Digital Childhood— Where Psychology Meets Growth

Digital Childhood— Where Psychology Meets Growth

by Chloe Parsons-Cohn
Society & Culture
Season 5
Stop Cleaning Your Life. Start Organizing It.
You keep resetting, fixing things, and trying to get your life “together”… so why does it still feel messy? In this episode of Digital Childhood, we break down the difference between cleaning and organizing—not just your space, but your life. Because fixing things in the moment isn’t the same as building systems that actually last. If you feel stuck in a cycle of starting over, this episode will show you how to finally change that.
S5 · E8
Sep 21, 2026
11:48
The Mid-Year Reset: The Psychology of Starting Over (And Why Most People Quit Too Soon)
It's the middle of the year, and for a lot of people, that means one of two things: you're either proud of the progress you've made, or you're wondering where the version of yourself you planned to become went. But what if the problem isn't that you've failed? What if you're just expecting change to happen faster than it actually does? In this episode of The Performance Project, we're diving into the psychology of starting over, why our brains love fresh starts, why old habits are so difficult to break, and why most people quit before their hard work has a chance to pay off. We'll talk about the Fresh Start Effect, identity-based habits, the invisible phase of growth, and why becoming your best self takes far more patience than social media makes it seem. This isn't about waiting for a new year, a Monday, or the perfect moment to begin. It's about understanding how real change happens and learning how to stay consistent long enough to see it. Because sometimes the biggest transformation isn't starting over. It's refusing to quit.
S5 · E3
Jul 12, 2026
16:18
The Psychology of Social Awareness: How to Read Any Room and Become More Confident
The Psychology of Social Awareness: How to Read Any Room and Become More Confident Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt like you didn’t know what to say, how to act, or how to connect with the people around you? Social awareness is the skill that helps you understand people, recognize emotions, communicate better, and feel confident in almost any situation. In this episode of The Performance Project, we’re breaking down the psychology behind social awareness and why it’s one of the most important skills you can develop. We’ll talk about how to read the room, understand body language, become a better listener, build stronger relationships, and become someone who makes others feel comfortable around you. Because becoming your best self isn’t just about improving yourself — it’s about understanding the world and the people around you.
S5 · E2
Jul 19, 2026
11:12
Technology Is Not the Enemy Balance Is the Goal : Audubon Dougherty
Bonus
How do we know when technology is helping us and when it's hurting us? In this episode of Digital Childhood, Chloe sits down with Audubon Dougherty, founder of Offline Childhood, to discuss the psychology of technology balance and what a healthy relationship with technology really looks like. Drawing from both her professional work and her experiences as a parent, Audubon shares how her family approaches technology, how she thinks about when her daughter is allowed to use devices, and why intentional technology use matters more than simply counting screen time. Together, Chloe and Audubon explore questions many families are asking today: • How much technology is too much? • When should kids have access to devices? • How can families create healthy technology boundaries? • What role does AI play in childhood? • How can technology support our lives instead of controlling them? This conversation is not about being completely online or completely offline. It's about finding balance, building awareness, and learning how to use technology in a way that helps us become the best version of ourselves. 🎙️ Digital Childhood The Psychology of Becoming Your Best Self
S5
Sep 28, 2026
32:05
How to Become Addicted to Locking In This School Year
What if this school year could be your biggest transformation yet? In this episode, we’re breaking down how to become addicted to locking in — not just with school, but with becoming the best version of yourself. We’ll explore the psychology behind discipline, consistency, and building habits that actually last. From creating a routine that works for you, staying motivated when you don’t feel like it, avoiding burnout, and becoming someone who follows through on their goals, this episode is your guide to making this your most productive and successful school year yet. Because locking in isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up, improving every day, and creating a life you’re proud of. Get ready to reset your mindset, build better habits, and become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
S5
Sep 13, 2026
15:56
The Psychology of 9/11: Why We Remember 25 Years Later
Bonus
Title: The Psychology of 9/11: Why We Remember 25 Years Later Description: Twenty-five years after 9/11, millions of people still remember exactly where they were, what they were doing, and how they felt when they heard the news. But why? In this special episode of Digital Childhood, Chloe explores the psychology behind memory, resilience, and the moments that shape entire generations. You'll learn about flashbulb memories, why emotional events stay with us for decades, how communities come together during difficult times, and what today's generation can learn from a day that changed history. This episode isn't about politics—it's about people. It's about courage, compassion, gratitude, and the remarkable ability of humans to support one another through adversity. Join us as we reflect on 25 years since 9/11 and explore the psychology of why some moments are never forgotten. Quote from the Episode: "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls." — Khalil Gibran
S5
Sep 11, 2026
15:25
The Psychology of Hard Work: Why We Celebrate Labor Day
Bonus
In this episode of Digital Childhood: The Psychology of Becoming Your Best Self, Chloe explores why we celebrate Labor Day, the surprising psychology behind hard work, and why the things we're proudest of often require the most effort. You'll learn about dopamine, delayed gratification, the effort justification effect, and why our brains are wired to avoid hard things—even though overcoming challenges is often what helps us grow the most. If you've ever struggled with motivation, discipline, or sticking to your goals, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do about it. DIGITAL CHILDHOOD
S5
Sep 7, 2026
16:25
What a Former Snapchat Executive Wants Every Parent to know- Sarah Trombley
Bonus
In this episode of Digital Childhood, Chloe sits down with Sarah Gallagher Trombley to discuss what it's really like raising kids in today's digital world. From her years working at Snapchat to her work helping families navigate technology, Sarah shares practical advice on smartphones, social media, screen time, online safety, digital wellness, and helping kids develop healthy relationships with technology. Together, they explore questions like: How do parents know when a child is ready for more digital independence? What role should social media play in childhood? How can families encourage real-world social skills in an increasingly digital world? And what can both parents and kids do to build healthier habits around technology? Sarah Gallagher Trombley is digital parenting founder, expert and thought leader working at the intersection of technology and child safety. She is a strategic board member to Wait Until 8th and an Expert-in-Residence to Common Sense Media. After more than 20 years working in media and technology, including as an executive at Snapchat, Sarah founded the parent education platform, Digital Mom Media in 2023. Her mission is to help parents navigate the digital world by offering practical, specific solutions to the “how” of digital parenting. How to choose the right device, how to set up and manage parental controls, how to say yes to social media, group chat, music or video games, safely. Whether you're a parent, educator, or student, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and practical takeaways for navigating childhood in the digital age.
S5
Sep 6, 2026
32:57
How to ACTUALLY Reset & Glow Up Before School (The Psychology of a Fresh Start)
School is starting soon, and if you're feeling pressure to completely reinvent yourself before the first day, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Digital Childhood, Chloe breaks down what a real glow-up actually looks like—and why it has a lot less to do with your appearance and a lot more to do with your mindset, habits, confidence, and daily choices. You'll learn: • Why a new school year feels like a fresh start • The psychology behind confidence and self-improvement • How to reset your sleep schedule, screen habits, and routine • Why motivation isn't as important as you think • How social media can distort your idea of a "glow-up" • A simple 7-day reset plan to help you start the school year feeling your best Whether you're excited, nervous, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you walk into the new school year feeling more prepared, more confident, and more like yourself. Remember: the best glow-up isn't becoming someone else—it's becoming the best version of who you already are.
S5
Aug 30, 2026
26:23
Hillary Wilkinson on Motivation, Bark, and How to Set Screen Limits Without Damaging Trust
Bonus
Does it feel like every conversation about technology turns into an argument? Maybe you're a parent trying to protect your child online, but every new screen-time limit leads to frustration, eye rolls, or conflict. Or maybe you're a kid who feels like your parents just don't understand why your phone, games, or social media matter so much to you. In this episode of Digital Childhood, I sit down with Hillary Wilkinson, founder of Healthy Screen Habits, teacher, and mom of two teens, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing families today: How do parents set technology boundaries without damaging trust—and how can kids understand that limits aren't always about control? We discuss why screen-time battles happen, what motivates kids to make healthy choices online, and how families can move from constant arguments to real conversations. We also take a deep dive into Bark and other parental-control apps, exploring whether these tools help keep kids safe, when they can create resentment, and how parents can use them without making their child feel constantly watched. In this episode, we explore: Why kids often feel frustrated by screen-time limits Why parents set boundaries in the first place How to build trust instead of creating power struggles The role of motivation, discipline, and healthy habits Hillary's thoughts on Bark and parental monitoring apps How families can talk about technology without fighting What a healthy relationship with technology really looks like Whether you're a parent trying to keep your child safe or a kid who wishes your parents understood your perspective, this conversation offers practical advice for creating healthier relationships—not just with technology, but with each other. Because the goal isn't just raising kids who use technology wisely. It's raising families who can trust, understand, and communicate with one another in a digital world. Guest: Hillary Wilkinson, Founder of Healthy Screen Habits Host: Chloe Cohn, Digital Childhood
S5
Aug 16, 2026
47:55
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