Parents & Teens Rising: Practical Tools for Raising Confident, Connected Teens

In today's episode I'm talking about something that comes up in nearly every single coaching call I have with parents: understanding what's actually going on beneath your teen's outward behavior. I get into why the slammed door, the "I'm fine" that clearly isn't, and the out-of-nowhere snap at dinner are never really about what they seem to be about, and why...

In today's episode I'm taking you behind the scenes of our first wilderness rite of passage trip of the summer, a five day backpacking journey into the backcountry with a group of ten middle schoolers. I just got back last week and I'm still processing everything that happened out there, but I couldn't wait to come on and share it with you while it's all still fresh. Here&...

In this episode, I explore how our thoughts shape our emotions, behaviors, and ultimately the results we create in our lives. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neuroscience, and real-life examples, I share practical tools that parents and teens can use to break free from negative thought patterns, build confidence, reduce anxiety, and create a more empowered mindset. Whether you&apo...

Have you ever looked up in the middle of summer and realized your teen is sleeping until noon, spending hours on screens, and slowly losing motivation? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing five practical steps that can help your teen create a summer that feels meaningful, productive, and enjoyable—without turning you into the summer police. I'll walk you through how to get...

If you have a graduating senior, or you've had one in the past few years, or you're watching one of your younger kids and already feeling the anticipation of this moment coming, this episode is for you. No matter where you are on the parenting journey, there is something here for you today. In today's episode I'm coming to you from a very personal place. In two days, my own sen...

If you've been watching your teen struggle with anxiety, low motivation, or a lack of direction and wondering what you can actually do to help, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the full framework I normally teach inside my workshops so you can access it right here, for free. This is not about quick fixes or surface-level advice. It's about understanding what's really going...

In today's episode, I have a special treat for you. Today I'm talking to Katie K. May, therapist, author, and founder of a therapy practice in the greater Philadelphia area that supports teens and families. Katie is also a board-certified self-harm specialist, and she wrote the book "You're On Fire, It's Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive...

In this deeply personal episode, I share the long and winding journey that led me to finally sell out my middle school wilderness backpacking rite of passage trip, a dream that has taken years, setbacks, heartbreak, resilience, and unwavering belief to bring to life. I open up about the science of grit, self-belief, growth mindset, and perseverance, while also sharing my own transformational exper...

In today's episode, I'm sharing about the seven foundational pillars that make up the ecosystem your teenager needs to grow, thrive, and stay connected to you through one of the most complex seasons of their development. This isn't just a parenting strategy episode. It's also about you, your nervous system, your emotional patterns, and the environment you're creating every...

In this short but sweet episode, I’m sharing a simple ( but often overlooked ) parenting “hack” that has been making a big difference in my own relationship with my teens. Like many of you, my days are full. By the time evening rolls around, it’s so tempting to check out on my phone, catch up on emails, or zone out. And my teens? They’re usually doing the same. But I’ve realized that these everyda...

Ever feel like your teen’s behavior makes no sense? What if I told you it’s not defiance, it’s brain development? In this episode, I'm breaking down what’s actually happening inside your teenager’s brain and how understanding it can completely change the way you parent. 💡 What I Talk About:  Why your teen struggles with impulse control (developing prefrontal cortex)  How brain “pruning” shap...

Struggling to connect with your teenager?  You’re not alone, and it may not be your teen that needs to change.  In this episode, I explore what might really be getting in the way of connection with my teenager, not their behavior, but how I’m showing up as a parent. I share five key patterns that can create disconnection and how small, intentional shifts can rebuild trust and closeness. 💡 What I...

Today, I’m opening up and sharing the heart behind my business, Guided Passages , and the journey that led me here. From leaving a stable teaching career to following a deeper calling, this has been a path of trust, courage, and listening to that quiet inner voice guiding me forward. What I share in this episode:  The moment I realized teaching was no longer aligned with my purpose What I call “ t...

In this episode, I’m diving into five foundational areas that have a powerful impact on your teen’s mental health and overall well-being. These aren’t complicated or groundbreaking ideas, but they’re the things that often get overlooked in the busyness of everyday life or avoided because they can feel like a constant battle. And just to be clear, this isn’t about perfection. I don’t know any teen...

Today, I'm sitting down with Sonia Suthar, a 19-year-old entrepreneur and the Founder of Cloud 9 , who is helping parents understand why teenagers shut down when we're just trying to help, and what we can do instead to build strong, connected relationships with them. She also shares how we can help our teens build confidence from the inside out, so this conversation is one you won't...

Are you helping your teen athlete grow, or are you accidentally adding more pressure? In this episode, I talk about how sports can be one of the most powerful developmental experiences in a young person’s life, and it's one way teens can learn perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and how to bounce back after mistakes. But there’s something we don’t talk about enough... The role parents play in...

Every summer, I watch teens step into the wilderness and come home transformed.  Out there, they learn they can do hard things, discover strength they didn’t know they had, connect with people outside their usual circles, and feel the freedom of being fully themselves.  Here are seven powerful lessons they carry back from our Rites of Passage journeys: Resilience – “I can do hard things and surviv...

In this episode, I explore the powerful lessons in Alyssa Liu’s journey, from stepping away to winning Olympic gold on her own terms, and what her story teaches us about teens, identity, agency, and authentic success. Her story isn’t just about sports. It’s about joy, ownership, and becoming who you truly are.  Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:  Why teen motivation strengthens when it feel...

In this episode, I break down what respect really looks like during adolescence, why it matters so deeply, and how we can lead our teens with both firmness and dignity.  When teens feel dismissed, talked down to, or controlled, their brains go into defense mode. But when they feel respected, they’re far more likely to stay open, honest, and cooperative even when the conversation is hard.  So often...

I’m sharing a simple but powerful shift that can completely change your relationship with your teenager: learning what’s actually in your control and what isn’t. When your teen is shutting down, acting out, bringing attitude home, or struggling with motivation, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to control their behavior in the heat of the moment. But the truth is, the more we try to con...

In this episode, I’m breaking down school avoidance and school refusal in teens, including why it’s on the rise, what’s happening underneath the behavior, and practical, compassionate ways parents can support their teen without escalating conflict. If your teen is melting down in the mornings, complaining of feeling sick, shutting down, or outright refusing to go to school, this episode will help...

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the biggest truths of my life: our children are some of our greatest teachers. I walk you through five lessons my kids have taught me so far, and how these lessons have shaped the way I show up in motherhood, especially in the teen years. In this episode, I cover: Regulate: learning how to stay grounded when I’m triggered or overwhelmed Surrender: practicing tru...

Teen confidence isn’t something your kid either “has” or doesn’t have; it’s something we can build. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 core skills I teach teens and young adults to help them move from anxiety and avoidance into real self-trust and forward motion. I also share a story about a young adult I worked with who felt stuck after Covid, isolated, anxious, and disconnected from her life, unt...

Today I’m sharing some thoughts I’ve been sitting with as I look at what’s happening in the world, and in everyday life. I keep coming back to the same idea: we’re missing clear pathways into adulthood. This episode is about what initiation is, what changes when young people are actually guided through it, and why rites of passage  is at the heart of what we do at Guided Passages.  Key takeaways:...

If you want your teen to actually come to you, especially when things get messy, these 10 communication pitfalls are the patterns to notice, interrupt, and replace with more connected communication. In this short episode, we’re talking about the subtle habits that can create disconnection and erode trust with your teen, often without us realizing it. The 10 Communication Pitfalls: Fixing / advisin...