Raising Teens with Collett Smart

Hannah Gair StrongHER Side ebook - Available for free to listeners, providing tools and resources for mothers.

Hannah Gair became a foster mum at 23, then had a son born with Fragile X syndrome. She's now raising three kids and knows firsthand the "pressure cooker" reality of supporting families with children with disabilities. In this conversation, Hannah shares practical strategies for raising teens with additional needs while still connecting with your other kids, how the broader community can genuinely help struggling families, and why 70% of disability caregivers experience burnout. She also opens up about navigating divorce, rebuilding life as a single mum, and creating StrongHER Side—a community for the nearly one million Australian mums raising children with disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Parental Advocacy: Hannah's journey emphasises the critical role of parents in advocating for children with disabilities, both in terms of education and day-to-day life.
• Importance of Support Structures: Family, community, and specialised education play vital roles in supporting children with disabilities and their families.
• Self-Care Strategies: Hannah underscores the necessity of finding personal time for self-care, which can range from exercise routines to quiet journaling moments.
• Navigating Emotional Complexity: Addressing the emotional and logistical complexities of raising children with additional needs, and how empathy and vulnerability foster resilience.
• Building Awareness and Empathy: Encouraging proactive interactions and openness with individuals with disabilities to foster an inclusive environment.

Notable Quotes:

• "The best thing we can do as a mother is actually allow our children to reach their full potential."
• "When somebody leans into their world and looks at her and displays empathy towards her and shows her support, then you're making her feel seen."
• "He's trying to find a common place to have a conversation with you because majority of Aussies have a team that they follow."
• "We are the product of our choices, and so it's being bigger than the most negative thought that you have."
• "Every one of us want to feel seen. Every one of us are hardwired for connection."

Resources:

• StrongHER Side Podcast - A podcast designed to support mothers raising children with disabilities.
• Hannah Gair StrongHER Side ebook - Available for free to listeners, providing tools and resources for mothers.

 

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Predictability Matters: Building a predictable environment can significantly reduce stress for neurodivergent teens as they start a new school year.
• Collaborative Support Systems: Engage teens in their support planning, which increases their comfort and trust in their school environment.
• Focus on Emotional Regulation: Prioritise emotional well-being over academic performance to help teens cope with sensory overload and daily pressures.
• Understanding Over Fixing: Embrace a mindset of curiosity and understanding rather than trying to fix perceived problems in teens' behaviors.
• Home as a Safe Space: Ensure home remains a haven for recovery and support after the school day, helping teens decompress effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• "Predictability might look a little bit like getting back into sleep routines like we learned last week."
• "The key is collaboration, not control."
• "When school starts, it's easy to focus on their marks, but for our neurodivergent teens, emotional regulation really comes first."
• "You don't need to turn your teen into someone else to help them succeed at school."
• "When teens feel understood rather than managed, their stress drops and their capacity rises."

 

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Maltman brings sleep health education to thousands of Australian teens and parents. She reveals why 70% of teens aren't getting enough sleep, tackling technology designed to keep them scrolling, packed schedules treating sleep as leftover time, and sleep disorders mistaken for ADHD.

Collett and Lisa discuss the "Can't Sleep vs Won't Sleep" framework, social jet lag from weekend sleep-ins, and why tired teen drivers are as impaired as drunk drivers. You'll hear practical tools like family sleep diaries, Connor's story of misdiagnosed sleep apnoea, and why "revenge bedtime procrastination" steals everyone's rest. Real solutions for tired teens.

Key Takeaways:

• Sleep is foundational for physical health, mental well-being, and academic and athletic performance.
• Around 70% of teens fail to get adequate sleep, largely due to technology and time management issues.
• Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can profoundly impact behavior and mental health; professional help is available and recommended.
• Maintaining consistent sleep schedules, even on weekends, can help mitigate "social jet lag" in teenagers.
• Parents can model good sleep habits and assist teens in understanding the importance of adequate rest by engaging in open conversations about sleep.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Sleep impacts so much, and ironically, the time I was working for a sleep company, I developed insomnia."
2. "Elite athletes will actually get someone to come in and talk to them about how improving their sleep will give them the competitive edge."
3. "The logical part of our brain's not really working, so we just go: 'whatever', and that cycle can continue."
4. "Because when you're tired, it is the same as being over the limit with alcohol."
5. "My biggest hope is that they all completely understand the impact that sleep has on their physical health, mental health, and performance."

Resources:

• The Sleep Connection: Lisa Maltman’s initiative, offering programs focused on educating students, parents, and corporations about sleep health.
• Woolcock Medical Institute: Leaders in Breathing and Sleep Research

 

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collett Smart wraps up the year with one of her most honest episodes yet. After taking time away from the podcast, she's back to share what really happened during her break – and it's not the polished story you might expect.

In this vulnerable ep, Collett opens up about the reality of juggling her work as a psychologist, caring for elderly family members, and keeping her marriage strong after three decades together. She's refreshingly honest about not getting everything right and the importance of hitting pause when life demands it. For parents trying to balance caring for teens whilst managing their own challenges, Collett's candid reflections will resonate.

This episode isn't just about Collett's personal journey – it's about the power of community and the impact your stories have had on families across Australia. Collett shares heartfelt feedback from listeners and how your questions and experiences have shaped the podcast into something truly meaningful.

But here's the exciting bit: Collett reveals what's coming in 2026. The new season kicks off in the first quarter with impressive guests, insightful mini-episodes, and answers to your burning questions about raising teenagers. She's calling on parents, educators, and caregivers to keep sharing their stories because this podcast thrives on the wisdom of the village raising teens together.

It's a genuine conversation about nurturing responsible, happy young adults whilst looking after yourself in the process.

Have a great end of the year Raising Teens Family!

 

 

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collett sits with the host of Troubleshooting (a podcast for the 20-35 year olds for all things technology) and discuss the social media ban which has come into effect recently. 

Key Takeaways:

• Legislative Impact: Australia's new laws ban under 16-year-olds from accessing many social media platforms, intending to offer kids more time for childhood development away from digital distractions.
• Platform Responsibility: The legislation places responsibility on big social media companies to ensure compliance, threatening fines for continued underage access.
• Balanced Approach: Colette advocates for the careful balance between digital interaction and real-world activities essential for kids’ growth, promoting delayed technology exposure.
• Community Alternative: While online communities serve as a meaningful outlet for many young people, especially in rural areas, the challenge is to find or create those networks safely outside digital confines.
• Parental Support: These laws support parents in setting boundaries, fostering conversations about screen time, and promoting mindful technology use among adults and children alike.

Notable Quotes:

• "I really just want to also kind of end with saying, I see this as an opportunity to give children time to be children."
• "The social media giants, they are the ones who will face a penalty… if they don't take steps to prevent underage accounts."
• "It's now part of the law… it gives parents another tool to help their children delay social media use."
• "There has been this enormous shift in my own family of the way phones are used, technology is used and social media has been used."
• "It's not that we are just banning social media, we are actually encouraging a delay."

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Parents should model emotional regulation and prioritize checking in on their own mental health to support their children effectively.
• Engage in open yet age-appropriate dialogues with children, allowing them to process their emotions and ask questions about the crisis.
• Limit media consumption to protect mental health, as repeated exposure to distressing news can exacerbate anxiety and fear.
• Maintain normalcy through regular activities while providing psychological first aid to comfort and reassure children.
• Seek professional help promptly if a child exhibits prolonged signs of distress, leveraging community resources like helplines.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's very normal to feel overwhelmed at this stage, even as adults."
• "This is an opportunity to teach our children that we are all part of one world and that we actually all need to help each other."
• "Your children will learn how to deal with emotions and these events by watching how you approach it."
• "We can give them that kind of psychological first aid for where they are there and then with you."
• "Please consider seeking professional support. Get support from Helplines, Lifelines, Beyond Blue Childline."

Resources:

• Beyond Blue: Website
• Lifeline: Website
• Colette Smart's Professional Profiles: Website | Instagram | Twitter

 

 

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FREE GIFT - Exclusive to Raising Teens and Hope1032 listeners - StrongHER Side podcast is offering this resource Planning Calm For Christmas

Christmas brings joy, but it can also bring pressure, grief, and exhaustion. Collett shares practical mental health strategies for parents navigating tricky family dynamics, financial stress, and the weight of loss during the holidays. Drawing on insights from Graeme Cowan (co-founder of RU OK?) and Hannah Gair (advocate for mums raising kids with disability), she explores realistic self-care practices that actually fit into real life. From setting boundaries to adopting a "just one thing" approach, this mini-episode offers permission to protect your peace and embrace imperfection this Christmas season.

Key Takeaways:

• Holiday stress can amplify emotional challenges; hence, setting realistic expectations is crucial.
• Establishing healthy boundaries can protect your mental well-being during the festive season.
• Practicing gratitude and engaging in activities like volunteering can shift focus away from materialistic comparisons.
• The importance of maintaining personal well-being routines amid holiday busyness is emphasized.
• Concepts like the "just one thing" philosophy can simplify stress and encourage peace during this period.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Your well-being, not always being polite, is your first priority."
2. "Choose peace over this invisible pressure to make everything perfect."
3. "You just need to take one step towards protecting your peace."
4. "Practicing gratitude changes the brain pathways."
5. "Cultivate kindness for yourself, especially during stressful times."

Resources:

• Graeme Cowan: Co-Founder of RU OK?
• Hannah Gair: Host of "StrongHer Side" Podcast, advocate for mothers raising children with disabilities
• 1300Respect - If you need help with Domestic, Family or Sexual Violence
• Llifeline - Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention

 

 

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing She Wasn't Born Yesterday (SWBY) a podcast for women 40+ fabulous! SWBY is hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker. This episode which chat about teen axiety.

About the Guest:

Lyn Worsley is a renowned clinical psychologist and the director of the Resilience Centre. With nearly 30 years of experience, Lyn has contributed significantly to understanding and promoting mental health and resilience across various groups. Her approach often involves solution-oriented therapies, focusing on building resilience and leveraging existing strengths in individuals. Lyn is also recognised for developing the internationally acclaimed Resilience Doughnut model, which aims to identify and strengthen key resources within individuals and communities to enhance resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• The "imaginary audience" phenomenon is crucial in understanding why adolescents are highly self-conscious and anxious about fitting in with peers.
• Resilience can be nurtured by identifying and leveraging three key resources from the Resilience Doughnut: personal competencies, social ecology, and overcoming adversity.
• Parents are encouraged to engage with their teens' interests, such as gaming or fashion, to foster better communication and connection.
• Anxiety is a common part of development, but when it impairs daily functioning, it may require intervention and professional support.
• Key indicators of anxiety disorders include withdrawal from social situations, circular thinking, and avoidance of school and activities.

Notable Quotes:

1. Lyn Worsley: "Anxiety is a symptom that there is something going on in the brain that's in conflict, and it's just trying to work out how to reconcile whatever that is."
2. Lyn Worsley: "When they're recoiling, not wanting to go to school, or having circular thinking—that's when you need to be alerted."
3. Lyn Worsley: "Medication can aid, but therapy should never be excluded for adolescent anxiety; they should work together."
4. Lyn Worsley: "Resilience involves personal and social competence, navigating social ecologies, and going through adversity."

Resources:

• The Resilience Centre
• Murdoch Children's Research Institute
• Black Dog Institute

She Wasn’t Born Yesterday, hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker

Join the discussion of being 40+ faaabulous on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She Wasn’t Born Yesterday tackles the many unique issues affecting women who are 40+ fabulous. Click here to follow this podcast

Janet Evans and Jenni Woodhouse tackle adult parent-child relationships on "She Wasn't Born Yesterday" with Dr Jenny Brown, a family therapist with 35+ years helping Aussie families. Jenny shares game-changing strategies for staying curious instead of reactive during family conflicts, giving feedback without criticism, and understanding those weird family patterns. Whether your relationship with your parents is broken or just challenging, she offers practical advice for improving family connections without losing yourself in the process.

About the Guest:

Dr. Jenny Brown is a highly respected clinical couple and family therapist with over 35 years of experience, specializing in family systems theory. She holds a PhD in social science and has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate complex family dynamics. Dr. Brown is also an accomplished author and a key figure at the Family Systems Institute, where she contributes to training mental health professionals. Her work focuses on applying scientific theory to real-world relationship challenges, particularly emphasizing self-differentiation and emotional maturity.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Differentiation is Essential: Emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal growth and emotional maturity to improve relationships with parents.
• Curiosity Over Reactivity: Advocates for a curious rather than reactive approach to family dynamics, promoting understanding and empathy.
• Avoid Triangulation: Highlights the pitfalls of involving third parties unnecessarily, urging direct communication in resolving conflicts.
• The Impact of Labels: Warns against labeling family members as villains or saints, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of individual behaviors.
• The Role of Feedback: Stresses the importance of offering constructive feedback without criticizing, fostering healthier communication patterns.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Being a parent is like trying to stand up in a hammock without spilling your wine."
2. "If there's a lot of conflict with parents, it's probably a sign that there's a lot that isn't worked out."
3. "I will not give advice until I've heard the best advice that they have to give themselves."
4. "Even messy relationships are worth having the experience of dealing with them."
5. "We can't have three steps to the perfect relationship to achieve in one week."

Resources:

• Jenny Brown’s Books: Amazon
• Family Systems Institute: Information and resources on family systems theory.
• Family Systems Practice Website: Offers insights into familial relationship dynamics.
• Parent Hope Project: Dr. Brown's program focusing on improving parental approaches.

She Wasn’t Born Yesterday, hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker

Join the discussion of being 40+ faaabulous on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Follow Money: Faith & Finance here on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7chJcqGhtIhy6MSKAr6HsI?si=Xzw9IASeTMOxQUDOpxkPWA

Proudly produced by the same people that do Raising Teens.

 

Should you burden your maturing youngin' on how you make your money work for your household? Should you spell it out for them so they understand how the adults in the household have sacrificed for their well being as well as the comforts in life which they enjoy? Or should you let them enjoy life, and live a carefree unemcumbered life because after all, they've got a whole lotta years of adulting to enjoy? 

Key Takeaways:

• It's crucial for children to learn about money early on, including budgeting, saving, and investing.
• Transitioning from cash to digital transactions presents challenges in teaching kids about the value of money.
• Encouraging children to work part-time can provide valuable financial skills and experiences.
• Understanding new financial tools such as Afterpay and digital banking is essential for today's youth.
• Engaging in open, non-judgmental conversations about finances can help mitigate money-related mistakes.

Notable Quotes:

• "One out of one people in the world need to understand and deal with money." — Pete Burrows
• "The earlier you can start [financial education], the better." — Pete Burrows
• "It's a good idea to set up bank accounts for kids to teach them about saving and spending." — Pete Burrows
• "Mistakes are your best resource because you can learn from them." — Pete Burrows
• "You want to keep open conversations… lean into [money] learning opportunities." — Pete Burrows

 

Got a question, comment or personal story to share? Send it through at hopepodcasts.com.au. Ben and Pete will get stuck into it on a future episode.

Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with Lower Russell and Farr in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings on Hope 103.2FM in Sydney, Australia.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.