Episodes
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In this solo episode, I talk about how this season, whether it’s the holidays, parenting, or midlife, comes with challenges. It’s crucial to prioritize self-care: schedule health check-ups, move your body, and eat nourishing food. Reflect on habits—are they helping or harming? Tune into your body, notice sensations, and create grounding rituals. Embrace community, therapy, or coaching for support. Life ebbs and flows, but intentional care allows you to navigate challenges better. Your well-being matters—for you and those you love. Show up fully; you’re worth it.
Find full show notes and information about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-536-self-care-tips-for-the-season-youre-in/
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My guests today are Julietta Skoog and Dr. Shefali, and we’re talking about presence and connection during the holiday season. My focus is on identifying the feelings & emotions that come up during the holidays, and I share several breathing & grounding exercises. Julietta shares how she stays connected to & involves her children during the holidays, modeling life skills, & tips around play and pre-teaching. Dr. Shefali speaks on why she doesn’t add the traditional “holiday season” to her plate and why to choose simplicity & minimalism. Takeaways from the showPresence and connection with ourselves, our kids, and other relationships this holiday seasonIdentifying the feelings, emotions, & physical sensations that come up for you during the holidays Identifying the qualities you want during the holidays E (events & experiences) + R (responses & reactions) = O (affect the outcome) Reframing the intensity of the season as opportunities to model & connect - “I have to” versus “we get to” 3 P’s of the holiday season = play, practice, & pre-teachingLeaning on routines during the holidays The good & bad of holiday traditions and creating new traditions “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou Holidays are optional; you have choices around what you do “It’s about the moment, not about the holiday” Choosing simplicity, calmness, & mindfulness over traditions & extrasFor more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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In this episode, I address a common frustration among parents: feeling disconnected from teens who seem unwilling to engage. I guide listeners to reframe their approach, shifting from “Why won’t my teen connect?” to “What’s blocking our connection?” By owning our actions, reflecting on how we show up, and dismantling barriers, we open new possibilities for nurturing relationships. I suggest tools like vulnerability, authentic apologies, and building proximity to our teens’ lives. Letting go of hurt and resentment, while embracing personal growth, fosters patience and trust. Connection takes time, but showing up consistently with curiosity and compassion makes a difference.
For more show notes and to get more info about our sponsors, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-534-creating-special-time-with-our-teenagers/
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My guest today is Cathy Adams. We’re talking about engaging in those hard, honest conversations with our teen girls. Cathy and I dig into the messiness of the teen years. We discuss the importance of focusing on resiliency, not happiness, what is happening to Gen Z girls today, and why we need to appreciate the girls we have.
Guest Description
Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW, co-hosts the long-running Zen Parenting Radio podcast and founded the Zen Parenting Conference in Chicago. She is the author of Zen Parenting and Living What You Want Your Kids to Learn (both Nautilus Award and International Book Award winners) and her upcoming 2025 release, Restoring Our Girls. Cathy is a clinical social worker, certified parent coach, former elementary school educator, and yoga teacher. She was a blogger for The Huffington Post and a former columnist for Chicago Parent Magazine. She previously worked as a Child and Family Therapist and Clinical Educator at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and now teaches in the Sociology and Criminology Department at Dominican University. She lives outside Chicago with her husband, Todd, and their three daughters.
Takeaways from the show
Cathy’s new book “Restoring Our Girls”
Adolescent girls’ mental health
Expectations & contradictions young women face
The messiness of the teen years doesn’t make them bad years
Your teenage experience is NOT the experience that teens today are having
Engaging in conversations instead of lecturing
The importance of teaching critical thinking
Why we need adolescent girls to take risks
The meaning and joy of mother & daughter relationships
Adolescents developing their unique inner dialogue
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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On this week’s pod, I reflected on the inspiring work of Dr. Baxley and Dani Ferrigno. Their mission aligns with Sproutable’s core values: fostering dignity, respect, and compassion while equipping parents with tools grounded in Positive Discipline. I also addressed a parent’s concern about their discouraged teen grappling with school and existential doubts about capitalism. Teens often feel overwhelmed by systemic flaws, but this can be an opportunity to connect and explore solutions together. I encouraged parents to validate their kids’ feelings, stay curious, and model engagement with societal challenges while fostering empowerment. Ultimately, parenting is messy, and there are no perfect answers. But by staying compassionate, curious, and open, we can guide our kids through challenges and learn from their fresh perspectives. You’ve got this! Let’s keep showing up for our teens and ourselves.
Find all the show notes and info about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-532-moving-through-existential-crisis-and-adolescence/
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My guests today are Dr. Traci Baxley and Dani Ferrigno. We’re talking about Blue Mom+ Group, their response to the recent elections. Dr. Baxley and Dani give suggestions about small, tangible actions people can take. We discuss talking to our teenagers about the election results, leaning into local & personal causes, and staying hopeful.
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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In this solo episode, I dive into the challenges of supporting teens as they navigate friendships, especially when setting boundaries with friends who aren’t treating them well. A parent shared their struggle with wanting to help but being perceived as distrusting, sparking today’s discussion. I explore reframing the question to focus on how parents can show up supportively and empower their teens without overstepping. Key strategies include active listening, emotional honesty, affirming strengths, and trusting teens to learn through their experiences. It’s about fostering connection and faith in their growth while managing our own discomfort with their struggles. You’ve got this!
For more detailed show notes and info about our sponsors go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/ eps-530-empowering-our-teenagers-with-friendship-drama/
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My guest today is Dena Moes and we’re talking about our teen’s sexual and reproductive health. We discuss methods & access to birth control and parental consent around reproductive health decisions. Both Dena and I share about the current political climate impacting access to health services, how to react when your teenage daughter is pregnant, and what the most crucial things to talk to your adolescents about sex are.Takeaways from the showDena’s new book, for teen’s, “It’s Your Body: The Young Woman’s Guide to Empowered Sexual Health” Current stats for teen sexual health & birth rates Condom & birth control use Explicit text messages Reducing barriers for care Reproductive rights & access to abortion vary substantially from state to state - consider what services your teen daughter may need in the next few years Empowering our sons that are in heterosexual relationships to be supportive partners Outdated beliefs & anxiety around birth control Teens are the most fertile they’ll be in their entire lives “Party ready” birth control Getting your teen in to speak with a doc about birth control options before January 2025 and letting your teen speak independently to their doctor - “Get out of the room!”Pulling in the extended family & village during the teen years Finding out your daughter is pregnant “It’s hard to hear no; it’s harder to say no.” For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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This week's solo show is about empowering your parenting journey by leaning into clarity, communication, and self-awareness. We get to shift focus from controlling teen behavior to creating a supportive environment with clear boundaries. Remember, teens learn through experience, not manipulation. Be explicit about expectations while fostering independence through responsibility (like budgeting). Manage emotional triggers by recognizing personal stories and responding with curiosity and respect. Create connections by acknowledging their growth and practicing calm communication. When frustration arises, pause and ask: What do I want to create? Your actions inspire change, shaping a positive dynamic. Parenting isn’t perfect, but intentionality builds trust, resilience, and lifelong connections. You’ve got this!
For more show notes and more about our sponsors, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-528-boundaries-and-language-for-building-consideration-in-our-teenagers/
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This was such a fun episode to create! A parent in the Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens opened up about their concerns for their 15-year-old daughter, who’s beginning to ride with friends who are new drivers. As her peers gain driving experience, this parent is feeling understandably anxious about safety and how to guide their teen through this phase. I acknowledged these valid concerns and suggested a reframing approach, focusing on building trust in teens’ growth through their experiences. While emphasizing the importance of safety, I encouraged open, ongoing conversations about responsible driving to help build awareness and accountability. I also recommended that parents engage their teens with questions about friends’ driving behaviors and reinforce family rules constructively. To help manage parental anxiety, I shared practical tools like deep breathing, recognizing fears, and reframing thoughts to foster trust in the learning process. Allowing teens to make mistakes within safe boundaries, I explained, helps build their decision-making skills and strengthens the parent-teen relationship. Watching teens gain independence is challenging, but it’s a crucial step in their development.
Find more show notes and info about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/Eps-527-Managing-our-fears-about-teenagers-and-driving/
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My guest today is Jenell Kheriaty, and we’re talking about school avoidance & school refusal. We discuss what school refusal is and if there’s certain “types” of kids who are predisposed to school avoidance or school refusal. Both Jenell and I share how we support families who are struggling with their teens not going to school, some specific questions you can ask your teen about school, and how and why parents need to stay curious about their teen’s school experience.,
We talk about how to handle our own feelings when changes are not happening as fast as we want. We get into figuring out if your child’s school is a good fit, finding alternative options to your neighborhood high school, and checking our own assumptions about our teen’s journey in school.
Takeaways from the show
School refusal is typically not a case of defiance, it’s an act of protection
All kids, even successful high-achievers, can struggle with school avoidance
School refusal is a symptom of something else going on
“Be curious, not judgmental”
When our timeline doesn’t line up with their timeline
When your teen has a different temperament and stress tolerance than you do
Alternative schooling options
Trusting the process, trusting the journey
Maintaining relationship during the bumpy times
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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In today’s episode, I respond to a parent in the Facebook community who is seeking support for an “unmotivated” 14-year-old, wanting a coach for help with goals, motivation, executive functioning, and self-care, ideally within budget and virtual. I explore the difference between being “unmotivated” and “uninspired,” suggesting that teens may seem unmotivated due to broader issues like discouragement or lack of inspiration. Instead of trying to “fix” teens, I encourage listeners to reframe the situation by asking, “What is getting in my child’s way?” I emphasize curiosity, encouragement, and a connection-based approach, allowing teens to express their needs and experiences without judgment. I also remind parents to avoid labeling, stay present, and focus on personal growth, trusting that their child will ultimately find their way.
Find more show notes and info about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-525-support-for-parents-with-unmotivated-teens/
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I am really excited about my guest today, and I have a feeling you will be, too! My amazing daughter, Rowan, is back to give us an update on her life. She talk about everything from teen mental health, navigating ADHD as a teen and young adult, the college journey, and more!
I ask Rowan what she’s learned in her first few years of adulthood while juggling working, living on her own, and going to school. We talk about motivation versus discipline, lessons learned through experience, changing perspectives, and boundaries. Rowan wraps us up by sharing what she wishes Gen X knows about the young adults of today.
Takeaways from the show
Describing and revisiting tough times & emotions
Returning to (and loving) college
Changing your mindset to achieve your goal
Learning how to be a college student
Navigating ADHD diagnosis & medications
The pressure of early adulthood
Takeaways from the first few years of being on your own
Motivation versus discipline
Lessons are learned through experience
How we respond to our kids when they are having a hard time influences the relationships we have with them later
Perspectives changing as you age and get out of the thick of it
Finding the humor, joy, and not taking life too seriously
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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Inspired by my conversation with Annie Donaldson this week, I explore the layered experience of being a teen and offer some ideas around how to invite them to consider their higher selves. Our teens are deep and thoughtful. Listen in for tips and strategies around communication and connection.
See all show notes and information about our sponsors at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-523-exploring-the-layers-of-our-teens-experience-and-inviting-them-into-their-higher-selves
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This episode is an interview with Annie Donaldson, coach for teens. We spend our time talking about how spirituality and considering a higher power and bigger picture can be helpful to our teens as they move through adolescence and navigate the beginning of realizing that change in life is the only constant. This conversation isn't about religion, but it is about deeply considering, sharing and normalizing conversations about our spiritual selves. Check it out and let me know what you think!
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Getting into the nitty-gritty of how to navigate the lies we may be hearing from our kids. Why is it so triggering? Why do they do it? What is the most useful way to respond? And how can we keep in mind that mistakes (like lying) are opportunities to learn and grow? Listen in and we can dive into all of these questions together!
Find more show notes and info about our sponsors at https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/Eps-521-Teenagers-and-lying/
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My guest today is Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart.
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart & Casey dig into ADHD in the adolescent years. Parents of teens with ADHD may see dysregulation looking like compulsiveness, messiness, impulsivity, & a lack of motivation. Parents may think that their kids are lazy or lacking willpower, when in reality, their executive functioning skills are truly off balance. Dr. Lockhart & Casey talk about discussing long-term goals with teens, moving backwards from there, baby steps, as well as figuring out what feels hard so we can best support them. They discuss how to support adolescents with ADHD and how that may differ from what neurotypical teen brains need. Dr. Lockhart explains what rejection sensitive dysphoria is & how to talk to teens about their ADHD. Casey asks how to get buy-in from a teen to work with an ADHD coach or other outside support or services. They finish by talking about what teens with ADHD need most.
Takeaways from the show
Keeping your focus on teaching life skills, not compliance
What does ADHD look like in an adolescent?
Misconceptions about teens with ADHD
Asking “what’s hard about it?”
Scaffolding & strategies like body doubling and creating a false sense of urgency
Do teens with ADHD need different things to support brain development than a neurotypical adolescent?
Rejection sensitive dysphoria
Talking to teens about their ADHD
Getting your teen to utilize an ADHD coach or other outside support
What do teens with ADHD need most?
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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I see and field a lot of questions from parents about disrespect and kids who seem to have no desire to connect or be with the family. We talk so much about relationship here, but what happens when there seems to be no desire for a relationship on the side of the kids? This is where we head this week on the show…
Big shout out to a member of the Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens FB Group member who gave permission to me to tease apart a post she shared there here on the podcast!
For full show notes and info about our sponsors, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-520-disrespect-and-relationship-with-our-teenagers/
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Brenda Zane is back this week!
She was on the podcast before (spring 2023) talking about how to be with teen substance abuse.
We had SUCH an amazing response to that conversation that Brenda and I thought it would be helpful to have her back to talk about “what do you do” for specific scenarios around our teens and substances that leave us feeling in the dark. Today we discuss how to set healthy boundaries around teen substance abuse while still maintaining a connected relationship with our teens.
Takeaways from the show
Creating conditions for positive change in children, and the plant analogy.
Why young people turn to substance use, including a desire to cope with emotional pain and shame.
Setting boundaries around drug use
The challenge of enforcing consequences
The importance of addition over subtraction in facilitating change
Have open and curious conversations with their teenagers about substance use, rather than resorting to shame or judgment
The importance of building a positive relationship with children, focusing on mutual respect and influence rather than control or manipulation
The "information sandwich" technique to discuss sensitive topics with teenagers
How humor and modeling positive behavior are useful tools
Focusing on boundaries and natural consequences, rather than reactive measures like drug testing and phone confiscation
For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.
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This week's solo show teases apart the difference between being in resistance and being in flow when it comes to the ride we are on while parenting teenagers. The middle school and high school years are a current that is ever changing, and we have choices in how we lean into the ebb and flow. This week I share a post from a parent in the Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens FB Group that resonated deeply with me, and bring my own learning from a meditation practice I was invited into.
For more show notes and news about our sponsors, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-519-finding-flow-in-the-current-of-parenting-teens/
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