Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Do you find your teenager's unpredictable mood swings challenging? One minute they're all smiles, and the next, they're storming off over the smallest things. If you're unsure about how to help them navigate these intense feelings and stress, then this episode is just what you need. In this episode I’m joined by master herbalist Sara Chana, who has been guiding teens towards a calmer, more centere...

SPONSORED BY: Pearson’s Connections Academy Did you know that by 2030, 85% of jobs that will exist haven't even been invented yet? How do you prepare your teens for a future filled with unknowns? In this episode, Dr. Lorna Bryant, head of career education at Pearson's Connections Academy, shares insights on preparing teens for success in a future filled with unknowns. The conversation covers vario...

Ever find yourself in a communication standoff with your teenager? They seem to have their minds made up, and nothing you say can change it. Sound familiar? In this episode, bestselling author and change navigation expert Michael McQueen shares insights into understanding and influencing teenagers. He discusses the reasons behind teen stubbornness and the mistakes parents often make when trying to...

In today's hyper-connected world, children are more exposed than ever to extremist ideologies that can profoundly influence young minds. There has been an enormous uptick in groups ranging from white supremacists to religious extremists who are aggressively targeting children as young as 11 on platforms popular with teens. For example, a neo-Nazi organization recently ran a social media recruitmen...

In this episode we tackle a topic that often leaves parents feeling frustrated and helpless: communication with teenagers. Did you know that according to a recent survey, 78% of parents report feeling like they're constantly struggling to communicate effectively with their teenagers? And it's no wonder. Teenagers are going through a period of immense physical and emotional change, and they're tryi...

Many immigrant parents face the challenge of maintaining the traditions and expectations rooted in their upbringing while simultaneously adapting to the culture their teenagers are learning to navigate. This cultural dissonance frequently results in communication gaps, misunderstandings, and the potential for intergenerational trauma. Recognizing the need to address these challenges, Dr. Cam invit...

If you're concerned that your teen is struggling with addiction, whether it's technology, substances, or behavior, this episode is for you.   Dr. Cam is joined by the renowned Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr. Gayani DeSilva. Dr. DeSilva is not only a leading expert in the field, but she's also the author of two highly acclaimed books: "A Psychiatrist's Guide: Helping Parents Reach Their Depr...

Ever look at your teen and think, "Why won't you just do as I ask without all the pushback?" Me too! But we're thinking about it wrong. We're thinking our teen is disrespectful and defiant when they argue. What we should be thinking is, our teen's reaction is a sign of healthy development and respect." What?! Listen to this episode and let Dr. Cam explain.   Connect with Dr. Cam www.askdrcam.com |...

In this episode, my daughter Alexa has agreed to join me to talk about the school year. She had a week to mourn not being able to go back physically (aka complain and sulk freely) and now we need to address her concerns and come up with a plan. We're going to do it in real-time so you can watch us. Not sure how it'll go, but here it goes...   Connect with Dr. Cam www.askdrcam.com | Facebook | Inst...

How do you motivate an unmotivated teen? Many parents are struggling with this dilemma now that our kids are all learning from home. We've tried bribing, threatening, nagging, yelling...nothing seems to work. Today I pull some insights from Daniel Pink's book "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" and show you how to apply them to our teens.  Connect with Dr. Cam www.askdrcam.com |...

As I wait for the results of the presidential election to come in, I realize there are two big lessons we can learn about this experience to help us with parenting teens: The power of the vote and the power of recognition. Both are quite effective ways to build our teen's motivation and self-worth. Connect with Dr. Cam www.askdrcam.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube | iTunes...

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on a critical issue that demands our attention: Teen suicide. The latest stats are a stark wake-up call, revealing that it's the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 10 to 24 in the United States. This underscores the urgent need for effective prevention and support. Joining us is Suzie Bartel, the visionary founder of the Ryan Bartel Foundati...

😤 Struggling to motivate your teenager to focus on what really matters? If so, this episode is a must-listen! 🎙️ Join me as I chat with Jason Cole, a seasoned author and a respected name in the sports world. With eight books under his belt, including the intriguing "Shut up Your Kid Is Not That Great" and firsthand experience raising two teen boys of his own, Jason's here to offer a candid take o...

🌟 Got a bright teen struggling in school? You're not alone! Many students have untapped potential, and it's frustrating for us parents to watch. 🚀 That's why we've brought in Sam Young, aka Mr. Sam, founder of Young Scholars Academy (@YSAENRICHMENT). Sam's on a mission to support twice-exceptional, differently-wired, and gifted students to thrive through strength-based education and a nurturing...

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...