Find my guide on the parental and teen transition from high school to college at https://www.plantthespark.com

Letting your kid grow up isn’t just hard — it’s psychological.In this episode of Planting Thoughts, Mike dives into why parents often struggle more than their kids when it’s time to let go… especially when children leave for college or adulthood.We explore:Why identity loss hits parents so hardThe neuroscience of control and attachmentHow overparenting can actually increase fearWhy “helping” sometimes hurtsThis episode is for parents who feel lost, anxious, or over-involved — and want a healthier way forward.Welcome to Planting Thoughts, the psychology podcast that digs into the weird, funny, and fascinating sides of human behavior. From cults and moral dilemmas to personality, decision-making, and why our brains do the dumb stuff they do — we blend science, humor, and storytelling to make psychology real and relatable.🎙️ Hosted by Mike 🧠 Topics: psychology, neuroscience, social behavior, moral psychology, mental health, personality science, pop culture, dark psychology, and the psychology of everyday life.Subscribe for weekly deep dives, mind-bending insights, and some laughs along the way.🔍 Keywords: psychology podcast | human behavior | moral psychology | cognitive biases | social psychology | mental health science | Planting Thoughts podcast | psychology explained | funny psychology podcast#EmptyNest #ParentIdentity #LettingGo #CollegeTransition #ParentingAdults #PlantingThoughts #Psychology #AttachmentTheory #FamilySystems

Go to https://www.plantthespark.com and check out my digital manuals on successful parenting!

Modern parenting didn’t mean to create anxious kids — but here we are.In this episode of Planting Thoughts, Mike breaks down the psychology behind why today’s children are more anxious, fragile, and overwhelmed than any generation before them… despite having more safety, resources, and support.We dive into:The psychology of overparentingWhy protection can actually stunt resilienceWhat the research really says about anxiety, autonomy, and growthHow good intentions quietly backfireThis episode isn’t about parent-shaming — it’s about parent awakening.If you’re a parent, educator, or someone trying to understand why so many young people are struggling, this one matters.Welcome to Planting Thoughts, the psychology podcast that digs into the weird, funny, and fascinating sides of human behavior. From cults and moral dilemmas to personality, decision-making, and why our brains do the dumb stuff they do — we blend science, humor, and storytelling to make psychology real and relatable.🎙️ Hosted by Mike 🧠 Topics: psychology, neuroscience, social behavior, moral psychology, mental health, personality science, pop culture, dark psychology, and the psychology of everyday life.Subscribe for weekly deep dives, mind-bending insights, and some laughs along the way.🔍 Keywords: psychology podcast | human behavior | moral psychology | cognitive biases | social psychology | mental health science | Planting Thoughts podcast | psychology explained | funny psychology podcast#ParentingPsychology #AnxiousKids #Overparenting #MentalHealth #RaisingResilientKids#PlantingThoughts #PsychologyPodcast #ModernParenting #ChildDevelopment

Imagine a partner who never forgets your anniversary, always agrees, and is perfectly tailored to your deepest desires. That person exists, and they're running on an algorithm.This isn't sci-fi anymore. Modern research shows humans are forming deep, intimate bonds with AI companions, often leaving real relationships in the dust. Today, we plant the strangest seed yet: The rise of Virtual Intimacy.We dive deep into the psychology, the neuroscience, and the startling social cost of dating a perfect ghost. We explain why your brain is being chemically rewarded for choosing pixels over pores, the dangers of emotional fragility, and the ultimate question: What is real love when you can download perfection?🧠 In This Episode:Dopamine Delivered: The behavioral science of why AI provides better instant gratification than a human.Comparison Crisis: The social pressure on real partners who have to compete with a flawless, non-confrontational algorithm.The Psychoanalytic Void: Why relating to a mirror (the AI) instead of an "Other" (a human) leads to deep unfulfillment.Relationship Displacement: The media stories of people leaving real partners for digital companions.The Philosophical Quandary: Is it love if there's no risk, no sacrifice, and no potential for pain?The Scaffolding Solution: How to use AI as a tool for social training, not as a shelter from reality.If this episode makes you look at your phone differently, hit the Like button. And Subscribe to Planting Thoughts—because the real world is complicated, and we’re the only ones brave enough to talk about it.Welcome to Planting Thoughts, the psychology podcast that digs into the weird, funny, and fascinating sides of human behavior. From cults and moral dilemmas to personality, decision-making, and why our brains do the dumb stuff they do — we blend science, humor, and storytelling to make psychology real and relatable.🎙️ Hosted by Mike Plant🧠 Topics: psychology, neuroscience, social behavior, moral psychology, mental health, personality science, pop culture, dark psychology, and the psychology of everyday life.Subscribe for weekly deep dives, mind-bending insights, and some laughs along the way.🔍 Keywords: psychology podcast | human behavior | moral psychology | cognitive biases | social psychology | mental health science | Planting Thoughts podcast | psychology explained | funny psychology podcast#AIIntimacy #VirtualLove #AICompanion #Psychology #Neuroscience #DopamineDetox #VirtualRelationships #AIandDating #Replika #ErosBot #SocialPsychology #DigitalHealth #Loneliness #AttachmentTheory #EthicalAI #PlantingThoughts #MikePlantingThoughts #FutureofDating