In today's episode I break down the neuroscience behind why teens are so vulnerable to substance use—and explain what you can actually do about it.

If you're worried about your teen using alcohol, vaping, or marijuana, this episode is for you.

I explain how the adolescent brain's reward system, weak prefrontal cortex, and neuroplasticity create the perfect storm for risky behavior.

But here's the good news: the majority of teens do NOT use substances, and I'm sharing 4 science-backed strategies to help your teen stay in that majority.

You can watch this episode on YouTube as well!

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today I'm going to share why your teenager seems so lazy and unmotivated, and what you can actually do about it that won't backfire. 

I'll explain what's happening in that unmotivated brain of theirs and why punishment, rewards, and nagging to get them to do their homework or study are only making things worse. 

Plus, I'll walk you through Dr. Adam Price's (author of "He's Not Lazy") proven 8-step framework for helping unmotivated teens develop internal drive. 

Listen to learn how to motivate your teenager without destroying your parent-teen relationship.

You can watch this episode on YouTube as well!

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

In this episode, I explain how you may be unwittingly overparenting (aka, helicopter parenting) your teen—and why doing too much for or controlling your teenager actually sets them up for failure as a young adult. 

I'll explain what helicopter parenting really looks like and the psychological damage it causes to our teens, young adults, or college-age kids. You'll also learn practical strategies to stop overparenting, reduce parent-teen conflict, and raise confident teenagers who can handle life's challenges. 

You can watch this episode on YouTube as well!

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

It seems reasonable and logical that drug testing your teenager at home could keep them safe or at least keep them accountable.

However, the opposite is actually true.

Today I discuss the damage we cause when we drug test our teens at home and why drug testing is simply not practical and isn't the solution you may think it is.

I'll also explain what you should do instead if you want to decrease the likelihood of your teen participating in risky behaviors.

This episode (here on YouTube) will be helpful for you whether substances are an issue with your teen or not. The general principals I talk about can be applied to any similar situation.

Listen to episode 178 (having a conversation with your teen about their substance use)

Listen to episode 183 and 184 on the CRAFT Method

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today is the eighth and final episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series.

If your teen shuts down around you, keeps things from you, has big emotional reactions to everything you say, or is acting out in risky ways, you probably have a connection problem. 

In today's episode, I explain exactly what connection means, why it's critical for parenting emotional teens, and how to build it (even when your teenager wants nothing to do with you).

Listen and learn science backed strategies to build your connection, strengthen your relationship and gain more influence in your teen's life. 

You can also watch this series on YouTube.

Emotion Coaching episode on YouTube or listen to episode 239
Free parenting guide "Emotion Coaching"

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today is the seventh episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series.

If you're dealing with a teenager who seems to push back against everything you say, punishment or consequences aren’t the answer and will probably make things worse. 

In this episode, I'll explain why traditional discipline backfires with teenagers and what actually works instead. 

You'll learn why punishment creates rebellion in teens and what to do instead. You can end the constant power struggles by learning how to support your teen’s autonomy while staying connected and improving their behavior.

You can also watch this series on YouTube.

Check out episodes 14 and 91 for more about backing up and allowing natural consequences.

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today is the sixth episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series.

Do you feel helpless in the face of your teen's emotional meltdowns?

Today, I'll teach you a scientifically proven technique for helping your teen actually calm down. It's called emotion coaching and it will transform how you handle your teenager's big feelings and emotional outbursts.

We're going to discuss the 10 steps I believe are crucial for you to get this right and see major change in your teen.

You can also watch this series on YouTube.

Download the free parenting guide: "Emotional Awareness Strategies"

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today is the fifth episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series.

Want to stop the power struggles with your teen? The secret isn't changing them—it's changing YOU. In this episode, discover how your thoughts, emotions, and reactions directly influence your teenager's behavior.

I'll show you how to reappraise situations, manage stress, and create the space you need to respond thoughtfully instead of emotionally.

You can also watch this series on YouTube.

And be sure to listen to the following helpful episodes as well:

Episodes 30, 102, 120, and 127

Download the free parenting guide: "Emotional Awareness Strategies"

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today is the fourth episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. (Previous episodes in the series: 234, 235, and 236)

If you're constantly battling with your teenager and their behavior seems to be getting worse instead of better, the problem might not be your teen—it might be your approach.

In today's episode I'll explain why supporting your teen's autonomy is the key to reducing conflict, staying connected, and actually improving their behavior in the long run.

I'll give you 8 actionable strategies to support their autonomy while also keeping them safe...including what to do instead of punishing them.

You can also watch this series on YouTube.

And be sure to listen to the following helpful episodes as well:

Episodes 15 16 22 94 and 148 

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen

Today is the third episode in my Fundamentals of Parenting Teens podcast series. (Previous episodes in the series: 234 and 235)

Why do teens do such “stupid” things? Why do they take such risks? In this episode I explain the science behind why your teenager does dangerous, stupid, or reckless things—from driving too fast to sneaking out to experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

Learn how your teen's reward system and "social system" of their brain are turbocharged during adolescence, making them willing to take risks with friends that they'd never take alone.

I'll explore why lecturing your teen about risks doesn't work, and instead share proven strategies that actually help teens avoid dangerous situations.

You can also watch this series on YouTube.

4-part audio podcast series on Connection:
Episodes 104, 106, 108, and 110

Episode 95 on Emotion Coaching

Free guide, "Emotion Coaching"

Episode 114 on Vaping Refusal Skills (applicable to many behaviors-be sure to check out the resources at the bottom of this page)

Show Notes and Transcript
Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. 

Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button,

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen