The Things They Ask
Allison Ochs has worked as a teacher and social worker in public and private schools, a teen transition home, a hospital and an orphanage.
She is the author of "Would I have sexted back in the 80s" published by Amsterdam University Press, and she developed the Oscar and Zoe series and Stories for Digital Citizenship.
Allison tackles tough subjects head on, including sexuality, technology and social dynamics.
Allison Ochs is an American and Swiss citizen, and she believes that interest in social pedagogy started when she was four years old, and her parents adopted her older sister from Korea. Her ease with words, authenticity, connection, and understanding of others is possibly due to this unique upbringing in a multicultural family of eleven.
Contact Allison at studio@worldradio.ch, or via the contact page of the website. You can leave out names if you'd like (we'll change names for children 16 and under automatically for the podcast), but please make sure you include how old you are.
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Episodes
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I want to challenge a trans issue at my school... help? Lili, age 15
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023
Lili has a request regarding an upcoming school trip she'd like to ask Allison's advice about.
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My mom shared something private with her best friend. Mina, age 15
Wednesday, January 18th, 2023
Did mom do wrong here?
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Why do adults judge our memes? Aaron, age 15
Wednesday, January 11th, 2023
Social Worker Allison Ochs talks to Aaron and all the parents
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Why do my friends get better grades than I do? Alessandro, age 13
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022
Some people are better at some things than others, but it's a tough lesson to learn
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I want to celebrate Christmas. Can I convince my parents? Hiya, aged 12
Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
It might not be cultural or traditional in this household, but Christmas looks quite fun
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Why do my parents want my online passwords? Angry teen
Wednesday, November 30th, 2022
This person was anonymous... and angry...
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Should I break up with my boyfriend because he follows Andrew Tate? Anon, age 18
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022
Allison explains who this is and gives some clear advice
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Why are people mean? Nick, age 8
Wednesday, October 26th, 2022
If only this question had an easy answer!
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Why do people close their eyes when they kiss? Olivia, age 6
Wednesday, October 19th, 2022
Olivia, you are observant. I'm not sure most adults know the answer to this question.
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I hate my friend's TikTok content, but I'm expected to comment and like. What do I do? Sarah, age 14
Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
Pressure around social media and social norms are no joke. Allison is asked about navigating this.
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What do I do about my extremely embarrassing parents? Anon, age 15
Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
Parents will always be embarrassing in some way or another, but there are ways you can discuss this with them and make it manageable... probably.
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I'm addicted to gaming but I don't want to be banned. What can I do? Ben, age 13
Wednesday, September 28th, 2022
Kids and teens often don't tell parents when they need help, but they often tell Allison Ochs.
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My boyfriend doesn't hear my "No". What do I do? Annabelle, age 16
Wednesday, September 21st, 2022
Allison shares some ways we can feel more prepared when talking about consent.
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My mom is angry at my teacher. Can I make them friends again? - Sonia, age 6
Wednesday, September 14th, 2022
We don't know why they've fallen out, but mom and teacher don't see eye to eye.
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Why can't I use the same swearwords that mom uses? - Oliver, age 7
Wednesday, September 7th, 2022
Allison Ochs answers a tricky question
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Should I tell my parents about Omegle? - Lisa, age 12
Wednesday, August 31st, 2022
Lisa has a question about meeting someone online.
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I have a secret. What do I do? - Anon, age 16
Wednesday, July 6th, 2022
Allison talks about secrecy being like vampire.
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Why does mum want me to go out and meet my friends in person? - Anya, age 14.
Wednesday, June 29th, 2022
Allison suggests having a conversation about this.
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Do my grandparents still "do it"? - Jacob, age 13
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022
Allison Ochs answers a tricky question
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Why don't some people like sports? - Thomas, aged 12
Wednesday, June 15th, 2022
Can we assume Thomas doesn't like sports? Or maybe he really loves them and wants to know why other's don't share the same passion.
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Do I have to have sex if I'm in a relationship? - Anon (m), age 16
Wednesday, June 8th, 2022
Allison Ochs looks at different types of intimacy
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How do I make graduation with divorced parents less awkward? - Anon, aged 18
Wednesday, June 1st, 2022
Allison hears this question a lot at the moment
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My friends are too into gaming. How do I break the spell? - Margot, aged 12
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022
Allison Ochs has a great response for Margot
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How do I politely say "no"? - Clara, age 13
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Allison explains the "simple no" and the "hard no", as well as giving permission to not always be polite.
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What is love? - Anon, age 15
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
Good luck answering this one Allison! There are a bunch of adults that would also like to know.
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I like a girl. Should I just tell her? - Elias, age 14
Wednesday, April 13th, 2022
Allison Ochs has some insight into how kids and teens would like a peer to flirt with them.
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I don't want to go to uni. How do I convince my parents? - Ana, age 17
Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
Ana doesn't want to go to university, and so Allison has tips about open dialogue and research that might help her.
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Is it bad to copy homework? - Dylan, age 9
Thursday, March 31st, 2022
Allison explains why it's always a good idea to do your own homework, but also teaches us a lesson in why kids sometimes ask the questions they do.
