Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Chris Martin, author of May Tomorrow Be Awake, speaks on the concept of neurodiversity, and how parents can encourage teenagers to be their unique selves, rather than trying to pass as "normal." Full Show Notes We all want our kids to feel “normal”, to fit in with their peers and the culture around them. But what if normal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? What if we’ve defined “normal” too narrowl...

Tobias Rose-Stockwell, author of Outrage Machine , clues us in to how social media platforms manipulate emotions to keep us scrolling and riles us up. We talk about how the internet influences our beliefs and the pursuit of truth over winning arguments. Full Show Notes It’s hard to deny that public discourse, especially online, has taken an ugly turn over the past decade. Social media sites, which...

Maya Corbic, author of From Piggy Banks to Stocks , tells us how to turn allowance into financial lessons. Maya dishes on the potential dangers of blindly trusting financial advisors, the future of investing, and investing for generational wealth. Full Show Notes Investing often feels out of reach for teens. The stock market can seem complex and intimidating, and most kids just don’t think about t...

Dr Gregory Scott Brown, author of The Self-Healing Mind, helps us bust myths surrounding mental health and self-care. We discuss the difference between mental health and mental illness and the keys to teen well-being. Full Show Notes As parents, we spend a lot of time thinking about our teens’ mental health. Often, the first things that come to mind are mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, o...

Dina Alexander, founder of EducateEmpowerKids.org, joins us to share her view on how to talk to tweens and teens about S-E-X and everything that comes with it. Rather than one big “talk” Dina encourages small, frequent talks to get the message(s) across.   Full Show Notes Talking about sex with teenagers is notoriously awkward and uncomfortable for parents. But in today's world, where kids have un...

Kelly and Juliet Starrett, authors of Built To Move , highlight the significance of physical activity, especially among teens. Being healthy is not only about exercising once per day for 45 minutes—Kelly and Juliet advocate for building movement into your day.  Full Show Notes Raising teenagers is exhausting. As parents, we’re often overwhelmed juggling work, household duties, keeping up with kids...

Susan Rogers, author of This Is What It Sounds Like , offers insight into what different tastes in music reveal about personality. Plus, how parents and teens can connect more deeply by sharing and exploring music.   Full Show Notes Music is deeply personal, especially for teenagers. In this episode, we’re exploring what your teen’s music taste says about them and how you can use music to connect...

Michelle Icard, author of Eight Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success , returns to clue us in on what to say and do when our teens stumble and fall. We cover Michelle’s easy three-step method to speaking to your teen about any failure.   Full Show Notes Setbacks and failures might seem like the worst things for teens, but they can actually be pivotal moments that build character strengths. In h...

Dennis Baron, author of What’s Your Pronoun? , takes us on a journey through the evolution of pronouns. Younger generations are boldly claiming their linguistic identities—how do we better understand them? Full Show Notes In recent years, the discussion around pronouns has expanded well beyond the binary he and she, with young people leading the charge in educating themselves and others about the...

Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public , sheds light on the multiple ways we monitor teen’s digital lives and the broader implications of constant surveillance. We also dive into the challenges and opportunities that arise when raising tech-savvy teens.  Full Show Notes Raising teenagers in today’s digitally-focused and surveillance-heavy society can feel like uncharted territory for many...

Jarie Bolander, author of Ride or Die , shares his experience of parenting through grief and the stigma that comes with it as a man. His journey through grief toward resilience is a testament to the power of vulnerability with our teens and others. Full Show Notes Parenting teenagers can often feel like an underappreciated marathon. You pour your heart and soul into managing their lives - from kee...

Juna Grata and Dr. Edward Phillips, co-authors of Food, We Need to Talk , join us to discuss controversial health topics. We cover how parents can skillfully navigate tricky talks on weight, exercise, and dieting. Full Show Notes Raising teenagers in today's society comes with a myriad of concerns, from academic pressures to social dynamics, but one topic that lurks in the shadows of family life i...

Jennifer Breheny Wallace, author of Never Enough , shares insight into modern day “achievement culture.” We discuss the hidden consequences of pushing teens too hard, and how to help teens balance achievement and fulfillment. Full Show Notes Parenting teenagers in today's world comes with a unique set of challenges, not least of which is the increasing pressure on teens to excel in all areas of th...

Brooke Romney, author of 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teenagers , takes us beyond basic etiquette to understand how manners shape important life skills and awareness in teenagers. We discover why manners matter more than ever in the digital age and post-Covid world Full Show Notes Raising teenagers in today’s world is challenging, with digital distractions and societal pressures complicating trad...

Dr. Caroline Leaf, author and clinical neuroscientist, shares wisdom from her years of study and practice helping kids develop healthy minds. She offers us practical tips on what parents can do to help their teens build mental resilience for years to come. Full Show Notes It will come as no surprise to parents up and down the country to hear that we are in the midst of a mental health crisis, and...

Tanith Cary, author of Feeling Blah? , clues us in on the science behind anhedonia, the technical term for “feeling blah.” Teens are reporting high levels of depression and anhedonia—we explore what parents can do to combat it.  Full Show Notes Tanith Carey, author of Feeling Blah? , clues us in on the science behind anhedonia, the technical term for “feeling blah.” Teens are reporting high levels...

Sam LaCrosse, author of Value Economics, unveils principles for fostering strong values in teenagers. We also dive into an examination of helping teens build a sense of identity, and the impact of going too far with positivity. Full Show Notes In today's world, teenagers are bombarded with questions about who they are and where they belong. Social media and a plethora of information sources can of...

Catherine Read, author of The Genius of Home , helps us compare the advantages and challenges of homeschooling with traditional school, and how to handle the transition from one to the other and vice versa! Full Show Notes Raising teenagers in today's fast-paced world means constantly searching for the best ways to nurture their development while keeping up with their educational needs. But what i...

Selena Rezvani, author of Quick Confidence , joins us to discuss misperceptions around confidence and resilience. We learn the counterintuitive role vulnerability and authenticity have in raising confident teens. Full Show Notes Raising teenagers in today’s world comes with its unique set of challenges - among them, helping our teens navigate the tightrope of self-confidence. Often, society pushes...

John Schlimm, author of What Would Gen-Z Do, clues us in onto what’s going on with Gen Z. What does the next generation do well, struggle with, and care about most?  Full Show Notes In a world where generations often struggle to understand each other, Generation Z stands out as a group extensively stereotyped and misunderstood. Known for their digital nativity and often misinterpreted through medi...

Pam Lobley, author of Why Can’t We Just Play? , tells the story of how she got her family’s summer schedule under control and created a stronger bond with her kids by embracing the notion of “doing nothing.”  Full Show Notes In today's fast-paced world, the life of a teenager often mirrors the hustle and bustle of adulthood. With a calendar filled to the brim with school, extracurricular activitie...

Jonah Berger, author of Magic Words , teaches us techniques for what to say to get our way. An expert on influencing techniques, Dr Berger clues us in on the six types of language and which to use to get through to stubborn teens. Full Show Notes Raising teens is no small feat, especially when it comes to communication. How often do parents find themselves at a loss for words, trying to guide, per...

Dr. Brock and Dr. Fernette Eide, authors of The Dyslexic Advantage , delve into the intricacies of the dyslexic brain. We cover the incredible, though often hidden, strengths of a dyslexic brain, and advocating for better learning environments for all learners. Full Show Notes Parenting a teenager who's facing learning challenges can sometimes feel like navigating an uncharted map—especially if yo...

Berna Anat, author of Money Out Loud , helps us unpacks the tangle of personal finance and psychology to better understand our financial habits. It’s never too late to change money habits for the better and pass on healthy financial behaviors to our teens! Full Show Notes Raising teenagers in today's complex financial landscape is no easy feat. With an abundance of conflicting advice and the uniqu...

Leon Logothetis, author of Go Be Brave , speaks about how bravery comes up in all aspects of life. We discuss the interplay of vulnerability, anger, and making peace when raising assured teens. Full Show Notes Raising teenagers is a complex journey filled with highs, lows, and the many moments in between. In today's fast-paced world, where authenticity often takes a backseat to social media facade...