Parenting Anxious Teens | Parenting Teens, Managing Teen Anxiety, Parenting Strategies

Hi Parents! Helping your teen choose a career path can feel like a lot of pressure, especially when you just want them to be successful, secure, and happy. But what if some of the ways we try to help are making them feel more anxious and stuck? In this episode, I sit down with Miriam Groom, Career Therapist and founder of Mindful Career , to talk about the biggest mistake parents make when guiding...

Hi Parents! What if the most powerful way to help your anxious teen wasn’t about fixing them, but learning how to support them differently? In this solo episode, I’m talking about why having the right tools as a parent can completely change the way your teen experiences anxiety and why your awareness, emotional regulation, and responses matter more than you may realize. If you’ve been feeling over...

Hi Parents! Preparing your teen for college goes far beyond academics, especially if they struggle with anxiety, executive functioning, or are neurodivergent. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tara Williams , executive functioning coach and professor, to talk about how parents can support their teens in building the real-life skills they need to succeed in college and beyond. From time management...

Hi Parents! Raising teens in today’s world can feel overwhelming, especially when stress, burnout, and mental health challenges seem more common than ever. Many parents are doing their best to support their teens, but aren’t always sure what actually helps - or how their own stress may be influencing the dynamic at home. In this episode, Dr. Jerry Weichman , clinical psychologist and adolescent sp...

Hi Parents! Teens today are under more pressure than ever, and for many, that pressure turns inward as self-criticism, doubt, and negative self-talk. Learning how to support them through those moments, without trying to fix or dismiss their feelings, can make all the difference in how they see themselves and navigate challenges. In this episode, Dr. Dravon James , transformation specialist, author...

Hi Parents! In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Erica Rozmid , a board-certified clinical psychologist and expert in evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, to explore the impact of social media and screen time on teen mental health. Together, we dive into the growing concern of doomscrolling and how constant exposure to negative content, comparison, and information overload can contribute to anx...

Hi Parents! Why do some teens stay focused and push through challenges while others seem completely unmotivated? In this episode, I sit down with executive functioning coach, teacher, and championship-winning athletic coach Tom Mandile to explore what is really going on when teens struggle with motivation, focus, and follow-through. With more than 20 years of experience working with students, athl...

Hi Parents! This is my 100th episode and I can’t believe I’m here! In this milestone episode, I reflect on the journey behind the podcast from the fear I had when I first started, to the vulnerability of putting my voice out into the world, and the moments I genuinely questioned whether I should continue. I share why I originally started podcasting, how I moved away from short-form content into lo...

Hi Parents! Today we’re diving into an important and often uncomfortable topic, but one that matters deeply for the way our kids grow up to understand relationships, respect, and accountability. I’m joined by Liz Ortenburger, the CEO of SafeNest , Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit addressing domestic and sexual violence. Liz has spent more than two decades working to protect women...

Hi Moms! Motherhood brings so much love and for many moms, it also brings a level of worry and pressure they never expected. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terri Bacow , a New York-based therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting people through major life transitions, especially moms navigating stress and anxiety. Terri and I talk honestly about why motherhood can heighten anxiety...

Hi Parents! If you’ve ever wondered why traditional discipline seems to make things worse for your anxious teen, this episode will help you see their behaviour through a completely different lens. In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Ross Greene , a clinical psychologist and the creator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model. Ross has spent decades working with children who str...

Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Bonnett , a veteran teacher and Executive Function coach who works with students and families around the country using a brain-first, no-shame approach. Carrie brings decades of experience supporting kids, parents, and educators, and she’s passionate about helping teens thrive by understanding how their brains actually work. During our conversation...

Hi Parents! Anxiety in teens doesn’t always look like worry or fear. For many families, it shows up as avoidance, irritability, emotional shutdown, or behaviours that are often misread as defiance or lack of motivation. Today I'm joined by Dr. Tracey Marks , a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in helping people build healthier responses to stress through neuroscience-based tools. Dr. Ma...

Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m joined by Cathy Cassani Adams , LCSW - therapist, author, educator, and co-host of the Zen Pop podcast, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to help girls build a strong sense of self. So often, we focus on confidence and achievement, but confidence alone doesn’t protect our girls from anxiety, self-doubt, or people-pleasing. Today, Cathy and I ta...

Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian  Lee Cotton , author and mindful eating expert, to discuss how parents can help their teens build a healthy relationship with food and foster positive body image. Lee shares practical strategies for creating a home environment where conversations about food, nutrition, and body image are approached with mindfulness, care, and positivi...

Hi Parents! Fear and stress are a natural part of life but for anxious teens, these feelings can feel overwhelming and limiting. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Heiss shares how parents can help their teens harness the power of stress, transform fear into growth, and build resilience. Rebecca explains the science behind fear and stress, including the instinctual limitations that often hold us back, a...

Hi Parents! Loneliness is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to teens. Today I’m joined by Lucy Rose , founder of The Cost of Loneliness Project , to explore why loneliness is not simply about being alone and how it often hides beneath anxiety, withdrawal, and silence in adolescents. Lucy brings a unique perspective from her work in public health, medicine, and communication, including...

Hi Parents! It’s normal for teenagers to pull away, retreat to their rooms, or become more private but for parents, it can feel isolating, frustrating, and even painful. In this episode, Anita Cleare , parenting coach and author of How to Get Your Teenager Out of Their Bedroom , shares strategies for navigating these tricky dynamics with patience and confidence. Anita explains why a teen’s bedroom...

Hi Parents! Parenting is challenging, especially when your teen struggles with anxiety or strong emotions. Hunter Clarke-Fields , #1 bestselling author and mindfulness teacher, shares practical strategies for helping parents manage their own stress while supporting their teens with compassion and clarity. Hunter shares how mindfulness isn’t just meditation - it’s a way of showing up in everyday mo...

Hi Parents! I’m excited to welcome Dr. Ken Ginsburg , a physician, Professor of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication . With decades of experience working directly with teens and families, Dr. Ginsburg is a leading expert in adolescent health and a trusted voice on supporting teen mental well-being. He is also the author of L...

Hi Parents! Do you notice that your teen is highly sensitive or easily overwhelmed? Dr. Judith Orloff , psychiatrist and empath, explains how parents can recognize and support highly sensitive teens, who often experience anxiety more intensely than their peers. Dr. Orloff introduces her newest children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit , sharing the story of Aurora, a sensitive rabbit learning t...

Hi Parents! Anxiety in teens isn’t just a “thinking problem” - it’s a body-based experience that affects how they feel, react, and cope. In this episode, Dr. Russell Kennedy , The Anxiety MD , shares a new perspective on understanding and supporting anxious teens. Dr. Kennedy explains why traditional logic, reassurance, or problem-solving often doesn’t work for teens with anxiety, and what helps a...

Hi Parents! Are you concerned about how your teen is navigating alcohol, especially during the transition from high school to college? In this episode, Dr. Rob Turrisi , a leading researcher in adolescent health and behavioural decision-making, shares practical, evidence-based strategies that parents can use to help their teens make informed and safe choices. Rob explains how teens make decisions...

Hi Parents! Pelvic floor health is rarely talked about, but it plays a huge role in overall well-being for both teens and adults. In today's episode,  Dr. Sara Reardon , known as The Vagina Whisperer , explains why these conversations are essential and offers practical strategies for parents to approach them confidently. Sara covers topics like periods, sex, pelvic floor strength, and self-care pr...

Hi Parents! Do your teens feel intense pressure to perform or struggle with self-doubt? Today I’m chatting with Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin , a licensed psychologist and executive coach, who shares practical strategies parents can use to support teens navigating high expectations and performance pressure. Dr. Lisa explains how self-doubt and perfectionism can develop early and why societal pressures can...