Hi Parents!

Is your teen too young to be in a relationship?

If teen dating triggers a mix of panic, protectiveness, and uncertainty, just know this is one of the most common fears parents face. For parents of anxious teens, this stage can bring a lot of fear and uncertainty. You might wonder if your child is emotionally ready, if they’ll get hurt, or if their self-esteem is tied too closely to someone else’s opinion. You might even have a family boundary like no dating until 16, but still worry how to enforce that without pushing your teen away.

In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of the most common questions I hear: How do I know if my teen is ready for a relationship - and how do I talk to them about it without sounding like I’m panicking?

We’ll explore what dating looks like for teens today, the average age they start exploring relationships, and how anxiety, both your teen’s and your own, can shape the conversation. I’ll walk you through how to create an open dialogue about dating, without losing your boundaries, your values, or your connection with your teen.

Whether your teen is already dating or you’re just starting to think ahead, this episode is filled with clear guidance and supportive reminders to help you navigate this sensitive season with compassion and confidence.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

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Hi Parents!

What if preparing your teen for college didn’t have to be overwhelming or anxiety-inducing? In this episode, I’m joined by Lindsay Tanne, founder and CEO of LogicPrep, to unpack the college admissions process in a way that feels supportive and intentional.

Lindsay brings a fresh, honest perspective to the world of college prep. She explains how parents can guide their teens without micromanaging, what really matters when choosing a school, and how to avoid common myths that lead to unnecessary stress. We also explore how parents can foster independence, reduce anxiety, and approach this season with more curiosity and less pressure. 

More About Lindsay:

Lindsay Tanne launched LogicPrep over a decade ago while a student at Harvard. Today, her company is a global college admissions consultancy offering test preparation, academic support, and strategic guidance through every step of the college journey. With a team of over 50 advisors, coaches, and tutors, LogicPrep has helped thousands of families pursue higher education with less stress and more clarity.

Lindsay’s mission is simple but powerful: to help students succeed in ways that reflect who they are, and to help parents stay connected along the way. Tune in to hear how you can support your teen’s journey to college with less pressure, more purpose, and a whole lot more peace.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

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Hi Parents!

What if the biggest warning sign your teen is struggling is silence?

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Elliot Kallen, President of A Brighter Day, a nonprofit organization founded in memory of his son Jake, who tragically died by suicide at 19 years old. Elliot shares the heart-wrenching story behind A Brighter Day and how it has since grown into a powerful support system for teens and families navigating stress, depression and suicidal thoughts.

More About Elliot:

Elliot Kallen is the President and Co-Founder of A Brighter Day, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing teen suicide by providing free mental health toolkits, school-based events, and resources for both teens and parents. Since launching in 2015, the organization now reaches between 5,000 and 10,000 families each month.

Elliot’s mission began with unimaginable loss. Jake never shared the pain he was carrying, until his final letter. That letter changed everything for Elliot and his family, exposing the silent battles many teens face and the urgent need for better conversations and accessible mental health support. What started as a personal tragedy has since become a national movement offering education, connection, and hope.

In our conversation, Elliot opens up about what parents need to know - the signs that often go unnoticed, what to say when you’re worried, and why it’s so important to normalize mental health discussions at home. He offers practical tools, compassionate insight, and real hope for any parent who feels lost or unsure of how to help.

Whether your teen has opened up about their struggles or tends to keep things in, this episode is a must-listen. You’ll walk away with powerful takeaways and actionable next steps - and most importantly, the reminder that you’re not alone in this.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

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Hi Parents!

Have you ever looked at your teen daughter’s outfit and thought, “Is that really what you’re wearing?” Maybe it’s a crop top, short shorts, or something that makes you pause and wonder how to respond without starting a full-blown argument before 8 a.m.

Clothing choices can bring up a lot of big feelings, for both you and your teen. You want her to feel confident, body positive, and self-expressed but you also want her to understand what’s appropriate for school, family gatherings, or the world outside your home. And somewhere in the middle, your own anxiety gets triggered, often by your past, your fears, and the very real pressure to get it “right.”

In this solo episode, I’m unpacking the layers behind these clothing conflicts. We’ll talk about why your teen might be dressing the way she is, how to respond without shame or shutdown, and what’s actually helpful when your instinct is to lay down the law. You’ll hear about the messaging girls receive around fashion, how peer pressure and limited options shape their wardrobe, and why setting boundaries doesn’t have to mean controlling your daughter’s self-expression.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

Book a Free Discovery Call

Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

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Hi Parents!

What if the secret to helping your anxious teen feel more confident at school wasn’t pushing harder or doing more, but teaching them how to study in a way that works for them?

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jessyka Coulter, CEO and Founder of Ace Cookie Tutoring and the creator of The NERDY Method. Jessyka shares how intentional study skills can transform a teen’s mindset, build confidence, and reduce academic anxiety. We explore why so many teens don't love to learn, what actually gets in their way, and how study habits rooted in strategy and support can shift everything.

More about Jessyka:

She’s a passionate educator and teen study skills coach who teaches teens how to study smarter, not harder, so they can learn to love learning again. Her work is all about equipping students with the tools they need to thrive and helping parents feel more supported along the way.

Plus, we talk about Jessyka’s upcoming event, Learn It! Open Your Teen’s Mind and Feed It, a free back-to-school series launching August 4th. With over 30 expert interviews (including mine!) and practical tools on everything from study strategies to emotional regulation, it’s the perfect resource to start the school year with clarity and support.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

Book a Free Discovery Call

Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

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Hi Parents!

What if helping your anxious teen build confidence had less to do with what you say, and more to do with how they move their body?

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neil Sheppard, founder of the Inner Athlete system, to explore the powerful connection between movement and mental health. Neil shares how strength training, structure, and intentional physical activity can help teens manage anxiety, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with their sense of self.

More About Neil:

Neil Sheppard is a performance coach, the founder of the Inner Athlete system, and owner of Dynamic Sport Group in Oakville, Ontario. With a strong foundation in youth development, physical literacy, and strength and conditioning, Neil helps teens and athletes develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of emotional well-being through movement.

His approach was born from personal experience - after years of high-level sport and physical labor, Neil faced multiple injuries and a loss of athletic identity. Stuck in the in-between of not injured enough for therapy, but not strong enough to train, he began rebuilding both physically and emotionally. That process laid the groundwork for the Inner Athlete system, which bridges the gap between rehab and performance.

Today, Neil helps young people tap into the power of their bodies as a path to self-trust, mental strength, and long-term growth. We’ll dive into why movement can be such a powerful tool for self-regulation, how it boosts self-trust, and why progress is the mindset teens need most right now.

Whether your teen is an athlete or just trying to feel more comfortable in their own skin, this conversation offers a fresh, practical lens on what it really takes to feel strong, physically and emotionally.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

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Hi Parents!

This week, I’m switching things up and sharing a special conversation where I was the guest instead of the host.

I recently joined Beth Hillman on her podcast, Parenting Post-Wilderness, to talk about one of the most important topics for parents today, teen anxiety. We covered what it looks like, how it often hides in plain sight, and what parents can do to better support their anxious teen, especially during the school year when demands are high and confidence can run low.

In this episode, we explore the emotional experience of anxiety from a teen’s perspective, how parents can respond with empathy rather than fear, and why creating emotional safety is more powerful than trying to fix the problem. I also share a bit of my own story and why I’m so passionate about helping teens build resilience, self-trust, and coping tools that actually stick.

Beth creates such a welcoming space for real, heartfelt conversations, and I’m honored to have joined her show. I hope this episode leaves you feeling more equipped, more grounded, and more connected to your teen, no matter where they are on their mental health journey.

Tune in to listen, and if you find it helpful, pass it along to a fellow parent who needs it too.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

Book a Free Discovery Call

Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

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Hi Parents!

Have you ever noticed how the most critical voice in your life might be your own? That internal dialogue that questions every parenting decision, especially when your teen is struggling with anxiety can be exhausting. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Sue Erhart, author of Lose Your Critic for Good for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to quiet that inner voice and reconnect with your calm, confident center.

Sue shares her deeply personal journey from a high-powered corporate career to becoming a guide for others seeking peace and purpose. We explore how perfectionism and pressure create disconnection, why conventional self-help tools often miss the mark, and how small shifts in awareness can lead to lasting change, without needing to burn everything down and start over.

More about Sue:

Sue Erhart spent decades as a corporate executive and attorney, operating in high-stakes environments where success was measured by external achievements. But behind the scenes, she was grappling with a harsh inner critic that left her feeling stuck, depleted, and out of alignment.

After a personal transformation, Sue created a platform that blends grounded wisdom with spiritual insight to help others reclaim their power and inner clarity. Her book offers a step-by-step method to break free from the grip of self-judgment and step into a more aligned, fulfilling way of living.

Now, she’s on a mission to help others, especially those who've spent years doing things “the hard way” - find a more compassionate path to joy, confidence, and inner freedom.

If you're ready to let go of the mental noise and start parenting - and living - from a place of truth and trust, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

Book a Free Discovery Call

Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

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Hi Parents!

Are you wondering how to help your teen start thinking about college or university without the pressure?

For many anxious teens, thinking about life after high school can bring more stress than clarity. The unknowns around applications, decisions, and deadlines can feel overwhelming - and let’s be honest, it can be overwhelming for you too. But summer offers a unique opportunity to begin the conversation in a calmer, more intentional way.

In this solo episode, I’m walking you through how to gently open the door to your teen’s post-secondary future. We’ll talk about how to make the most of campus tours, how to start future-focused conversations without pushing them into panic mode, and why your role as a guide, not the decision-maker, is so important.

You’ll hear a quick story from my own campus visit with my parents, and why so many teens tell me later that they wish they had done more of them. We’ll also go over what to say after a tour, how to help your teen compare schools in a practical way, and what application timelines look like for both Canadian and American parents.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a summer game plan that helps reduce anxiety, create clarity, and support your teen in taking confident next steps, one conversation at a time.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

Book a Free Discovery Call

Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

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What if supporting your anxious teen didn’t mean constantly doing more - but instead, meant becoming more present, intentional, and self-aware in the moments that matter?

In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Swenson - wellness blogger, registered nurse, and author of Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow - to explore how conscious parenting, grounded in self-care and deep inner work, can reshape how we show up for our teens.

More About Holly:

Holly Swenson is a best-selling, award-winning author, and mom of four. Through her book Stop, Drop, Grow, & Glow, Holly offers a refreshing take on modern parenting - one rooted in mindfulness, purpose, and self-compassion. With her unique background as a nurse and mother, she empowers parents to slow down, shift their mindset, and lead from their values instead of stress or guilt.

Holly’s “5 Rights of Parenting” invites parents to tune in to themselves, approach challenges with clarity, and create deeper, more authentic connections with their children. If you’ve ever questioned how to care for your teen without losing yourself in the process, this conversation is your permission slip to pause, reflect, and thrive alongside your child. Parenting can be hard - but it doesn’t have to feel like a constant struggle.

Big hugs,

Monica Crnogorac

Next Steps

Book a Free Discovery Call

Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program

Connect With Me on Instagram