Joyful Courage for Parenting Teens

In this week’s Joyful Courage Podcast, I sit down with therapist and author Sophia Vale Galano to talk about helping teens manage anxiety while staying grounded as parents. We explore how to meet our kids with empathy, guide them toward support without fixing, and keep conversations about mental health open and natural. Sophia offers practical tools from her book Calming Teenage Anxiety plus fresh insight on resilience, therapy, and when to seek extra help. If you’re ready to feel steadier and more connected as you support your teen, tune in and get inspired by this compassionate, hopeful conversation.

For more info and show notes, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-608-calming-teenage-anxiety-with-sophia-vale-galano/

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Parenting teens in the digital age is no small task. In this episode, I talk with Jean Twenge about the realities of screen time, social media, and AI. We dive into why it’s important to own our mistakes, set clear limits, and remember that phones are a privilege—not a right. Jean shares real-life examples from her own family, and we get into the challenges of parental controls, pushback from teens, and how to encourage critical thinking around tech use. This conversation is packed with practical insight and encouragement for parents navigating today’s digital landscape.

For more show notes and info go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-607-dr-jean-twenge-and-the-10-rules-for-tech-with-teens/

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In this episode, I dive into the tough but essential conversations we need to be having with our middle schoolers — around tech, social media, consent, substances, mental health, and more. I remind parents that silence doesn’t protect our kids; it leaves them to figure things out through peers or the internet. Instead, we can lead with curiosity, plant small conversational seeds, and revisit these topics over time. Our job isn’t to have the perfect talk, it’s to show up again and again with openness, honesty, and love. Staying connected is the key to guiding them forward.

For more show notes and resources go to https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-606-middle-school-series-part-two-essential-conversations

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Middle school is a wild ride — bodies changing, moods shifting, friendships evolving, and parents wondering how to keep up. In this first episode of my four-part middle school series, I unpack the developmental landscape of early adolescence and share how we can shift from managing to mentoring our kids.

Listen in for insight on belonging, peer influence, critical thinking, and why curiosity is your greatest parenting tool during these years. You’ll also get practical conversation starters for tough topics like tech, sex, and mental health.

Middle school can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Let’s navigate it together.

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On this week’s Joyful Courage Podcast, I welcome Alyssa Campbell, author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings. We dive into what’s really going on in our teens’ nervous systems and how parents can support them through big emotions, transitions, and tough conversations. We talk about the power of rest, family meetings, and shifting from talking about our kids to talking with them. If you’ve ever wondered how to help your teen regulate, feel connected, and build trust, this episode is for you. Tune in for practical tools and encouragement for parenting teens with intention and heart.

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Parenting a teen with neurodiversity, mental health challenges, or a fiery personality can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re realizing senior year is here and boundaries have been blurry. In this week’s Joyful Courage podcast, I respond to a listener questions by sharing some practical scripts and strategies for setting limits with firmness and kindness, handling explosive pushback, and rebuilding connection (even if resentment has crept in). It’s not too late to step into your authority while preserving your relationship. Don’t miss this conversation—it’s packed with hope, real-life language you can use today, and encouragement for parents who feel stuck. Tune in now and take action this week.

For more show notes and support, go to https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-603-building-structure-and-connection-with-older-teens/

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Carrying on with the back-to-school season theme and all the big emotions it brings for teens — and for parents. In this episode of the Joyful Courage Podcast, I’m revisiting my conversation with parent coach Sarah Rosensweet to talk about validation, trust, and connection during this challenging transition. We dive into why control backfires, how curiosity opens doors, and ways to stay steady when teens push us away. I share my own parenting struggles, including navigating a teen dropping out, while Sarah offers practical guidance for supporting growth and resilience. If you’re navigating the ups and downs of raising teens, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable insights.

Find full show notes and more info at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-221-sarah-rosensweet-talks-peaceful-parenting-and-letting-go-during-the-teen-years/

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Back-to-school season stirs up ALL the emotions for our teens—and for us too. In this replay episode, I’m diving deep into how validation and mutual respect can shift everything at home. Your teen’s emotional world is real, big, and often overwhelming. If we dismiss it, we damage connection. If we validate it, we build trust. Don’t miss this one—it’s a must-listen for parents navigating the rocky weeks of school transition.

Find more info and show notes at: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-290-solo-show-validation-mutual-respect-back-to-school/

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In this episode of Joyful Courage, I sit down with Zoya Brar to explore the deep connection between stress, the nervous system, and how we show up as parents. Together, we unpack how to regulate before hard conversations, recognize hidden stress, and lean into practical tools like breathwork, mindfulness, and technology boundaries. This conversation empowers parents to see their teens with compassion, repair relationships, and find presence in everyday moments. Listen in to feel grounded, supported, and inspired.

For more info about the guest and show notes, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-600-zoya-brar-talks-parenting-stress-and-nervous-system-awareness/

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Back-to-school season with tweens and teens can stir up anxiety, avoidance, and tricky conversations. In this episode, I share Positive Discipline tools and mindset shifts to help you move from “manager” to “mentor” so your teen feels respected, supported, and believed in. We’ll cover how to center yourself, start with curiosity, set clear agreements, and trust the process—because it’s about life skills, not perfect grades. Join me for practical, compassionate strategies to keep connection strong as the school year begins.

For more show notes and info go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/ eps-599-how-to-talk-to-your-teen-about-the-new-school-year

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