"Send Ben a text"

Your teen might hate you sometimes… and you can still have a great relationship with them.

Most parents think their relationship with their teen is something they both share. But that’s not how it works. You have your own relationship with your teen, and your teen has their own relationship with you—and they’re not the same.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
 • Why your teen’s thoughts and feelings are NOT your job
 • Why trying to make your teen like you actually hurts the relationship
 • How to stop being a “doormat parent”
 • How to set calm and clear boundaries
 • How to focus on the things you can control
• How to improve your relationship with your teen even if they don’t change at all

If you want more peace, more confidence, and more connection with your teen, this episode will show you where your real power is.

Full show notes for this episode: benpughcoaching.com

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

Your teen’s attitude, your frustration, and the same old fights aren’t the real problem — your programming is. In this episode, Ben and Cortni break down why parents get stuck repeating the same patterns even when they’re trying to “do better,” and how a surprising back injury (and some AI wisdom) revealed the deeper truth about how to change.

You’ll learn why your old emotional patterns keep pulling you back, how to spot the warning signs of a parenting “flare-up,” and the one update that instantly improves how you show up with your teen. This episode is equal parts hilarious (yes, including topless back-pain photos sent to AI), relatable, and transformational.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your old programming keeps sabotaging your relationship
• How to spot the flare-up signs before things blow up
• The surprising lesson Ben learned from an SI-joint meltdown
• How to stop reinforcing parenting habits that don’t work
• What your teen’s “porcupine mode” is really inviting you to do
• A simple way to start reprogramming your parenting today

Whether your teen is crabby, distant, or prickly — or you just want more peace at home — this episode will help you shift your patterns and strengthen your connection.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

The Gratitude Shift That Can Save Your Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is amazing… until it’s not.
 Family drama. Stress. That one uncle. The comments you wish you didn’t hear.
 But what if ONE mindset shift could help you enjoy the day instead of surviving it?

In this quick Thanksgiving special, Ben and Cortni talk about the real secret to gratitude — not the cheesy, forced kind, but the kind that changes your emotions fast.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• Why gratitude is a choice (not a feeling)
• How to get unstuck when family triggers you
• The mindset mistake most parents make at holidays
• A simple way to shift your focus in under 10 seconds
• How to stop absorbing everyone else’s energy
• What to do when Grandma says something wild

Whether you’re listening on Thanksgiving Day or just trying not to lose your cool this weekend, this episode is your reset button.

You’re not your thoughts. You’re the thinker of your thoughts — and that’s where your power is.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

Identity is your hidden superpower as a parent.

In this episode, Ben shares a powerful story from the football field about getting out of the victim mindset, redefining his identity, and modeling the exact behavior he wanted to see in his players — and how the same principle can transform your parenting.

You'll learn why your teen doesn’t need a perfect parent… just one who leads with connection, clarity, and consistency.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure how to help your teen, this episode will help you redefine who YOU want to be so you can show up as the parent your teen actually learns from.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

Ever tried to push your teen to change… only to have them push right back? You’re not alone.

In this episode, Ben breaks down why trying to force your teen to change almost always backfires—and what to do instead. You’ll learn how to stop pushing, start leading, and model the kind of growth you actually want to see in your teen.

Ben shares real-life examples (including a story about a stubborn horse) to help you see how pressure creates resistance, and how leadership creates inspiration.

If your teen doesn’t want coaching—or doesn’t think they need to change—this episode will show you how you can be the catalyst for transformation in your home.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

When your teen suddenly “stops caring” — about school, sports, church, or even family — it can feel like everything’s falling apart.
 Maybe they used to try hard, follow rules, and keep you happy.
 Now, they’re unmotivated, moody, or even defiant.

Most parents panic at this point.
 But what if your teen’s “not caring” isn’t a breakdown… it’s actually a breakthrough?

In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack why your teen pulling back might mean they’re finally learning to think for themselves — and why that’s a good thing. You’ll hear real stories from coaching teens and parents who went through this same shift, plus practical ways to stay calm, confident, and connected while your teen figures out who they are.

We’ll talk about:

• Why it’s healthy for your teen to stop pretending to care just to please you
• What “programming” really means — and how to update yours as a parent
• The difference between control and connection
• How to give your teen autonomy without losing influence
• What to do when your teen questions their faith, motivation, or direction
• And why your relationship will always matter more than being “right”

When your teen stops caring, it’s not the end of your influence — it’s the start of theirs.
 Learn how to support that growth with love, confidence, and perspective.

🎧 Tune in now and discover why letting go might be the best way to help your teen grow up.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

Every teen has a spark inside them—something that makes them come alive.
 But too often, they get lost trying to be who the world wants them to be.

In this episode, I talk with my good friend Arthur C. Woods, author of SPARK for Emerging Leaders. He shares simple ways parents can help their teens discover who they want to be, not just what they want to do.

We talk about:
 👉 Why purpose matters more than perfection
 👉 How to help your teen take ownership of their choices
 👉 The role of mentors, coaches, and parents in lighting that spark
 👉 What real leadership looks like for teens today

This is a short, powerful conversation that will inspire you to see your teen in a new light—and remind you that your job isn’t to push them, but to help them shine.

✨ Get Arthur’s book, SPARK for Emerging Leaders, on Amazon or at sparkforemergingleaders.com

💡 Learn more about coaching with Ben at benpughcoaching.com

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

You’re not in control of your teen—and that’s actually the best news ever.

In this episode, Ben and Cortni dive deep into what happens when parents try to control their teens and why it almost always backfires. Drawing from the book Leadership and Self-Deception, they unpack the idea of “being in the box” and how it shows up in family life.

You’ll hear real stories about morning workouts, teenage excuses, and even tacos—all tied to one powerful truth: you can’t control your teen, but you can control you.

When you stop trying to manage every decision your teen makes and instead focus on your own thoughts, emotions, and actions, something amazing happens. You become a calm, confident leader. You show up as the parent you want to be. And your teen starts to respond differently—because you’re different.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or powerless in your parenting, this episode will help you find freedom in letting go and peace in leading with love and awareness.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to:

• Spot self-deception and get out of “the box”
• Lead your teen without trying to control them
• Build trust and influence through your example
• Bring more peace, connection, and joy into your home

It’s time to stop trying to control your teen—and start becoming the kind of parent they actually want to follow.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

You love your teen. You try to help. You want things to get better.
 But what if you’re accidentally doing something that’s quietly sabotaging your connection?

In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack one of the most powerful ideas from Leadership and Self-Deception—the hidden mindset that keeps parents and teens stuck in conflict, frustration, and blame.

You’ll learn:
 👉 What “being in the box” really means (and how it shows up in your family)
 👉 Why trying to “fix” your teen often makes things worse
 👉 The self-deception trap every parent falls into—and how to get out of it
 👉 How awareness can break the cycle and rebuild trust

If you’ve ever felt like your teen is the problem, this episode might lovingly show you otherwise.

🎧 Listen now and discover the thing that’s secretly wrecking your relationship—so you can finally rebuild it stronger than ever.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz

"Send Ben a text"

Most parents secretly wish their teen would just change — listen more, argue less, clean up, do homework, be respectful, etc.

But here’s the truth:
 👉 You can’t change your teen.
👉 You can only change you.

In this episode, Ben and Cortni unpack one of the most powerful parenting principles of all time — “Be the change you want to see.”

You’ll learn:

• Why trying to “fix” your teen backfires every time
• How to stop giving away your power
• The difference between victim and hero parenting
• Why awareness always comes before choice
• How real change happens from the roots up, not the fruit down 🍑

If you’ve ever felt frustrated, powerless, or stuck in a cycle of conflict with your teen… this episode will help you reclaim your peace, your power, and your purpose as a parent.

🎧 Listen now and start being the change you want to see.

Are You Caught in the Parent Trap?

Discover the hidden patterns that are keeping you stuck—and how to break free.

Take this quick (and eye-opening) quiz to uncover which common parenting trap you’re falling into with your teen.
Get a personalized roadmap to help you parent with more clarity, confidence, and connection—starting today.

https://benpughcoaching.com/parenttrapquiz