Parenting Teenagers Untangled: The award-winning podcast for parents of tweens and teens, offering realistic, science-backed advice for calmer, more connected family life.
Kids & Family
About
I'm Rachel Richards, Teen Parenting Specialist, former BBC Correspondent, CNBC Europe World News Anchor and mum, on a mission to make parenting teens much less stressful, and even enjoyable. Do you ever feel like you don’t know what you’re doing? I've experienced that too, so have a big hug from me.Here's the truth. You’re doing better than you think you are. No, really, you are. There’s too much talk about what a parent should be, and how we can optimise and perfect ourselves, and not enough about how well you’re coping in this complicated world as yo...
Episodes
- The Vital Skill Parents Can Teach Teens and Tweens: Critical Thinking
This episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled discusses critical thinking for teenagers with Dr. Maree Davies. They explore what critical thinking is, how teenage brain development affects information processing, and practical ways parents…
- Parenting in High-Conflict Homes: Protecting Your Kids When Your Partner Won’t Change
This episode discusses parenting in high-conflict homes, offering strategies to protect children and navigate challenging family dynamics. Conflict navigation specialist Masha Rusanov provides insights into changing painful conflict patter…
- The Manosphere for Parents of Teens: Signs Your Son Is Being Influenced (and How to Respond)
This episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled discusses the manosphere's impact on teenage boys. Featuring Matt Pinkett, author of "Unmasking the Manosphere," the conversation explores how these ideas affect boys and provides guidance for…
- ‘Lazy’ to Motivated: Parenting Revision, Homework & Exams. Hear a Teen On What Really Helps
This episode features Rachel and her daughter Amelia discussing effective strategies for parents to support teenagers during exam season, particularly those with dyslexia and ADHD. Amelia shares her personal experiences with motivation, ho…
- Parenting teens for connection not perfection
This episode explores shifting from parenting for perfection to parenting for connection. It provides practical strategies for building rituals of togetherness, modeling self-care, and fostering a loving environment that prioritizes the te…
- Parenting Teens Through Love & Heartbreak: What we do wrong and what helps
Professor Lisa Phillips joins the podcast to discuss guiding teenagers through first relationships and heartbreak. The episode explores the impact of teen romances on development, communication strategies for parents, and how to provide he…
- Parenting teens through failure and on to university
In this episode, Dr. Dominique Thompson joins host Rachel to discuss how parents can support teenagers facing significant disappointments, such as university rejection or exam failure. They explore strategies for building resilience, manag…
- Parenting Teen Boys In The Age of the Manosphere - Vintage
This episode provides guidance for parents on discussing the 'manosphere' and influential online figures with their teenage sons. It offers practical advice on how to have open conversations, identify problematic content, and encourage pos…
- Cutting it as a parent? Parenting teens as a surgeon, author and mother of four with Gabriel Weston
In this episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled, host Susie talks with surgeon, author, and mother of four Gabriel Weston. Weston discusses the realities of parenting, including the importance of setting boundaries, managing family differ…
- Parenting teens in an age of AI, Nudes and Online Blackmail
This episode discusses the risks teenagers face online, including grooming, sextortion, and AI-generated abuse. It offers safety advice for parents and highlights resources like the Internet Watch Foundation and Childline.
- The Thing Parents, Tweens and Teens Need Most: Mattering with Jennifer Breheny-Wallace
Jennifer Breheny-Wallace discusses the concept of mattering—the fundamental human need to be valued beyond achievements—and its importance for parents and teenagers. The episode provides strategies for fostering intrinsic values, prioritiz…
- Parenting Teens So They Don't Stop Talking to Us When They're Older
Dr. Joshua Coleman discusses the causes of family estrangement, including unmet expectations and generational differences. He offers insights for parents on navigating these challenges and maintaining connections with their children.
- Tween and teen parenting for a healthy body image, and getting teens to do chores. Vintage
This episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled explores strategies for supporting a healthy body image in tweens and teens, as well as methods for encouraging them to contribute to household chores. The discussion includes insights on the i…
- Intense tween and teen friendships and the most important things a parent can say
This episode explores the challenges of teenage social dynamics and why parental instincts to dismiss or fix social pain can be counterproductive. Host Rachel and guest Megan Saxelby discuss research from Dr. David Yeager on how specific l…
- Positive Parenting: Using Strengths to Motivate and Understand our Tweens and Teens
Applied neuroscientist Naomi Glover discusses how parents can use a strengths-based approach to motivate and support their tweens and teens, including those with ADHD or other neurotypes. The episode covers practical strategies for emotion…
- Parenting Teens Who're Online: Protecting Them From Predators
Anna Sonoda joins the Parenting Teenagers Untangled podcast to discuss grooming, the "4F formula," and how parents can protect their children from online predators. The episode covers practical strategies, including setting usage rules and…
- How parents of teens can raise happy, successful adults
Rachel discusses the definitions of success and happiness with author Giselle Goodwin. They explore how these definitions impact parenting and what expectations parents should have for their children's futures in a changing societal landsc…
- The One Thing Your Teen Really Needs From a Parent: Emotional Regulation
In this episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled, Rachel speaks with Dr. Jody Carrington about emotional regulation in tweens and teens. They discuss the importance of parent regulation, the role of repair in relationships, and practical s…
- The secrets to real change, and parents breaking negative family cycles
In this episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled, Mitchell Osmond discusses how finding mentors and building community helped him overcome personal challenges. He shares his story of improving his finances, health, and family life through…
- Parenting teens and tweens who're anxious: The vital role we can play. Vintage
This episode explores the rising prevalence of anxiety in teenagers and discusses the role parents can play in supporting them. Drawing on research and resources, it examines the habit of worrying and offers techniques such as mindfulness…
- Parenting Teens Without Overreacting: How to handle emotions calmly - Vintage
This episode discusses strategies for parents to manage emotional reactions when dealing with triggering behavior from teenagers. It explores the reasons behind overreacting, the impact on parent-teen relationships, and provides mindfulnes…
- The Parenting Gap: How Society Is Failing Dads (and Our Kids)
Michael Ray, a gender equality campaigner, discusses the representation of fathers in media and society. He explores the challenges of balancing traditional roles and argues for the importance of respecting and supporting fathers in parent…
- Top Friendship Tips for Teen Girls: Lessons from Real-Life Sisters.
This episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled explores the evolution of friendships for teenage girls as they transition to new schools or universities. Hear insights on maintaining diverse friendships, managing social media, and navigatin…
- Christmas and other family gatherings with teens. Magic or misery? Vintage
This episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled explores the challenges of family gatherings during the holidays. It offers practical tips for parents to manage stress, expectations, and family dynamics when teens are involved.
- Motivational feedback, a happiness hack, and letting your teen sleepover after a party
In this episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled, Rachel answers listener questions, discusses motivational feedback, shares a happiness hack based on a Dana Millbank article, and gives advice on allowing teenagers to have sleepovers after…
- The Parenting 'Super System' to Help Teens Stay on Task; Even Those With ADHD
Executive skills coach Sean Geraghty joins Parenting Teenagers Untangled to discuss managing homework and school stress for neurodivergent teens. He introduces the "Super System" to help parents support their teenagers with executive funct…
- Parenting Teens Who Can Speak Their Mind Without Fear
Clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael discusses the rise of anxiety and self-censorship regarding free speech in conversations. She offers practical advice on using reflective listening and open dialogue to encourage understanding and…
- Talk to your boys: Parenting around masculinity, gaming, sexuality and emotions.
This episode of Parenting Teenagers Untangled explores raising sons, covering topics such as masculinity, gaming, emotions, and navigating difficult conversations about topics like sex and technology. Guest Joanna Schroeder provides insigh…
- Your Teen Is Already Using AI: How Parents can Talk About It
Jenny Anderson joins the podcast to discuss how parents can navigate the challenges of children using AI. The episode explores the importance of embracing the struggle in learning while managing the impact of new technology on teenagers.
- Mental health problems in teenagers. Parents can't just blame phones.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel discusses the science behind adolescent development and the factors contributing to the current youth mental health crisis. He explores the neurological mismatch between maturing brains and mo…
- Drugs: 1 in 2 teens exposed to them by 15. Parenting teens through the reality
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE discusses the urgent need for drug education and parental awareness. She shares insights on the risks of synthetic substances, the impact of drugs on the adolescent brain, and how parents can facilitate open, informe…
- Grief, university, rules and consequences, raising boys, chores and phones. Community Catch Up
In this podcast episode, host Rachel and guest Susie Asli discuss parenting challenges including supporting children through grief, the transition to university, and respecting teenage independence. They also cover the use of device manage…
- Most teenagers aren't getting enough sleep. Here's how parents can fix it.
This episode explores why many teenagers do not get sufficient sleep and offers practical advice for parents. Guest Jessica Bryant joins host Rachel to discuss family attitudes toward sleep and strategies to help adolescents meet their sle…
- Parents teens and tweens in a way that keeps them from developing eating disorders.
Food psychologist Dr. Anna Colton joins the podcast to discuss preventing eating disorders in tweens and teens. The conversation covers the importance of neutral communication about food and body image, protecting children from diet cultur…
- Parents, stop pushing your kids: The science of success, resilience, and reduced stress.
In this episode, teen coach Ned Johnson discusses how parents can help their children develop resilience and motivation by stepping back and allowing them more control over their lives. The discussion covers the science of stress and the i…
- Transforming difficult, disruptive teens
Tish Feilden, co-founder of Jamie's Farm, discusses practical strategies for supporting disengaged or disruptive teenagers. The episode explores methods for fostering connection, improving emotional health, and encouraging positive develop…
- Conflict resolution skills for parents of teens. Vintage.
This episode explores conflict resolution techniques for parents of teenagers, including the LUFU (Listening Until Fully Understood) method and assertive communication strategies. It discusses how to navigate disagreements to strengthen, r…
- Teens Talk: Parents listen. The good and bad of smart phones and social media.
In this episode, teens share their personal experiences with smartphones and social media to help parents navigate device use. The discussion covers the risks like predation and stress, as well as the benefits such as finding support and c…
- School Problems: Parenting teens through education issues
This episode discusses the recent surge in parental complaints regarding schools in the UK. It explores the reasons behind this trend, its impact on school staff, and how parents can navigate educational issues.
- Mental Health, and Teen Phone Use with Oxford Psychologist Lucy Foulkes.
Host Rachel talks to psychologist Dr. Lucy Foulkes about social media, adolescent mental health, and the impact of technology on teenagers. The episode examines evidence regarding phone use and discusses strategies for parents to support t…
- Lessons in parenting from adult kids who go no contact:
Host Rachel is joined by psychotherapist Catherine Hickem to discuss family estrangement between parents and adult children. They explore the reasons behind this dynamic and offer strategies for parents of teens and tweens to build lasting…
- Teens, screens and mobiles: The online safety expert's view of bans and boundaries.
Child psychotherapist and cyber trauma expert Catherine Knibbs joins the show to discuss alternative approaches to banning teen device and social media use. She explores the risks associated with online environments and offers strategies f…
- Why Parents Judge Each Other — And How to Stop.
This episode explores the nature of parental judgment, examining how it functions as both a safety mechanism and a source of shame. It offers practical strategies for parents to manage their own reactions to judgment and provides tips for…
- Why Mothers Aren't Happy: Burnout, Mental Load and the Second Shift.
Dr. Giselle Goodwin discusses the decline in women's happiness, the impact of societal expectations, burnout, and the mental load faced by working mothers. The episode explores concepts like the "second shift," the Paula Principle, and str…
- Angry teenagers: Parenting teens and tweens through their anger - Vintage.
This episode explores why teenagers struggle with anger due to brain development and offers practical strategies for parents to help them manage their emotions. Discussions include normalizing anger, identifying triggers, and practicing re…
- Parenting teens with boundaries that actually work: Vintage.
In this episode, Parenting Teenagers Untangled explores strategies for setting effective boundaries and consequences with teenagers, emphasizing the importance of balancing love and discipline. The discussion focuses on maintaining connect…
- Motivation: The parent's guide to motivating a teen or tween: Vintage.
This episode explores strategies for motivating teens and tweens who struggle academically. It discusses insights from psychologist Dr. David Yeager on how understanding a teen's desire for social status can help parents foster motivation…
- Alcohol. A Smart Parents' Guide to Helping Teens Take a Healthy Approach.
This episode explores the risks and realities of underage drinking, featuring Kate Winstanley from Community Alcohol Partnerships. It covers why parents might offer alcohol at home and provides practical tips for fostering healthy habits a…
- Talk: How to talk so your teenager will listen, and teens wanting to sleep together.
This episode explores strategies for communicating effectively with teenagers and offers advice on addressing the topic of teenage romantic partners spending the night. It discusses brain development, active listening techniques, and ways…
- Puberty, toxic friendships and 'Pick me' girls - teens talk.
In this episode, the host discusses puberty, toxic friendships, and the 'pick me' girl phenomenon with her two daughters. They address listener questions regarding body changes, navigating unhealthy friendship dynamics, and societal pressu…