Speaking of Teens
Kids & Family
About
Parenting a teenager is the most uniquely challenging things you’ve ever done. The host of Speaking of Teens, Ann Coleman, understands all too well. After drowning in those challenges, herself, she spent several years transitioning from practicing attorney to expert in the science of adolescence and parenting. Every Tuesday she delivers the most up to date, science-based information, news and advice to help you better understand, relate to, and parent your teen…without the conflict. From navigating relationships and social media to academic pressures and mental health issues, she, along with an occasional expert guest, will help you peacefully pare...
Episodes
- #249: Teenager Friendship Drama--Help Without Making It Worse
This episode discusses how parents can help teenagers manage friendship drama. It explores the impact of social rejection on the adolescent brain and differences in how boys and girls handle conflicts.
- #248: How To Get Your Teenager To Actually Listen To You
This episode explores why traditional punishment methods often fail with teenagers. It examines how teen brain development influences behavior and offers alternative approaches to discipline that focus on skill-building rather than punitiv…
- #247: Getting Your Teen To Stop Or Decrease Their Substance Use
This episode of Speaking of Teens explores science-backed strategies for parents to help teens address substance use. Host Ann discusses motivational interviewing and the CRAFT method as effective alternatives to traditional punishment-bas…
- #246 Discovered Your Teen Is Using Drugs Or Drinking? What Now?
This episode provides a step-by-step guide for parents who discover their teenager is using drugs, alcohol, or vaping. It covers how to have calm, empathetic conversations, understand the root causes of substance use, set boundaries, and a…
- #245 – Why Teens Use Substances And How To Help Prevent It
This episode explores the neuroscience behind adolescent substance use, including the role of the brain's reward system and prefrontal cortex. The host provides four science-backed strategies for parents to help prevent risky behavior in t…
- What To Do About Your “Lazy And Unmotivated” Teenager (That Actually Works)
This episode explains why teenagers may appear unmotivated and why traditional approaches like punishment or nagging are ineffective. It introduces Dr. Adam Price's 8-step framework for fostering internal drive in teens while maintaining a…
- #243: Stop Overparenting—You’re Sabotaging Your Teen’s Future
In this episode, the host discusses the negative impacts of overparenting or helicopter parenting on teenagers and young adults. The episode provides strategies to reduce parent-teen conflict and foster confidence in teenagers to help them…
- #242: Why Home Drug Testing Your Teen Is A Losing Proposition
This episode examines the potential drawbacks of at-home drug testing for teenagers and explains why it may not be an effective solution. The host also offers alternative strategies for parents to discuss substance use and reduce risky beh…
- #241: How To Connect To Your Teen To Improve Their Behavior
In this final episode of the Fundamentals of Parenting Teens series, the host explores the importance of connection in improving teen behavior. The episode provides strategies for parents to build stronger relationships and maintain influe…
- #240 Punishment Creates Teen Rebellion. Do This Instead.
In this episode of Speaking of Teens, the host discusses why traditional forms of punishment and consequences can increase rebellion in teenagers. The episode focuses on effective alternatives for supporting teen autonomy and improving beh…
- #239: Want Your Teen To Actually Calm Down? Do This. (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 6)
In this episode of the Fundamentals of Parenting Teens series, the host introduces emotion coaching as a scientifically proven technique to help teenagers manage emotional meltdowns. The discussion outlines 10 essential steps for implement…
- #238: Want to improve your teen’s behavior? Improve yours. (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 5)
In this fifth installment of the Fundamentals of Parenting Teens series, the host discusses how parents can improve their teenager's behavior by adjusting their own thoughts, emotions, and reactions. The episode covers strategies for manag…
- #237: Your Teen’s Behavior Isn’t The Problem, It’s Your Approach (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 4)
In this fourth episode of the Fundamentals of Parenting Teens series, the host discusses how shifting a parent's approach can help reduce conflict and improve teen behavior. The episode provides eight actionable strategies for supporting a…
- #236: Why Your Smart Teen Does Risky Things, And How To Help (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 3)
This episode explores the science behind adolescent risk-taking, explaining how brain development influences teenagers to engage in reckless behavior, particularly when with peers. Strategies are provided to help parents address these risk…
- #235: Why your teen’s so angry, anxious, moody, and “mean” (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 2)
In this second installment of the Fundamentals of Parenting Teens series, the host examines the neuroscience behind teenage emotional dysregulation. The episode explains how the brain's developing amygdala and prefrontal cortex contribute…
- #234: The Thing You Need To Know About Your Teen's Behavior (Fundamentals of Parenting Teens Series ep. 1)
This episode marks the beginning of a recurring series on the fundamentals of parenting teens, based on the course The Field Guide for Teens. It focuses on essential frameworks for improving relationships and managing behavior in adolescen…
- #233: 5 Parenting Mistakes That Destroy Connection With Our Teens
In this episode of Speaking of Teens, the host discusses five common parenting mistakes to avoid when raising teenagers, including misconceptions about behavior and consequences. The episode aims to help parents move out of reaction mode t…
- #232: Difficult Teen? Transform Them With This Parent Skill
This episode explores how parental emotional regulation can improve teen behavior and mental health. The host discusses science-backed techniques for parents to develop emotional awareness as a way to reduce conflict.
- #231: Are Smart Phones and Social Media Really Ruining Teens’ Mental Health (Or Have We Been Here Before)?
This episode explores whether social media and smartphones are truly harming teen mental health, comparing current concerns to previous historical panics over media like comic books and TV. It offers a balanced perspective on digital navig…
- #230: How To Reduce Chaos In Your Home To Improve Teen Mental Health
This episode explores the impact of home environment on adolescent mental health. The host discusses five strategies for creating a calmer, more structured home to reduce stress and improve parent-teen relationships.
- #229: What's Behind Your Teen's School Refusal, And How Do You Get Them There?
This episode explores the reasons behind school refusal in teens and tweens, distinguishing it from truancy. The host discusses the emotional and physical symptoms of this behavior and offers actionable strategies for parents to support th…
- #228: Understanding Your Thoughts And Emotions Will Help You Parent Your Teen
This episode explores how examining personal thought patterns, including cognitive biases and distortions, helps parents manage their emotions and behaviors. By becoming more aware of their thinking, parents can improve emotional regulatio…
- #227: Why Is Your Teen Always So Angry and Emotionally Dysregulated?
This episode explores emotional dysregulation in both neurotypical and neurodivergent teens. The host discusses the challenges of obtaining a definitive mental health diagnosis due to symptom overlap and highlights a lesser-known symptom o…
- #226: Is Your Anxiety About Your Teenager’s Behavior Causing Rebellion?
This episode discusses how parenting out of fear can negatively impact the relationship with a teenager and contribute to rebellious behavior. The host explains how anxious thoughts lead to overreacting and provides advice on how to change…
- #225: Being Bullied Sucks. What You Can Do When Your Teen Is Bullied At School
In this episode of Speaking of Teens, the host discusses how to identify if a teen or tween is being bullied and provides step-by-step guidance on how to address the issue with them.
- #224: Trying to Make Sure Your Teen Never Messes Up, Is Setting Them Up For Failure
This episode discusses how preventing teens from making mistakes can hinder their development of autonomy and independence. It explores the importance of allowing teens to experience natural consequences to better prepare them for adulthoo…
- #223: Your Thoughts And Emotions Impact Your Teen’s Behavior More Than You Know
This episode explores the importance of emotional awareness and regulation for parents, highlighting how an adult's own thoughts and emotions influence their teen's behavior. The host discusses the value of introspection and understanding…
- #222: Is Your Teen or Tween Constantly Lying To You? Here’s How To Manage It.
This episode explores why lying is a common and normal behavior in teens and tweens, according to researchers and mental health professionals. It provides insights into why this phenomenon occurs and offers guidance on how parents can mana…
- #221: How You Can Manage Your Teen's Snarky, Rude, Disrespectful Attitude (Without Losing It)
This episode explores common reasons for rude or disrespectful behavior in teens and tweens and offers strategies for parents to manage these interactions while reducing conflict.
- #220: Your Teen or Tween Isn’t Broken: Demystifying Typical Teen Behavior
In this episode of Speaking of Teens, the host explains common teenage and tween behaviors that parents often misunderstand. The discussion aims to help parents manage their frustrations and improve their responses to their children.
- #219: ADHD and Teens: Lesser Known Symptoms Parents Should Understand
This episode discusses the varied symptoms of ADHD in teenagers, focusing on social and emotional challenges beyond academic performance. Key topics include emotional regulation, impulsivity, risky behaviors, sleep difficulties, and sensit…
- #218 How To Get Your Teen To Listen And Do What You Need Them To Do
This episode provides parents with strategies to improve teen cooperation and reduce conflict. The host discusses essential parenting basics, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical methods for encouraging teenagers to listen and follow th…
- #217: Strategies And Tools Parents Can Use To Help Their Anxious Teens (Third Episode—Teen Anxiety Series)
This episode concludes a three-part series on teen anxiety by focusing on practical strategies and tools parents can use to help their teens and tweens. The discussion emphasizes creating supportive home environments to help manage anxiety…
- #216: Obtaining A Proper Diagnosis And The Best Treatment For Teen Anxiety Symptoms (Second Episode—Teen Anxiety Series)
This episode of Speaking of Teens explores how to distinguish between normal teen anxiety and a diagnosable disorder. It also details the roles of different mental health professionals and the various treatment options available for teens…
- #215: How Anxiety Develops And What It Looks Like In Teens and Tweens (First Episode—Teen Anxiety Series)
This episode explores how anxiety develops in teens and tweens and how parents can identify its symptoms. It serves as the first installment in a series addressing teen anxiety, distinguishing anxious behavior from typical misbehavior.
- #214: 3 Ways To Win Your Teenager’s Trust And Maintain Influence In Their Life
This episode outlines three strategies for parents to build trust and maintain influence with their teenagers. The host discusses the importance of understanding teen cognitive development, maintaining calmness during interactions, and pri…
- #213: How To Help Your Teen or Tween With Friendship Issues Without Stepping Over the Line
This episode of Speaking of Teens explores how parents can support teens and tweens through friendship issues without overstepping. It offers practical advice on listening, validating feelings, and repairing the parent-teen relationship if…
- #212 How Do You Discipline A Teenager When Nothing Seems To Work?
In this episode of Speaking of Teens, the host discusses effective discipline strategies for teenagers and tweens. The episode covers the goals of discipline, why punishment can be ineffective, and how to maintain the parent-teen relations…
- #211: 5 Core Concepts That Will Decrease Arguments With Your Teen And Improve Their Behavior
This episode outlines five core concepts designed to help parents manage interactions with teenagers, reduce arguments, and improve behavior. The host also offers associated resources, including a guide to applying these concepts in conver…
- #210: Want To Avoid Arguments With Your teen? Ditch The Constant Corrections.
This episode explores how constant corrections and turning conversations into teachable moments can hinder connection with teens. It offers insights into reducing power struggles and improving communication by focusing on the teen's perspe…
- #209: Your Teen’s Emotional Dysregulation Could Be Caused By Ultra-Processed Foods
This episode explores the potential impact of ultra-processed foods, including additives like sweeteners and dyes, on the mental health, behavior, and emotional regulation of children and teens. It also highlights concerns regarding curren…
- #208: Are All Those Emails From School Harming Your Relationship With Your Teen?
This episode explores how frequent communication from schools regarding assignments and grades impacts the relationship between parents and their teens. The host offers advice on navigating these communications and discusses common mistake…
- #207: Is Your Idea Of A “Successful Life” Steering Your Teen Away From Theirs?
In this mini-episode, the host discusses how parents' definitions of success can influence their teenagers. The reflection is based on the host's recent experiences with their stepchildren, prompting listeners to consider their own percept…
- #206: Does Your Teen or Tween Really Need Residential Treatment, Wilderness, etc.?
This episode examines the decision to send teens to residential treatment, wilderness, or therapeutic boarding schools. The host argues these programs should be a last resort only if safety is a concern, encouraging parents to explore home…
- #205: A Mom’s Struggle With Her Teen = Support For Other Parents Like You (with Casie Fariello)
Casie Fariello, founder of the parenting support platform Other Parents Like Me, shares her personal experience navigating mental health challenges and residential treatment for her teens. This episode aims to provide support and hope to o…
- #204: The Pervasive Impact Of Emotional Dysregulation For Teens With ADHD
This episode explores emotional dysregulation as an often overlooked symptom of ADHD in teens. The discussion covers the social and emotional consequences of this issue, the role of therapy and medication, and strategies for parents to pro…
- #203: Your Teen’s Behavior Isn’t Your Fault, But You Play A Role And Have Control
This episode explores how adolescent neurobiology influences behavior and discusses how parents can influence their teen's behavior by adjusting their own thoughts, emotions, and responses. While acknowledging that parents are not to blame…
- #202: Parenting Mistakes That Cause Conflict and Behavior Issues With Your Teen
This episode explores common parenting mistakes that often lead to conflict, power struggles, and behavioral issues with teens and tweens. The host provides advice on how to avoid these patterns to foster better connection and reduce house…
- #201: Decrease Conflict With Your Teen While Improving Your Relationship And Their Behavior
In this episode of Speaking of Teens, the host explains the framework taught in her Parent Camp program. She shares the development of this framework and provides details on the Spring 2025 registration period, which is open until February…
- #200: The More You Punish Your Teen, The Worse Their Behavior Will Become
In this 200th episode of Speaking of Teens, the host discusses why authoritarian, punishment-based parenting methods are ineffective for teenagers. The episode explores the negative impact of lecturing and yelling, offering alternative app…