted feels threatening, this discomfort is often the first step toward meaningful change.

We cover:

• Why being corrected triggers an instinctive defensive response
• How the strength of a person’s conviction affects their openness to new ideas
• What classic research reveals about who is most willing to consider alternative viewpoints
• How parents and children bring their own (sometimes incorrect) illness beliefs into the consultation
• Why challenging misconceptions requires trust, safety, and emotional intelligence
• How cognitive dissonance becomes a tool for empowering families to par ...