Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens
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- 9. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
Colleen O'Grady, MA. is a speaker, trainer and author of the award-winning and best-selling book Dial Down the Drama: Reduce Conflict and Reconnect with Your Teenage Daughter---A Guide for Mothers Everywhere. Colleen shares her wisdom from twenty-five years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist which translates into over 50,000 hours of working with parents and teens. Colleen, known as the parent-teen relationship expert helps you raise the bar of what's possible for the teenage years. Colleen not only knows this professionally she has been a mom in the trenches with her own teenage daughter. You really can improve your relationship with your teen and dial up the joy, peace, and delight at home and work. Every episode is geared to uplift you, give you practical parenting tips that you can apply right away and keep you current on the latest in teen research and trends.
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# 398 What Moms Must Know About AI
Is your teen using AI in ways you don't even know about? Artificial intelligence is becoming part of nearly every digital tool our kids use, from homework apps to search engines to AI companions. While AI …
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Is your teen using AI in ways you don't even know about? Artificial intelligence is becoming part of nearly every digital tool our kids use, from homework apps to search engines to AI companions. While AI offers exciting opportunities, it also raises serious concerns about privacy, learning, and emotional well-being. How can moms protect their teens without creating fear or shutting down conversations?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O'Grady talks with Jaclyn Kilani, co-founder and CEO of SafeMinds and a digital safety specialist, about helping tweens and teens navigate AI safely and responsibly. Jaclyn explains why banning AI altogether isn't realistic and why parents need to become curious, informed guides. She shares practical questions moms can ask to open conversations about AI, protect their teens' privacy, and establish healthy boundaries around technology.
Jaclyn also addresses two growing concerns: teens relying on AI to complete schoolwork instead of developing critical thinking skills, and teens turning to AI companions for emotional support and relationships. She offers a powerful strategy for using AI as a learning tool: ask for the smallest helpful hint rather than the answer. Most importantly, she reminds moms that AI should never replace meaningful human relationships. By modeling responsible AI use and keeping communication open, parents can help their teens embrace the benefits of technology without sacrificing their independence, learning, or human connection.
Three Key Takeaways
1. Lead with curiosity, not fear. Ask your teen how they and their friends are using AI, what they find helpful, and whether they've noticed AI getting things wrong. Open, nonjudgmental conversations create opportunities to teach privacy, safety, and responsible use.
2. Teach your teen to use AI without letting it do the thinking. Encourage your teen to try assignments independently before asking AI for help. Teach them to request a small hint instead of an answer so they develop confidence, critical thinking, and genuine learning.
3. Keep human relationships at the center. AI may sound compassionate and understanding, but it cannot replace genuine human connection. Encourage your teen to bring emotional struggles, friendship problems, and relationship questions to trusted people rather than relying on AI companions.
About Jaclyn Kilani
Jaclyn Kilani is the co-founder and CEO of SafeMinds and a digital safety specialist focused on helping families navigate artificial intelligence safely and ethically. As a mother of two, she understands the challenges parents face in a rapidly changing digital world. Through SafeMinds AI Institute, she provides education, workshops, and practical tools to help parents and educators teach children responsible AI use while protecting their privacy, learning, and emotional well-being.
Learn more at: https://safeminds.ai/institute
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safemindsai.institute/
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# 397 Under the Mother Load
I love this next guest. I love metaphors. I love humor. And I love authenticity and she has all three. If you ever have felt buried under a mother load, you will really enjoy this real conversation. We talk …
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I love this next guest. I love metaphors. I love humor. And I love authenticity and she has all three. If you ever have felt buried under a mother load, you will really enjoy this real conversation. We talk about invisible battles, toxic positivity, and how moms crave real.
MEREDITH ETHINGTON is a mother, author, and founder of the Perfection Pending blog, which presents mothers with encouragement, humor, and heart. Her debut book, Mom Life: Perfection Pending was published through Absolute Love Publishing and debuted online as the #1 choice in the motherhood category. She is the co-owner and editor at FilterFreeParents.com.
Meredith resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, and you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where she encourages mothers to laugh at themselves and admit that while parenting is the best thing ever, it’s also the hardest job on earth.
Learn more about Meridith and her newest book Mother Load at https://perfectionpending.net/about-meredith-ethington/
Follow Meridith at https://www.instagram.com/perfectpending/
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# 396 Teens and Consent
How do you talk to your teens about consent? If you have a daughter you worry that if she wears that short skirt she could get sexually assaulted. If you have a son you can worry that he would be accused of …
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How do you talk to your teens about consent?
If you have a daughter you worry that if she wears that short skirt she could get sexually assaulted. If you have a son you can worry that he would be accused of sexually assaulting a girl. You think not my daughter or not my son. Today we are going to be talking about consent and what it is and . what role does drugs and alcohol play in the overall consent conversation. We'll talk about the do’s and don’t’s of consent and how to talk to our teens about it.
To address these issues I have invited Christy Keating to be our guest.
Christy Keating is the founder and CEO of The Heartful Parent. Christy is a Certified Parent Coach® , a Certified Positive Discipline Instructor, a Certified Instructor with the Gottman Institute. She is also a long-time leader and speaker at the Program for Early Parent Support,
In addition to her work as a parent coach, Christy is a licensed attorney and former prosecutor of 20 years with an expertise in the prosecution of sexually violent predators, as well as an active member of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. Through The Heartful Parent’s sister company, Savvy Parents Safe Kids, Christy offers child safety workshops, presentations, and consulting to both parents and professionals.
Take advantage of her free resource: Do's and Don'ts for Talking Consent
https://www.theheartfulparent.com/consent
Website https://www.theheartfulparent.com/
https://www.savvyparentssafekids.com/
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# 395 Are you Parenting From Fear?
What if the most powerful question you could ask yourself as a mom is, “What is the most courageous choice I can make right now?” Parenting teens can bring up so much fear—fear about their choices, friendships …
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What if the most powerful question you could ask yourself as a mom is, “What is the most courageous choice I can make right now?” Parenting teens can bring up so much fear—fear about their choices, friendships, and future. But what if instead of letting fear lead, we learned to parent with courage?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O'Grady talks with Dr. Jennifer Miller, author of Humanissance: Igniting Courage in Our Teens and Ourselves, about how courage can transform our parenting. Jennifer explains that courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the intentional choice to pause, listen to our inner wisdom, and act from our values. You'll discover why teens are naturally wired to take risks, explore their identities, and push boundaries—and how moms can encourage courage without becoming controlling or overprotective.
Colleen and Jennifer also explore how to help teens move through social discomfort, stay true to themselves despite peer pressure, and build resilience through their mistakes. They discuss replacing fear-based conversations about technology with curiosity and collaboration, and why modeling courage is one of the greatest gifts we can give our teens. Jennifer, who has spent over 30 years helping families and educators support children's development, reminds us that courage is a skill we can strengthen every day—and it starts with us.
3 Key Takeaways
Courage is a choice, not a feeling. Fear is a natural part of parenting, but it doesn't have to drive our decisions. Pausing to ask, “What's the courageous choice here?” helps moms respond with wisdom instead of reacting from fear.
Help your teen move toward discomfort instead of avoiding it. Social anxiety, uncertainty, and risk-taking are part of adolescence. Encourage your teen to take small, courageous steps that build confidence and resilience.
Model the courage you want to see in your teen. Whether it's having difficult conversations, navigating technology, or owning mistakes, your teen is watching. When moms practice courage, they teach their teens to face life's challenges with confidence and integrity.
Learn More at: https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/
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# 394 Staying True to You
Are you teaching your teen to be themselves—or unintentionally pressuring them to become who you think they should be? As moms, we want our teens to be confident, authentic, and true to their values. But what …
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Are you teaching your teen to be themselves—or unintentionally pressuring them to become who you think they should be? As moms, we want our teens to be confident, authentic, and true to their values. But what happens when their values clash with ours? How do we help them fit in without losing themselves? And how do we stay true to ourselves while protecting our relationship with our teens?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Dr. Patricia Hewlin, author of Staying True to You: Unlock the Power of Your Middle Self and Live with Confidence, Integrity, and Peace of Mind. Dr. Hewlin challenges the popular advice to "just be yourself" and introduces the concept of the middle self—finding a healthy balance between authenticity and conformity. She explains why being authentic isn't always helpful, why fitting in isn't always bad, and how knowing our core values helps us make wiser choices in our relationships.
We explore how moms can unintentionally impose their own values on their teens, especially around achievement, friendships, college choices, and independence. Dr. Hewlin encourages moms to practice "vigilant curiosity" instead of reacting to resistance. When our teens push back, they may be protecting something deeply important to them. By asking better questions, we can discover what matters most to our teens instead of assuming we already know.
You'll also learn the three essential practices for developing your middle self: introspection, discernment, and temperance. These skills help both moms and teens recognize their non-negotiables, avoid unhealthy extremes, regulate their emotions, and build relationships based on mutual respect. Instead of simply telling our teens to "be yourself," Dr. Hewlin encourages us to help them "be your empowered self."
Three Key Takeaways
Authenticity and conformity aren't all-or-nothing. Being true to yourself doesn't mean saying everything you think, and fitting in doesn't mean losing yourself. The middle self allows you to honor your values while respecting others.
Get curious about your teen's resistance. When your teen pushes back, ask what value may feel threatened. Their need for autonomy, connection, or individuality may be different from yours. Understanding their values can transform conflict into connection.
Model the middle self. Practice introspection to know your values, discernment to understand what a situation requires, and temperance to regulate your responses. When moms learn to navigate these tensions, they give their teens the tools to do the same.
Follow at https://www.instagram.com/patriciahewlin/
Learn More at: https://patriciahewlin.com/
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#393 Is Anxiety Driving Your Parenting?
What if the very thing you think makes you a good mom—worrying about your teen—is actually getting in the way of the relationship you want with them? In this episode, I talk with licensed professional counselor …
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What if the very thing you think makes you a good mom—worrying about your teen—is actually getting in the way of the relationship you want with them?
In this episode, I talk with licensed professional counselor and anxiety and OCD expert Jenna Overbaugh about the difference between normal parental concern and letting anxiety take over your parenting. Jenna explains why motherhood can be the perfect breeding ground for anxiety: we worry most about what we deeply care about, feel responsible for, and ultimately cannot control. The problem comes when worry stops being constructive and starts driving our decisions. Instead of asking, “What could go wrong?” Jenna encourages moms to ask, “Is this constructive?” and focus on what they can actually do in the present moment.
We also explore intrusive thoughts, rumination, and the ways anxiety can spill over into our relationships with our teens. When fear is running the show, moms may overthink, seek reassurance, micromanage, or make parenting decisions based primarily on preventing something bad from happening. Jenna offers a powerful image: imagine fear sitting at a conference table alongside your values, logic, instincts, and what you know to be true. Fear deserves a seat—but it doesn't get to run the meeting. And because our teens are watching how we respond to uncertainty, modeling a healthy relationship with anxiety can be one of the most important lessons we give them.
Finally, we talk about accepting one of the hardest truths of parenting: we cannot control the outcome. We can do many things “right” and still face uncertainty, disappointment, or struggle. Instead of trying to engineer the perfect future for our teens, Jenna encourages moms to return to the present, tolerate uncertainty, and think about what will matter five years from now—not just what will relieve our anxiety in the next five minutes. Sometimes the healthiest choice is to put down the college application, the problem, or the worry and protect the relationship. Anxiety can come along for the ride, but it doesn't get to drive the bus.
3 Takeaways
Ask, “Is this constructive?” Worrying and problem-solving are not the same thing. If your thoughts are simply circling the problem, come back to the present and ask what useful action you can take right now.
Let fear have a voice, not the final vote. Consider your anxiety, but also listen to your values, logic, instincts, and what you know about your teen before making parenting decisions.
Parent with the relationship in mind. You cannot eliminate uncertainty or guarantee your teen's future. Think beyond what will ease your anxiety for the next five minutes and choose what supports you, your teen, and your relationship for the next five years.
Learn More at : https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/
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#392 College Applications Without the Drama
Are college applications creating more stress, anxiety, and conflict in your home than they need to? The college application process can feel overwhelming for both teens and parents. In this episode, I talk …
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Are college applications creating more stress, anxiety, and conflict in your home than they need to?
The college application process can feel overwhelming for both teens and parents. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jill Constantino, author of The People’s Guide to College Applications: A Week-by-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting In. Jill is a writer, college coach, former Harvard writing instructor and dean, and a mom of four. She brings a refreshing message to families: your teen doesn’t need to have their entire future figured out—and they don’t need to manufacture the “perfect” version of themselves to get into college.
Jill shares practical strategies to help teens get unstuck, especially when they freeze or procrastinate over college essays. Instead of starting with the pressure to write an amazing essay, she encourages teens to make lists about what they love, what matters to them, and experiences that have shaped them. From there, they can use short, imperfect writing exercises to uncover the stories and details that reveal who they really are. The goal isn’t to sound impressive—it’s to sound authentic.
We also explore the delicate role parents play during this stressful season. Too much pushing can damage the relationship, but completely stepping away may leave teens without the support they still need. Jill encourages parents to find the middle ground: stay involved, ask thoughtful questions, offer support, and remember that your teen’s journey belongs to them. Ultimately, the college application process can become more than a race to get accepted—it can be an opportunity to understand your teen more deeply, protect your relationship, and help them discover who they are becoming.
3 Takeaways
Your teen doesn’t have to have it all figured out. At 16, 17, or 18, they are still discovering who they are, what interests them, and what they may want from their future.
Authenticity matters more than trying to impress. Encourage your teen to notice the quirky, ordinary, specific details of their life. Those details can reveal far more about who they are than an essay designed to sound perfect.
Support without taking over. Your teen still needs you during the college application process—but they need you as a supportive presence, not as the person controlling the outcome. Keep the relationship in mind as you help them navigate this transition.
Learn More at: https://www.tangledbeings.com/
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/tangledbankfarm/
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# 391 Are You Raising a Leader?
Are you raising your teen to follow directions—or are you helping them become someone others want to follow? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Dr. Pam Manfredo-Curtis, author …
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Are you raising your teen to follow directions—or are you helping them become someone others want to follow?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Dr. Pam Manfredo-Curtis, author of The Origin of a Leader: Transforming Family Patterns into Leadership Power. Pam shares a fascinating idea: our earliest experiences at home shape how we communicate, handle conflict, build relationships, and ultimately lead. And because our kids are learning these skills first from us, developing leadership in our teens starts with looking at what we are modeling at home.
We explore the difference between dictating and influencing. When moms are afraid—afraid our teen will fail, make a bad choice, or get hurt—it's easy to move into telling, correcting, and lecturing. But Pam explains that leadership grows when we create emotional safety, listen with empathy, stay curious about our teen's perspective, and give them opportunities to think for themselves. Sometimes the most powerful question isn't, “How do I get my teen to do this?” but “Why are they showing up this way?”
We also talk about the importance of pacing—knowing when to push and when to pause. Moms often feel pressure to address everything immediately, but our teens don't need one big mother lecture; they need thousands of small conversations over time. When we calm ourselves, listen, and connect our guidance to what our teens want for their own lives, we move from controlling their behavior to helping them develop confidence, self-agency, and genuine leadership.3 Takeaways
- Leadership starts at home. Your teen is learning how to communicate, handle conflict, listen, and influence others by watching how you do it.
- Trade dictating for curiosity. Instead of immediately telling your teen what to do, ask: What do you think? Why is this important to you? How do you think you should handle this?
- Know when to pause. You don't have to teach every lesson in the moment. Creating emotional safety and choosing the right timing can make your influence far more powerful.
Follow at https://www.instagram.com/pammanfredocurtis/
Learn More at: https://www.manfredocurtis.com/
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# 390 Boys Adrift: Why Are Boys Struggling?
Why are so many bright, capable boys becoming unmotivated, disengaged from school, and more interested in the virtual world than real life? In this eye-opening episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens …
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Why are so many bright, capable boys becoming unmotivated, disengaged from school, and more interested in the virtual world than real life?
In this eye-opening episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Dr. Leonard Sax about the newly released third edition of his bestselling book, Boys Adrift: The Six Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men. Dr. Sax explores why so many boys are struggling academically and losing motivation—and how changes in education may be contributing to the problem.
We also dive into the powerful pull of video games and why parents need to pay attention to both how much their sons are gaming and what they are playing. Dr. Sax discusses sleep, ADHD, and stimulant medications and encourages parents to ask informed questions. His message is clear: teens still need parents to provide boundaries, structure, and guidance, even when they push back.
Finally, we tackle some of the newest challenges facing boys: pornography, AI girlfriends and companions, and the online “manosphere.” Dr. Sax explains how these influences can pull boys away from real relationships and a meaningful life. He encourages parents to monitor technology, create firm limits, and connect boys with positive male role models. Most importantly, he reminds parents that these problems are not hopeless—there are concrete steps we can take to help our boys thrive.
3 Takeaways
- Pay attention to the virtual world. Know what your son is doing online and make sure gaming, pornography, and AI aren't replacing sleep, school, friendships, and real-life experiences.
- Have the courage to set limits. Your son may not like your boundaries, but he still needs you to provide structure and guidance that protects his future.
- Help him see what a good man looks like. Boys need positive male role models who demonstrate character, responsibility, respect, purpose, and healthy relationships.
Learn More at: https://www.leonardsax.com/
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# 389 The Impact of Anxiety on Families
Do you spend a significant time worrying about all things, especially your kids. Anxiety is sneaky and gets inside your head. It convinces you that you are being a good mom if you worry and that you are a bad …
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Do you spend a significant time worrying about all things, especially your kids. Anxiety is sneaky and gets inside your head. It convinces you that you are being a good mom if you worry and that you are a bad mom if you don't. It deceives you into thinking that worrying and obsessing is productive and will lead to problem solving.
The truth is anxiety is exhausting and is a huge reason we can feel all mothered out.
To talk about this I brought in a knowledgeable guest.
Lynn Lyons, LICSW has been psychotherapist for 25 years and specializes in treating anxious children and their parents, with a special interest in interrupting the generational pattern of worry in families.
Lynn has a podcast called, Flusterclux, where she helps parents understand how to manage anxiety. Katie Couric has also interviewed Lynn, and she has been featured in Psychology Today, The New York Times, NPR and Reader's Digest.
Her new book, The Anxiety Audit offers an eye-opening look at the 7 sneaky ways that anxiety and worry weave their way into our families, our friendships, and our jobs, and provides actionable steps to reverse the cycle and reclaim our emotional well-being.
https://www.instagram.com/lynnlyonsanxiety/
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#388 The Reward Trap: Are Rewards Killing Motivation?
What if the rewards you’re using to motivate your teen are actually making them less motivated? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Dr. Özgür Bolat, author of The Reward Trap …
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What if the rewards you’re using to motivate your teen are actually making them less motivated?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Dr. Özgür Bolat, author of The Reward Trap: Why Rewards Backfire and the Real Science of Motivating Kids, about the surprising downside of using rewards to motivate our kids. Dr. Bolat is a distinguished education scientist, researcher, associate professor, and internationally recognized expert in education and parenting. He earned his master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education and his PhD from the University of Cambridge and spent a year as a visiting PhD student at MIT Sloan. His research and personal experience led him to explore how achievement, praise, and rewards can create a dependence on external validation—and what parents can do differently.
Dr. Bolat explains that while rewards may get teens to do what we want in the short term, compliance is not the same as motivation. When we say, “Get an A and I’ll give you money,” or “Finish your homework and you can have more screen time,” teens may become focused on the payoff rather than learning, mastery, or personal responsibility. Over time, rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation and even affect creativity, self-esteem, and connection. Instead of immediately trying to control behavior, Dr. Bolat encourages parents to get curious about what’s underneath it. Why isn’t your teen studying? Why have they stopped caring about school? What are they struggling with? His PEACE model helps parents move away from simply fixing the behavior and toward understanding and solving the deeper problem together.
3 Takeaways for Moms
1. Compliance is not the same as motivation.
Rewards may get your teen to do something today, but they don't necessarily build the internal motivation to keep doing it. Ask yourself: Am I trying to get immediate compliance, or am I helping my teen develop ownership?2. Look underneath the behavior.
Instead of asking, “How do I get my teen to study?” get curious: “Why is my teen struggling to study?” Resistance may be pointing to discouragement, disconnection, fear of failure, lack of meaning, or another deeper issue.3. Help your teen find a cause, not just a goal.
Grades and college acceptance may not be motivating enough. Talk with your teen about the bigger picture: What kind of life do you want? What are you good at? What matters to you? How do you want to contribute? Meaning, growth, values, and connection can become powerful internal motivators.Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dr.ozgurbolat/
Learn more at: https://ozgurbolat.co.uk/
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# 387 Teens: What's Going On Under the Surface?
What if your teen’s defiance, withdrawal, lying, or disrespect isn’t actually the problem—but a signal that something deeper is going on beneath the surface? Geoffrey Owen is the founder of Biologically Aligned …
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What if your teen’s defiance, withdrawal, lying, or disrespect isn’t actually the problem—but a signal that something deeper is going on beneath the surface?
Geoffrey Owen is the founder of Biologically Aligned Parenting and author of The Parenting Assumption. Drawing on decades of observation, his background in theater, the influence of The Continuum Concept, and his own experience raising two daughters, Geoffrey helps parents move away from managing and controlling behavior and instead understand the deeper needs that may be driving it. His approach encourages parents to create an environment of greater calm, safety, connection, and trust so children can mature and thrive.
When your teen is rude, defiant, withdrawn, or dishonest, it’s natural to focus on stopping the behavior. But what if there’s another way to look at it?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, I talk with Geoffrey Owen about his concept of Biologically Aligned Parenting. Geoffrey encourages parents to view difficult behavior not simply as something to correct, but as a signal that a child may be reacting to something in their environment or an unmet need for connection, safety, certainty, and trust.
We explore how easily moms can get caught in a cycle of monitoring, questioning, correcting, and trying harder—especially when we’re worried about our teens. Geoffrey suggests that sometimes doing less can actually create more connection. Instead of immediately reacting to the behavior, parents can become curious about what might be underneath it and pay attention to the emotional atmosphere they themselves are creating.
We also talk about how parental stress and anxiety can affect the entire household. When moms are constantly rushing, worrying, questioning, or trying to manage every detail, teens may experience that pressure even when our intentions are loving. One of the most powerful shifts we can make is to work on our own state—our anxiety, frustration, tone, and reactions—rather than putting all our energy into changing our teen.
Geoffrey also offers a provocative idea for moms who feel shut out by their teens: stop filling every space with questions and conversation. Give your teen room to initiate. Focus on your own life, interests, and well-being, and allow some space in the relationship. As we discuss from our own experiences with our daughters, sometimes when moms stop chasing the details, teens and young adults become more willing to share them.
This conversation offers moms permission to step away from exhausting over-management and consider a different question: Instead of asking, “How do I make my teen change?” ask, “What can I change in myself and in our environment that might make connection easier?”
3 Key Takeaways
1. Look beneath the behavior.
Instead of immediately labeling your teen as disrespectful, defiant, lazy, or difficult, get curious. Geoffrey suggests viewing behavior as a signal and asking what may be happening underneath it.2. Your calm matters more than you think.
You may not be able to control your teen’s mood or choices, but you can pay attention to your own anxiety, frustration, tone, and reactions. A calmer parent can help create a calmer and more secure home environment.3. Sometimes less parenting creates more connection.
Fewer questions, less monitoring, and less chasing can create the space teens need to come toward you. Listen more, manage less, invest in your own life, and give your teen opportunities to initiate connection.Learn more at: https://geoffreyowen.com/
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#386 Out of Control Teens
What if your teen’s extreme behavior isn’t proof that you’re failing as a mom—but a sign that you simply need different tools? When your teen is disrespectful, defiant, anxious, aggressive, using substances, or …
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What if your teen’s extreme behavior isn’t proof that you’re failing as a mom—but a sign that you simply need different tools?
When your teen is disrespectful, defiant, anxious, aggressive, using substances, or struggling emotionally, it’s easy to wonder, Where did I go wrong? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms of Teens, I talk with Dr. Scott Sells, family therapist and author of the newly revised Parenting Your Out-of-Control Teenager: Eight Strategies to Reestablish Authority and Reclaim Love. Dr. Sells reminds parents that extreme behavior often isn’t a “bad parenting” problem—it’s a tools problem. Drawing from decades of working with families as well as his own experience parenting twin teenage sons, he explains why parents need a balance of love and limits—or connection with correction.
Dr. Sells explains why gentle parenting alone may fall short with teens who have extreme behavioral or emotional challenges. Teens need connection, but they also need clear guardrails. As he puts it, “rules without relationships lead to rebellion.” You’ll hear practical strategies for rebuilding connection, including catching your teen doing something right, creating intentional special outings, and staying committed to the relationship even when your teen initially pushes you away.
We also explore the complicated question many moms face: Is this anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, a mental health issue—or simply oppositional behavior? Dr. Sells discusses looking at both skill and will, reducing over-accommodation of anxiety, and examining how smartphones, instant gratification, nutrition, and family patterns may contribute to emotional struggles.
Most importantly, this conversation offers hope. You don’t have to parent perfectly, and trying harder with the same strategies isn’t always the answer. Sometimes you need a new tool—one that helps you lower the drama, restore your authority, and rebuild the loving connection underneath all the conflict.
Scott Sells, PhD, is the founder and developer of the evidence-based treatment models Parenting with Love and Limits and Family Systems Trauma, used by therapists across the United States and Europe. He earned his PhD and MSW from Florida State University and has served as a professor of social work at Savannah State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has delivered keynotes for major mental health organizations and authored more than 20 professional publications. Dr. Sells is the author of three books, including the newly revised Parenting Your Out-of-Control Teenager: Eight Strategies to Reestablish Authority and Reclaim Love, Treating the Traumatized Child, and Treating the Tough Adolescent.
3 Key Takeaways
1. It may not be a parenting problem—it may be a tools problem.
When the strategies you’ve always used stop working, trying harder isn’t necessarily the solution. You may need a different, more specialized tool.2. Teens need both love AND limits.
Connection without boundaries can leave teens without needed guardrails, while rules without a relationship can fuel rebellion. The goal is balanced parenting: connection with correction.3. Look beneath the behavior.
Disrespect, defiance, anxiety, or withdrawal may be the surface problem. Getting curious about what is driving the behavior—and then choosing the right tool—can help parents move from constant firefighting toward real change.Learn more at https://familytrauma.com/dr-scott-sells/
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/familytraumainstitute/
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# 385 Can Moms Do it All?
What if the secret to doing it all isn’t trying harder—but finally putting yourself back into the equation? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady talks with Dr. Anne Welsh …
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What if the secret to doing it all isn’t trying harder—but finally putting yourself back into the equation?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady talks with Dr. Anne Welsh, psychologist, executive coach, working mother of four, and author of Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home. Dr. Welsh understands firsthand the invisible pressure women feel to succeed at work, show up fully for their families, and somehow keep everything running—often at the expense of themselves. Her work challenges the idea that mothers must choose between success and sanity and offers a new way to think about ambition, motherhood, and what it means to thrive.
Colleen and Dr. Welsh explore the “ambition paradox”—the belief that work takes away from your kids, kids take away from your work, and the only solution is to stretch yourself thinner and thinner until you virtually disappear from your own life. Dr. Welsh encourages moms to redefine ambition, moving away from the traditional “ladder” of achievement toward a more flexible “web,” where there is room to pivot, rest, prioritize relationships, pursue meaningful work, and change direction as life changes. They also discuss the surprising “motherhood advantage”—how parenting develops empathy, leadership, negotiation, problem-solving, and other skills that can actually make women stronger in their careers.
The conversation gets especially relevant for moms of teens and tweens as Colleen and Dr. Welsh unpack the often-overlooked mental and emotional load of this stage of parenting. Teens may need less hands-on care, but their heartbreaks, academic pressures, mental health struggles, changing friendships, and unexpected crises can require tremendous emotional energy. Moms need safe places to share that load and permission to adjust their careers and ambitions as family needs change. And as kids move toward college and adulthood, moms may also find themselves wondering, What do I want now? Dr. Welsh encourages women to start small—notice the “breadcrumbs of joy,” reconnect with their preferences and desires, and give themselves time to discover what they want their next chapter to become.
3 Takeaways
1. Put yourself back into the equation.
When work and family both need something, moms often sacrifice themselves first. Your needs, desires, friendships, interests, and ambitions matter too. Taking care of yourself isn’t separate from taking care of your children—it helps you show up as a more whole and fulfilled person.
2. Redefine what ambition means to you.
Ambition doesn’t have to mean climbing a corporate ladder, earning more money, or achieving a prestigious title. You can be ambitious about connection, relationships, meaningful work, impact, creativity, peace, or having more breathing room in your life. And what you're ambitious about can change in different seasons.
3. Your kids are watching how you live your life.
When moms pursue what matters to them, they model something powerful: You are allowed to have a meaningful, fulfilling life. Instead of teaching children that adulthood and parenthood require burnout and self-sacrifice, moms can demonstrate self-respect, flexibility, purpose, and fulfillment.Learn More at: https://www.drannewelsh.com/ambitious-mother-book
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/drannewelsh/
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#384 Mom Reset: From Depletion to Radiance
Have you become so busy taking care of everyone else that you've forgotten how to take care of yourself? In this inspiring conversation, Colleen welcomes Cherie Ashana, author of The Sacred She Reset, to …
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Have you become so busy taking care of everyone else that you've forgotten how to take care of yourself?
In this inspiring conversation, Colleen welcomes Cherie Ashana, author of The Sacred She Reset, to discuss why so many moms feel depleted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves during midlife. Cherie shares her own story of burnout and how it led her to create a framework for helping women move from exhaustion to radiance. Together, they explore how suppressed anger often carries an important message, why self-care is not selfish but essential, and how reconnecting with yourself ultimately benefits your entire family. They also offer practical tools—including breathwork, journaling, and creating daily moments of stillness—to help moms reset their nervous systems and rediscover joy.
Three Key Takeaways
1. Your anger may be pointing to unmet needs.
Many moms spend years putting everyone else first. Over time, unexpressed needs can build into frustration or rage. Instead of judging your anger, get curious about what it's trying to tell you.2. Small daily resets restore your nervous system.
Even five minutes each morning to breathe, place your hands over your heart, and ask yourself, "How am I feeling today?" can calm your nervous system and help you approach your family from a place of peace rather than depletion.3. When moms become radiant, everyone benefits.
Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. The joy, peace, and healthy boundaries you cultivate become the model your family experiences every day.Follow at https://www.instagram.com/cherieashana/
Learn more at: https://awakenedshe.com/
Free Gift: https://gifts.awakenedshe.com/ebook-879895
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#383 Raising Critical Thinkers in the Digital Age
How do we raise teens to be critical thinkers so they won't believe everything they read online? In this episode I have a conversation with Julie Bogart who recently published, Raising Critical Thinkers: A …
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How do we raise teens to be critical thinkers so they won't believe everything they read online?
In this episode I have a conversation with Julie Bogart who recently published, Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parents Guide to Growing Wise Kids In the Digital Age.
Julie Bogart is the creator of the award-winning, innovative Brave Writer program, teaching writing and language arts to thousands of families every year. She homeschooled her five now-grown children for seventeen years and is the founder of Brave Learner Home, which supports homeschooling parents through coaching and teaching. She has also taught as an adjunct professor of theology at Xavier University. Bogart is the author of The Brave Learner.
Julie helps us think about self-aware critical thinking. As you know today everyone feels like an expert. Our teens look to the internet for their answers and think they have found the truth. In Raising Critical Thinkers, Julie gives us tools to help teens navigate the misinformation they find online so that teens can identify a fact, versus a fiction, or outright lie?
Also, she helps us identify the difference between fact, interpretation, evidence, perspective, opinion, prejudice, bias, belief, story, worldview, and what role they play in critical thinking.
To learn more about Julie and get her free downloads from her new book go to: https://raisingcriticalthinkers.com/
Follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/juliebravewriter/
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# 382 Riding Out Teenage Emotions
Have you ever looked at your teen's angry outburst and wondered, "What's really going on underneath?" When our teens slam doors, snap at us, or seem completely irrational, it's easy to react to the behavior we …
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Have you ever looked at your teen's angry outburst and wondered, "What's really going on underneath?"
When our teens slam doors, snap at us, or seem completely irrational, it's easy to react to the behavior we see. But what if those explosive moments are actually covering fear, anxiety, embarrassment, or overwhelm? In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Lori Kaufman shares how parents can stop taking their teen's emotions personally, regulate their own reactions, and use emotional moments as opportunities for deeper connection instead of conflict.
Guest Bio
Dr. Laurie Kaufman is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified high school teacher, and certified mindfulness educator with nearly 30 years of experience working with teenagers, parents, and families. She is the founder of Ebb and Flow Mental Health, where she provides therapy and leads parenting groups based on the internationally recognized Tuning In to Teens program. Dr. Kaufman also serves as a part-time faculty member in the University of Rhode Island's psychology department. Drawing from both her professional expertise and her experience parenting four teenagers, she helps families navigate big emotions with kindness, curiosity, and practical tools.
Three Takeaways
1. Every Behavior Has an Emotion Underneath
Teens' behaviors often don't make sense until parents understand the emotions driving them. Anger is frequently a mask for anxiety, fear, embarrassment, loneliness, or disappointment. Instead of reacting to the behavior alone, parents can become curious about what lies beneath the surface.
2. Regulate Yourself Before You Parent
When emotions escalate, the most important job isn't fixing your teen—it's calming yourself first. Taking a pause, breathing, or stepping away briefly allows you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. A regulated parent teaches emotional regulation simply by modeling it.
3. Trade Control for Connection
As teens grow, parents shift from being managers to becoming trusted consultants. By asking authentic questions, listening with empathy, and maintaining firm but warm boundaries, parents build influence instead of relying on control. The strongest parent-teen relationships combine high expectations with high support.
Learn more at: https://www.ebbandflowmentalhealth.com/
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#381 Are Your Teens Ready for College?
One of the biggest challenges your teen will face when they enter college is self-management. Managing what they eat, managing alcohol , managing stress, managing sleep , managing relationships, exercise and …
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One of the biggest challenges your teen will face when they enter college is self-management. Managing what they eat, managing alcohol , managing stress, managing sleep , managing relationships, exercise and their time.
Self- management is everything for the college student without it they don't have their health and they definitely won't make the grade.
Jill and Dave Henry met coaching high school sports in Los Angeles and have been working with teens for nearly fifteen years. With every graduating class, they’ve fielded their student-athletes’ concerns about the transition to college. Determined to help, the Henrys decided to leverage their combined professional skills in research, study design, data analysis, and storytelling (Jill is a veteran statistics teacher, Dave is a Peabody-award winning TV and film editor) to create a fun yet informative resource with the goal of preparing all students to enjoy college without sacrificing their health.
Their just released book The Greatest College Health Guide You Never Knew You Needed---How to Manage Food, Booze, Stress, Sex, Sleep, and Exercise on Campus was published in June 2021.
This interview is filled with great research, interesting stories, and practical information including how to get your teen to read this book.
You can contact Jill and Dave at greatestcollegehealthguide.com
Follow them on instagram @greatestcollegehealthguide
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# 380 Drive Safely
Is your teen really ready to drive—or are you handing them the keys before they've earned the responsibility? "Driving isn't a right—it's a privilege that has to be earned." Driving is one of the biggest …
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Is your teen really ready to drive—or are you handing them the keys before they've earned the responsibility?
"Driving isn't a right—it's a privilege that has to be earned."
Driving is one of the biggest milestones in a teenager's life—and one of the most dangerous. In this episode, Colleen O'Grady talks with personal injury attorney Brett Jarvis about how parents can prepare teens to become safe, responsible drivers. Brett shares practical advice from both his courtroom experience and his role as a father of three, covering everything from when to begin conversations about driving to family contracts, tracking devices, liability, distracted driving, and what parents should do if an accident happens. This conversation reminds moms that teaching safe driving isn't about controlling teens—it's about protecting lives while preparing them for adulthood.
3 Key Takeaways
1. Driving is a privilege that must be earned—not a right.
Parents should look beyond their teen's age and assess maturity, responsibility, honesty, and decision-making before handing over the keys. Clear expectations and consistent consequences are essential.2. Start teaching long before driver's education begins.
Safe driving habits begin in childhood. Parents can model attentive driving, explain traffic rules, discuss the real risks of distracted driving, and have ongoing conversations that grow as children mature.3. Create clear family rules that prioritize safety over convenience.
Written driving agreements, phone-free driving, passenger limits, tracking technology, curfews, and an open invitation to call home for a safe ride can dramatically reduce risks while strengthening trust.Follow at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettjarvisidaho
Learn More at: https://www.fellerwendt.com/meet-the-team/brett-jarvis/
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# 379 Skills for Resilient Parents and Teens
Are you raising your child to avoid struggle—or to become resilient enough to overcome it? In this powerful conversation, Colleen sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman to discuss the mental …
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Are you raising your child to avoid struggle—or to become resilient enough to overcome it?
In this powerful conversation, Colleen sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman to discuss the mental health skills every parent and teen needs today. Drawing from nearly three decades of working with over 7,000 families—and his own experience growing up with a limb difference—Dr. Weichman shares practical strategies that help kids build resilience, develop healthy self-esteem, and learn to navigate life's inevitable challenges. He also reminds parents that the best way to raise emotionally healthy kids is to practice these skills themselves.
3 Takeaways
1. Resilience is the foundation of mental health.
Resilience isn't about avoiding hardship—it's about learning how to respond to it. Dr. Weichman encourages parents to teach their children that when life gets hard, they can get stronger. Instead of rescuing kids from every struggle, parents can help them develop the confidence that comes from solving problems and persevering through challenges.2. Focus on what you can control.
One of the most powerful mental health tools is learning the difference between what you can and cannot control. Parents can help teens shift their energy away from worrying about outcomes, other people, or circumstances, and instead focus on their own attitudes, effort, and actions. This mindset reduces anxiety and increases emotional stability.3. Model the behaviors you want your teen to learn.
Children learn emotional regulation more from watching their parents than from listening to lectures. Dr. Weichman encourages parents to keep teaching moments brief, create space for conversations, prioritize exercise, reduce screen dependence, and care for their own mental health. When parents practice resilience, balance, and self-care, they give their children permission to do the same.Learn more at: drjerryweichman.com
Follow on Instagram: @drjerryweichman
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# 378 Money Lessons with Teens
Are you accidentally raising a teen who knows how to spend money—but not how to manage it? In this episode, Colleen O'Grady talks with real estate investor and financial educator Jonathan Greene about how …
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Are you accidentally raising a teen who knows how to spend money—but not how to manage it?
In this episode, Colleen O'Grady talks with real estate investor and financial educator Jonathan Greene about how parents can help teens develop healthy money habits, financial confidence, and long-term thinking. Jonathan shares lessons he learned from his father, practical ways to talk about money at any age, and why financial literacy starts with conversations—not lectures.
Key Takeaways
1. Start Talking About Money Early—and Often
Money shouldn't be a taboo topic. The earlier parents begin discussing how money works, the more comfortable and confident kids become. Even simple conversations about groceries, housing, and family expenses help teens understand the real value of money.2. Teach Financial Skills Through Everyday Life
Kids learn best through experience. Whether it's comparing prices, selling unused items online, managing an allowance, playing money-based board games, or helping make purchasing decisions, everyday situations create powerful financial lessons.3. Focus on Learning, Not Judgment
When teens make money mistakes, treat them as teaching opportunities rather than reasons for punishment. Curiosity, conversation, and reflection help teens develop better financial habits far more effectively than criticism or shame.Learn more at: https://www.trustgreene.com/
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/trustgreene/
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# 377 Bringing Calm to Your Teens
I’m excited to have Hunter Clarke Fields (AKA Mindful Mama) back with us today, to tell us about her new book, Raising Good Humans Every Day. Hunter shares some very practical tips to help us busy and often …
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I’m excited to have Hunter Clarke Fields (AKA Mindful Mama) back with us today, to tell us about her new book, Raising Good Humans Every Day. Hunter shares some very practical tips to help us busy and often stressed moms to come back to calm. Make sure you stay to the end of the episode where she shares a wonderful meditation that you will want to listen to over and over again.
Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, E-RYT (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Mindfulness Mentor, Mindful Mama Podcast Host, Mom, Global Speaker, and Number 1 Bestselling Author of “Raising Good Humans” with a New Book: “Raising Good Humans Every Day” (Aug 1, 2023). Hunter has over 20 years of experience in meditation and yoga practices, and helps moms bring more calm and family cooperation into their daily lives. She is a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, the creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training, and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide, including a recent trip to Egypt. Hunter presents talks on parenting, is a certified teacher of Parent Effectiveness Training. In addition, Hunter coaches smart, accomplished, over-stressed individuals on how to cultivate mindfulness. Hunter is the mother of two active daughters, who challenge her every day to hone her craft! Her work has appeared in CNBC Make It, Parade, Paleontology, Motherhood Moment, The Hollywood Digest, along with on ABC Portland, NBC Milwaukee, and CBS South Bend,Kansas Public Radio, and many podcasts. And as part of her self-care, Hunter likes to do Scottish country dancing.
Learn more about Hunter at https://MindfulMamaMentor.com
Follow Hunter on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmamamentor/?hl=en
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#376 Teens and Consent
This is such an important conversation on how to raise our teens with agency so that they have the skills to set boundaries, and know what they want and know what they don't want. This conversation about …
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This is such an important conversation on how to raise our teens with agency so that they have the skills to set boundaries, and know what they want and know what they don't want. This conversation about consent explores all the nuances of a true consent. We address what moms can do to reduce the shame factor so our teens will be honest with us.
Dr. Laura McGuire is an internationally recognized consultant, survivor, researcher, seminarian, and author of the book Creating Cultures of Consent (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021) and The Sexual Misconduct Prevention Guidebook: Consent and Conduct for Higher Education Campuses (Fielding University Press, 2022). They were named as one of the 2022 Champions of Pride by the Advocate Magazine and are regularly featured in media outlets for their expertise and approachability.
Dr McGuire is a certified member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and The Society of Professional Consultants. Dr. McGuire lives in the United States, where she works as an adjunct professor at Widener & Dominican University and CEO at The National Center for Equity and Agency.
To learn more and contact Laura:
https://equityandagency.com/
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# 375 Girl Drama
Have you ever felt your heart break watching your daughter come home devastated by friendship drama—and wondered if helping might actually make things worse? In this episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with …
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Have you ever felt your heart break watching your daughter come home devastated by friendship drama—and wondered if helping might actually make things worse?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady sits down with friendship expert and author Shari Gazitt to unpack the emotional world of girl drama, exclusion, group chats, and friendship struggles. Together, they explore why moms often feel pulled into the pain of their daughters’ social struggles and how our own teenage experiences can get triggered in the process. Shari shares practical wisdom for supporting girls without rescuing, fixing, or escalating the drama.
Shari Gazitt is an international friendship expert, speaker, founder of Teen Wise, and author of Girl Drama Decoded: Empower Your Daughter Through the Ups and Downs of Girl Drama and Friendships. With a background in counseling psychology and over 30 years of experience, she has helped thousands of girls navigate friendship struggles, social anxiety, exclusion, and the emotional ups and downs of growing up. Through coaching, workshops, and her Mom Wise Collective, Shari equips both moms and daughters with tools to build resilience, confidence, and healthier relationships.
In this conversation, Colleen and Shari discuss the biggest mistakes moms make when their daughters are hurting—such as becoming overly dramatic, dismissive, or intrusive. They talk about why moms must “stay above the drama” instead of jumping into the trenches with their daughters, how group chats intensify social pain, and why trying to control other girls, parents, or schools often backfires. The episode also dives into emotional resilience, cognitive distortions, boundary setting, role modeling healthy friendships, and the importance of helping girls believe they are strong enough to navigate difficult social situations. One of the most powerful themes throughout the episode is that moms don’t need to fix every problem—they need to help strengthen their daughters.
Three Takeaways
1. Your daughter needs calm support more than rescue. Validation and listening often help more than immediately fixing the problem.
2. Moms can accidentally intensify girl drama when their own emotions, fears, or past wounds get activated.
3. The goal is not to protect daughters from every hard friendship experience, but to help them build confidence, resilience, boundaries, and healthy relationship skills.
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beteenwise/
Learn More at: https://www.teen-wise.com/
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# 374 When Your Adult Child Strays
Have you ever looked at your adult child and wondered, “How did we get here—and how do I love them without losing myself in fear, grief, or control?” In this powerful episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with …
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Have you ever looked at your adult child and wondered, “How did we get here—and how do I love them without losing myself in fear, grief, or control?”
In this powerful episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady sits down with bestselling author and parenting expert Jim Burns to talk about one of the most painful and confusing seasons of parenting: when an adult child begins to drift—whether from family values, faith, responsibility, or even the relationship itself. Jim shares practical wisdom and deep compassion for parents navigating estrangement, emotional distance, poor choices, or the heartbreak of watching a child struggle in their 20s and 30s. Together, Colleen and Jim discuss how to shift from controlling to connecting, how to set healthy boundaries without pushing your child away, and why staying in the “messy middle” matters more than perfection.
Jim Burns is the founder of HomeWord, a ministry dedicated to helping families thrive, and the author of multiple bestselling books including Doing Life with Your Adult Children and When Your Adult Child Strays: Trading Heartache for Hope. He speaks around the world on parenting, marriage, faith, and leadership, and has more than three million resources in print in over 20 languages. Jim and his wife Kathy have three adult daughters and several grandchildren, giving him both professional expertise and lived experience in navigating the emerging adult years.
In this conversation, Jim explains why parenting adult children requires an entirely different skill set than parenting teens. He discusses the importance of “giving your child the passport to adulthood,” why unsolicited advice often feels like criticism, and how fear can quietly drive unhealthy parenting patterns. Colleen and Jim also tackle difficult topics like estrangement, deconstruction of faith, enabling versus helping, codependency, and the grief many parents experience when their dreams for their child don’t unfold the way they imagined. Throughout the episode, Jim emphasizes that the goal is not controlling your adult child—it’s preserving connection, becoming a safe person, and building bridges instead of walls.
3 Takeaways from This Episode:
- Parenting adult children requires letting go of control while staying emotionally connected.
- Fear-based parenting often damages relationships, while warmth, listening, and boundaries foster trust.
- Estrangement and struggles do not mean you failed as a parent—healing and reconnection are still possible.
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/homewordfamily/
Learn More at: https://homeword.com/about/jim-burns/
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# 373 Moms and the Juggling Act
Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the entire mental load of your family while trying to hold together your work, your home, your relationships, and yourself? In this episode of Power Your Parenting Moms …
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Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the entire mental load of your family while trying to hold together your work, your home, your relationships, and yourself?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady talks with Sarah Armstrong about the reality of modern motherhood, the invisible pressure moms carry, and how to move from merely surviving to actually thriving. Sarah shares practical and deeply relatable wisdom for working moms trying to balance careers, parenting, emotional labor, and self-care without losing themselves in the process. Together, Colleen and Sarah discuss the importance of boundaries, routines, mindset, support systems, and why moms must stop treating themselves like they come last on their own to-do list.
Sarah Armstrong is the author of The Art of the Juggling Act: Bite Size Guide for Working Parents and The Mom’s Guide to a Good Divorce. She is also Vice President of Global Marketing Operations at Google and the proud mom of Grace, now a young adult successfully launched into the world. Sarah has spent decades mentoring working parents and helping families navigate the realities of parenting, career pressures, and life transitions with intentionality and grace.
In this conversation, Sarah shares practical strategies that helped her manage both motherhood and a demanding global career. She talks about the importance of creating an “operating model” for your family, protecting personal time without guilt, and building what she calls a “compartmentalization muscle” so moms can be more present wherever they are. Sarah also discusses powerful routines like her “Sunday List,” creating decompression zones, teaching teens life skills and financial responsibility, and why support networks are essential for moms’ emotional wellbeing. Throughout the episode, Sarah reminds moms that doing the best you can is enough—and that intentionally caring for yourself is not selfish, but necessary.
3 Takeaways from This Episode:
- Moms need boundaries, routines, and support systems in order to thrive instead of burn out.
- Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it is essential for avoiding resentment and staying emotionally healthy.
- Teaching teens practical life skills and responsibility prepares them to become capable, confident adults.
Learn more at: https://thejugglingact.com/
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# 372 Parenting Tips From a Navy Seal
Welcome back to another episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens. Have you ever wondered if some of the same mental toughness strategies used to train Navy SEALs could actually help us raise more …
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Welcome back to another episode of Power Your Parenting Moms with Teens. Have you ever wondered if some of the same mental toughness strategies used to train Navy SEALs could actually help us raise more resilient, confident teens? In today’s episode, we explore how allowing our kids to struggle, problem-solve, and experience manageable stress can actually strengthen them for life.
Our guest today is Brandon Webb, a New York Times bestselling author, former Navy SEAL sniper instructor, entrepreneur, and father of three. Brandon spent over a decade training elite operators in performance psychology, mental conditioning, and resilience. In his new book, Puddle Jumpers, he applies those same principles to parenting, sharing practical tools for raising capable, joyful, and emotionally strong kids in today’s challenging world.
In this conversation, Brandon shares why protecting kids from every discomfort can actually backfire and how “ordinary stressors” help build confidence and emotional resilience. We discussed the power of visualization and mental rehearsal, how a parent’s voice becomes a child’s inner voice, why leading by example matters more than lectures, and how asking thoughtful open-ended questions can create deeper conversations with teens. Brandon also opens up about mistakes he made as a father, what he learned from them, and how parents can balance boundaries with independence while still preserving connection with their kids.
Three Takeaways for Moms
- Small struggles help build strong roots. Allowing kids to experience manageable stress, responsibility, and discomfort helps them develop confidence and resilience over time.
- Your voice becomes your child’s inner voice. The way parents speak to their kids—especially in emotional moments—can shape how teens eventually speak to themselves.
- Better questions create deeper conversations. Moving beyond “How was your day?” and asking open-ended, thoughtful questions can help teens open up in meaningful ways.
Learn More at: https://brandontylerwebb.com/
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/brandontwebb/
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# 371 Reclaim Connection with Your Teen
Have you ever felt like your teen is more disconnected than ever—and you’re not quite sure how to reach them? In this episode we're talking about something so many moms are feeling but may not fully …
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Have you ever felt like your teen is more disconnected than ever—and you’re not quite sure how to reach them?
In this episode we're talking about something so many moms are feeling but may not fully understand—this sense of disconnection with our teens. It can feel like you’re trying, but something just isn’t landing. In today’s world—post-pandemic, with screens, stress, and shifting social norms—connection isn’t as natural as it once was. But here’s the good news: it can be rebuilt, and often in simpler ways than you might think.
My guest today is Amber Chandler, an eighth-grade English teacher, author, and mom of two teens. She recently wrote Reclaiming Connection: How Schools and Families Can Nurture Belonging in a Scared New World. Amber brings both professional insight from the classroom and personal experience as a parent to this important conversation. Her work focuses on helping families, schools, and communities better understand how to foster belonging and meaningful connection in a rapidly changing world.
In this episode, we talk about how the pandemic disrupted teens’ social development and why many are struggling more with in-person connection. Amber shares why it’s too simplistic to blame technology alone and instead encourages us to look at the bigger picture of how connection has changed in our homes and communities. We explore how teens often don’t express their appreciation—but deeply feel it—and why small, everyday moments matter more than big experiences. Amber offers practical ways to connect with your teen, including understanding their unique communication style, knowing when to pause instead of push, and leading with empathy before jumping to discipline. We also talk about the importance of modeling humility through apology and how creating simple opportunities for real-life interaction can help teens rebuild confidence and connection.
3 Takeaways:
- Connection begins with empathy. When teens feel understood, they are far more open to influence and guidance.
- Small moments matter most. It’s the everyday interactions—not the big events—that build lasting connection.
- You have more impact than you think. Even if your teen doesn’t show it, they notice, value, and are shaped by you.
Follow at https://www.instagram.com/amberrainchandler/
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#370 Helping Teens Think Critically
In this eye-opening episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. Maree Davies, cognitive psychology expert and author of Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers: How Kids Can Be Street Smart About AI …
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In this eye-opening episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with Dr. Maree Davies, cognitive psychology expert and author of Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers: How Kids Can Be Street Smart About AI, Algorithms, Fake News, and Social Media. Together they explore why critical thinking is one of the most essential life skills for today’s teens—and how parents can help develop it at home.
Dr. Davies explains how social media platforms and AI algorithms are designed to capture attention, influence thinking, and keep teens engaged. She shares practical ways parents can help teens become more aware, more curious, and less vulnerable to manipulation, misinformation, and online rabbit holes.
This conversation is packed with wisdom for raising thoughtful, self-aware, and resilient teens in a digital world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Critical thinking starts with curiosity, not lectures.
Instead of telling teens what to think, ask questions like: Does that sound right to you? What do you think? Where could we verify that? Curiosity builds stronger thinkers than criticism.2. Parents should model critical thinking out loud.
When parents say things like, Hmm… I’m not sure that’s true. Let’s check another source, teens learn how thoughtful adults process information.3. Teens need connection, not isolation, to navigate digital life well.
When teens feel safe talking with parents about what they’re seeing online, they are far more likely to ask for help, question misinformation, and make smarter choices.Memorable Quote:
"Critical thinking is not something we do alone—it grows through talking, listening, and thinking together." – Dr. Maree Davies
Learn More at: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/mj-davies
Follow at: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/maree-davies-22a39411
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# 369 The Well Educated Teen
In this thought-provoking episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with educator and author Dr. Deborah Kenny to explore what it really means to raise a well-educated teen in today’s world. While many parents feel …
Shownotes
In this thought-provoking episode, Colleen O’Grady sits down with educator and author Dr. Deborah Kenny to explore what it really means to raise a well-educated teen in today’s world. While many parents feel pressure around grades, test scores, college resumes, and performance, Dr. Kenny offers a much deeper and more meaningful vision of education.
She explains that a truly good education is not just about getting A’s or doing well on standardized tests—it’s about helping kids become thoughtful, curious, morally grounded, independent thinkers. Together, Colleen and Dr. Kenny talk about how parents can look beyond GPA and begin asking bigger questions: Is my teen learning how to think? Can they write well? Can they have respectful disagreement? Are they developing purpose, leadership, and character?
Dr. Kenny also discusses the limitations of today’s education system, the importance of cultivating agency and ethical purpose, and how moms can fill in the gaps at home when schools focus too heavily on performance over deeper learning. The conversation also touches on technology, AI, and how to help teens develop critical thinking in a world full of noise, distraction, and shallow messages.
This episode is a powerful reminder that what matters most is not just whether our teens are successful on paper—but whether they are becoming wise, capable, grounded young adults.
3 Takeaways from the Episode
1. A good education is about much more than grades.
A truly well-educated teen is not just high-achieving—they are curious, thoughtful, compassionate, and able to think independently. Parents can help shift the focus from “How did you do?” to “What are you learning?”
2. Writing, discussion, and deep thinking matter.
Dr. Kenny emphasizes that writing is “thinking on paper.” If teens aren’t being taught to write carefully, revise thoughtfully, and engage with ideas deeply, they may be missing one of the most important parts of a strong education.
3. Moms can shape a deeper kind of learning at home.
Even if schools are focused on test scores and performance, moms can still cultivate meaningful education by encouraging curiosity, purpose, ethical reflection, reading, and thoughtful conversations about the world around them—including AI and technology.
Memorable Quote
“Focus on the learning, the grades will come.”
Guest Bio
Dr. Deborah Kenny is the founder of Harlem Village Academies and the Deeper Learning Institute, and one of the most influential educators in the country. She has been honored with the Columbia University Teachers College Distinguished Alumni Award and was named on Oprah’s Power List and Esquire’s Best and Brightest. She holds a PhD in Comparative International Education from Columbia University and is the author of The Well-Educated Child. She is also the mother of three grown children and lives in New York City.
Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/deborahkennyhva/?hl=en
Learn More at: https://www.thewelleducatedchild.org/
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