Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

In this episode we're unpacking a topic that's not just timely; it's absolutely essential: How to Raise an Antiracist. In an era where issues of race and social justice dominate headlines, it's crucial that we equip our teens with the knowledge and tools to be active participants in the fight against racism.  Joining me are the co-authors of the The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism...

In this episode we're diving into a crucial topic that's impacting teens across America. We're witnessing a concerning rise in anxiety, depression, and tragically, record-high rates of youth suicide. But what's really troubling is the relentless stigma that keeps so many teens from opening up about their struggles and seeking help. Dr. Cam talks with two fantastic guests today: Erin Gallagher, the...

We talk a lot on this show about how critical it is to maintain a strong relationship with our teenagers to nurture their mental, emotional, and social well-being. It is also a protective factor against anxiety, depression, drug use, and so much more. But knowing it and doing it are very different things. Many parents tell me that they want to connect with their teens, but their teens don’t want a...

In this episode we dive into a concerning trend: teen school refusal. Following the pandemic, school avoidance cases have doubled, escalating into a crisis that affects families across the nation. If you're worried that your teen’s increasing absences will impact their academic performance, social development, and mental well-being, you’re in the right place. Joining us is an esteemed expert, Dr....

If you are worried or fed up with your teen’s digital addiction, this episode is for you. We are all painfully aware of the impact that excessive screen time and constant connectivity has on our teen’s mental health, focus, and resiliency. However, we also know that technology is tightly woven into every aspect of our lives and has transformed the way we live, work, learn, and connect. Our job as...

To the horror of parents worldwide, human trafficking is a growing problem. According to the latest stats, 400,000 minors are trafficked annually. Those at most risk are adolescent girls who are craving attention or have low self-esteem. In this episode we talk about how to keep our daughters safe. Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, the founder and director of The Foster Care Institute. As fos...

Do you dread your teen’s emotional outbursts? Is it difficult to calm them down once they get riled up? Do you want to end the exhausting fights and power struggles? Then this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Lawyer-Turned-Peacemaker, Douglas E. Noll. Doug is the co-founder of Prison of Peace, author of several books including De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90...

Although there is still a lot that we need to learn, societal understanding and awareness of nonbinary identities is improving. Nonbinary often experience a gender identity that falls outside of the male/female binary and may choose to use gender-neutral pronouns such as "they/them" instead of he/him or she/her. Teens who identify as nonbinary may experiment with different gender expressions, incl...

Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of teenagers coming out as transgender. To skeptical parents, this is often perceived as a concerning trend fueled by social media and easily influenced teenage brains. To gender identity experts, it is attributed to increased awareness and understanding of gender diversity and the growing platforms that enable teens to find...

Teen’s are infamous for their risky behavior and questionable choices. It actually reflects healthy brain development (believe it or not). But when it comes to behavior that has serious repercussions like substance use, fighting, shoplifting, and truancy, we need to step in. Our instinct is to lay down the law and pile on the restrictions. But more often than not, that strategy backfires in the lo...

Is your teen’s self-esteem in the dumps? Do your attempts to build up their confidence often land flat? If so, this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. Shainna, a mental health counselor and the author of The Self-Love Workbook for Teens. Dr. Shainna is passionate about destigmatizing mental health counseling and helping individuals worldwide recognize the importance of f...

Does the amount of time your teenager spends on their phone, playing video games, or scrolling through Tik Tok drive you mad? Do they go ballistic when you try to pry them away or even hint at doing something different? Then this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Amanda Giordano, Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Georgia and author of A Clinical Guide to T...

If your teen gets easily overwhelmed or freezes when they need to make a decision, this episode is for you. In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Juliana Negreiros and Dr. Katherine Martinez, psychologists and co-authors of Your anxious mind: A teen’s guide to anxiety and panic and Getting uncomfortable with uncertainty for Teens. We’re going to discuss how we can help our teens learn to manage their...

Are you tired of being the warden of homework, screen time, and sleep? Would you like to spend less time nagging and more time enjoying your teen? Then this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by The Parenting Mentor, Sue Groner. Sue is the author of Parenting with Sanity and Joy, 101 Simple Strategies, the host of The Parenting Mentor Sessions Podcast, and is a certified Positive Disc...

If you are one of the many parents who are laser-focused on setting your teen up for future success by prioritizing their grades and building up their resume in order to get into the right college so they can get a good job, you may want to take a moment to listen to today’s episode. In this episode I’m joined by Deepali Vyas, the founder and CEO of Fearless+ . Deepali spent 22 years as an executi...

In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I’m joined by father and filmmaker Olivier Bernier. Olivier and his wife Hilde created the award-winning documentary,  “Forget Me Not: Inclusion in the Classroom,”  which follows their journey as their son Emilio with down syndrome prepares to start school. The film aims to break down the social and systemic barriers that routinely segregate and hid...

If you want your teen to thrive within our current hypercompetitive culture and uncertain landscape, this episode is for you.    In this episode  I’m joined by Cindy Muchnick, Educational Consultant and author of The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen's Wellness and Academic Journey in Today's Competitive World, which Katie Couric selected as one of  the top 11 fall parenting reads .  Cindy show...

This is my 3rd anniversary episode with Jamie Edelbrock. Jamie was my very first podcast guest back in 2019. Pre-Pandemic! We were both just starting a new chapter in our life story and scared!  Since then, Jamie has become a prolific advocate for children's mental health. She’s published two award-winning children’s books: Tangled Up and Be the Sparkle, which shine a positive, hopeful light on me...

If you want to prepare your teen to be successful in their careers or whatever they decide to do in the future, this episode is for you.  In this episode I’m joined by Michael Trezza, the Founder and CEO of Giant Leaps Learning, an online after-school enrichment program. Michael and his team help kids master the skills they’ll need become great leaders not just in the future, but right now.   Mich...

Do your teen’s erratic mood swings and emotional outbursts make you feel like you’re on a never-ending rollercoaster ride? Then this episode is for you. The challenge of dealing with teen emotions is difficult for parents and teens alike. Parents feel like they’re walking on eggshells unsure of what will set their teen off or what to do about it when they do. Teen’s feel overwhelmed by growing dem...

Are you baffled about why your teen is so anxious? Do you want to know how to help them? If so, this episode is for you. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 32% of teens suffered from an anxiety disorder in the last year compared to just 19% of adults, and the numbers keep growing.  What’s going on?! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Loretta Breuning, author of many personal dev...

If your teenager has low self-confidence or is anxious about being picked on, this episode is for you. 7 in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school, and friendships.  Boys struggle with self-esteem almost as much. When teens feel bad about themselves, they may try to avoid normal daily activities like going to sch...

If you’re worried your teen may be sending or receiving inappropriate snapchats, texts, and DMs, this episode is for you. According to the CDC sexting can damage a teen’s self-image, is linked to cyberbullying, increases rates of depression and other mental health issues, and may even result in felony charges. Yet, this activity has become somewhat normalized even expected among teens. Nearly 15%...

If you have a plus-sized teen struggling with their body image or not feeling accepted, this episode is for you. Thanks to media, advertisers, and the ever-growing weight-loss industry, we live in a society that believes the thinner the better. This has led to an increase in eating disorders for both women and men, which has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. To counter this dangero...

If you know or suspect your teen is using drugs or want to prevent them, this episode is for you. More than half of teens surveyed said they have experimented with substances such as alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and prescription drugs. Some are able to stop easily, some are not, some have no interest in even trying.  In this episode I’m joined by KL Wells, the Founder of Voices InCourage, to help p...