Adaptivity: The Science of Adolescence Podcast

Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence members Benjamin Olaniyi, Brynn Santos, Madison Cheungsomboune, and Stephany Cartney talk with University of Oregon professor of clinical psychology Nick Allen about how AI is likely to shape education for young people, and why it can be something we embrace… instead of fear. This is the last of three episodes of “Our Youth’s Perspective 2025”—an annual youth-led miniseries of the Adaptivity podcast, hosted by Ron Dahl.

Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence members Abril Rodriguez Martell, Emily Zhu, and Sebastian Gaytan D’Amico talk with UCLA Professor Leanna Hernandez to get answers to their questions about “nature v. nurture,” or how genetics and environment interact to affect our development. This is the second of three episodes of “Our Youth’s Perspective 2025”—an annual youth-led miniseries of the Adaptivity podcast, hosted by Ron Dahl.

YSCA members Liam Garcia, Merlot Ghadoushi, and Jaleon Nocentelli talk with UCLA Psychology Professor Ted Robles about the “mind-body connection,” and what the research says about how our developmental needs for caring relationships, contributing to others, belonging, and learning to navigate strong emotions can help us thrive emotionally as well as physically. This is the first of three episodes of “Our Youth’s Perspective 2025”—an annual youth-led miniseries of the Adaptivity podcast, hosted by Ron Dahl.

Ron talks with researchers Nick Allen and Jacqueline Nesi about how developmental science can help us create social media and other technology that could not only decrease risks, but also amplify new opportunities created by the digital world.

Former Youth Scientific Council Members Dallas Tanner and Becker Chabaan talk with Ron about how they navigate the benefits and risks of social media—and offer their suggestions for improving the online world for younger adolescents.