Speaking of Teens

• #231: Are Smart Phones and Social Media Really Ruining Teens’ Mental Health (Or Have We Been Here Before)?

  Are smartphones and social media really destroying teen mental health, or are we panicking as we have many times in the past?From novels, radio, and comic books, to TV violence, and violent video games...they've all been blamed for corrupting teenage minds and harming their mental health. Listen to today's episode to understand why the current research on teen mental health, smart phones, and social media is far from definitive and discover a more balanced approach to helping your teenager navigate their digital world safely. Read the related Substack, A Different Take on Teen Screentime, dated 9-16-25.Show Notes and TranscriptFind 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!I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. Thanks so much for listening!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] 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.)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

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• #230: How To Reduce Chaos In Your Home To Improve Teen Mental Health

  A calm, structured, predictable home life is as important for teens and tweens as it is for children. Scientific research shows that the opposite will have a negative effect on adolescent's mental health and overall wellbeing and could lead to behavioral issues.In today's episode I talk about 5 ways you can interject more calm into your home with teens to help alleviate their stress (and yours) and improve their chances of avoiding negative outcomes.These tips will not only help reign in the chaos but will improve the relationship with your kids and teens.Read the related Substack, Creating a Low-Stress Home for Teen Mental Health, dated 9-9-25.Show Notes and TranscriptFind 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!I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. Thanks so much for listening!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] 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.)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

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• #229: What's Behind Your Teen's School Refusal, And How Do You Get Them There?

  Struggling to get your teen or tween to school? You're not alone. If your teen is refusing to get out of bed for school, constantly leaving early, or complaining of physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches when it's time for school, this isn't laziness or defiance—it's likely school refusal, a real emotional and physical response that affects up to 25% of teens aged 13 to 18. Listen in as I explain the difference between school refusal and truancy, reveal the underlying issue driving this behavior, and provide actionable strategies for parents feeling pressured by schools and unsure of their options. Show Notes and TranscriptFind 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!I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. Thanks so much for listening!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] 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.)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

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• #228: Understanding Your Thoughts And Emotions Will Help You Parent Your Teen

  Thoughts lead to emotions, which lead to actions. If we don't take time to examine our thinking, we can become stuck in some very unproductive cycles in parenting our teenagers (and in other relationships).Just because we think something doesn't make it true or correct. And if our thoughts are untrue, what does that mean for our emotions and behavior?Today I talk about how cognitive biases, distortions, assumptions and shortcuts in our thinking can keep us in some very negative cycles of emotions and behavior. The more you think about your thinking, the more emotionally aware you become, which leads to greater emotional regulation.Show Notes and TranscriptFind 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!I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!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] 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.)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

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• #227: Why Is Your Teen Always So Angry and Emotionally Dysregulated?

  Neurotypical teens, teens without any mental health disorders at all, experience emotional dysregulation from time to time (some more than others). This is simply a byproduct of their changing brain and an oversensitive threat detector (the brain's amygdala).But teens with ADHD, certain mood disorders, and personality disorders are much more likely to experience intense mood swings and even more pronounced emotional dysregulation. And that's not the only symptom overlap between these disorders. As you can imagine, this can cause real issues for a professional diagnosis and for parents trying to find an answer and help for their teens and tweens.Today I'm going to talk to you about the problem with getting a definitive diagnosis. Plus, I want to tell you about one seldomly mentioned symptom of ADHD that only adds to the confusion and baffles many mental health professionals.It's critical for you to be aware of these confounding issues so you insure your teen receives the proper treatment.Free parenting Guide - "Giant Book of Parenting ADHD Teens"Free parenting guide - "Your Teen and Anxiety"Free parenting guide - "Emotion Coaching"Free parenting guide - "Understanding Your Teen's Brain"Show Notes and TranscriptFind 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!I drop new episodesThe 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] 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.)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

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