Sissy Goff & David Thomas: The Five Skills Every Kid Needs

What if the thing we're most trying to protect our kids from is exactly what they need? Sissy Goff and David Thomas — children's therapists, co-hosts of Raising Boys and Girls, and founders of Daystar Counseling — join Andrew Osenga on The Pivot to talk about their new book Capable and the growing crisis of capability they're seeing in kids and teens. From the rise of anxiety and depression to kids who won't get their driver's license or text a new friend, Sissy and David break down what's going wrong, and more importantly, what parents can do about it. They talk about the five skills every kid needs, why stress and discomfort can be growth-giving, and how parents can stop getting in the way of the independence their kids are desperately craving. This is one of those conversations that will change how you parent starting today.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:

"Kids learn that they're capable by experience." - Sissy Goff

"When I exercise, I don't get stronger unless I stress my muscles. The exact same thing is true of our souls." - David Thomas

"You will experience some really, really hard things and loss will knock the wind out of you. And there will be something transformative on the other side if you allow that to happen." - David Thomas

"The more connected kids are with their parents, the more healthy adults they grow into." - David Thomas

"Parenting is so hard, and it is so important that we are encouraging each other, that we're cheering each other on." - Sissy Goff

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

www.RaisingBoysAndGirls.com — Sissy and David's website

“Capable” by Sissy Goff and David Thomas

“I Am Capable” — the companion workbook for “Capable”

“The Daystar Dogs” book series by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

“Raising Boys and Girls” podcast by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Daystar Counseling Center, Sissy and David's counseling practice in Nashville

Hope Heals — the organization run by Jay and Katherine Wolf, who wrote the foreword to “Capable”

Hopetown — Daystar's summer retreat program on Kentucky Lake

*Watch this interview on Andrew’s YouTube channel!

*All episode music is by Andrew Osenga.

Guest’s Links:

Raising Boys & Girls Website

Raising Boys & Girls Facebook

Raising Boys & Girls Instagram

Raising Boys & Girls YouTube

Raising Boys & Girls TikTok

Raising Boys & Girls Podcast

Capable by Sissy Goff & David Thomas

I Am Capable workbook by Sissy Goff & David Thomas

Connect with Andrew:

Website

YouTube

Substack

Spotify

Facebook

Instagram

How to Remember by Andrew Osenga

Hold the Light by Andrew Osenga

*The Pivot is produced in conjunction with

Four Eyes Media

.