Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood

This week on Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, Cynthia and Dr. Ken kick off a three-part series on Christian marriage.

They start off with a little humor (including Cynthia’s list of things husbands should probably never say if they want to stay married), but the conversation quickly turns to a bigger question: why does marriage sometimes bring out the most intense reactions in otherwise reasonable people?

From a Christian perspective, marriage is more than two individuals trying to get along. Scripture describes it as a unique kind of unity—two people becoming “one flesh.” That closeness is part of what makes marriage so meaningful, but it’s also why the relationship can feel so intense at times.

Dr. Ken shares something he’s seen over decades of working with couples—many of the conflicts we think are about communication or personality are actually connected to deeper fears that husbands and wives carry but don’t always realize.

Today is the starting point for a three-week conversation on marriage—we hope you’ll join us!

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

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In this episode, Dr. Ken and Cynthia dive into the topic of “affluenza” and the real pressure many parents feel to give their kids more—more opportunities, more experiences, and sometimes just… more stuff. They talk honestly about the tension between wanting to provide well and wondering if we’re accidentally creating unrealistic expectations or entitlement along the way.

From private school comparisons to lifestyle expectations and work ethic, the conversation explores how both wealth and worry about money can shape the way kids view gratitude, responsibility, and effort. Dr. Ken offers a thoughtful perspective on what actually builds resilience in kids—and why constantly shielding them from limits or discomfort is not helpful. 

Listen in for a practical, realistic discussion on entitlement, motivation, and how to raise capable, grounded kids in a culture that constantly wants more.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


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Today we take on apologizing to our kids—or what psychologists call “repair”—and why it feels so hard for many parents. Dr. Ken and Cynthia discuss how older generations rarely apologized because authority was the priority, while modern parenting emphasizes connection. 

They unpack why some parents struggle to say “I’m sorry,” especially high-achieving or strong-willed parents, and Dr. Ken explains that healthy repair isn’t pretending your child did nothing wrong or giving half-apologies (“I’m sorry, but…”). Instead, it’s owning your reaction while still holding boundaries and consequences—modeling emotional regulation without acting like you and your teen are equals or roommates.

Listen in today for a practical word on why apologizing matters and how to do it effectively.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


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Is it normal for teenagers—especially seniors—to barely be home, seem disengaged, or act irritated when family time is required? In this episode, Cynthia and Dr. Ken respond to a listener question that captures a common and often heartbreaking parenting experience: watching a teen pull away while knowing it’s part of growing up.

They discuss healthy separation and individuation, why this stage can feel especially painful for mothers, and how a teen’s distance doesn’t predict the quality of your future relationship. Dr. Ken explains the importance of strengthening the marriage during this transition, communicating honestly with teens about how their absence affects the family, and avoiding the slide from caring connection into control.

If you’re parenting an older teen and wondering whether this season is normal—or how to respond without guilt, fear, or overcontrol—this episode is for you.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


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Is your teen being impulsive, oppositional, or something more concerning—and how can you tell the difference? In this episode, Dr. Ken breaks down three commonly misunderstood behavior patterns in adolescents: impulsivity, oppositional behavior, and conduct disorder.

He explains what impulsivity actually looks like in teens (and what it doesn’t), how oppositional behavior often shows up only around authority, and why conduct disorder is far less common—but important to recognize. You’ll learn how these behaviors differ, why the distinction matters, and how to balance empathy with accountability.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


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This week on Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, we flip the script.

Instead of Cynthia asking the questions, Dr. Ken takes over—and interviews Cynthia on release day of her new book, How’d I Miss That? What follows is equal parts parenting wisdom, real-life chaos, and proof that even competent adults can forget to put the gas pump back.

Dr. Ken digs into why modern parents feel so much pressure to get everything right—and why most of what feels urgent probably isn’t. Cynthia shares the heart behind How’d I Miss That?: the small, everyday moments that quietly shape our kids, our faith, and our marriages far more than the big, flashy ones. They talk about comparison, friendship, parenting with the long view in mind, and why love—not perfection—is still the question we’re meant to answer.

It’s honest, funny, encouraging, and deeply relatable—especially if you’ve ever thought, Wait…How’d I Miss That?

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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In this episode, Cynthia and Dr. Ken respond to a listener question many parents are facing: how to handle nicotine use with adolescents. The situation raises important questions about legality, respect, boundaries, and how parental authority shifts as kids grow older.

Dr. Ken offers perspective on how nicotine use differs from alcohol and marijuana, why not all “bad choices” carry the same level of risk, and how parents can respond without overreacting or minimizing the issue. They discuss why consequences still matter, how those consequences should change as kids mature, and what it looks like to set clear household standards without turning the conversation into a power struggle.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week’s episode was important enough to re-record: when (and if) you should push your teen to go to therapy. Cynthia and Dr. Ken unpack what therapy actually is, why forcing a resistant teen rarely works, and the surprising ways counseling can sometimes do more harm than good.

Dr. Ken explains how to recognize when therapy becomes necessary, why parent coaching often helps more than sending a reluctant teenager, and what to consider when choosing a counselor—including privacy boundaries, insurance realities, and whether your teen truly needs a Christian therapist.

They also address one of parents’ biggest fears: what to do when you’re worried about your child’s safety. With a practical, steady framework, Dr. Ken walks through how to assess real risk versus normal emotional overwhelm and how to respond without panic.

Today’s show is for anyone wondering whether counseling is the right next step. 

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Cynthia and Dr. Ken talk about the flood of parenting advice online—reels, headlines, podcasts, and posts that claim to have “the secret” to raising great kids. Cynthia admits she often hears something, remembers it later, and never actually checks where it came from. Dr. Ken steps in to help parents think wisely about sources, research, and trends—especially when videos or articles lean heavily on “brain science” that doesn’t actually match the data.

Together, they look at a recent viral headline about teens’ brains “no longer listening” to parents and use it as a reminder that not everything labeled as research is solid or helpful. They also discuss why over-medicalizing normal behavior can accidentally excuse responsibility instead of building it. Tune in for a good reminder that being picky about the source of our parenting information is important.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Cynthia and Dr. Ken kick off the year by ditching the pressure of New Year’s resolutions and instead encouraging parents to look at their parenting trajectory—if nothing changes, is that a good thing or not so much? 

Dr. Ken shares three foundational areas parents should revisit as the year begins—places that often create the most tension at home and the most confusion for parents trying to do the right thing. Along the way, they address control, conflict, and the emotional weight parents carry when things aren’t going smoothly with their teens.

Today’s show ends with an important reminder: your child’s choices are not a report card on your worth as a parent. Tune in today for a few thoughts on where to focus as we parent teens in the New Year.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

 

 

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out Quince and use my code FEEDING for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy