"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

"Send Ben a text"

In this episode, I break down the difference between false confidence—the kind that’s tied to wins, grades, or outside approval—and foundational confidence—the kind built on preparation, effort, and real experience.

Many teens (and parents) ride the emotional rollercoaster of false confidence. One good play or test score, and they’re on top of the world. One mistake, and it all crashes down. The problem? Mindset and “positive thinking” alone can’t hold up under pressure.

True, lasting confidence comes from stacking bricks—daily actions, preparation, and choices that build a solid foundation over time.

What You’ll Learn:

• The key differences between false and foundational confidence
• Why mindset alone isn’t enough (and what’s missing)
• How athletes can build confidence that won’t crumble under pressure
• Simple ways parents can model and build lasting confidence at home
• How to start “stacking bricks” today—one action at a time

Confidence isn’t luck. It’s built, brick by brick.

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"

Do you ever wonder if you’re a “good” parent… or fear that you might be a “bad” one? You’re not alone. Many parents live under the weight of these labels, and it can feel heavy and confusing.

In this episode, Ben Pugh explains why “good vs. bad parenting” is a dangerous myth. These labels pull you into comparison, chasing approval, and trying to prove yourself to others. The truth is, parenting isn’t about being “good” or “bad.” It’s about being intentional, living your values, and connecting with your teen.

You’ll learn how to shift your focus from what you can’t control—like your teen’s grades or behavior—to what you can control, like your love, confidence, and curiosity. Stop worrying about approval, and start becoming the parent of your dreams.

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"

Is your teen struggling? Do you ever wonder how to help them bounce back?

In this episode, I share the ONE thing that makes the biggest difference in building resilience. You’ll hear real stories from my own life, from parents I’ve worked with, and from teens who have faced tough moments.

We’ll talk about:

• Why struggle is not failure but growth
• How your response shapes your teen’s resilience
• The simple shift that helps your teen handle hard things

You don’t have to fix your teen. You can model resilience and show them how to grow through challenges.

Tune in and discover how this ONE thing can help your teen become stronger and more confident.

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"

What does a viral “Phillies Karen” baseball moment have to do with your parenting? More than you think.

In this episode, I break down the Phillies Karen story—not to pile on or cancel—but to show you how outrage, mob mentality, and cancel culture are distractions that rob you of real parenting power.

You’ll learn:

• Why cancel culture is contagious (and so is compassion)
• How herd mentality creeps into your parenting without you realizing
• What the Phillies dad’s choice actually teaches us about conflict, love, and character
• Simple questions you can ask yourself to rise above outrage and parent with confidence

This isn’t about judging strangers online—it’s about reflecting inward and becoming the parent your teen needs most.

👉 Parenting gets easier (and more fun) when you stop trying to fix others and start focusing on who you want to be.

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 knows when you’re being real… and when you’re not.

In this episode, Ben and Cortni talk about “fake parenting” and why it pushes teens away. Teens don’t need a perfect parent. They need the real you.

You’ll learn:

• Why fake parenting kills connection
• How to create a 10-word vision statement to guide you
• Why focusing on what you want works better than focusing on what you don’t want
• A simple gratitude hack that makes parenting easier

When you show up as your true self, your teen feels safe, loved, and ready to connect.

👉 Want help becoming the parent you want to be? Book your free mini session at benpughcoaching.com/mini

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"

How to Simplify Parenting by Fixing Only Two Problems

Parenting often feels overwhelming—like you’ve got 117 things to fix at once. But what if the secret to real change wasn’t fixing everything… but focusing on just two?

In this episode, Ben shares how a lesson from football and his time as a high school principal transformed into a powerful parenting principle. You’ll learn how to:

• Identify the two core problems driving most of the chaos at home
• Stop wasting energy trying to fix all 117 little issues
• Empower your teen by involving them in finding solutions
• Make parenting simpler, less stressful, and way more effective

Listen now and discover how simplifying your focus can transform your family.

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