I think its time to take a moment to revisit my first book, talk about why it’s so important that parents be available to their kids, and how to do so in the present day. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

A few weeks ago, I posted a Substack about the alarming number of young men already struggling, emotionally and otherwise, in their college semester and now home. Here are some additional thoughts, and what I believe to be the potential solutions. A Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

I recently finished reading “My Friends” by Fredrick Bachman, a beautiful book anchored by the power of teenage friendship and art. Sharing some of my thoughts here, a badly-needed timeline cleanse. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some teenage boys and young men are experimenting with connecting with one another more frequently and more authentically to stave off loneliness. Sharing some of their efforts here. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some thoughts on my run yesterday, and why we all might need a peaceful, quiet reset right now. A little bonus Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some serious thoughts on why the cancellation of late night talk show hosts might be bad for our kids. A Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

The last week has been a rough one for many of us, but has proven particularly trying for our boys and young men. And they’ve been struggling in many ways for a while. A letter to all the young dudes. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

When tragedy takes place on the national front, as it did more than once yesterday, it has legs well beyond the headlines, chyrons and clickbait. We really can’t keep living like this. A Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Confession: I am not particularly neighborly, and neighborliness matters, urgently, right now. My thoughts on the lost art of neighborliness. Today’s Substack. khttps://open.substack.com/pub/drjohnduffy/p/the-lost-art-of-neighborliness?r=8vhfi&utm_medium=ios open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

For years, many college-age boys have struggled to regulate, emotionally and otherwise, and end up on my couch before the end of the first semester. But this year, many of them are already over their heads already. Some thoughts on what’s happening and what to do. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

You’ve likely heard the awful story about the teenage boy who was recently offered a suicide tutorial from an OpenAI ChatBot. Protecting our kids from this material seems like an endless uphill battle. Here are some thoughts on what we can do. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

So a recent Gallup poll shows we’re drinking significantly less. Here are some thoughts from a lifelong non-drinker on why that may not be the best news. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Every year, some dicey issues arise when it’s time to return to school. If you have a high schooler, this primer is for you. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

From yesterday’s Daytime Chicago segment, some thoughts for families on transitioning into the school year maximizing potential for success and thriving, however you and your family define them. wgntv.com/daytime-chic...

I’ll be talking new back-to-school stressors and how to help mitigate them. Tune in to Daytime Chicago this morning at 10.

I watched the new Billy Joel documentary recently, and it vividly reminded me of the awesome, terrifying power of fatherhood. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

I’m hearing from my clients that the state of dating, romance and intimate connections is dire. The causes are complicated, and differ by gender. Here are some thoughts on why this issue is so important, and how we might help. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

The next several weeks will be a busy time for most moms, as they tend to both the practical and emotional needs of their families heading into the next school year or season. Here’s an explanation, and some thoughts on how we might support them. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Ever suspect everyone around you has all the answers to life, and you’re doing it all wrong? I’m hearing this a lot from clients lately. And little changes and shifts can make a massive difference in this perspective. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Take a listen to this lively, parent-friendly discussion on how to help boys work through their difficulties these days, including self—esteem and anxiety around toxic masculinity. From Daytime Chicago. wgntv.com/daytime-chic...

Some thoughts on ‘The Bear’ and the importance of art in our lives. Today’s Substack, Chef. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

I’ll be talking about the crisis among our boys, and what we might do to guide them through it, this morning on Daytime Chicago. Tune in to WGN-TV after 10.

I’ve often heard parents say they’re not interested in what their kids are into. Here are some thoughts on the multiple benefits of getting interested in their thing regardless. Today’s Substack. Go Cubs! open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Yesterday’s fun, inspiring segment from the Morning Blend. www.tmj4.com/shows/the-mo...

I’ll be talking about the power and importance of inspiration, especially for our young people, today on the Morning Blend. Tune in to WTMJ4 just after 9.

Over the course of the past several months, I’ve noticed that boys and young men are using emotional language to describe their lives, relationships and circumstances. Here are my thoughts, along with some ways we can support them. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

We don’t always find inspiration where we think we will. I find we often have to be vigilant for it. Or, inspiration finds you. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

I’ll be talking about the loneliness epidemic among men this am on NewsNation. Tune in around 11.

When we’re young, I think we have a choice to make: do I follow my dreams, or do I follow the money? Here’s my case for both. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Okay, I’ve been hearing a LOT about porn in the therapy room lately: how often kids watch it, what it takes from them, and what we can do about it. This may not be a fun read, but it’s SO very important. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Many of us have this tendency to amplify our difficulties and challenges, to catastrophize. It’s actually a serious and widespread problem. Here are some ways to recognize when and how you might be amplifying troubles, and how to recalibrate. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Yesterday’s segment from the Morning Blend. Fun watch (even though I seem to have recorded in the dark… ). www.tmj4.com/shows/the-mo...

My buddy Mark Collins was just elected into office for the first time, and his township is SO lucky to have his spirit and talents available to them. Here are my thoughts about how national politics might borrow a page from the local scene. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

I’ll be talking about introversion, extroversion, ambiversion, and George and Lauren’s wedding this morning on the Morning Blend. Tune in just after 9!

I consider myself a pretty empathic guy. If you’re feeling depressed, anxious, lost, hopeless or a sense of loss, I will join you in that, and do my best to help you through. But I have trouble with self-pity - might be a me thing. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some thoughts on what it means when your kids don’t appear to share your values, and how this may be an enormous parenting win. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

I’ll be talking with Ashleigh Banfield about the nature of the increase in violent crimes committed by very young boys, why it’s happening and what we might do about it. Tune in to NewsNation tonight after 9 pm.

So, George and Lauren got married this past weekend, and it was THE most joyful day. And it got me thinking, somehow, about introverts, extroverts, and of course, love. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Body image issues have been a major issue for teens and young adults for decades. But now, most every young person is suffering them due to social media comparisons. And facial dysmorphia is a rising problem for our kids as well. Here’s the deal. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Since the diagnosis first arrived in the DSM, ADHD has been a complicated, multi-layered issue. Here are my thoughts on whether it’s an actual ‘disorder’ at all, and the hidden strengths of the ADHD mind. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some thoughts on the ongoing silence around the issue of suicide, and why it might be good for us all to talk about it more, and more openly. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Do you believe in magic? Yeah, I’m pretty iffy on it myself. Here’s why I think we need a lot of it these days. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some thoughts on why it’s really important to shift your gaze once in a while, to break a habit, try something new. It’s part of what makes this life beautiful, and can create major and minor changes that may well improve your life. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Deep-dive into Adolescence, the Netflix series, its implications, and how to lower the temperature a bit for concerned parents with the seriously brilliant Ashleigh Banfield on her podcast Drop Dead Serious. More fun than it sounds, and might make you feel better. open.spotify.com/episode/36XM...

‘Adolescence’ is a haunting, beautifully-written and executed new short series on Netflix. Here are my thoughts on the insights the show provides into the shadow side of of our young teens, especially the dark, sometimes dangerous gender dynamics. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Let’s take a little time to highlight an often overlooked but super important relationship: father and son. Dads, your guys need you, right now. Some thoughts on why, and what you can do. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

A brief discussion of how the chaos, divisiveness and vitriol of politics directly affects the way our kids feel about themselves, and what we can do about it, in the midst of it. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Some thoughts on the pursuit of greatness. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

Estrangement within a family can be incredibly painful, complex and ongoing. I’m sharing here some thoughts on why it may occur, when it might be the right response, and what we might do about it. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...

No matter how dark a time might be for you, your partner, your child or your friend, there is always hope. Keep it interesting and know the hard reset is an option. Today’s Substack. open.substack.com/pub/drjohndu...