IMPACT: Parenting with Perspective

"Send Ben a text" Blowups. Overreactions. Now What Do I Do? Every parent has a moment they wish they could take back.  You raise your voice. You overreact. You walk away feeling awful. In this episode, Ben Pugh and Cortni talk about what really matters after those ugly parenting moments. You’ll learn why blowups happen, how stress and exhaustion play a role, and why repairing the relatio...

"Send Ben a text" Do you ever feel like the harder you push, the more your teen pulls away?  You’re trying to help—but it keeps turning into lectures, power struggles, or shutdowns. In this episode of IMPACT! Parenting with Perspective , Ben speaks directly to dads who feel stuck between caring deeply and controlling too much. Using simple sports coaching examples, he explains why contro...

"Send Ben a text" Every January, parents set big goals.  And every February, most of those goals are gone. In this episode, Ben explains why New Year’s goals fail every time —and what actually works instead. The problem isn’t willpower.  It’s not motivation.  And it’s not that you’re doing something wrong. Most people start with what they want to do . Real change starts with who you want...

"Send Ben a text" What if your teen isn’t the problem? In this Christmas episode, Ben shares a powerful lesson from A Christmas Carol . Scrooge wasn’t a bad man—he was a wounded one. The same is often true for parents. When teens trigger us, it’s usually a sign that there’s healing work to do inside ourselves. This episode will help you parent with more clarity, compassion, and confidenc...

"Send Ben a text" The holidays can feel busy, loud, and stressful — especially when you’re parenting teens. Many parents try to fix this by setting big goals or New Year’s resolutions, but those don’t usually last. In this episode, Ben Pugh shares a better way. Instead of chasing goals, Ben talks about building simple traditions and habits that help you become the parent and person you w...

"Send Ben a text" Your teen might hate you sometimes… and you can still have a great relationship with them. Most parents think their relationship with their teen is something they both share. But that’s not how it works. You have your own relationship with your teen , and your teen has their own relationship with you —and they’re not the same. In this episode, you’ll learn:  • Why your...

"Send Ben a text" Your teen’s attitude, your frustration, and the same old fights aren’t the real problem — your programming is. In this episode, Ben and Cortni break down why parents get stuck repeating the same patterns even when they’re trying to “do better,” and how a surprising back injury (and some AI wisdom) revealed the deeper truth about how to change. You’ll learn why your old...

"Send Ben a text" The Gratitude Shift That Can Save Your Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is amazing… until it’s not.  Family drama. Stress. That one uncle. The comments you wish you didn’t hear.  But what if ONE mindset shift could help you enjoy the day instead of surviving it? In this quick Thanksgiving special, Ben and Cortni talk about the real secret to gratitude — not the cheesy, forced...

"Send Ben a text" Identity is your hidden superpower as a parent. In this episode, Ben shares a powerful story from the football field about getting out of the victim mindset, redefining his identity, and modeling the exact behavior he wanted to see in his players — and how the same principle can transform your parenting. You'll learn why your teen doesn’t need a perfect parent… jus...

"Send Ben a text" Ever tried to push your teen to change… only to have them push right back? You’re not alone. In this episode, Ben breaks down why trying to force your teen to change almost always backfires—and what to do instead. You’ll learn how to stop pushing, start leading, and model the kind of growth you actually want to see in your teen. Ben shares real-life examples (including...

"Send Ben a text" When your teen suddenly “stops caring” — about school, sports, church, or even family — it can feel like everything’s falling apart.  Maybe they used to try hard, follow rules, and keep you happy.  Now, they’re unmotivated, moody, or even defiant. Most parents panic at this point.  But what if your teen’s “not caring” isn’t a breakdown… it’s actually a breakthrough? In...

"Send Ben a text" Every teen has a spark inside them—something that makes them come alive.  But too often, they get lost trying to be who the world wants them to be. In this episode, I talk with my good friend Arthur C. Woods , author of SPARK for Emerging Leaders . He shares simple ways parents can help their teens discover who they want to be , not just what they want to do . We talk a...

"Send Ben a text" You’re not in control of your teen—and that’s actually the best news ever. In this episode, Ben and Cortni dive deep into what happens when parents try to control their teens and why it almost always backfires. Drawing from the book Leadership and Self-Deception , they unpack the idea of “being in the box” and how it shows up in family life. You’ll hear real stories abo...

"Send Ben a text" You love your teen. You try to help. You want things to get better.  But what if you’re accidentally doing something that’s quietly sabotaging your connection? In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack one of the most powerful ideas from Leadership and Self-Deception —the hidden mindset that keeps parents and teens stuck in conflict, frustration, and blame. You’ll learn:  ...

"Send Ben a text" Most parents secretly wish their teen would just change — listen more, argue less, clean up, do homework, be respectful, etc. But here’s the truth:  👉 You can’t change your teen. 👉 You can only change you. In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack one of the most powerful parenting principles of all time — “Be the change you want to see.” You’ll learn: Why trying to “fix...

"Send Ben a text" In this episode, I break down the difference between false confidence —the kind that’s tied to wins, grades, or outside approval—and foundational confidence —the kind built on preparation, effort, and real experience. Many teens (and parents) ride the emotional rollercoaster of false confidence. One good play or test score, and they’re on top of the world. One mistake,...

"Send Ben a text" Do you ever wonder if you’re a “good” parent… or fear that you might be a “bad” one? You’re not alone. Many parents live under the weight of these labels, and it can feel heavy and confusing. In this episode, Ben Pugh explains why “good vs. bad parenting” is a dangerous myth. These labels pull you into comparison, chasing approval, and trying to prove yourself to others...

"Send Ben a text" Is your teen struggling? Do you ever wonder how to help them bounce back? In this episode, I share the ONE thing that makes the biggest difference in building resilience. You’ll hear real stories from my own life, from parents I’ve worked with, and from teens who have faced tough moments. We’ll talk about: Why struggle is not failure but growth How your response shapes...

"Send Ben a text" What does a viral “Phillies Karen” baseball moment have to do with your parenting? More than you think. In this episode, I break down the Phillies Karen story—not to pile on or cancel—but to show you how outrage, mob mentality, and cancel culture are distractions that rob you of real parenting power. You’ll learn: Why cancel culture is contagious (and so is compassion)...

"Send Ben a text" Your teen knows when you’re being real… and when you’re not. In this episode, Ben and Cortni talk about “fake parenting” and why it pushes teens away. Teens don’t need a perfect parent. They need the real you . You’ll learn: Why fake parenting kills connection How to create a 10-word vision statement to guide you Why focusing on what you want works better than focusing...

"Send Ben a text" How to Simplify Parenting by Fixing Only Two Problems Parenting often feels overwhelming—like you’ve got 117 things to fix at once. But what if the secret to real change wasn’t fixing everything … but focusing on just two ? In this episode, Ben shares how a lesson from football and his time as a high school principal transformed into a powerful parenting principle. You’...

"Send Ben a text" Do you ever catch yourself parenting for the approval of others—your neighbors, your parents, or even your teen? The truth is, people-pleasing doesn’t build connection. It creates distance. In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack why parents often hide behind “masks” of who they think they should be—and how that keeps them from real connection with their teens. You’ll he...

"Send Ben a text" Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty?  Like life is just go, go, go — and you’re burning out? In this episode, Ben shares how he went from stressed and overwhelmed to calm and confident. You’ll learn why overwhelm is a choice, and how to stop wearing busyness like a badge of honor. Get ready for simple tips that will help you slow down, be present, and enjoy yo...

"Send Ben a text" Is your teen nervous when it really matters? Do they freeze, overthink, or doubt themselves when the pressure’s on? In this episode, I’ll share the one powerful thing that can help your teen show up with confidence — even in high-stress moments. Whether they’re an athlete, artist, or academic, this tool will help them stop focusing on what they can’t control and start p...

"Send Ben a text" Is your teen yelling, arguing, or just pushing all your buttons? In this episode, I’ll show you the one trick that can change everything: modeling the behavior you want to see. You’ll learn how to: Stop mirroring your teen’s bad behavior Escape the controlling parent trap Lead with calm, confidence, and purpose Turn blowups into powerful teaching moments You don’t need...