Welcome to the unpopular PARENT podcast, where we help parents focus on what matters and let go of the rest. Today, we have a very special guest, Jeannie Ewing, a mother of five and the Substack writer behind I Grow Strong Again. In her work, Jeannie explores the complexities of love, loss, and identity, bringing a heartfelt approach to parenting that combines resilience, compassion, and self-awareness.

In our conversation, Jeannie shares her journey as the mother of a child with Apert syndrome and autism, along with her experiences raising children with other neurodivergencies like ADHD and OCD. She opens up about the challenges of advocacy, balancing the needs of each child—as well as her own—and her unique approach to parenting through empathy and gratitude.

Through her journey, Jeannie has developed a perspective on parenthood that’s both honest and deeply compassionate. Her unique story is a reminder that parenting is a journey, not a destination. I know this conversation will leave you feeling as inspired to be brave in your own parenting journey as it has left me.

Jeannie Ewing at I Grow Strong AgainErin Miller at unpopular PARENT

Welcome to unpopular PARENT, the podcast that helps parents focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest. When my high school senior scout and I sat down to record this episode, we had every intention of diving into the topic of friendships.  But as conversations sometimes do, we found ourselves wandering into unexpected territory, discussing divorce and our experiences with the church.

This episode may be a little less structured than usual, but I think it holds something valuable. It offers a glimpse into who we are, where we come from, and the lens through which I approach parenting. I hope it resonates with you in a meaningful way.

https://unpopularparent.substack.com/

Welcome to unpopular PARENT, the podcast where we help parents focus on what really matters and let go of the rest. Today, we’re tackling a topic that every parent eventually faces: helping your teens gain independence. But we’re not just talking about it from the parent’s perspective. I’m joined by my daughters, Scout, a high school senior, and Finnley, a college sophomore, to share their journeys to independence—how they’ve grown, the challenges they’ve faced, and what independence looks like for them today.

We’ll discuss what independence meant to them growing up, how it’s changed now that they’re nearly adults, and what it means for our family as we navigate this transition. Whether you’re a parent preparing to let go or a teen finding your own way, we’ll cover what really matters when it comes to growing into independence. Let’s get started.

https://unpopularparent.substack.com/

Welcome back to unpopular PARENT, the podcast where we help parents focus on what really matters and let go of the rest. Today, we’re having an honest conversation about therapy.

While therapy can sometimes be hard to talk about, a good therapist can be an invaluable resource for your teen and a key player in supporting you as a parent. Whether you’re looking for the right support for your teen or navigating your own feelings about the process, therapy can be life-changing—but it doesn’t always start that way.

I’m joined by Scout, a high school senior (and my youngest daughter), who will share her own therapy journey, including times when it wasn’t helpful and how finding the right therapist made all the difference. We’ll discuss what she’s learned, the tools she still uses today, and the lasting impact therapy has had on her life. Let’s get into it.

https://unpopularparent.substack.com/

Welcome to Episode 5 of unpopular PARENT, the podcast where we help parents focus on what really matters and let go of the rest. Today, we’re exploring a topic that’s close to home and was actually suggested by my co-host, Scout. We’re talking about intuition—what it means, how it works, and why it’s important, especially for teens and parents.

https://unpopularparent.substack.com/

Welcome back to unpopular PARENT, the podcast where we help parents focus on what really matters and let go of the rest. In today’s episode, we tackle a question many families face: Should teens get a job while they’re still in school?

Scout joins us to share how her first job transformed her from a slightly anxious kid into a bold, confident young adult. She talks about how working pushed her out of her comfort zone, helped her overcome her anxiety, and gave her the confidence to tackle new challenges—both at work and in life.

We also dive into the practical side of balancing work, school, and social life. Plus, you won’t want to miss Scout’s most awkward moment on the job—and how she handled it. So whether you’re a parent wondering if a job is the right move for your teen, or a teen considering taking that step, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of unpopular PARENT, we dive into the whirlwind of senior year as college applications open up and the reality of leaving home begins to set in. Scout reflects on how her emotions have shifted since summer—what she was worried about then versus what’s on her mind today. 

We reflect on how campus visits transformed Scout’s college preferences, including how some schools she once considered a great fit landed on her "firm no" list. We also cover everything from the SAT and ACT to the broader experience of tackling standardized testing and the college admissions process. Plus, Scout shares valuable advice on how to approach and complete those applications with confidence. Whether you're a senior deep in the application process or a parent helping your teen navigate this journey, this episode offers practical insights and real talk about managing this pivotal time.

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In this candid episode of unpopular PARENT, we talk about the intricacies of sisterhood.

From childhood memories to the evolving dynamics as they grow older, we discuss how the bond between sisters can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Scout reflects on her relationship with her sister Finnley, sharing insights into their contrasting personalities, how they've grown closer over the years, and the lessons learned along the way.

We cover the impact of being siblings with different temperaments, the role of parents in nurturing or stepping back from their children's relationships, and what it’s like to transition from living together as kids to becoming adults with a shared history. This episode is full of personal stories, reflections on parenting strategies, and advice for fostering sibling relationships.

Tune in to hear about the ups and downs of sisterhood, how to handle sibling conflict, and the importance of allowing siblings to form their bonds naturally.

https://unpopularparent.substack.com/

Welcome to unpopular PARENT! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of parent-teen communication by hearing directly from the source—Scout, an insightful and candid 17-year-old introvert.

We explore what parents are getting right, where we often miss the mark, and how to foster better connections with our kids. From respecting their need for self-care to understanding the challenges of growing up, we tackle crucial topics like internal processing, social media, and how our behavior and the way we relate (or don’t) impacts teens' lives. Scout also answers the pressing question: What do teens struggle with most today that parents might not realize?

Don't miss Scout’s game-changing insight on how asking one simple question before reacting can transform an entire conversation and what she thinks parents need to do less of.

https://unpopularparent.substack.com/