Speaking of Teens

In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the most emotionally charged challenges parents face...teen friendship drama...and sharing exactly what to do (and what not to do) when your teenager comes home in tears over a falling out with their friend group.
You'll also learn why social rejection genuinely feels life-threatening to the adolescent brain, how boys and girls navigate friend conflicts differently, the ins and outs of "popularity" and more.
Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 
Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 
If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!
Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!
Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)
The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!
Check out the podcast on YouTube!
Email Ann at [email protected] 
Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

In this episode, I'll completely flip your understanding of teen discipline — because if grounding, taking the phone, punishing, and lecturing haven't worked, it's not because you haven't tried hard enough, it's because those approaches are working against your teen's developing brain. 
Today I'm breaking down exactly why traditional punishment backfires every single time, what teen brain development actually means for your parenting approach, and what discipline is truly supposed to accomplish. 
I'll walk you through why your teenager's impulsive, emotional, and sometimes baffling behavior isn't defiance — it's a skill deficit rooted in an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex — and I'll show you what actually works instead. 
Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 
Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 
If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!
Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!
Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)
The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!
Check out the podcast on YouTube!
Email Ann at [email protected] 
Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

In this episode, I'm sharing some of the most powerful, science-backed strategies you can use to help motivate your teen to change their relationship with substances — without the yelling, punishing, lecturing, or ultimatums that likely haven't been working. 
Drawing from the highly regarded book Beyond Addiction, I walk you through two of the most effective tools available to parents of teens struggling with drug or alcohol use: motivational interviewing and the CRAFT method (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), which research has shown to be more effective than traditional intervention approaches and Al-Anon. 
Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 
Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 
If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!
Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!
Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)
The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!
Check out the podcast on YouTube!
Email Ann at [email protected] 
Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today I’ll explain exactly what to do when you discover your teen is drinking, vaping, or using drugs. You’ll learn how to have a calm, connected conversation with your teen, how to understand why your teen is using substances, how to approach them with empathy instead of confrontation, and practical strategies to keep them safe while maintaining trust. 
I also review the critical mistakes we parents make in this situation, and how to set boundaries without pushing them away. This step-by-step guide will help you navigate this scary situation with science-backed strategies that protect both your teen's wellbeing and your connection with them.
Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 
Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 
If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!
Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!
Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)
The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!
Check out the podcast on YouTube!
Email Ann at [email protected] 
Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

In today's episode I break down the neuroscience behind why teens are so vulnerable to substance use—and explain what you can actually do about it.
If you're worried about your teen using alcohol, vaping, or marijuana, this episode is for you.
I explain how the adolescent brain's reward system, weak prefrontal cortex, and neuroplasticity create the perfect storm for risky behavior.
But here's the good news: the majority of teens do NOT use substances, and I'm sharing 4 science-backed strategies to help your teen stay in that majority.
You can watch this episode on YouTube as well!
Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 
Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 
If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!
Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!
Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)
The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!
Check out the podcast on YouTube!
Email Ann at [email protected] 
Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack   

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen