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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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.
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Will my ex delete the nudes? - Anon, age 17
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022
It's a little late to talk about whether it was a good idea to send those nudes, so here Allison looks at how best to deal with the situation and move forward, making better decisions.
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How do I stop Dad's girlfriend hugging me - Eric, age 10
Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Allison has some great tips for Eric to use his words and explain to his Dad and his Dad's girlfriend about what he wants. Allison also opens up about these boundaries that are so important for kids, family and friends to hear.
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What do I do when mom is "a Karen" - Leah, age 16
Wednesday, March 9th, 2022
It's hard for Leah to accept that her and her mom disagree on some really fundamental issues. Allison reminds Leah that it's hard for here mom too. Here are some great ways to open communication.
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How do I talk about war to my children? - Céline, a mother of a 6 year old
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
In this episode, Céline, whose parents-in-law live in Poland, would like to know how to talk to her 6 year old about war. Social Worker Allison Ochs explains how she tackles the most difficult subjects with kids. Firstly ask them questions.
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How do I help my best friend who is addicted to gaming? - Nathaniel, 15
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022
Here Allison takes a look at gaming addiction, and the support available not only for the gamer, but their peers.
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I want to start staying home alone - Anon, age 10
Friday, February 11th, 2022
This pre-teen wants to start having more responsibility, but their parents aren't so sure. Here Allison explains some things that might help them demonstrate to Mom and Dad that they're responsible.
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How do I stop the gross boob pop-ups? - Miles, age 10
Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
Miles wants the pop-ups to stop. He doesn't want to tell his parents in case he gets in trouble. Allison wants to remind the adults these often aren't the child's fault!
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Are we rich? - Charlie, age 8
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022
The truth is, if you have clothes on your back and food to eat, you're probably rich enough! But that doesn't mean we should brag. Allison handles this question carefully so not to send Charlie off bragging!
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What is asexuality caused by? - anon, age 17
Wednesday, January 26th, 2022
In this episode, Allison looks at asexuality; a sexual orientation that doesn't necessarily have a cause. She also talks a little about teen development and sexual desire.