Hosts Cathy and Meredith are back for season six! In this teaser episode, they celebrate 30,000 downloads and over 100 episodes, play around with Zoom makeup filters, and preview what's coming this season — including episodes on ADHD and executive function, financial aid, college admissions updates, and a provocative episode titled "What If You Don't Like Your Kid." They also want to hear from you: what topics should they cover? Plus, Cathy debuts her NACAC walk-in song (Montell Jordan, naturally), and they're headed to see Earth, Wind & Fire in concert.

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In this season finale, Cathy and Meredith wrap up season five by reflecting on what they're looking forward to this summer and sharing their hopes for families navigating the months ahead with teens. Drawing on stories from their own childhoods, they discuss the value of boredom, unstructured time, and opportunities for kids to build independence, creativity, and responsibility. They explore why meaningful work, manual labor, and experiences that broaden a teen's perspective can be so formative during adolescence. The conversation also offers practical ideas for parents, from doing things alongside their children to bringing them into the rhythms and responsibilities of everyday adult life. Cathy and Meredith also stress the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries on screen time and social media and remind parents to make room for rest, reconnection, and the kind of growth that happens when kids are given both purpose and space to thrive. Thanks for tuning in! 

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Brian Stevenson

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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What changed for teenagers this year, and what should parents be paying closer attention to? In this episode, Cathy and Meredith take a look at the trends they have been noticing across teens, schools, technology, and college admissions. Cathy and Meredith discuss how AI is affecting the way students learn, where students still need support, and why parents need to educate themselves on AI. They unpack the effects of social media and screen time on attention, critical thinking, and maturity, while also highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and confidence they see in many teens today. They also delve into the uncertain future of liberal arts education, growing concerns about career preparedness, the cost of college, and the ways changing admissions practices are creating new stress for students and families. To find out what today’s teens are navigating and how parents can better understand the pressures impacting their teens, tune in now!

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Dr. Devorah Heitner

Growing Up in Public

The New York Times

Episode 142: The Kids Are Alright: Good News About Today's Teens

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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Are today’s teenagers really as disconnected, anxious, and screen-addicted as the headlines make them seem? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith take a more hopeful look at what is going well with this generation and why the kids really are alright. They discuss declining rates of risky behavior, the ways young people are becoming more open about mental health, and how today’s teens are often more comfortable talking about identity, inclusion, and social responsibility. They also explore how teenagers today are often more connected to their parents, more willing to have real conversations, and more interested in making a difference than simply chasing money or status. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about why parents, educators, and anyone working with teenagers should pause to notice what is working, and remember that there is still plenty of hope for the future.

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Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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One of the biggest parts of the college application process is the personal statement, and it has the potential to cause the most amount of stress for students! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are giving you a behind-the-scenes look into our Summer College Essay Intensive. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why the stakes are high for this assignment, why we have decided to do a workshop to support students with their essays, what the workshop entails, and so much more! We delve into why we get students to look at case studies before breaking down the different ways Meredith and Cathy approach college essays and how they make such a great team. We even touch on the importance of making this essay personal and how we help the students make it unique. Finally, we explain why we make our students revise their essays multiple times until they’re strong personal statements that will help them get into college. To hear all this and find out how to join the workshop, be sure to press play now! 

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Summer College Essay Intensive

Email us: [email protected] 

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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We’re told to pump up teens’ self-esteem—but that stuff is flimsy, more like a quick dopamine snack than a solid meal. One bad grade or missed hangout and poof, it’s gone. What actually sticks? Self-worth—the quiet, stubborn belief that they matter no matter what. Join Meredith and Cathy on today’s episode as they dig into managing a child who doesn’t seem to like themselves. They look at the difference between self-esteem and self-worth, unpack the signs of a child with an underdeveloped sense of self-worth, and share examples of how people-pleasing behaviors show up in adolescence. They also examine how well-meaning parenting can accidentally reinforce low self-worth and share thoughtful ways to help kids develop self-worth that holds steady through life’s ups and downs.

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Mental Health Red Flags (Episode with Cristina Perez)

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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What is the difference between a good student and a good learner? Or are they the same thing? Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith unpack an article from the Harvard Gazette titled ‘What makes a good student’ and share their take on it. They explain that it’s not just about grades—especially with grade inflation—but about things like curiosity, integrity, and being open to different ideas. They also explore how integrity can look different in high school versus college, the importance of engaging with all the different aspects of your college experience, and what schools are really looking for in a student. They emphasize that a good learner is someone who takes risks, asks the right questions (and keeps asking them), and is someone who truly wants to understand more. The main takeaway is that real learning isn’t about perfect notes or staying busy; it’s about being engaged, thinking deeply, and genuinely wanting to grow. 

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‘What makes a good student’

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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Did one awkward tour guide just cancel four years of opportunity? Is “The vibe was off” a valid reason not to apply? If you need some tips on navigating reasons your kids are ruling out colleges, then today’s episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You is for you! Join Cathy and Meredith as they talk listeners through the reality of the college process, the teenage brain, and ultimately, a list of (for lack of a truly better word) dumba** reasons kids give for not wanting to apply to certain colleges! They share practical advice on how to combat these reasons and highlight truths every student needs to hear as they navigate the journey to college. Thanks for tuning in!

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College Visits 101: Essential Tips & Do's/Don'ts for Parents and Teens

Are College Visits Necessary? The Real Impact of Campus Tours on College Choice

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

Teenagers often overcomplicate the activities they participate in to impress colleges when, in reality, they can find something simple and meaningful that could be just as impressive, and in the process, they may actually discover a true passion. In this conversation, you’ll hear some real-life examples of a few of the interesting and ‘out-of-the-box’ things our students have done that they are passionate about and are compelling to colleges. From selling drawings of people’s pets for charity to helping a former teacher’s sister navigate ALS using technology, these examples are fascinating and inspirational! We even touch on a few activities our students have tried and failed at. Finally, we talk about purposeful and engaging things Cathy and Meredith are doing in their personal lives at the moment. You don’t want to miss this one, so be sure to tune in now! 

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College Visits 101: Essential Tips & Do’s/Don’ts for Parents and Teens

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

Are you worrying about your high school student’s ability to be independent? You’re not alone! There are many things teenagers should be doing but aren’t, and they need to learn how to take care of themselves in order to be able to function without their parents when they go to college. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Meredith and Cathy sit down to talk about a few of the things teenagers should be able to do, but often can’t. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the importance of teaching teens to manage their time, budget, do their own laundry, advocate for themselves, and so much more! From packing for themselves for vacations to driving themselves around, this episode touches on so many things your high school students need to do alone to become functional members of society, so be sure to press play now! 

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Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram