EP48: What Every Adult Should Know About Adolescence with Dr. Julia Sadusky

Teenagers can sometimes feel like a mystery. One moment they're asking big questions about life and faith, and the next they're struggling to put their feelings into words. So what's actually happening during adolescence, and how can we better understand the young people we're called to serve?

Pete and Annie welcome back Dr. Julia Sadusky, a clinical psychologist with years of experience working with adolescents and in youth ministry. Together, they explore the many changes taking place during the teenage years—not just physically, but cognitively, emotionally, socially, and relationally. They discuss how teenagers are developing their sense of identity, learning to navigate emotions, asking deeper questions, and discovering where they belong.

The conversation also gets practical. What does it look like to create spaces where teenagers feel safe enough to be honest, make mistakes, and ask difficult questions? How should we respond when a young person finally opens up about something they're wrestling with? Julia offers a helpful reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is slow down, listen, and resist the urge to immediately jump in with an answer.

And perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: you don't have to be a psychologist, a theologian, or an expert in adolescent development to make a meaningful difference in a young person's life. Your consistency, presence, and genuine care matter more than you may realize. Whether you're a youth minister, parent, volunteer, or mentor, this conversation will encourage you to approach teenagers with greater understanding, curiosity, and grace.