Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

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...

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared adolescent mental health a national emergency , as rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts continue to skyrocket. The pandemic brought this serious issue to the forefront, but this uptick started years before COVID arrived on the scene.   Sadly, and too often, the parents of these teens are the last to learn about their chi...

If you’re uncomfortable or unsure about how to talk to your teen daughter about periods, sex, or personal hygiene this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, a board-certified OB-GYN who is passionate about helping girls, women, and those assigned female at birth understand their bodies and feel empowered to advocate for themselves. Dr. Lincoln is going to help us tackle “th...

If your teen is a target of bullying, the instigator, or even a witness to bullying, this episode is for you. One out of every five students report being bullied based on their physical appearance, race/ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. In other words, prejudice. The bullying behavior can range from verbal and physical assault to casual, yet hurtful comments. In all c...

If your teen is involved in sports, this episode is for you. We encourage our children to get involved in sports for many reasons: have fun, meet friends, get exercise, and learn valuable skills like teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, there is also an epidemic of abuse as well—not just at the Olympic and college level, but in our middle and high schools too. In this episode...

This week, in recognition of pride month, we’re talking about how to better understand and support our non-binary and transgender children.  Although the LGBTQ+ community has gained more acceptance and support over the years, statistics show that most remain closeted in fear of discrimination. They are also at far more serious risk for depression, suicide, and victimization. My goal is to answer q...

This week, in recognition of pride month, we’re talking about how to better understand and support our non-binary and transgender children.  Although the LGBTQ+ community has gained more acceptance and support over the years, statistics show that most remain closeted in fear of discrimination. They are also at far more serious risk for depression, suicide, and victimization. My goal is to answer q...

If you’re worried about what your teen is doing online, concerned they’ll fall prey to predators, and can’t seem to get through to them how dangerous the internet can be, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Safety and Security Influencer Cathy Pedrayes to share tips for keeping our teens safe online.    Resources Mentioned in This Episode Get Cathy’s free ebook: The Mom Friend Guide to Everyday...

If you’re frustrated because your teen refuses to talk to you, wants little to do with you or the rest of family, or snaps at you when you provide guidance, this episode is for you. I’m joined by former middle school teacher turned coach Elise Knox. She shares tips on how to connect with our teens with her three steps to listening without judgment.  Key Takeaways If we haven't healed our past trau...

In this episode, I answer the following parent question: Nothing we do makes our daughter happy. Why can’t she just accept a comment, advice, suggestion without complaining and pushing back? How can I make her listen and accept what she is being told without an argument?    Key Takeaways Allow them to voice their opinions without retribution.  Rather than getting mad that they are resistant, get c...

In this episode, I provide tips for  addressing teen anger. This is in response to the following parent questions:  What is the best way to diffuse a teen who is in the middle of a temper flare-up?  How should a parent respond in the moment of frustration (both on the part of the parent and teen)?   Key Takeaways Your teen’s emotions/meltdowns are a response to their brain’s fire alarm alerting th...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Otis, the founder of the personal leadership platform, Project OTY. Jeff is going to clue us in to why teens may resist taking accountability, how to encourage them to take more accountability, and how to help them uncover a sense of purpose and own their future.   Key Takeaways The three O’s: Own your time, own your education, and own your organization We need...