It’s time to reframe the teen brain, filmmaker Tiffany Shlain says in this week’s episode of District Administration‘s “Talking Out of School” podcast. Shlain’s new documentary, “The Teen Brain,” looks through the lens of neuroscience to help teens—and their parents and teachers—better understand the upsides of an intense period of growth and development.

Adolescence, Shlain explains, is a brave and exciting period and “society needs it.”

“Sometimes teens are the ones who will say the things no one else will say, do things no one will do—they'll take those risks and that's exciting,” she says. “If you look at it as an intense and scary time, it probably will be. But if you look at it as a period of great growth and of understanding who they are, then it will probably be a more positive experience.”