Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Paul C. Holinger, author of Affects, Cognition, and Language as Foundations of Human Development, delves into the role of interest in building self-esteem, the dangers of physical punishment, and strategies for fostering curiosity in teenagers. Full Show Notes: Raising a teenager often feels like navigating a maze of emotions and varying interests, where ensuring their well-being and fostering sel...

Chadi Nabhan, author of The Cancer Journey , joins us to discuss how parents can talk to their teenagers about cancer, understand the common misconceptions, and best support teens when their peers or family members face a cancer diagnosis. Full Show Notes Cancer is a challenging topic for families to discuss, especially when teenagers are involved. The fear, confusion, and misinformation surroundi...

J.D. Kinimaka, author of "The Competitive Spirit," explains how parents can develop a competitive attitude in their teens, emphasizing mental toughness, resilience, and the benefits of failure. Full Show Notes Parenting teens often means navigating their desire for independence while encouraging personal growth. One way we aim to prepare our teens for life's challenges is through fostering a compe...

Dr. Sophie Mort, author of "Unstuck," provides insights into breaking negative habits, understanding teen decision-making, and reshaping the narratives surrounding adolescence to better support teens' growth and self-esteem. Full Show Notes Navigating teenage years is often associated with challenging habits and evolving identities—both for teens and their parents. Adolescence brings about a serie...

Nate Hilger, author of The Parent Trap , explores the complex expectations placed on parents, the importance of skill-building over mere test scores, and how societal changes could improve outcomes for all children, including shifts away from zero-sum thinking in education. Full Show Notes Parenting in the modern world can often feel like an insurmountable challenge, compounded by pressures to not...

Sean Grover, author of Shortcuts to a Happier Life , dives into the psychology behind teenage behaviors and how group therapy can significantly aid in their personal growth, offering insights into handling teen anger, breaking toxic patterns, and understanding parental roles in teen development. Full Show Notes Raising teenagers can sometimes feel akin to navigating an emotional rollercoaster; the...

Dr. Matthew Zakreski, author of The Neurodivergent Playbook, joins us to discuss the unique challenges of raising gifted and twice exceptional teens, emphasizing social-emotional learning, handling failures, and fostering authentic connections. Full Show Notes Raising a gifted or exceptionally intelligent teenager sounds like a dream come true. However, studies reveal that when teens exhibit extra...

Charlotte Markey, author of Adultish, joins us to discuss teen body image and well-being, sharing research-based strategies for fostering body gratitude and combating diet culture. Full Show Notes As a parent, you want your teen to feel confident, secure, and comfortable in their own skin. However, in today’s image-conscious society, this is no easy feat. From advertisements filled with unrealisti...

Nicole Cain, author of Panic Proof, discusses how anxiety can be a helpful messenger and shares holistic approaches parents can use to help their teens understand and manage anxiety and panic attacks. Full Show Notes As parents, watching our teens struggle with anxiety can be heartbreaking. Our instinct is often to help them alleviate the discomfort or make their anxiety stop. But what if the anxi...

Dr. Abbie Marono, author of Work in Progress , joins us to explore the science of true empowerment and resilience. We discuss how parents can help teens handle shame healthily, build resilience, and develop a realistic sense of self-worth. Full Show Notes Empowerment is a term we often throw around, imagining it means feeling good about ourselves no matter what, or disregarding others’ opinions en...

Amy Betters-Midtvedt, author of You'll Make It, and They Will To o, joins us to share her experience raising five teenagers and offers practical advice on effective communication, handling dating and social media, and fostering mental health and responsibility. Full Show Notes Parenting teens can often feel like navigating a minefield, fraught with miscommunications, emotional upheavals, and a con...

Ben Orlin, author of Math for English Majors, joins us to share how parents can understand and teach math effectively. We explore how mathematics can be approachable and enjoyable for both parents and teens. Full Show Notes Math can often feel like an insurmountable challenge, especially for parents trying to help their teens with homework. Many parents remember their own struggles with math or ma...

Tovah Klein, author of Raising Resilience , explains how parents can help their teens develop the resilience needed to overcome life’s inevitable setbacks, emphasizing the importance of anchoring, containing emotions, and fostering self-acceptance. Full Show Notes Your teenager is bound to face setbacks. Whether it’s failing a test, missing out on a sports team, or experiencing heartbreak, every t...

Jo-Ann Finklestein, author of Sexism and Sensibility , joins us to discuss the pervasive nature of unconscious gender biases, how they shape our daughters' lives, and what parents can do to raise empowered, resilient girls. Full Show Notes In our ever-evolving society, we like to believe that we’ve made significant strides in overcoming sexism. Despite our good intentions and progressive outlook,...

Eli Harwood, author of Raising Securely Attached Kids, dives into connection-focused parenting, exploring how parents can maintain strong bonds with teens, even as they become more independent. Full Show Notes Parenting teens can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a time fraught with challenges and rapid changes. Just when you think you’ve got a strong connection, everything can start spiralin...

Michelle Jurkiewicz and Diane Ehrensaft, co-authors of Gender Explained , join us to dismantle common misconceptions about transgender and non-binary youth, address the impact of misinformation, and highlight the importance of thoughtful, gender-affirming care. Full Show Notes In today's digital age, the flood of information—both accurate and misleading—about gender can be overwhelming for parents...

Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen , joins us to discuss the importance of teaching teens about civics and political engagement, and provides actionable strategies for parents to help their kids become informed and empowered citizens. Full Show Notes In today's hyper-polarized world, talking about politics can seem more like navigating a minefield than having a meaningful conversati...

Welcome to Episode 300! For this week’s episode, we’re sharing some of our clips from our favorite episodes. This is material previously reserved for members, but we liked it so much we want to share it with everyone.  Thank you to all our listeners for sticking with us over the past six-plus years! We are grateful for your support and look forward to the next hundred episodes!! 

Patricia Roos, author of Surviving Alex, explores the complexities of addiction, advocating for a shift from punitive measures to a public health approach and sharing deeply personal insights from her son's battle with substance use disorder and eventual overdose. Full Show Notes Addiction is a complex and often misunderstood issue, frequently discussed in simplified terms that do little justice t...

Scott H. Young, author of Get Better at Anything , joins us to demystify the true essence of learning, improvement, and mastery, shedding light on how parents can guide their teens to excel both academically and personally. Full Show Notes Parents face the continual challenge of helping their teens become proficient learners. With teens constantly navigating the realms of academics, sports, and pe...

Alex Edmans, author of May Contain Lies , delves into how confirmation bias and belief polarization skew our perceptions, offering tips for parents to help their teenagers navigate misinformation and think critically. Full Show Notes In today's digital world, misinformation spreads faster than ever. Even as adults, we often find ourselves believing things that aren't true or are more nuanced than...

Cara Fitzpatrick, author of The Death of Public School, joins us to discuss the history and implications of school choice in America. We delve into how school vouchers, charter schools, and education savings accounts redefine public education. Full Show Notes The structure and definition of public education in America are changing rapidly. With more states adopting programs that allow parents to d...

Kate Parker, author of Force of Nature, joins us to discuss how to cultivate teen activism and empower them to raise their voices about vital issues. We explore the impact of authenticity in photography, the importance of encouraging teens to speak out, and practical tips for capturing meaningful moments with your camera. Full Show Notes In today’s digital age, teenagers are constantly bombarded w...

Diane Ehrensaft, author of "The Gender Creative Child," joins us to discuss the complexities of gender identity and expression in today's teens, offering parents insights on how to support their children through gender exploration and creativity. Full Show Notes When it comes to raising teenagers, one of the most complex and delicate topics parents may face is the evolving concept of gender. In to...

Roy Richard Grinker, author of Nobody's Normal, How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness, joins us to discuss the cultural history of mental illness stigma and how parents can create supportive environments for their teens to talk about their mental health. Full Show Notes Talking about mental health can often feel like walking on eggshells. Despite growing awareness, there remains a signi...