Rethinking Parenting with Cristina Young

In this episode, I’m diving into the all-too-familiar chaos of family gatherings—specifically, how to prepare yourself and your teenager for navigating tricky relatives at the summer barbecue. Whether you’re hosting or traveling, you’ll walk away with three powerful tools to help set boundaries, avoid drama, and model healthy responses to uncomfortable situations. These are tools I share often in my office, because they work—and summer is too short to spend feeling anxious or reactive. Let’s fill your parenting tool belt and keep your vacation from turning into a battlefield.

In this solo episode, I dive into a message I believe every parent needs to hear: you deserve to prioritize yourself — and it's actually good for your kids when you do. I’ve been noticing a pattern in my work with parents who are running themselves ragged trying to meet every single need and whim of their children, while completely sidelining their own. I walk through why this is not only unhealthy for you, but also a disservice to your kids. Tune in to find out why I’m inviting you to consider that investing in your physical and mental health, your marriage, your friendships, and your time alone isn’t selfish — it’s essential.

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, I sit down with my daughter Riley Young—back for her second appearance on the podcast—just days after she graduated from USC with a degree in Business Administration. We dive into what it really feels like to stand at the edge of one of life’s biggest transitions: college to adulthood. Riley reflects on the communities that shaped her, how her identity has evolved, and what she’s learned about balance, motivation, and self-care. For any parent witnessing their child take this leap, or for anyone navigating change themselves, I hope this conversation offers both insight and inspiration.

In this episode, I dive into the often-overlooked heart of the family: your marriage. With summer approaching and more time spent as a family unit, I’ve been hearing a lot from moms about the tension—and opportunity—that can come with being around our partners more. I offer five actionable strategies to help you nurture your relationship like the living, breathing organism it is. From reconsidering the settings where we spend time with our partners to learning how to meet emotional bids, I share real stories (including a few from my own marriage), grounded insights, and ways to reconnect—so your relationship thrives, not just survives.

Summer can get overwhelming fast if we don’t get intentional about our time. In this episode, I walk you through four practical rules for setting boundaries—including how to pause before saying yes, how to listen to your gut instead of your “shoulds,” and how to use simple filters to make better decisions about your time. I also share one of my favorite summer traditions for families—a sweet, screen-free way to stay connected through old-school letter writing. Let’s make this a season where your choices reflect what matters most.

In this episode, I sit down with two longtime members of my Monday parenting group—Angela and Dana—for a candid and heartfelt conversation about raising confident girls in today's image-saturated world. With daughters navigating middle school, we dive deep into the challenges of body image, social media pressure, privacy, and societal expectations. We talk about the importance of modeling self-love, celebrating uniqueness, and creating space for our girls to build real confidence before the world tells them who to be. Join us for laughs, insight, and actionable tips on how to empower the next generation of strong, self-assured young women.

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and parenting group member Vicky Shusterman—an accomplished lawyer, full-time working mom, and thoughtful human navigating the deeply personal terrain of acceptance. We explore the emotional tension between the dreams we have for our children and the reality that unfolds, inspired by the beloved essay Welcome to Holland. Vicky opens up about her own journey balancing ambition, motherhood, and self-doubt, as we dive into what it really means to accept your children for who they are—and to let go of the fantasy of who you imagined they’d be.

In this episode, I dive deep into the Netflix miniseries Adolescence, a haunting and powerful story that shines a light on the emotional lives of boys—especially those struggling to find their place in a world with narrow definitions of masculinity. I reflect on why I work with so many more parents of boys than girls, and what this show reveals about the pain, confusion, and isolation so many young men face today. We talk about the dangers of emotional repression, the cultural pressures boys experience, and how parents—especially dads—can begin modeling vulnerability and emotional expression. Also, I strongly encourage you to watch Adolescence—it's not just a show, it's a conversation starter.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lindsay Tanne—college admissions expert, Harvard grad, and parent herself—for a real and refreshing conversation about how to navigate the high school years with less stress and more clarity. We dig into how parents can support without overstepping, when to start thinking about college (hint: earlier than you might think), and how to protect your relationship with your teen during this intense time. Lindsay shares practical, compassionate advice on how to stay sane, preserve family peace, and actually enjoy the journey.

In this episode, I share a concept I call "Backpocket Phrases"—simple, effective comeback lines that can help your child handle mean-spirited comments or bullying with confidence. I walk you through a three-step approach for supporting your child: starting with empathy, putting them in the driver's seat, and brainstorming a strong comeback together. I'll also share five specific backpocket phrases and tips on how to help your child practice delivering them effectively. My hope is that by the end of this episode, you'll feel ready to guide your child through tough social moments with empathy and confidence.