Power Your Parenting: Moms With Teens

Have you ever felt like you’re running on empty—giving everything to your family, your work, and your home, yet never feeling caught up? Do you wonder if balance is even possible for moms in today’s world? In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady talks with Tiffany Sauder about what it really means to redefine work–life balance. Tiffany shares her journey from burnout to creating a sustainable rhythm where career, family, and self can thrive together. Through practical examples and honest stories, she helps moms understand how to clarify priorities, reduce guilt, and find peace in the middle of busy seasons. Tiffany Sauder is a wife, mom of four daughters (ages 5 to 16), entrepreneur, podcast host, and keynote speaker. After years of chasing big dreams while burning out, she developed a new framework she calls “Life of AND”—where family, career, and self-care coexist in harmony. Tiffany now equips women to own the ordinary so they can unlock extraordinary lives, showing them how to be intentional, present, and ambitious without losing themselves. Balance is alignment, not perfection — True balance happens when your time and money reflect your priorities and values, not when you split time evenly. Get clear and intentional — Ask your kids what matters most to them, set boundaries, and let go of unnecessary guilt. Outsource the ordinary — Don’t waste precious energy on tasks that can be delegated; save your time for connection, growth, and joy. Learn more at https://www.tiffanysauder.com/ Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tiffany.sauder/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your tween or teen suddenly refusing school—or saying they’re “sick” every morning? How do you tell what’s normal pushback versus a red flag that needs support? In this conversation, Colleen and pediatric psychologist Dr. Ariana Hoet unpack school avoidance—what it is, why it happens, and how moms can respond without escalating morning battles. You’ll hear how anxiety fuels avoidance (and why avoidance strengthens anxiety), the power of gradual exposure and tiny “wins,” and how to get granular: identify the real barrier (safety fears, social stress, learning struggles, sleep/screens), co-create a stepwise plan, and partner with the school. They offer concrete scripts, role-plays, and motivation-finding questions so your teen feels both validated and capable—and you’re not stuck at 7 a.m. stalemates. Dr. Ariana Hoet is Executive Clinical Director at the Kids Mental Health Foundation and a pediatric psychologist serving primarily immigrant families in primary care. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatric Psychology/Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, training the next generation of behavioral health professionals. A trusted national voice, Dr. Hoit has been featured by USA Today, CNN, Good Morning America, and Newsweek. Her passion is translating research into practical, family-ready tools. Three takeaways: Validate, then move forward: Empathize with the real feeling (“This is hard and scary”) and avoid the “just get over it” trap. Then use graduated exposure—tiny steps toward school—to shrink anxiety’s power. Get specific to solve: Pinpoint the blocker (safety fears, bullying, skill gaps, not knowing where to sit at lunch, sleep debt, screens, or possible learning differences). Specific problem → specific plan (role-play scripts, identify “safe people/places,” consider tutoring/evaluation, adjust sleep and tech). Build the village & motivation: Coordinate with teachers/counselors, connect your teen to belonging (clubs, teams, arts), and discover their reasons to go (friends, activities)—not just adult reasons like grades. Learn more at: https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/about/our-team/clinical-director Follow on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kidsmentalhealthfoundation/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/arianahoetphd/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are your teens labeling themselves—“I’m just bad at math,” “I’ll never get this”? What if one small language shift could help them persist, problem-solve, and bounce back? In this conversation, we unpack Growth Mindset through the lens of real classrooms and real homes. We explore why praising “smart” backfires, how to swap outcome praise for process praise (effort, strategies, persistence), and how to make “not yet” part of your family vocabulary. We dig into the Pygmalion effect (kids rise to expectations), the line between Growth Mindset and toxic positivity, and why frustration is often the signal that learning is happening. You’ll leave with concrete scripts, dinner-table routines that normalize mistakes, and simple ways to turn goals into daily practice steps your teen can control. Guest bio: Annie Brock is a former high-school English teacher and library director turned learning-experience designer. A long-time advocate of Growth Mindset, she co-authored The Growth Mindset Coach (over 200k copies sold) and continues to write and speak on practical ways educators and parents can cultivate perseverance and love of learning. Annie lives in Kansas with her husband, Jared, and their two kids. Three takeaways: Praise the process, not the person: Swap “You’re so smart” for “I can see the strategies you used and how hard you worked.” Make “not yet” a house word: Reframe “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this yet,” then choose one next step. Normalize mistakes: Share your own flubs and fixes; make home the safest place to struggle, analyze what didn’t work, and try differently. Find out more at: anniemaebrock.com Follow Annie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-brock-690889132/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want your teen to swap scrolling for soul-filling creativity? Curious how “mind-watching” (kids’ word for mindfulness) can calm thought-storms and build resilience? In this episode, Colleen talks with artist and youth-mental-health advocate Rafael McMaster, founder of Indivisible Arts. Rafael shares how a 30-minute “Fundamental Life Tools” practice—taught in kid language and paired with an hour of hands-on art—helps teens regulate emotions, focus, and reconnect with purpose. You’ll hear how peer mentorship supercharges buy-in, why phones naturally disappear when real-life creativity is compelling, and how gratitude “G-flips,” intention setting, and compassion turn chaos into clarity—at home, in school, and even for foster youth. About the guestRafael McMaster is a creative director, photographer, and founder/CEO of Indivisible Arts, a nonprofit in LA County dedicated to cultivating one million conscious youth through art, mentorship, and practical mindfulness. His forthcoming book, Fundamental Life Tools, distills seven everyday practices—awareness (“mind-watching”), acceptance, intention, gratitude (“G-flip”), compassion, forgiveness/resentment work, and connection—developed with teens and used in after-school labs and high-school classrooms (including Da Vinci Rise). He also pilots Stream of Consciousness • Life, a teen-taught micro-lesson platform. Teach the tool, then do the art. A short, concrete practice (“mind-watching”) before creative time helps kids notice thoughts instead of obeying them—lowering anxiety and boosting self-control. Make IRL more interesting than the phone. When spaces are playful, social, and soulful (music studio, fashion lab, spray-paint alley), teens forget their screens—no rules required. Prioritize the soul over performance. Reframe art as “the language of the soul.” When kids reconnect with joy, presence, and gratitude, grades, sports, and auditions become more tolerable—and often improve—without fear-based pressure. Learn more at: https://www.indivisiblearts.org/ Follow Rafael at https://www.instagram.com/mcmaster.peace/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what kind of health information your teen is actually absorbing from TikTok, Instagram, or even AI chat tools? Do you know how to recognize—and gently disrupt—the misinformation that could be shaping your teen’s choices about their body and health? In this eye-opening conversation, I talk with Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, a family physician, health advocate, and mom of two girls, about the growing trend of teens turning to social media and AI for medical advice. Dr. Bayo shares the most common myths circulating online—from misinformation about birth control and fertility, to supplements that can damage the liver, to dangerous over-the-counter products like kratom energy shots marketed as “natural.” She explains why teens are especially vulnerable to believing influencers who “look and sound like them,” and how parents can begin to disrupt these patterns. We also explore practical ways to equip our teens with critical thinking skills and strategies to advocate for their health—while giving moms tangible steps to reduce anxiety and stay informed. Guest Bio:Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD, is a board-certified family physician, Medical Director of Urgent Care Clinics at St. Mary’s Health Network in Reno, Nevada, and a passionate patient advocate. Known as “Dr. BCW” on social media, she reaches millions through Instagram, TikTok, and her podcast Beyond Clinical Walls, where she helps families navigate healthcare and misinformation. A frequent guest on CNN and NBC, she also serves on the CDC’s National Community and Public Engagement Work Group and Nevada’s Patient Protection Commission. Drawing from her own journey of misdiagnosis, as well as her near-death experience during childbirth, Dr. Bayo brings both expertise and empathy as she empowers patients to take charge of their health. Three Takeaways: Not all information is credible—even if it sounds relatable. Teach your teen the difference between “accessible” and “trustworthy,” and remind them that not every influencer is a safe source of medical advice. Ask questions instead of lecturing. When your teen believes something online, try asking, “What’s your plan if that doesn’t work?” to encourage critical thinking without sparking defensiveness. Be proactive as a parent. Search what’s trending on TikTok or Google to get a glimpse of what your teen may be exposed to, and equip them with three essentials before leaving home: how to get medical help, what insurance they have, and what medications or allergies they must know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could shift your child’s behavior not with consequences, but with calm? What if the most powerful tool you have is love—biochemically speaking? In this eye-opening episode, Colleen O’Grady welcomes trauma and adoption expert Bryan Post to unpack the neuroscience behind stress and connection in parenting. Bryan explains how fear-based reactions (driven by cortisol) and love-based responses (driven by oxytocin) shape our children’s behaviors—and our reactions to them. Drawing from his own story as an adoptee, Bryan introduces the concept of “stress-sensitive children,” emphasizing that behaviors we label as “bad” often stem from unhealed trauma and unconscious grief. Through vivid stories and science-backed insights, Bryan offers simple, powerful shifts moms can make—starting with breathing—to transform stress into connection. Bryan Post is one of the nation's leading experts on child behavior, trauma, and adoption. An adoptee and former foster child himself, Bryan founded Fear to Love LLC and developed the Fear to Love Method, a neuroscience-based, love-focused approach to parenting children with challenging behaviors. He’s a therapist, speaker, and bestselling author of From Fear to Love and co-author of Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control. He is also the creator of Bondify the first AI-powered trauma-informed parenting support app. All behavior arises from a state of stress. Underneath every meltdown or defiance is a nervous system overwhelmed by fear, often from unexpressed trauma or grief—sometimes passed down for generations. Oxytocin is the antidote to cortisol. Just as stress creates fear-driven behaviors, connection creates calm. Nurturing relationships, not consequences, help regulate the brain. Breathe first. Respond second. When parents slow down and breathe, they can shift their vibration from fear to love. That energy change alone can stop a four-year tantrum cycle in its tracks. Learn more at https://www.bryanpost.com/ Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bryanpostofficial/?hl=en Check out https://bondify.ai/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the words you're speaking building connection or creating distance with your teen?Could everyday phrases be unintentionally fueling your child’s anxiety or shame? In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode, Colleen O'Grady talks with Amy Hughes—mother of nine, writer, parenting coach, and author of the upcoming book Words Like Honey. Together, they explore the profound impact of the words we speak to our children, especially during the teen and young adult years. Amy shares how common phrases like “hurry up” or “don’t be sad” can trigger stress responses in kids and how language rooted in fear or control can erode connection. Drawing from her own imperfect journey and deep experience as a mother, Amy introduces the “4 Rs” framework—Rethink, Replace, Reframe, and Repair—offering parents a path to more intentional and healing communication. The episode is a compassionate reminder that it’s never too late to choose grace-filled words that build trust and nurture faith. Amy Hughes is a writer, speaker, and parenting coach based on California’s Central Coast. A mother of nine children ranging from toddler to 30 years old, Amy’s warmth, humor, and real-life parenting wisdom have made her a sought-after conference speaker. She’s a featured contributor to Wild + Free and has been published in Scary Mommy, Encourage, Christian Unschooling, and more. Her upcoming book, Words Like Honey: How to Avoid Unintentional Harm, Model Kindness, and Nurture Your Child's Faith Through What You Say, is available wherever books are sold. Find her at simplelittleamy.com or on Instagram @simplelittleamy. Three Key Takeaways: Our words shape our children’s inner world. Phrases we say often—like “be careful” or “what’s wrong with you?”—can unintentionally trigger anxiety, shame, or self-doubt. Awareness is the first step to change. Repair is always possible. Even if we’ve said the wrong thing in the past, taking ownership and apologizing can restore connection and model humility and growth. Life-giving language builds trust. Instead of threats, comparisons, or venting, Amy encourages us to use specific encouragement, curiosity, and kindness to create lasting bonds with our teens and young adults. Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/simplelittleamy/?hl=en Learn More at https://simplelittleamy.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you worried that your relationship with your teen will fade once they leave home? Have you ever wondered what your role as a mom should look like once your child becomes an adult? In this powerful episode of the Power Your Parenting: Moms of Teens podcast, Colleen O’Grady is joined by seasoned therapist and executive coach Catherine Hickem to explore the often-overlooked transition between parenting teens and maintaining connection with adult children. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, Catherine shares hard-won wisdom about managing fear, adjusting expectations, and nurturing lifelong bonds. The conversation dives deep into the emotional complexities of this phase—highlighting why parents must do their own work, how fear can unintentionally drive adult children away, and what it truly means to support rather than control. With honest storytelling and practical insight, this episode is a must-listen for any mom navigating the “what now?” of the emptying nest. Catherine Hickem is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, executive coach, and founder of the DASH Group. With over 40 years of experience helping families, leaders, and organizations navigate emotional complexity and transformational change, Catherine brings profound insight into relationships and leadership. A mother herself, Catherine is passionate about helping parents build strong, authentic connections with their adult children. 3 Key Takeaways: It's Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent – Repair and growth are possible at any stage, but it takes humility, emotional regulation, and a willingness to do your own work. Let Go of Fear-Based Parenting – Adult children need confidence, not control. When we lead with fear, we risk damaging trust and closeness. Support Looks Different Now – Ask your adult children, “How can I support you right now?”—and be willing to listen without fixing. That simple question builds safety and connection. Learn more at https://www.parentingadultchildrentoday.com/ Follow at https://www.tiktok.com/@parentingadultchildren2d Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I have a great conversation with Lisa Hinkelman, author of Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Succeed in Relationships, Academics, Careers, and Life. Lisa has recently released her second edition of Girls Without Limits, Her first edition was published in 2013. Lisa and I talk about how much has changed for girls in the past ten years. Lisa raised a very important question. "What skills does a girl need to not have sex with someone she doesn't want to have sex with.? or "What skills does a girl need to not send a nude picture?" Lisa stated that it's not a "character deficit it's a skills deficit." Girls need to be taught concrete and discrete skills like being able to stand up for herself, setting boundaries ahead of time, know how to enforce that boundary verbally and physically, knowing who to talk to when she needs support, knowing how to deal with coercion, and when to end or leave a situation. Lisa Hinkelman, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc. (ROX). She is a counselor, educator, researcher and author. Hinkelman's work for the past fifteen years has focused on the critical issues impacting girls and how schools, parents and educators can effectively support and encourage girls' interpersonal, educational and career growth. Previously, as a Counselor Education faculty member at The Ohio State University, her teaching and scholarly research focused on social and emotional learning, non-academic barriers that impact learning and girls' self-concept development. She was selected as a Nominated Changemaker for The White House United State of Women, Smart Business CEO of the Year and is a Draper Richards Kaplan Social Entrepreneur Fellow.  Contact Lisa at ⁠https://rulingourexperiences.com/⁠ Follow Lisa at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rulingourexperiences/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you like your teens to have better manners and show respect to you, your home, and others? My guest today literally wrote the book. Brooke Romney is a writer, speaker and leader of an online community who helps moms of teens and tweens create meaningful, healthy and enjoyable relationships with their children through practical application, education and community. Her goal is for every family to feel confident and connected. The mother of four boys ages tween to adult, Brooke knows parenting perfection isn’t real and takes an honest and hopeful approach with her audience. Her best-selling book 52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens (Volumes 1 & 2) provides weekly tips to help parents and teens navigate the complexities of today’s world. The follow-up, 52 Modern Manners for Kids, will feature tips for kids and tweens aged four to 12 and is set to release this August. Brooke's work has been featured in The Washington Post, Scary Mommy and Forbes. Brooke and her family live in Utah. Here are some examples of her modern manners for teens Be inclusive You attract what you put out into the world Say thank you Be reliable Reply Work with integrity Look up smile and say hello Don’t be annoying In this episode she shares her secrets to getting teens to actually listen (and not blow you off) and follow through with these manners. Follow Brooke on Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brookeromneywrites/⁠ and ⁠https://brookeromney.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are there any anxious mothers out there? Have you ever been shamed for being an anxious mother? Well, I definitely have been an anxious mom, just ask my daughter. Actually I have never met a mom especially a mom of a teen who hasn’t had to deal with anxious thoughts. Moms are going to worry. the challenge is how to make anxiety useful and not be a constant source of agony. In this episode we talk about how to get curious about anxiety and learn from it. Joining us today is Yael Goldstein-Love. She is the author of the novels The Passion of Tasha Darsky, described as “showing signs of brooding genius” by The New York Times, and The Possibilities, forthcoming in July. She also practices psychotherapy, with a particular interest in the transition to parenthood, and is working toward her doctorate in clinical psychology. Her dissertation research focuses on how mothers experience their anxiety for the unknown futures of their children. She is a graduate of Harvard University and currently attends The Wright Institute. Her writing has appeared in The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal Speakeasy Blog, The Atlantic online, The Forward, Commentary, and other places. She lives with her six-year-old son and a very patient cat in Berkeley, CA. Here are a couple of quotes from Yael's article on maternal anxiety. "There is a mismatch between the primal maternal drive to protect our offspring and our knowledge that we’re largely powerless to do so, and this gap between what we long to do as mothers taxed with seeing the next generation in, and what we can realistically do as human beings, is one of the more brutal gifts of evolution. No wonder anxiety is such a fundamental part of motherhood." "We don’t often think about the sheer existential heft of caring for a child, and how anxiety is baked right into it. To honor this aspect of mothering would be to look head-on at realities we all find harrowing: that life is fragile, we never know what’s coming next, we suffer, and in the end we die. Maternal worry gets at the heart of what is terrifying about being alive, and about loving." Learn more at: ⁠https://www.yaelgoldsteinlove.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are your teen’s mood swings more than “just hormones”?Are your own symptoms—fatigue, anxiety, or low libido—being dismissed as “normal”? In this powerful episode, Colleen O'Grady interviews Dr. Julie Taylor, functional medicine physician and author of The Hormone Manual, about the misunderstood role hormones play in both teens and moms. Dr. Taylor debunks the myth that hormones are simply a “female issue” to be silenced, minimized, or medicated. Instead, she explains how hormones—especially progesterone and testosterone—are central to our emotional and physical well-being. From gut health in childhood to PMS, PMDD, birth control, perimenopause, and menopause, Dr. Taylor outlines how hormone imbalances often go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to anxiety, depression, migraines, and more. She urges moms to listen to their bodies—and their daughters’—and seek out root-cause, functional medicine solutions. Dr. Julie Taylor is a bioidentical hormone specialist and functional medicine doctor with a thriving practice in Pasadena, California. She aims to restore health and wellness to her patients by treating the whole person. She sees patients, men and women of all ages in her practice where she emphasizes preventive medicine reversing chronic disease and finding the root cause of all symptoms. She focuses especially on menopause management and helping women find quality of life as they age. 🗝️ Key Takeaways: Hormones are everything. Progesterone is a natural antidepressant, and estrogen/testosterone imbalances can lead to anxiety, mood swings, migraines, and loss of motivation or libido. Teen symptoms like PMS, heavy periods, acne, and even suicidal thoughts may stem from hormone imbalances, not mental illness—and can often be treated naturally. Birth control may mask symptoms but cut off vital communication between brain and ovaries. Non-hormonal options like the copper IUD are safer, and hormone testing is essential before defaulting to antidepressants. Find out more at: https://julietaylormd.com/ Follow on Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/julietaylormd/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel like your home energy often mirrors your teen’s mood—and not in a good way? What if you could shift the atmosphere in your home without saying a word? In this episode, Colleen O’Grady talks with Lisa Danahy, yoga therapist and founder of the nonprofit Create Calm, about how moms can bring more peace and regulation into their homes—and themselves. With decades of experience in education and yoga-based therapy, Lisa explains the role of the autonomic nervous system and the vagus nerve in our stress responses, and why physical practices—not just mental strategies—are the key to resetting our emotional states. She offers practical techniques like “Yoga Jacks,” “Washing Machine Twists,” and a rhythmic finger-tapping affirmation practice that moms can use to regulate themselves—and invite their teens to join. They also dive into the power of co-regulation, why mindfulness isn’t about control, and how big energy doesn’t have to lead to big drama. Lisa Danahy (C-IAYT, YACEP, MS) is a powerful educator and entrepreneur. Her non-profit, Create Calm, has facilitated cultural shifts and deep healing for thousands of students, teachers, and families in hundreds of schools and community organizations across the country since 2016. With an MS in Yoga Therapy and BA in Psychology, over 30 years as a school administrator and SEL curriculum developer, and certification as an advanced educator and trainer, Lisa is highly skilled at creating accessible, evidence-based, successful curricula for behavioral and emotional regulation, as well as physical and mental health. She is the author of Creating Calm in Your Classroom. Key Takeaways: Your calm is contagious. You don’t need to fix your teen’s mood. When you regulate yourself first—through breath, movement, or mindfulness—you model what emotional balance looks like and help them get there too. Energy is meant to move. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, or frustration, Lisa offers easy movement practices like “Washing Machine Twists” that help shift big energy safely out of the body. Start where you are. You don’t need a yoga mat or a quiet room. Mindful movements and breath can happen in the kitchen, before you walk in the house, or alongside your dysregulated teen—with or without their participation. Learn more at: https://createcalm.org/ Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/create_calm_yoga/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your teen glued to their screen this summer? Do you know the difference between typical teen behavior and true digital distress? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jennifer Zumarrarga, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, joins Colleen O’Grady to talk about the growing issue of digital distress—the emotional strain and anxiety caused by excessive screen use. Together, they explore how screens are impacting teens' mental health, from sleep issues to depression and even self-harm. Dr. Zumarrarga shares how her clinical work has evolved as digital habits have become a root cause of many emotional and behavioral issues in teens. The conversation dives deep into how the pandemic escalated screen dependency, how to spot signs of distress, and why setting boundaries around technology use is more critical than ever—especially during summer. Jennifer Zumarraga, MD is a specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at El Camino Health in California. She has over a decade of experience working with children and adolescents of all ages. Dr. Zumarraga began her career in research at the National Institute of Mental Health, focusing on youth with ADHD. She went on to complete her training at the University of Rochester and the University of Southern California. Three Key Takeaways: Excessive screen time affects the basics: Sleep, nutrition, mood, and social interaction often suffer when teens are glued to their devices. Look for changes like irritability, withdrawal, or academic decline. Limits are necessary—and hard: Teens often push back when you try to cut screen time. But consistency, clear boundaries, and calm conversations (held when everyone is regulated) can help establish healthier habits. Help teens reclaim their summer: Work with your teen to create a list of 30–50 non-digital activities, develop a daily structure, and encourage real-world social connections. This effort now can prevent more serious mental health issues later. Learn more at: https://www.getcare.elcaminohealth.org/providers/jennifer-zumarraga-md-1518987601-1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you worried your teen will experiment with alcohol, vaping, or other risky behaviors?Do you wonder how to have those crucial conversations without getting shut down—or tuned out? In this powerful episode, Dr. Crystal Collier joins Colleen to unpack the science behind teen decision-making, impulsivity, and risk. With compelling insights from her own story and decades of research, Dr. Collier explains how dopamine, brain development, and social pressure collide in the adolescent years. She shares how high-risk behaviors like vaping, binge drinking, and overusing tech can alter executive functioning—and what parents can do to help. From early prevention strategies to family code building, refusal skills, and brain-based praise, this episode offers actionable steps to help your teen thrive. Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S, is a therapist, prevention researcher, educator, and author of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide and Know Your Neuro: Adventures of a Growing Brain children's book series. The Know Your Neuro prevention model was selected for the Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Key Takeaways: You can prevent risky behavior—but it takes consistency, brain-based conversations, and setting a clear family code. Starting early (even in 3rd grade) is ideal, but it’s never too late to begin. Risky behavior alters brain development. Dopamine surges from vaping, drinking, or pornography can delay or damage the frontal lobe’s growth—impacting impulse control, empathy, and decision-making. Refusal skills matter. Teens are more likely to say yes when they haven’t rehearsed saying no. Helping your teen develop assertive or even humorous ways to resist peer and social media pressure is critical to their safety and confidence. Let your parenting be grounded in neuroscience—and empower your teen to protect their most valuable asset: their brain. Learn more at https://www.drcrystalcollier.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices